subject: Nursing Programs [print this page] What are nursing programs?The field of nursing deals with fulfilling the emotional and physical needs of patients admitted in hospitals, clinics and other medical facilities across the country. Nursing programs are designed to give students the skills and knowledge required to successfully look after patients and perform an extensive number of other duties in order to ensure the smooth operation of a hospital. Nurses are among the first line of responders to victims of accidents and emergencies, and cater to the very basic needs of thousands of patients every single day.
What sort of nursing programs can I enroll in?A large number of nursing programs such as degrees, certification courses and diplomas can be obtained through on-campus or online programs. The minimum requirement to enroll in a nursing program is a high school diploma or GED. Students can choose a one year long program such as the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Registered Nurse (RN) certification. After completing these courses, students must appear in a licensure exam before they can start applying for jobs. Those who wish to obtain a full degree can go for the Associate degree of Nursing (ADN), or Bachelor or Master of Science in Nursing (BSN or MSN).
What are the future prospects?According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the field of nursing is one of the fastest growing in the country, with more than two million new jobs expected to be created by 2018. Nursing programs are as such, becoming immensely popular, and open up excellent opportunities at public and private hospitals, surgical and dental clinics, diagnostic centers, nursing homes and various other healthcare institutions.
