Is an Accelerated Nursing Program Right for Me?
Posted: Tuesday, September 22, 2009
by Raymond Miller
Are you interested in becoming a Nurse?
Nurses work with doctors and other health care specialists to ensure that patients are given good care and have what they need to be comfortable. Giving prescribed medicines, using medical equipment and monitoring of a patient's vital signs are some of the basic duties of a nurse.
Typically, nurses have very flexible schedules, but this often comes with the inconvenience of working at different times of day, often for long hours. Most nurses are employed by private or public hospitals and many become specialized in more than one area of expertise.
There are a number of advantages and disadvantages that you should consider when comparing each Accelerated Nursing Program. First, you will need to find out what type of program best matches your goals and interests. For instance, certified nursing assistants (CNA) or Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) require less education than a Nurse Practitioner, which requires Graduate Studies in Nursing.
Paraprofessional programs require fewer years of education, so they are often good programs for those who are not entirely certain if a career in nursing is right for them. The next level of licensure and certification is a Registered Nurse which typically requires additional training and education, depending on your state of residence.
Typical Wages Associated with each Accelerated Nursing Program
The average nursing salary depends primarily on your education level and any certifications or licenses you have obtained. Nurse practitioners, registered nurses, and licensed practical nurses have differing salary rates.
For example, the typical annual salary for a Nurse Practitioner (NP) is about $75,000, but an RN is more likely to receive $50,000 to $65,000 p/yr, depending on experience and employer. The average yearly salary for Licensed Practical Nurses is around $35,000, but a number of nurses in this field make around $39,000.
Not Sure if an Accelerated Nursing Program is Right for You?
The majority of colleges offer some type of accelerated nursing program. For those of you who want to become a nurse, it is important to take the amount of education and time each skill level will require, as well as the potential benefits associated with each level of licensure and certification.
For instance, you can become an LPN in less time than it takes to become a Nurse Practitioner. However, a Nurse Practitioner can expect to earn about $35k more per year, which for many people is a worthy investment of a few more years of colleges.
The most common Accelerated Nursing Program types include:
Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN)
Licensed Vocational Nurse
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
Registered Nurse
Bachelor in Nursing (BSN)
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Nurse Practitioner (NP)
Accelerated Nursing Program Summary
Although nursing programs vary widely by state and university, an Accelerated Nursing Program typically offers students a way to earn their degree at a faster pace and on a more flexible schedule. The increased flexibility offered by an accelerated nursing program means you can complete your studies at home, without commuting or attending classes. Ready to take the next step? Check out a list of Accelerated Nursing Program Universities.
As an editor for Accelerated Nursing Program, Isaac compares & reviews a number of online schools.
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