Kyle Said:

what is needed education wise for a career as a registered nurse?

We Answered:

To get your Registered Nurse (RN) degree you must complete either 2 or 4 years of schooling. Both the 2 and 4 years of schooling will include English, History, Sciences (chemistry, biology, anatomy, physiology, microbiology), Algebra, statistics, psycholoogy, nutrition, speech to name just a few. The link at the bottom lists the course requires at one college for a 2 year degree. The 4 year degree then adds more theory and managment courses. The practical courses of nursing are basically the same between the 2 and 4 year programs. There used to be 3 year RN programs but most of those were hospital sponsored and have been phased out as the community colleges started the 2-years programs.. However, just because the course description says 2 years, doesn't mean it will take 2 years. Most of the students in my RN program had been in school for at least 1-2 years before even being accepted into the RN program. Most of them, like myself had done a lot of the general education courses before starting the actual nursing program. Check with the counselor at the school of your choice.

If you are interested in going into school nursing, working in a Veteran's Administration facillity or in the military, occupational health, nurse practioner (master's degree), clinical nurse specialist or several other more specialized areas of nursing most of those reguire a bachelors degree at the very least and some require you to progress to a Masters. I just finished my BSN a year ago after being a 2-year RN for a number of years. I did it through the University of Phoenix Online program for working adults. It took 2 years and LOTS of money. I hope that I will make the money back over the next few years and not just have a pretty piece of paper hanging on my wall.

Tim Said:

Registered nurse as a career?

We Answered:

I have been an RN for 20 years. One great thing about nursing is you can diversify. I worked in a Cardiovascular Intensive Care for 10 years,
got tired so I worked in Surgical ICU. Then I went into management.
I worked as House Supervisor, I worked on a Stepdown Unit. I was
an RN in the Army Reserves (You go in as an officer), I now work
at an Internal Medicine Clinic. I make about $82,000/yr after 20 years and I have an Associates Degree (2 Year RN). Not a lot of pay difference between Associates and Bach. degree. (or for Masters).
Just increased opportunities.