So you’ve decided you want to go into the medical field, but you don’t necessarily want to be a doctor. It’s a lot of school, crazy hours, and the possibility of being sued for medical malpractice every day. Talk about stress.

Maybe you should go to nursing school. Registered nurses make close to $50,000 a year. Nurses also interact more regularly with patients, have set hours, and can specialize in any field they want.

If you are considering going to nursing school, you want to go to the best school possible, right? Here’s US News’ list of the top 10 nursing schools in the country.

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With near daily news of layoffs and an economy in the tank, it can be tough to choose a career path that will have a job waiting for you when you graduate. To that, consider nursing.

Nursing can be a challenging job with long hours and stressful situations, and it’s not for the faint of heart (or those who faint at the sight of blood). In fact 20% of nurses quit within their first year. But these facts could make the field perfect for you for several reasons.

First, there is a national shortage of nurses and an ever-growing demand. Read the rest of this entry »

Students of online school Walden University now have three more options when it comes to choosing a degree program. The first is a new Bachelor’s degree in nursing, being offered for nurses who already have a hospital diploma or an Associate’s degree in nursing.

The second is a Bachelor’s degree in instructional design and technology. It is designed for students seeking a career as a curriculum designer, a course editor, an instructional coordinator, or even for someone interested in desktop publishing. With this degree you will be able to evaluate your organization’s training needs and then design a solution for them. Areas of concentration are three-fold: general, business and organizational change and human factors, and interface design. Read the rest of this entry »

Associate degrees can be much more valuable than many people realize!  According to Yahoo! Education, here are the five college degrees that offer the best financial return–that is, the highest financial rewards for the least amount of money.  Note that #4 and #5 on the list are associate degrees.

1. Masters of Business Administration (MBA)
2. Bachelor’s of Science in Engineering
3. Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing
4. Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies
5. Associate of Applied Science in Information Technology

You’re probably not surprised by the MBA, but did you know that associate degrees in paralegal studies and IT can really pay off–especially considering how little you’ll pay to earn these degrees?  Experienced professionals with these two year degrees average over $60,000 a year, and can potentially earn quite a bit more.  This is great news for students with these interests who aren’t crazy about the thought of going to school for years, and who want to get into the workplace now.  Two year degrees can really pay off.

So why isn’t the two year degree in nursing on the list?  If you’re interested in nursing, keep in mind that the four year nursing degree–which is #3 on this list–has really become the standard in the nursing field.  Two year degrees haven’t lost all their value, though– especially because you can get an associates degree in nursing, work for awhile, and then go back to finish a four year degree.

Of course, some associate degrees are more valuable than others, so if you’re interested in or attending a community college, talk to an advisor about the financial prospects of majors that interest you.  But don’t think that a four year degree is absolutely necessary to make yourself valuable in the marketplace.

There are certain types of people that are just naturally caregivers. These people are generally compassionate, motivating and kindhearted. Nursing is a popular career option for these types of people. For those thinking of becoming a nurse the research process can be quite overwhelming.

Bachelors and Associates Nursing Education
The first step to starting a nursing career starts with the preliminary research. Becoming a nurse requires an advanced education. Although you do not need a college degree to become a nurse, those who have a nursing degree will make more money and have more career options in the future.

There are many options to obtaining a nursing degree. The most common is a Bachelor of Science Nursing which is a 4 year degree at a traditional university. Usually a Bachelor of Science Nursing degree is required for admission to a Masters of Nursing program. By completing a college degree individuals will become a Registered Nurse and will have many career paths they could take. Individuals choosing not to become RN’s can also obtain an Associates Degree from a community college and work taking care of the sick, injured or elderly in special needs programs. Make sure the nursing program is accredited with The National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission and Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education before enrolling.

Advanced Nursing Education
Licensed Practical Nurses care for the sick, injured and disabled under the direct supervision of physicians and registered nurses. An LPN is responsible for taking basic care, taking vital signs, monitoring equipment and changing dressings. Getting an LPN degree usually takes 1 year and can be found at vocational schools. Some universities offer accelerated programs for students who already have some other degree but wish to pursue nursing. These programs usually last 1.5-2 years in length. There are many advanced degrees as well such as Degree Completion Programs for RNs, Master, Doctoral and Post-Doctoral Programs. Getting a degree is the first step in a meaningful nursing career.

Once you have a degree in nursing there are many different certification programs available to further ones career. Some Registered Nurses are required to complete certification classes on a regular basis to show competence of their job skills. There are no set standards for every hospital or clinic but rather each employer can choose to participate in ongoing training/certification. Online programs do exist and our gaining in popularity due to their reduced cost and time.

It Pays to be a Nurse
A nursing career is one of the most popular and most needed jobs in America. Currently there are more than 100,000 RN openings in the United States. By 2020 there will be a need for 800,000 RNs. The increased need is due to the world living longer and an increase in the geriatric population. Registered Nurses earn an average of $49,840 a year according to the U.S. Department of Labor. With such a need for nurses many hospitals are giving out huge signing bonuses up to $30,000 in some cases. If you enjoy taking care of people it definitely pays to look into nursing.