Nursing school: Your questions answered

What is covered in nursing school?

The skills and topics one might learn in nursing school primarily depend on the degree that is being pursued. Students can train to enter the nursing field at a number of levels, and frequently, according to the American Nurses Association (ANA), nurses whose first degree is at the associate level will later return to school in order to complete a bachelor's degree or higher. The reason for this, of course, is that additional training and qualifications can make nurses eligible for advanced positions in the field, and in turn, advances in their salaries. The type of nursing degree that is being pursued will also affect one's length of time in school.

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) training

Training to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) introduces students who have earned at least a high school diploma to the skills that are necessary to enter into the nursing field. These programs vary slightly in length, but are generally a year long and prepare students to complete basic medical work.

Associate Degree in Nursing programs

Earning the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) degree is one option for those who are looking to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam to become a registered nurse. ADN programs generally take two years to complete, and according to the ANA, these programs prepare individuals for a "defined technical scope of practice." Classes may cover:

• Physiology/Anatomy
• Biology
• Microbiology
• Pharmacology
• Nursing care
• Fundamentals of nursing

Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs

Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs cover a range of topics, as these programs prepare nursing school students to become registered nurses--a level of nursing that can cover a wide range of health topics. Most Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs include coursework in science as well as liberal arts. Usually, an internship and other hands-on training is completed as part of this degree program.

According to the American Nurses Association, most BSN programs include courses in:

• Human anatomy
• Biology
• Psychology
• Chemistry
• Nutrition
• Mental health
• Sociology
• Statistics
• Care of children
• Care of the elderly

Master of Science in Nursing programs

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree students focus their studies around the topics in which they'd like to specialize. For example, students who are interested in pediatrics may spend a large portion of their time conducting research on children's health issues.

To begin the coursework in these programs, students must first complete a BSN. In general, MSN programs include courses that cover:

• Research applications
• Research methods
• Advanced nursing theory
• Pharmacology
• Health care management
• Evaluation strategies
• Health finance
• Nursing technology

What should I look for in a nursing school?

There are a number of factors potential students should weigh before choosing a nursing school. First, individuals should take stock of their career goals, and what it is about the nursing field that is appealing to them. If someone wants to specialize in a certain type of nursing, he or she may need to earn a master's degree, and in turn, should focus his or her nursing school search based on this path.

Additionally, there are a number of school types to consider. For those who would like to complete a diploma program, for example, programs may be available via hospitals and community colleges as well as vocational nursing schools.

Linda K. Amos, Professor of Nursing at the University of Utah, offers suggestions for determining the type of school that may fit students best in the Peterson's College Search Guide to Choosing a Nursing School. She suggests students ask themselves the following questions when thinking about schools:

• Is it best for you to work in a heavily structured environment or one that offers more flexibility in terms of, say, integrating a part-time work schedule into studies?
• Do you need to stay close to home?
• Do you prefer to work in a large health-care system such as a health maintenance organization (HMO) or a medical center, or do you prefer smaller, community-based operations?

Potential nursing students would be advised to narrow down their school options to those that are offered in the school environment (and on a schedule) that suits their unique needs best.

Accreditation

It's important to look for schools that have been evaluated and approved by accreditation boards. The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) are two nursing school accreditation boards that are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. These organizations ensure that nursing programs meet certain quality standards for their curriculum and training--something the schools must uphold if they wish to maintain accreditation.

Graduates of accredited schools can feel assured that their program has been held to strict standards, and that they've been well prepared to sit for their licensing exam. Furthermore, according to National Student Nurses Association (NSNA), "Graduates from accredited schools are more likely to receive credit for previous educational experiences when applying for further study."

Can I become a nurse through an online nursing degree program?

Thanks to today's technology, nursing school can--at least in part--be completed online. In an article on the NSNA website, Lisa Orsolini-Hain, a nursing instructor at the City College of San Francisco, discusses how the online RN-BSN program at the School of Nursing at Medical College in Georgia launched out of necessity. When the program launched, 80 percent of Georgia's ADN and diploma holders were working in rural communities with no access to schools where they might advance their educations and careers. Once established, Orsolini-Hain notes that, "Graduates of this program were surveyed and reported 100 percent satisfaction overall and were in total agreement that this method of delivery was significantly more flexible than on-site classroom meetings."

It's important to note, however, that hands-on clinical training often still needs to be completed in person, and many programs have partnerships with local hospitals and clinics to make this possible.

What nursing careers and specializations are available to nursing school grads?

Depending on one's training and interests, there are a number of nursing careers and specializations available to those who complete nursing degrees. Popular nursing professions include, but are not limited to:

Office Nurses

These nurses can be found working in medical clinics, physicians' offices, surgical centers, and more. Often focused on outpatient care, office nurses may spend their time prepping patients for exams, administering vaccinations, filling out and managing patient records, as well as a variety of other tasks.

Hospital Nurses

Nurses who are employed by hospitals are generally assigned to work in a specific area or unit of the hospital such as oncology or the emergency room. These nurses are responsible for frequently checking in with patients to ensure the doctor's medical regimen is being followed and for providing general bedside care. Head nurses in hospitals also manage the schedules and day-to-day work of a team of nurses.

Nursing Home Nurses

Nursing home facilities require a mixture of tasks from the nurses who work in them. Attending to the needs of live-in patients, administering medications and completing administrative work are all generally done by nursing home nurses.

Nurse Educator

Those who enjoy working in the nursing field but aren't necessarily interested in interacting with patients may want to consider careers as nurse educators. Most nurse educators work in a college or university setting, providing instruction to nursing students who are pursing everything from diplomas to master's and doctoral degrees. Typically, a master's degree in nursing is required to become a nurse educator, though some nurses who hold bachelor's degrees and significant professional experience can become clinical instructors. 

Public Health Nurses

Public health nurses work toward a goal of improving the health and well-being of an entire community. These nurses establish and execute health programs by working with individuals in the community, reaching out to families, and getting the input and help of influential groups.

Home Health Nurse

Working with patients in their own homes, a home health nurse's duties include establishing a rehabilitation plan and surveying the home to make sure nothing could hinder the health or recovery of the patient.

How much do nurses earn?

While the wages of nurses can vary significantly, the median annual wage of a registered nurse in 2008 was $62,450, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Factors that influence how much more or less one can make in relation to this figure include:

• Location. The cost of living in an area as well as general demand for nurses can factor in to how much a nurse makes.
• Education level. Those with advanced degrees are often eligible for more complex jobs that require more complex skills, and in turn, qualify for more money. In fact, the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners reports that nurse practitioners (a career that requires at least a master's degree) had a mean annual salary of $90,000 in 2009.
• Work environments. The salaries of nurses can even vary within a specific city or state, based on where the nurses work. For example, the BLS reports that registered nurses who worked in the offices of physicians had a median annual salary of $59,210 in 2008, while registered nurses who worked in hospitals earned a median salary of $63,880.