A nursing school is any kind of educational establishment, be it a university or a college, that provides formal education and training for an aspiring nurse to become a professionally certified nurse. The nature of nursing qualifications and education varies widely across the globe. But some of the most important criteria that are essential for an aspiring nurse are academic qualification, clinical experience, interpersonal skills and certification.
In the United States, as in many other countries, a nursing program involves both classroom work as well as on-the-job training. It is not necessary that all nurses complete a four-year degree course from a university before beginning a career as a nurse. In certain states, especially when the first semester is not conducted by a traditional campus, and in many medical institutions where time is of the essence, nurses may receive a bachelor’s degree in nursing from a community college before enrolling in a nursing school.
Students who wish to pursue a degree in nursing should make sure they have completed their academic requirements before choosing a nursing school. In terms of academic preparation, students need to have completed high school or equivalent education. Courses in science and math must also have been completed, as well as English. The first semester of a nursing course typically involves laboratory work, clinical practice and clinical rotations at a hospital or medical center, in addition to teaching the basic concepts of nursing practice and basic science.
Students who successfully complete the requirements for acceptance into a nursing program are awarded an associate degree, followed by a bachelor’s degree. In some states, the nurse may also get a master’s degree, in order to specialize in a particular field of nursing. There are a number of healthcare specialties in which nurses can find employment after graduation. Nurses can choose to work in geriatrics, family living, adult day care, heath and disease prevention, acute and chronic care, and occupational health.
Once a nurse has graduated from a formal education program, the best option for gaining employment is to attend an accredited nursing school that is approved by the state in which he/she wishes to practice. There are many career options available for nurses, as the healthcare industry is growing rapidly. Many employers prefer to hire nurses with formal education, as this indicates that the nurse has attained some level of professional qualification. Furthermore, most healthcare organizations prefer to hire registered nurses who have gone through formal education programs, as these nurses are considered to be more skilled and experienced in their field.
An additional advantage of registering in a nursing program is that it reduces the costs incurred for starting a healthcare career. Nursing schools provide students with a detailed curriculum, including clinical study, theoretical study and assessment. Graduates can also choose to obtain additional post-high school credits relevant to their nursing plans. These additional post-high school credits can be used towards earning more credits towards a nursing degree from a local or online nursing school.