According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of jobs available for registered nurses is expected to grow by 22 percent by 2018, including an increase of 48 percent for jobs in doctor's offices. Some employers report difficulty obtaining registered nurses, particularly nurses with a good educational background. Hospitals have a high demand for specialized registered nurses, especially those trained in critical care, emergency room, pediatrics and medical surgical fields.
Registered nurses holding a bachelor's degree or above are more likely to obtain specialized jobs in high demand. Nurses holding a bachelor's degree may also earn a higher salary than nurses with an associate's degree, as a nurse with a bachelor's degree has more knowledge and experience in her field. Additional modules available on some bachelor's degree courses in nursing can also provide graduates with additional skills, such as leadership or teaching, which can further advance their nursing careers.
According to the American Society of Registered Nurses, students who take out a loan to complete bachelor's degrees in nursing will leave with an average debt of $23,200, as of 2008. The College Board estimates that, in 2008, the average cost of a bachelor degree in nursing at a public university cost $26,340 in tuition fees, and $100,572 at a private university. Other costs may be included, such as examination fees, international student fees, textbooks, living expenses, lab costs, administration fees or any other costs specified by the university.
An associate's degree in nursing can take two years to complete at a vocational or technical college. A bachelor's degree in nursing, however, typically takes four years to complete, or five years in some cases because it covers a broader range of educational topics. Although a registered nurse holding a bachelor's degree will have better employment opportunities, there is a commitment of four years of study to the degree, including paying tuition fees and other costs. Students who complete an associate's degree in nursing can find a job in nursing two years after study enrollment, whereas potential nurses taking a bachelor's degree will have to wait an extra two years before moving into employment.