A nursing school is basically a form of educational establishment, or portion thereof, that offers training and education to become an eligible nurse. The scope of nursing degrees and nursing training varies significantly around the globe. In the United States, there are approximately 100 nursing schools, according to the Nursing Education Service, Inc. Nursing schools offer both general certificate and associate degree programs as well as continuing education courses. It is important for prospective students to consider various factors such as program length, tuition costs, academic preparation, level of study, faculty, accreditation, tuition assistance, financial aid, study abroad options, and job placement upon graduation.
All degree programs will require that a candidate attend the school for a minimum of three years in order to graduate. There are two types of nursing degree programs offered by the nursing schools in the United States: A Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program and a Bachelor of Nursing degree program. Both programs require a candidate to have a high school diploma or its equivalent in order to enroll. A four year bachelor’s degree is the minimum requirement for entering most nursing schools in the United States.
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program allows students to choose one of three areas of nursing to focus on. One of the areas of study may include human resources, neonatology/pediatric, forensic nursing, and clinical nursing. Each of these areas of study is specialized depending on the specific hospital or medical facility in which the nurse is interested in entering. Students must complete coursework on basic science, mathematics, nursing school history and policies, interpersonal skills, and clinical practice. At least 100 hours of coursework must be completed in a bachelor’s degree program.
Students who wish to enter the field of nursing may enter into either a four-year or a full-time four-year nursing program. Full-time programs require a student to complete an additional two years of graduate-level studies at an approved hospital or healthcare facility. Most hospitals require at least a bachelor’s degree in order to apply for employment in a full-time hospital’s clinicals division. Students can expect to spend two years learning in a hospital’s clinicals department after completing a nursing program.
Students looking to enter a field in which they will have to gain a certification after completion of their nursing school education can also select an online study program. Online programs allow students to complete lessons and content from the comfort of their homes. Online courses allow students to access lectures and tutorials as needed throughout the day without having to worry about the difficulty of finding a childcare provider during the night. Some nurses take advantage of online learning opportunities in order to meet the clinicals requirements for prerequisites before starting their actual degree courses.
When searching for an institution that offers Registered Nurse training programs, it is necessary to compare costs and quality of education provided. The number of healthcare colleges has increased dramatically in recent years. As a result, it is often difficult to find one that provides the level of training needed for the position in which you are seeking. If you are currently a college student, contact the admissions office at your college to inquire about the clinicals requirements that must be met in order to earn your RN degree. It may be helpful to talk with a current registered nurse about the specific requirements that must be met before entering into this type of nursing program. It is important to remember that all states require all Registered Nurses to have at least a bachelor’s degree before pursuing a career in healthcare.