Online Education (rn To Bsn Associate-degree)

By Author: John Srob
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None are more cherished and revered throughout history than people who dedicate their lives to caring for others. Considered to be one of the most respected professions, nursing has evolved into a multibillion dollar industry in recent years. Although still staying true to its original values of the past, it has adapted itself to the changing world in a remarkable fashion.

Florence Nightingale, the pioneer of modern nursing laid a foundation that was devoted to helping people in pain and distress. Technological advancements have helped the nursing profession establish itself as a lucrative career choice. The popularity of this profession can be gauged by the interest students from all over the United States have shown in RN to BSN associate programs.

The main difference between earning an ADN or a BSN will be the length of time and the amount of credits required to complete the course of study. Typically, students enrolled in an ADN course of study spent two years in order to complete the program and be qualified to take the licensing examination for becoming a registered nurse. The BSN program takes four years ...
... to complete and may require additional prerequisites in order to gain entrance. Also, many career schools offer highly accelerated programs that lead to obtaining a BSN and 18 to 21 months here toward students who have already obtained a bachelor’s degree in another subject.

Core Curriculum Studied

Despite the nursing program followed, students typically study a core set of subject matter that includes adult health, psychiatry, maternal and newborn nursing including pediatrics, gerontology: nursing to name but a few. BSN programs always offer more courses in nursing that would include theory, research, instrumentation as well as specialized training in such areas as surgery and rehabilitation.

Starting Salaries Are Similar

Graduates obtaining an ADN or BSN are generally speaking offered similar salaries to start their medical careers. However, since many against positions in the nursing field require a BSN, pinging is degree does prepare the individual for the potential to earn a greater amount of money. A survey conducted in 2006 in the state of California revealed that RN’s with an ADN earned approximately $70,804 while RNs with the BSN on a little bit more at $75,017. There are several advantages for an individual to obtain an ADN that include:

• Less expensive education costs
• Less time-consuming
• Possibly pursue a course of study while fully employed
• Programs are typically available at local community colleges making access easy

The survey also revealed that as of 2006 in the state of California 46.6 percent of RNs have attained their schooling through an ADN program, while 37.7 percent had attended a BSN program. Other RN licenses were completed to a hospital sponsored diploma program. This type of program is administered through a local hospital and in many situations is offered with either reduced or no tuition in exchange for a commitment of a specified duration of time employed at that particular medical institution.However, individuals completing a hospital diploma program are at an eligible to sit for the national licensing examination, the NCLEX-RN, but did not receive a degree.

As stated earlier, the acronym ADN stands for Associate Degree in Nursing. This can be an interested individual’s ticket to the fast track for working as a nurse as quickly as possible. An ADN course of study takes only two years to complete, covering all the basic skills needed to work as an independent registered nurse.

This course of study prepares all students to apply for and pass the national certification exam known as the NCLEX-RN. Students successfully passing the exam are now registered to work as a nurse in the state where the exam was taken. Yet, taking and passing the national exam may also qualify individuals to work in certain other states that offer reciprocity when it comes to recognizing the validity of individual’s RN license.

Once licensed individuals will find employment in a variety of different settings from a physician’s office to a research facility where education and licensure allow the individual to conduct daily chores such as collecting samples, participating in patient treatment, dispensing medication, offering education and explanation for comforting concerned patients and loved ones, conducting basic lab tests as well as supervising licensed practical nurses and certified nursing assistants in their daily chores.

Individuals seeking a quick and easy path toward obtaining the position of an RN will find the path first obtaining an ADN to be an excellent choice. More often than not, individuals obtaining one or more years of experience as a registered nurse decide to continue on with education to obtain a BSN degree. Sending such a degree offers other exciting opportunities for a registered nurse that lead to specialized practice as well as entering management positions.

Always Make Sure to Check out Degree Requirements

Many colleges have different entrance requirements when it comes to selecting students for an ADN course of study. Many of these basic requirements include that students have maintained a C grade or better throughout their high school years. Furthermore, it is important for potential students for an ADN degree to realize the importance placed upon taking science classes in high school such as biology, chemistry and others. Often, high schools offer a pre-nursing course of study that emphasizes the necessary knowledge needed in order to be a successful candidate for an ADN degree. In many cases individuals will need to score better than 940 on their SATs in order to gain entrance.

Since there is such a great demand for qualified registered nurses in today’s medical field, other opportunities for obtaining an ADN degree such as studying at your pace with an online course make it easier than ever before for individuals to grab it that during. Regardless whether studying at your local community college or online, the secret to success is to apply yourself passionately learning everything that you can. Skills taught and learned form the foundation for successful, personally rewarding and financially opportunistic careers as a registered nurse.

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