NURSING

A high starting salary and excellent job prospects continue to flow toward those who become registered nurses.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, registered nurses earned a median salary of $57,280 in May of 2006. But salary ranges were typically between $47,710 and $69,850.

So, what does it take to enter the world of nursing?

Three major roads lead to a career as a registered nurse — a diploma in nursing, an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor of science degree in nursing. Once the chosen educational pathway has been completed, the graduate must past a rigorous national licensing exam, the NCLEX-RN, in order to earn the coveted nursing license.

Online schools offer RN to BSN online degree programs; and new educational programs are being formulated that combine online nursing programs with internships in order to provide the necessary practical nursing experience to students.

Coursework is rigorous and predominantly science-oriented, including anatomy & physiology, chemistry, microbiology, psychology, nursing, nutrition and more. For the bachelor’s degree, a number of general education requirements must be met.

One route to becoming an RN is to first become an LVN or LPN – a licensed vocational nurse or licensed practical nurse, which can take as little as a year. Then accepting an entry-level job in a medical facility may lead to employer-paid tuition for additional nursing studies. 

But no matter which RN pathway is selected, the end of the road holds the promise of a wonderful, well-paying job for those who are diligent in their studies and who have a heart for service toward others. 

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