Nursing schools are changing as America stares down the barrel of a nationwide nursing shortage. As the Baby Boomer generation moves into retirement, more people are in need of medical care. This is the case at hospitals, nursing homes and in home care.
To help meet the growing need, more colleges and universities are launching nursing schools, but for those looking to get into this career, choosing the right school is crucial.
Choosing nursing schools can be a challenge, but should be carefully thought out. – freedigitalphotos.net
The Changing Landscape of Nursing Schools
To produce enough nurses to meet demand, schools know they have to attract students from all walks of life – this includes those with full-time jobs and other scheduling obligations.
For many people this means having non-conventional schooling options, such as online courses, night classes and traditional classroom teaching. Online schooling has come a long way in the last decade and recent reports show students who learn online are more successful on average than those who don’t.
Today, there are several quality educational career paths available online.
- Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
- Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)
- Registered Nurse (RN)
What is a Licensed Practical Nurse?
Licensed practical nurses (LPN) and licensed vocational nurses (LVN) perform the exact same duties and require the same level of education. Whether you are considered an LPN or an LVN really depends on what state you are in.
A typical work day involves monitoring patients’ health by checking blood pressure and other signs. They also provide basic nursing care, such as changing bandages for patients and inserting catheters. They report directly to registered nurses and doctors and perform varying duties to assist in the treatment of patients.
To become an LPN, students must earn a degree from one of many accredited nursing schools. Programs typically take around one to two years to complete. Graduates will have to pass licensing exams after graduation to become eligible to work in hospitals and clinics.
What is a Registered Nurse?
Registered nurses play a more expansive role in the health care realm. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a typical day includes recording patients’ medical histories and symptoms. They also administer treatments, observe patients and consult with doctors to plan patient care.
Many RNs earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university, although some hold an associate degree. Those who earn a bachelor’s degree can expect to earn more and have more opportunity for career advancement.
Choosing the Right Nursing Schools
Before you can choose a nursing school, it helps to determine what career path you want to take and how long you want to be in school. Those looking for a quicker path to a new career should consider becoming an LPN. You can always go back later to become credentialed as a registered nurse.
You’ll also want to decide whether to take more classes online or in person. If you’ll be doing both, it’s still important to find an accredited program that’s close enough to commute to a couple times each week, perhaps more often.
Accreditation and reputation is an important factor in deciding which school is going to get your hard earned tuition dollars. Picking an accredited program ensures you’ll be able to take the licensing exam with confidence after graduation.
Make sure any of the nursing schools you are considering offer some kind of clinical rotation program. Getting that hands-on experience is crucial to developing skills as a professional nurse.