3 answers
1
Question
Asked
1095 views
How much of school do you need to become a nurse?
Is it better to do 2 or 4 years or school and should I go to a trading school or just go to a community college in my city.
Login to comment
3 answers
Updated
Natasha’s Answer
If you do decide that nursing is for you, I'd recommend you get at least your Bachelors degree in nursing (BSN). That's not to say you can't get your LPN (licensed practicing nurse) first if you choose, but I don't know how plentiful job opportunities are for LPNs vs BSN positions. As a current nurse, I can tell you that you won't be at a huge disadvantage for going to a state school vs some fancy private nursing school when it comes time to get a job. You of course want to pick the best option you have, but just don't let that stress you out too bad because no matter what school you go to, we all take the same test at the end (that'd be the dreaded NCLEX for RNs).
You also have the opportunity later on to decide if you want to get an advanced degree or if the grueling four years for your BSN is as far as you want to go. If you want to get an advanced degree three common options are:
- Getting your Masters in a specialty (I have an MSN in Nursing Education but there are other options)
- CRNA (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist)
- or Nurse Practitioner license. If you were to get your NP you can specialize even further from there and that would also play a role in your salary.
These are just a few common options, the nursing field has many branches to it that you can work from. If you ever have any other questions, you know where to go!
You also have the opportunity later on to decide if you want to get an advanced degree or if the grueling four years for your BSN is as far as you want to go. If you want to get an advanced degree three common options are:
- Getting your Masters in a specialty (I have an MSN in Nursing Education but there are other options)
- CRNA (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist)
- or Nurse Practitioner license. If you were to get your NP you can specialize even further from there and that would also play a role in your salary.
These are just a few common options, the nursing field has many branches to it that you can work from. If you ever have any other questions, you know where to go!
Updated
Martin’s Answer
If you get the chance to finish a 4-year bachelor's degree, it will really help you in the future. While an RN is an RN when it comes to patient care, having a 4-year degree opens up more opportunities over time.
Updated
Char’s Answer
Alondra,
This decision depends on the kind of career you want to have as well as financial considerations. Either a two or four year degree will work in nursing. if you want to do the two year program, it’s usually associates degree and depending on where you get employed at they may require you to go back and get the other two years, which is a bachelors degree. The associate degree may be cheaper and you may be able to do that at your local community college and get more scholarship funding or the credits may be cheaper. You can also complete a two year associates degree and have your employer pay for your bachelors, but this may require you to have to stay with that program for a little while because they have paid for your education.
You can also take your prerequisite courses at a local community college and then transfer them over to a major university you want to attend that may also be a cheaper route just make sure if you do transfer credits that you make sure they are transferable and that the institution you are transferring to will accept them. That’s a big consideration here.
Or the option of attending a four year university is a fabulous option also . There may be a higher cost depending on if you stay in state or out of state, and then you have to look at the competitiveness of the program, make sure the program is accredited, and you may or may not save money by staying on campus.
This decision depends on the kind of career you want to have as well as financial considerations. Either a two or four year degree will work in nursing. if you want to do the two year program, it’s usually associates degree and depending on where you get employed at they may require you to go back and get the other two years, which is a bachelors degree. The associate degree may be cheaper and you may be able to do that at your local community college and get more scholarship funding or the credits may be cheaper. You can also complete a two year associates degree and have your employer pay for your bachelors, but this may require you to have to stay with that program for a little while because they have paid for your education.
You can also take your prerequisite courses at a local community college and then transfer them over to a major university you want to attend that may also be a cheaper route just make sure if you do transfer credits that you make sure they are transferable and that the institution you are transferring to will accept them. That’s a big consideration here.
Or the option of attending a four year university is a fabulous option also . There may be a higher cost depending on if you stay in state or out of state, and then you have to look at the competitiveness of the program, make sure the program is accredited, and you may or may not save money by staying on campus.