Becoming a Registered Nurse

Ever thought about becoming a nurse? Considering an occupation in the health field? Registered nursing is one of the fastest growing health occupations, and is already the largest. Registered nurses account for more than 2.4 million jobs. In the very near future, the field is expected to have the second largest number of new jobs among all occupations.

In order to become a registered nurse, a person must complete an official nursing program and pass the national examination required to receive a nursing license. There are three main educational roads a person can take to registered nursing: a bachelor's of science degree in nursing, an associate degree in nursing, and a diploma.

Bachelor's programs are offered by colleges and universities and usually take around 4 years to complete. Associate programs, offered by community and junior colleges, usually take between 2 and 3 years to complete. Diploma programs, which are offered in hospitals, last about 3 years. In general, licensed graduates of any of these three types of programs qualify for entry-level positions as staff nurses. Renewal of licenses after a certain amount of time is sometimes required.

Many nurses with an associate degree take an entry-level position and then seize the advantage of tuition compensation benefits while they work toward their bachelor's degree. Master's degree programs also are offered in nursing, combining a year of an accelerated bachelor's program with 2 years of graduate study.

All nursing programs include classroom training and first-hand experience in hospitals and other health care establishments. Participants of these programs take classes in anatomy, physiology, microbiology, chemistry, nutrition, psychology and other behavioral sciences, and nursing.

Most registered nurses work in hospitals, though some work in physicians' offices and nursing homes. Others work in home health care services, government agencies, and outpatient care centers. The number of job opportunities for registered nurses is growing quickly.

Employment in nursing homes is expected to grow even faster than usual because of the increase in the number of elderly whom require special care. Job growth is also expected in places that provide expert long-term rehabilitation for stroke and head injury patients, as well as facilities specialized in treating Alzheimer's patients.

Employment in home health care is expected to increase just as quickly because of the growing number of at-home patients with disabilities, their preference to be cared for in their own home, and the scientific advances that make it possible to bring more sophisticated treatments into homes.

Generally, registered nurses with at least a bachelor's degree in their field will have better job opportunities than those without one. Just as well, according to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, all four advanced practice specialties-clinical nurse specialists, nurse practitioners, midwives, and anesthetists-will be in high demand, especially in areas that are medically underserved. Sometimes an alternative to physicians, registered nurses serve as more inexpensive care providers.

If you've been considering a job in nursing and think you have the people-friendly skills to adapt to what will be your environment, registered nursing holds a promising future for aspiring health care providers.