Nursing programs are available in several formats. Licensed vocational nurses and practical nurses typically receive their training through vocational schools and community colleges, emerging with a vocational certificate or diploma. Registered nurses graduate with either an associate degree from a two-year program, or a bachelor's degree from a four-year program. These degrees can be earned in universities, technical schools, community colleges and in some cases training hospitals or other health care institutions. Nurses seeking to advance their careers may upgrade from an associate degree to a bachelor's degree, seek training in a specialized field or go back to school for a graduate nursing program.
One of the first decisions a nursing student faces is what level of training to opt for. Certificate and associate degree programs are attractive to many students because the shorter program requires less tuition, and allows them to begin practicing sooner. However, there are career advantages for those who hold a four-year bachelor's degree. Nurses with higher education command higher salaries in many workplaces and are more likely to be promoted into positions of greater responsibility. For nurses upgrading to a graduate degree or an advanced nursing specialization, holding a four-year degree speeds the process and may often be a prerequisite.
A four-year degree program in nursing, like any other B.S., begins with a set of foundational courses. These are the basics of higher education, and will typically include a range of entry-level courses in various sciences as well as English courses with a business or communications focus. Nursing-related courses in the first two years include subjects like basic nursing skills, nutrition, psychology and physiology. In the third year, the focus shifts to more advanced subjects like obstetric, postnatal and pediatric nursing, or at the other end of the spectrum, critical-care nursing and gerontology. The fourth year will typically provide courses centered around the business and management side of nursing, with course materials looking at the operation of offices and clinics, and some preparation for specific career paths.
On the whole. the demand for registered nurses is high and will remain so for years to come. Those who have the education or experience to take leading roles will command excellent salaries. Statistics from the 2009 Occupational Employment and Wages survey show that the median annual income for registered nurses was $63,750, but the top 10 percent reported incomes averaging $93,700, more than 40 percent higher than the median.