Do you need assistance determining what an LPN, ADN, or BSN means regarding nursing educational paths? We’ve broken down the various nursing programs to help you understand each path.
Nursing courses are available in various educational institutions throughout the nation, allowing students to choose the best location and path for them. The vast array of nursing options may appear daunting at first, but once you understand the various programs, you can begin to explore the courses available.
Nursing is the study of how to properly care for people who are sick or disabled, recovering from a medical procedure, or experiencing the effects of aging. Nursing is a vocational subject that emphasizes hands-on experience and regular medical classes.
Nursing seeks to answer questions such as: What are the best ways to make patients comfortable and care for their health? How should they be cared for regarding their physical, mental, and emotional needs? What are the best ways for them to support their families and friends while they are recovering?
Adult nursing, mental health nursing, children nursing, school nursing, learning disabilities nursing, midwifery, and other nursing subdisciplines are available to students.
Courses
Before you do anything else, you must decide what type of nursing career youwant. There are numerous opportunities in the field, ranging from entry-level assisting to top-tier executive positions. Moreover, there is a seemingly endless list of specialties to choose from and various medical facilities in which to work. These factors will influence the types of nursing programs you pursue.
The course requirements for RN-qualifying degrees vary slightly depending on the level of education you intend to pursue. Most nursing programs cover various topics, including math, chemistry, psychology, and physiology. Here are some of the best nursing programs available and what they have to offer. Some of these courses will help you access the world of nursing, while others will help you progress your career as a nurse.
Nursing fundamentals
This is one of the first classes you should expect to take in a nursing program. Nursing fundamentals classes provide an overview of what it means to be a nurse, how healthcare works, and potential nursing careers and roles. The emphasis is on the fundamentals of patient care and nursing skills. Your nursing fundamentals course will also prepare you for advanced topics in specific areas.
This course may have a different name at certain schools, such as Nursing 101 or Introduction to Nursing, but it will cover the same topics. This is a critical RN course because it is the foundation for all other nursing school classes and clinicals.
ADN programs
Enrolling in an undergraduate nursing program is one way to start a nursing career. A diploma or certificate program is one type of undergraduate nursing program. Another type of undergraduate nursing program is an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program. These programs provide you with the knowledge and training you’ll need to perform your duties as an RN daily.
These programs last anywhere from 15 months to two years. They are typically offered at community colleges and frequently have prerequisite classes. These courses concentrate on technical nursing skills. Those who complete this program will be able to treat and educate patients and provide emotional support to their families. To obtain a nursing license, all ADNs must pass a national licensing examination known as the National Council Licensure Examination.
Nurse leadership
This course teaches and empowers nurses to assess themselves, lead others, and make dynamic and thoughtful decisions using skills developed by world-class instructors. Through the program, nurse leaders gain confidence, knowledge, and practical skills as they guide their teams, departments, and organizations into the future.
BSN program
This type of undergraduate degree is intended for students who do not have a bachelor’s degree and do not have prior nursing experience. It thoroughly prepares students to work in various nursing roles over the course of 48 to 60 months. Some universities, however, offer accelerated programs that can be completed in as little as 36 months.
You can enroll in the accelerated program if you already have an ADN or a bachelor’s degree in another field. Learn how to communicate clearly with physicians, other healthcare professionals, patients, and their families in a fast-paced environment. Use your nurturing nature to build trust with patients and their families.
CNA program
CNAs help people in living facilities, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, and those who need in-home care with day-to-day healthcare needs such asrecording vital signs and administering medication. To become a CNA, you must complete a state-approved training program, which typically takes four to 12weeks to complete and includes a certain number of supervised clinical hours. After completing your training course, you will beeligible to take the CNA exam, which varies by state and must be passed before you can practice professionally. The NNAAP exam, on the other hand, is the most common CNA exam.
Doctor of Nursing Practice
If you’re eagerto advance within the nursing profession, an online Doctor of Nursing Practice program (DNP) may be your best bet. This course could help you if you want to teach at the university level, conduct nursing research, or hold executive-level positions. A DNP course helps to cultivate expertise in advanced areas of nursing and improve leadership skills in the medical sector.
Final words
Nursing is a high-demand profession with a higher-than-average starting salary and a rewarding career path focusedon helping others. For example, nurses and other healthcare professionals were critical front-line workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, combining empathy with knowledge and professional care to save lives.