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Nursing Schools and Training Programs
Registered nursing is the largest occupation in health care, with 2.6 million jobs, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported in 2011. While registered nurses generally work to improve the health of patients, there are many career paths within the registered nursing field.
General duties of RNs include providing patient care by observing and recording symptoms, assisting physicians in the diagnosis and treatment of illnesses and injuries, and assisting patients and families during recuperation and convalescence. Nurses may develop treatment plans, and instruct and educate the patient on how to cope and recover from a disease.
Types of Registered Nurses
The specific duties performed by RNs typically depend on where they are employed, and the type of patients they work with. Here are some job titles and duties performed by nurses:
Hospital Nurses
This is the largest group of nurses. They typically work in one area of the hospital, such as maternity, the emergency room, surgery, or intensive care, and provide bedside assistance for patients. They may also have supervisory responsibility for nursing aides and practical nurses.
Physician’s Office Nurses
Working in individual physicians’ offices or clinics, these nurses work with doctors and outpatients by assisting with examinations, counseling patients and administering medicines. Depending on the size of the office, they may also assist with lab work or perform front office duties.
Public Health Nurses
Public health nurses work to improve the overall health of a community. They may be employed by government or private agencies. Their responsibilities include planning and running health programs, instructing individuals and groups on proper health procedures and issues, and conducting health screenings.
Other Types of Registered Nurses
Registered nurses may also work in nursing homes, where they manage the care of residents and supervise the activities of less-experienced licensed practical nurses and nursing aides. Home health nurses provide care to patients at their homes. Industrial nurses work for companies, providing on-site care and counseling at the workplace.
Training Requirements and Educational Opportunities for Registered Nurses
Most registered nurses prepare for their career by earning an associate or bachelor’s degree from an accredited program. Completing a diploma program can also qualify a candidate for an entry-level position as a registered nurse.
Nursing education involves a combination of classroom training and supervised experience in a clinic or hospital. Courses include anatomy and physiology, nutrition, psychology, and nursing. Most programs also include liberal arts and general education components.
About half of the nursing educational programs offer associate degrees in nursing. These programs take two to three years, and are offered by community colleges and junior colleges.
Bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) programs are offered by private and public colleges and universities. They usually require about four years of study. BSN programs are taken not only by those wishing to start a nursing career, but also by graduates of diploma or associate degree programs who wish to enhance their career potential. Many hospitals offer tuition reimbursement programs for nurses who want to obtain a bachelor's degree.
A diploma program is the least frequently used method of obtaining a nursing education. These programs are typically given in hospitals, and last two to three years.
Some career paths in nursing, such as administrative work, research or teaching are only available to those who have completed their BSN degree.
Licensing Requirements for RNs
In addition to graduating from an approved program, nurses must obtain a nursing license from the state in which they want to practice. To do so, they must pass a national licensing examination, known as the National Council Licensure Examination, or NCLEX-RN. Other eligibility requirements for licensure vary by State. A nursing license is not valid for all time, but must be periodically renewed.
Employment and Advancement Opportunities for Registered Nurses
Employment in nursing is expected to grow 22 percent between 2008 and 2018, according to the BLS. This growth will be driven by retirement of current RNs, technological advancements that will increase treatment options, and the growing number of older people.
Hospitals are traditionally the largest employers of RNs, holding 60 percent of RN positions in 2008, the BLS reports. However, hospital employment is expected to grow at a slower pace than at clinics and outpatient treatment facilities. Hospitals are admitting patients for shorter periods of time, and moving more care to outpatient facilities.
Much of the projected job growth in nursing will occur in home health care. Many patients prefer to be treated at home, and technological advances will allow for more advanced treatment options there. Employment in nursing homes will grow rapidly as well, particularly in those facilities that provide long-term care and Alzheimer's disease treatment.
Advancement Potential for Registered Nurses
With additional training and experience, there are many career advancement paths available to registered nurses. Staff nurses can advance to head nurse or nurse supervisor positions, where they have responsibility for creating work schedules, providing training, and supervising other nurses and nurses aides. Increasingly, management-level nursing positions require a graduate or an advanced degree in nursing or health services administration.
Other advanced nursing positions include nurse practitioners, who provide primary healthcare, and may be allowed to prescribe medication. Clinical nurse specialists, nurse-midwives, and nurse anesthetists are other advanced nursing positions that typically require additional training – at least a master’s degree – and licensing. In addition, all States specifically define requirements for registered nurses in advanced practice roles.
Experienced nurses can also seek management positions in health care. These positions often require graduate level work in nursing or health services administration. Beyond head nursing, opportunities exist as directors or vice presidents of health care organizations. Other career paths include marketing, health planning, and quality assurance.
Additional Resources:
American Nursing Association – Professional organization that offers educational resources and networking opportunities for nurses.
National Student Nurse Association – An organization that focus on providing helpful resources to students in nursing.
University of Phoenix
- BS in Nursing (RN Required)
- M.S. in Nursing
- Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing
- More
Keiser University
- Fort Lauderdale
- Nursing, MS
- Medical Assisting, AS
Medical Career Institute
- Nursing (BSN) - Bachelor
- Registered Nursing - Associate
- Practical Nursing - Diploma
- More
South University - Campus
- Nurse Educator (MS)
- Nursing (BS)
- Family Nurse Practitioner (MS)
- More
Kaplan University
- Fort Lauderdale
- MS in Nursing
- RN to MS in Nursing
- RN to BS in Nursing
- More
Everest College
- Bachelor of Science - Nursing
- Associate of Science - Nursing
- Associate of Applied Science - Medical Assisting
- More
Career Colleges of America
- Vocational Nurse
- Nurse Assistant
- Medical Assistant
Keiser University Campus
- Nursing, BS (Online Only)
- Nursing, AS
- Nursing, MS (Online Only)
- More
Carrington College
- Registered Nursing
- Medical Assisting
Ready for a rewarding career in healthcare? Carrington College™ can help.
Kaplan College - KHE
- Associate of Science: Nursing
- Diploma: Vocational Nursing
- Diploma: Practical Nursing
- More
Sanford-Brown Institute
- Nursing
- Medical Assistant
- Medical Assistant Specialist
Bryant and Stratton College
- Nursing
- Medical Assisting
Brown Mackie College
- Assoicate of Science in Nursing
- Associate of Applied Science in Nursing
- Diploma in Practical Nursing
- More
Keiser University Graduate School
- Fort Lauderdale
- Nursing, MS (Online)
Western Governors University
- San Francisco
- B.S. in Nursing
- M.S. in Nursing - Leadership and Management (RN to MSN Option)
- M.S. in Nursing - Education (RN to MSN Option)
- More
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