If you’d like to work as a registered nurse, you are probably looking for a career where you can help others and earn a competitive salary. Before you can realize those goals, however, you need to meet the requirements for employment.

One of the most important aspects to examine when selecting a career is the level of education required to enter the field. If you’re thinking about becoming a registered nurse, there’s no one answer for how many years of education it will take to prepare you for the career. In fact, there are several paths that you can take to become an RN, depending on your own experience and the field you’d like to work in.

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)

The quickest way to become an RN is to obtain an associate degree in nursing, which takes an average of two years to complete. Like all nursing programs, this two-year degree should include classroom instruction in microbiology, anatomy, physiology, and other related courses, as well as supervised clinical work. Once you have this degree, you can work as a staff nurse in a hospital, ambulatory surgery center, a nursing home, or several other types of medical establishments.

Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Nursing (BSN)

Some nurses find that they would like to advance their education further after they have been hired on as a staff nurse, and many employers provide tuition reimbursement if they go back to school to achieve a higher degree. Obtaining a bachelor’s of science degree in nursing will not only bolster your knowledge, but it can prepare you for higher ranking administrative positions within your place of work. Plus, if you are looking into teaching or research positions, many of them require at least a BDN. Depending on your career goals, you might want to skip the associate’s degree and head right into the four-year bachelor’s degree program if you have the means.

If you already have a bachelor’s degree in a different field and you’re looking to switch to nursing, you have the option of getting on an accelerated track to a BSN because you have already met some of the educational requirements.

Further Education

If you’re interested in becoming a clinical nurse specialist (CNS), nurse midwife, nurse practitioner, or a nurse anesthesiologist, you’ll need at least a master’s degree. To pursue this degree, you’ll need a BSN and at least a year of clinical experience before you apply. Master’s degree programs generally take a year or two to complete.

State Nurse Licensing

Keep in mind that to practice as a registered nurse, you’ll need to obtain the appropriate license for your state. Not only do you need a degree, but you must pass a national examination, and some states require you to pass a background check and meet other requirements before you are issued a license. You will also need to renew your license from time to time, and some states require you to prove that you have completed continuing education.

Peg Smith is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Ms. Smith is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to healthcare careers.

Peg Smith is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Ms. Smith is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to http://www.topworkplaces.com/frontend.php/regional-list/company/philly/laser-spine-institute healthcare careers.

Author Bio: Peg Smith is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Ms. Smith is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to healthcare careers.

Category: Career
Keywords: healthcare careers, health care career, nursing careers, nurse