Available Careers. For those who have an interest in the medical field, nursing is a great career option. There are many careers available in nursing at all levels of skill and education. Entry level or diploma positions include Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and, in some cases Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). Degree programs including the Associate Science of Nursing (ASN) and the Bachelor's Science of Nursing (BSN) prepare nurses for a career as an LPN or Registered Nurse (RN). Doctoral or Master's programs are designed for advance careers as a Nurse Practitioner(NP) or Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). Degree programs prepare nursing student for examination that is needed for certification.
Examination. The NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-LPN are national examinations given to nursing students for licensure and registration. Nurses must pass these exams in order to practice, therefore it is important to prepare properly by taking appropriate courses at an accredited nursing school. Licensure and registration also requires many hours of on-site, clinical training. NPs and CRNAs must first attain RN status before beginning a Master's of Science of Nursing (MSN) program to further specialize. NPs and CRNAs are also subject to further board examination and certification.
Specialization. Nurse, namely RN's and NP's may choose to further train in a sub-specialty of nursing including geriatrics, pediatrics, psychiatrics, or adult nursing. Nurses may specialize in many different branches of medicine depending of personal interest and preference. By choosing to sub-specialize, nurses are able to further their career and receive higher compensation. Specialization also allows nurses to work in a field they enjoy with a patient group they like.
Nursing currently has more employment opportunities than any other position. By starting training now, you can be working the field in as little as one year. There are many rewarding career opportunities in the field of nursing. A nursing shortage has created a vast number of jobs, with employment opportunities expected to be very abundance from now until at least 2014.
This article was written by Angela Oliver for HealthCare-TrainingCenter.com. For more information about nursing careers, training programs, and continuing education, please visit HealthCare-TrainingCenter.com. Find jobs and available training programs in your area that can help you begin a career as an RN, CNA, LPN, or Nurse Practicioner.
