Nursing Programs In The United States

Nursing Programs In The United States

More and more young students are entering the health care field in hopes of a bright and prosperous career. For decades, the reputation and benefits of being in the health care industry has never taken a hit. If you are looking forward to make a career in the health care field as a nurse then this article will be very helpful for you.  Through this article we will help you to decipher various different training programs associated with the nursing education in the United States of America.

  • LPN or LVN training programs:

LPN stands for Licensed Practical Nurse and LVN stands for Licensed Vocational nurse. The LPN or LVN training programs span over a period of one year. Someone who has completed his/her LPN/LVN works under the guidance of a registered senior nurse.

The work description of a LPN/LVN includes basic patient care and monitoring. LPN or LVN courses are offered at many different colleges throughout the United States. One important thing to note is that some states might have their own licensing exams that one must pass in order to practice there.

Being a LPN/LVN is a rewarding career with secure employment. The Labor Department of the U.S. states that the annual median wage of a LPN/LVN is $40,000.

  • ADN programs:

 ADN stands for Associate Degree in Nursing. Depending on the state in which you are taking up ADD, the course duration is about 15 to 24 months. Since there is a discrepancy in the course duration in different states, you will be required to clear the licensing exams of different states in order to start practicing there. ADN programs offer a higher level of education and training as compared to LPN/LVN programs. The entire course is designed to educate the enrollees about the technical aspects of nursing. As someone who has successfully passed an ADN program, you can expect an average income of about $62,250 per year.

  • BSN programs:

BSN stands for Bachelors of Science in Nursing. As the name suggests, it is a bachelor’s degree and offers education and training at a more professional level. Unlike LPN/LVN, this program requires the interested candidates to take some prerequisite classes. Like most other programs offering a bachelors degree, the course duration of a BSN program is 4 years.

The starting pay for an ADN and a BSN registered nurse is the same; however BSN offers much more opportunities of growth. In fact many advanced training programs in the field of nursing require the candidate to have a BSN degree. Because of excellent medical care facilities and high rewarding careers, BSN is one of the most pursued courses in the United States by both native and foreign candidates. Foreign citizens who are looking forward to study at an American college must pass a TOEFL exam in order to be eligible.

In addition to the three programs mentioned above, there are some other advanced nursing programs. As a registered nurse you can also gear up for a master’s degree in nursing.

This article is written by Brianna Wilson. Since her childhood Brianna was drawn towards the health care field. After high school she decided to become a nurse and enrolled for a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Today she enjoys a highly rewarding nursing career and practices in the state of Washington.