Nursing Schools

Becoming a nurse is one of the most responsible and rewarding careers for both women and men. There is currently an enormous shortage of qualified nurses in the United States, a situation that is going to worsen as nurses retire, and as a result employment opportunities for nurses are currently very good and likely to improve. Nurses provide direct patient care in a wide variety of settings. They work in hospitals, community clinics, schools, nursing homes, the armed forces, private residences, and hospice settings. Nurses can also specialize in virtually any particular medical field, ranging from family practice to surgery, obstetrics to intensive care.

There are several types of nursing courses that lead to different nursing degrees. In the United States, the Associate Degree Nurse (ADN) program requires two years of study, and focuses on the practical applications of nursing. The Bachelor of Science Nurse (BSN) program includes four years of education, and includes greater depth of study. After completing either of these programs, every nurse takes a board exam to become a Registered Nurse (RN). This exam is known as the NCLEX-RN.

When choosing a nursing school, it is very important to make sure that the program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC). This ensures that you will be able to take your board exam. Not all programs are accredited. Finding the right nursing school for you is the first step to becoming a nurse.