On Determining your Nursing Degree Program
On Determining Your Nursing Degree Program
We live in an era, where students who desire to become registered nurses, are offered academic options, but how does one choose the right nursing degree program? Which is preferable, an associate degree or a bachelor degree?
Most young men and women have some idea about the kind of occupation that they would like to pursue, but how to obtain the training for it, is something that students usually learn through inquiry, on an individual basis.
Whether a student can actually pursue an associate degree program in nursing at a college, or a bachelor degree program in nursing at a university, depends to some extent upon several different things.
First of all, what academic level has the prospective student nurse attained? That will show immediately, whether he or she is a high or low level achiever. Registered nurses are generally high achievers. Then one must ask what kinds of courses, he or she has taken previously. For example, has he or she focused on office work, mechanics or chemistry? Obviously, someone who has studied chemistry has a far better chance of being accepted in a nursing program.
Those who have consistently low marks and have not taken the right kinds of background courses may not qualify for entrance into an associate degree program for registered nurses. They may be asked to upgrade prior to admission or advised to apply for non-nursing programs.
The university level, nursing program, entrance requirements are higher than those on the college level, with respect the academic level and the courses required for admission. Thus those who want to become registered nurses need to focus on getting high marks and should seek academic counseling regarding appropriate course selection, early in their high school years.
Simply having the desire to become a registered nurse may not be sufficient, as prospective student nurses are selected, with respect to other criteria, as well.
For instance, does a prospective student demonstrate a sincere interest in nursing, as well as nursing related courses? (Or is this something that his or her parents want for this student?) Is the student ready and willing to take the necessary courses for entrance into a nursing program, on either a college or university level? Is he or she seriously committed to a high level of academic achievement? Does he or she demonstrate integrity and honesty? Does he or she assist others at school or in the community? What kind of a life style does the student have? Does he or she relate to others with compassion, care and concern?
In other words, how likely is the student to succeed in a nursing program or later, as a professional registered nurse?
Obviously, other professional, nursing academics will be involved in the decision making process, regarding admission to nursing programs, particularly where it comes to the decision about a student's suitability for a college associate degree or a university bachelor degree in nursing.
There are other important factors that have to be taken into consideration, as well. One of these is the sky-rocketing cost of nursing education. Many families may be able to afford to put their sons and daughters into college for two years, but cannot afford four year university programs. These students may need student loans.
Even students, who have high academic qualifications and have taken the right kinds of courses for nursing and show that they are excellent candidates for university level courses in nursing, may need student loans, as the cost of nursing education is extremely high. At times, there may be scholarships and bursaries offered for nursing programs, but students must qualify for them.
If their families are able to support nursing students, it is easier for them to focus on studying. It is always difficult for any nursing student to keep up with a full load of courses, maintain a high academic level of achievement and work part time, as well. But many student nurses do just that, while they are at college or university.
It can be frustrating for a prospective nursing student to be forced to take courses on the university level, when he or she is only capable of studying on a college level. It can also be frustrating for a prospective nursing student who is academically qualified to study on a university level, to be forced to study on a college level. Thus degree program choices are important.
Both associate and bachelor nursing programs have merits, but seeking a higher level of education is preferable for potential student nurses, particularly if they are really high achievers.
Students have choices. A high school guidance counselor will be able to assist a student who is seriously interested in becoming a registered nurse, to make a learned decision about which direction is right for him or her.
A prospective nursing student, who qualifies for admission to a nursing program, can take full time or part time courses on an associate college level, first. At a later date, he or she can take more advanced courses in nursing, on a higher level at a university and achieve a bachelor degree in nursing. This is an option that students who need to have immediate employment, can consider.
Taking university level courses opens the doorway for higher levels of study, beyond the level of a bachelor degree. For example, a registered nurse can seek to become specialized in a certain area of nursing, like oncology or become a nurse practitioner. He or she could go further and obtain a master's degree or a doctorate.
A nursing student may take courses that are directly or in-directly related to nursing or even non-nursing courses, on both the college and university level. For instance, a prospective student nurse may want to study genetics and gene therapy, purely on an interest level.
Why not? Every course has some merit.
Or, perhaps a student nurse is interested in studying Spanish, because he or she wants to live or work in an area where there are a lot of Spanish speaking people. Or maybe art history is his or her personal preference? What about studying religion or philosophy? Colleges and universities offer many different options for student nurses who want to take courses outside of the scope of nursing. At times, these interest level courses may be credited towards a nursing degree, but not always.
The most important thing for a prospective student nurse to consider is where his or her interest or passion lies. Many parents want their teenagers to pursue occupations that appeal to them, even though the career choices may not appeal to the students. A student, seriously interested in pursuing a career in nursing, should attempt to do so. He or she will succeed.
A student who is not really interested in nursing and or who would rather focus on another area of interest like photography, will probably not last long in any nursing program, on either the college or university level. He or she should probably be better advised to enter into a different kind of a program. These students may not apply themselves properly or may choose to drop out of nursing programs.
As a prospective nursing student, it is always important to seek academic counseling and guidance, with regard to possible career options. Here are some of the things that you can do.
Begin by doing online research and inquire into the available nursing programs, in your area. Find out what the entrance requirements are for the nursing programs, at local colleges or universities. Determine and compare the cost of nursing education on different levels. Do some community service in nursing-related areas, like senior citizen's homes or centers for handicapped children. Get to know other nursing professionals, who work on various academic levels. Attend career workshops for prospective registered nurses. Visit various medical facilities, in order to see if nursing is what you really want to do for the rest of your life.
You will soon learn whether nursing is right for you.
Make a point of finding out what career direction you prefer, personally and academically and then go for it. You can pursue your academic studies towards nursing as a profession, on either a college associate level or a university bachelor level. But remember that these are only the first two stepping stones.
Where do you want to go from there, in your nursing career? Again, it is your choice, so choose the direction that is right for you.
