Three of the most common educational paths to a registered nursing career are programs in Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN), and Diploma. These programs prepare students to be qualified nurses ready to provide patient care in health care facilities. A BSN degree takes four years to complete while an ADN takes between two to three years to finish. The former is offered in many colleges and universities while the latter is usually offered at junior and community colleges. A diploma takes three years to complete and is typically administered by hospitals.
A BSN degree program does not only train nurses in providing patient care but also prepares them for administrative tasks. This is the reason why some ADN and Diploma holders go back to school to pursue a BSN degree so that they may be eligible for promotion to management positions. So they will not be burdened by the cost of tuition, they accept staff nursing positions at hospitals to take advantage of their reimbursement benefits.
For individuals who seek to change their careers towards the nursing profession, there are also accelerated BSN programs for them. They must, however, already have either a bachelor's or a higher degree in another health-related field. Accelerated programs usually take 12-18 months to finish; this is the quickest way to obtain a BSN degree. Some nursing schools in the country offer Accelerated Master's degree programs which take three years to complete.
As part of the BSN undergraduate program, students are made to take courses in microbiology, anatomy, chemistry, psychiatry, physiology, nutrition, nursing and some behavioral sciences and liberal arts. Clinical experience under the supervision of instructors in different hospital departments like pediatrics, intensive care and maternity is also part of the program.
A BSN level of education is the best option for those who plan to pursue graduate programs in consultation, research, teaching and clinical specialization as it is a requirement.
