Nursing Major Career Paths

Nursing Major Career Paths Nursing Major Career Paths Do you want to become a registered nurse (RN) or licensed practical nurse(LPN), also called a licensed vocational nurse (LVN)? Perhaps you aspire to one day become a nurse practitioner (NP), nurse educator, nurse anesthetist, or nurse midwife, or even a researcher or administrator. Whichever career you are considering, you will have to be a nursing major. Your job opportunities after graduation should be outstanding, regardless of the nursing career you choose. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts nurses will be in high demand well into the future. Students who are good in STEM fields like biology, chemistry, and physics, enjoy caring for people, and have strong communication, organization, and critical thinking skills should consider this area of study. To become a nurse, first, decide whether you want to be an RN or LPN. If your plans ultimately include becoming a nurse practitioner or other advanced practice nurse, a researcher, or administrator, this is not something you need to decide yet. You will first have to become licensed as an RN and get experience in that occupation. Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN): One-Year Training ProgramRegistered Nurse (RN): Diploma in Nursing (3 years), Associate Degree (2 years), and Bachelors Degree (4 years)Advanced Practice Nurse including Nurse Practitioner (NP), Nurse Educator, Nurse Anesthetist, and Nurse Midwife; or Administrator: Masters Degree (1-3 years after becoming an RN and getting experience) or DoctorateResearcher: Doctorate Nursing majors learn how to deliver physical care and emotional support to people who are ill, injured or recovering from surgery. They learn about drug administration, how to care for different populations, nutrition, and the use of information technology. Advanced practice or leadership nursing positions require additional education, usually in the form of at least a masters degree. How to Find a Nursing Program Choose an LPN, RN, or advanced practice nursing program that is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or, if you want to earn a bachelors (baccalaureate) or graduate degree, one the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) has accredited. ACEN accredits all levels of nursing education, while CCNE accredits baccalaureate, masters degree, or doctoral programs. Search for all nursing programs on ACENs website. Use CCNEs search tool to find bachelors and graduate degree programs only. Expected Major Courses Coursework will vary by level of education and the occupation you are pursuing. LPN Curriculum Survey of the Human BodyPharmacology Safety and Dosing CalculationsPractical NursingNursing Care of Adult ClientsPediatric NursingCare of the Older AdultMaternity RN Curriculum Fundamentals of NursingDosage Calculation for NursesNursing Care of the Older AdultNursing Care of ChildrenNursing InformaticsAdult Mental Health NursingLifespan Human DevelopmentMedical MicrobiologyHealth AssessmentNursing HistoryPathophysiologyCommunity Health NursingObstetrics and Neonatal NursingTrends in Nursing NP Curriculum Advanced PathophysiologyAdvanced PharmacologyAdvanced Practice NurseAdvanced Health AssessmentDynamics of Family Health NursingEvaluation and Instrumentation in Nursing Nurse Administrator Leadership and ManagementResearch in NursingNursing Informatics and Advanced Nursing PracticeDeveloping World Class Human ResourcesNursing Administration Theory and PracticeHospital and Healthcare Policy and Management Typical Work Settings Nurses care for patients in hospitals, urgent care centers, nursing care facilities, doctors offices, schools and camps, and correctional facilities. Some work for home health care agencies, supervising home health aides and providing patient care. Other nurses serve in the military. Nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, and nurse midwives work in all these settings and may also work on their own or in other NPs private practices. Nurse educators teach in vocational schools, colleges and universities, and hospitals. Researchers work in academic, research, healthcare, and practice settings. What Else You Need to Know Nurses must be licensed before they can begin working. To become licensed as a practical nurse one must pass an exam called the NCLEX-PN. To become a registered nurse, an individual must pass the NCLEX-RN.RNs who have an associate degree or diploma in nursing may apply to RN Bachelors or Masters Degree programs.An LPN can often transfer the credits he or she earns in school to an RN program.An RN usually specializes in a particular area of clinical practice, for example, pediatrics, geriatrics or adult medicine, oncology, cardiology, or obstetrics. One must be certified to work as an advanced practice nurse, for example, a nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, or nurse anesthetist. Certification usually involves fulfilling specific requirements and passing an exam.Credentialing agencies offer voluntary certifications to nurses in various specialties, for example, pediatrics and geriatrics. Professional Organizations and Other Resources ANA - American Nurses AssociationNSRA - National Student Nurses AssociationAANA - American Association of Nurse AnesthetistsACNM - American College of Nurse-MidwivesAANP - American Association of Nurse PractitionersDiscover Nursing from Johnson JohnsonNCSBN - The National Council of State Boards of NursingCNA - Canadian Nurses AssociationEFNA - European Federation of Nurses Associations