Find a Program
The healthcare industry has continued to change
dramatically over the past few years,
transforming the roles and escalating
opportunities for nurses. The current
shortage of nurses is caused by an increased
number of hospitalized patients who are older and
more acutely ill, a growing elderly population with
multiple chronic health problems, and expanded
opportunities for nurses in HMOs, home care,
occupational health, surgical centers, and
other primary care settings. Expanding
technological advances prolonging life require more
highly skilled personnel.
The increasing scope of nursing opportunities
will grow immensely as nurses increasingly become the
frontline providers of health care. They
are assuming important roles in the
provision of managed care, and they will be
responsible for coordinating and continuing the care
outside traditional healthcare facilities. Nurses play a big role in educating the public and
addressing the social and economic causes
of health issues.
Worldwide Standards
The nursing student of the future will be given
much more information and, thus, knowledge
of the technology used to manage that
information will be essential to tracking
and assessing care. In this area, nurses
will be able to provide care over great distances.
In some areas, care is being managed by the nurse
via telehealth, which uses digital information and communication technologies. Use of the
Internet and other computer-oriented systems are
now an integral part of the tools used by
nurses. Nurses of the future, therefore,
will have to become aware of worldwide
standards of care. Yet despite this growth
of technology, the essential function of the nurse's
role will remain that of making sure that the right
person is providing the right care for the patient
at the right cost.
This will be accomplished as the industry turns
away from the hospital as the center of the
operation. Nurses will work in a broad
array of locations, such as clinics,
outpatient facilities, community centers,
schools, and even places of business. Hospitals are
now places only for the very sick, and the name itself
may be changed to acute-care center.
Much of the emphasis in health care will be
shifted toward preventive care and the
promotion of health. The nurse will be
asked to take on a broader and more diverse
role in this system.
Unlimited Opportunities, Expanded Responsibilities
The four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree provides the educational
and experiential base not only for
entry-level professional practice but also
as the platform on which to build a career
through graduate-level study. Nurses with graduate preparation may pursue roles such as advanced
practice registered nurses (nurse practitioners, nurse
midwives, clinical nurse specialists, nurse anesthetists), as well as nurse
administrators, researchers, and educators. Nurses at
this level can be expected to specialize in
oncology, pediatrics, neonatology,
obstetrics and gynecology, critical care, infection
control, psychiatry, women's health, community health, neuroscience, and other areas. The potential at this level is
great, but so are the responsibilities.
Increasingly, many families use the nurse
practitioner for all their healthcare
needs. In almost all states, the nurse
practitioner can prescribe medications and provide
health care for the management of chronic non-acute
illnesses and preventive care.
The healthcare system is demanding more from
nurses. The education of a nurse must
transcend the traditional areas, such as
chemistry and anatomy, to enable them to
gain a deeper understanding of health promotion,
disease prevention, screening, genetic counseling,
and immunization. Nurses will have to understand how
health problems may have a social cause, often referred to as the social determinants of health, such as
poverty and environmental contamination,
as well as have insight into human
psychology, behavior, cultural mores, and
values.
The transformation of the healthcare system
offers unlimited opportunities for nurses
at the baccalaureate and graduate levels as
care in urban and rural settings becomes
more accessible. According to the U.S. Bureau
of Labor Statistics, employment of RNs will grow faster
than the average for all occupations through 2026,
due largely to growing demand in settings such
as hospitals,
community health centers, home care, and
long-term care. The increased complexity of
health problems and increased management of health
problems out of the hospitals require highly educated
and well-prepared nurses at the baccalaureate and
graduate levels. It is an exciting era in
nursing, one that holds exceptional promise
for nurses with a baccalaureate nursing
degree.
The compensation for new nurses is again starting
to be more competitive compared with that
of other industries. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for today's Registered Nurse is $70,000 a year. Salaries may be even higher depending on geographic area and years of experience. The current shortage has
prompted sign-on bonuses and other
incentives in some areas to attract and retain nursing staff.
Applying to College
Meeting the school's general entrance
requirements is the first step toward a
university or college degree in nursing.
Admission requirements may vary, but a high
school diploma or equivalent is necessary. Most
accredited colleges consider SAT scores along with
high school grade point average. A strong preparatory
class load in science and mathematics is
generally preferred among nursing schools.
Specific admission information can be
obtained by writing to the schools' nursing
departments.
To apply to a nursing school, contact the
admission offices of the colleges or
universities you are interested in and
request the appropriate application forms.
With limited spaces in nursing schools, programs are
more competitive, so early submission of the application
is recommended.
Accreditation
Accreditation of the nursing program is very
important, and it should be considered on
two levels--the accreditation of the
university or college and the accreditation
of the nursing program. Accreditation is a voluntary
process in which the school or the program asks for
an external review of its programs, facilities, and
faculty. For nursing programs, the review
is performed by peers in nursing education
to ensure program quality and integrity.
Baccalaureate nursing programs have two types of
regular systematic reviews. First, the
school must be approved by the state board
of nursing. This approval is necessary to
ensure that the graduates of the program
have access to sit for the licensing examinations
offered through the National Council of State Boards
of Nursing, Inc. The second is accreditation
administered by a nursing accreditation
agency that is recognized by the U.S.
Department of Education.
Though accreditation is a voluntary process,
access to federal loans and scholarships
requires accreditation of the program, and
most graduate schools only accept students
who have earned degrees from accredited schools.
Further, accreditation ensures an ongoing process
of quality improvement that is based on national standards.
The overwhelming majority of BSN programs in the U.S. are accredited by the Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Other nursing accreditation agencies include the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and the Commission on Nursing Education Accreditation.
Focusing Your Education
Academic performance is not the sole basis of
acceptance into the upper level of the
nursing program. Admission officers also
weigh such factors as student activities,
employment, and references. Moreover, many require
an interview and/or an essay in which the nursing
candidate offers a "goal statement." This
part of the admission process can be completed prior
to a student's entrance into the college or
university or prior to the student's
entrance into the school of nursing itself,
depending on the program.
In this interview or essay, students may list
career preferences and reasons for their
choices. This allows admission officers to
assess the goals of students and gain
insights into their values, integrity, and
honesty. One would expect that a goal statement from
a student who is just entering college would be more
general than that of a student who has had two years
of preprofessional nursing studies. The
more experienced student would be likely to
have a more focused idea of what is to be
gained by an education in nursing; there
would be more evidence of the student's values
and the ways in which she or he relates them to the
knowledge gained from preprofessional nursing classes.
Baccalaureate Curriculum
A standard basic or generic baccalaureate program
in nursing is a four-year college or
university education that incorporates a
variety of liberal arts courses with
professional education and training. It is designed
for high school graduates with no previous nursing
experience.
Currently, there are more than 996 baccalaureate
programs in the United States. Of the 688 programs that responded to a fall 2018 survey conducted by the American
Association of Colleges of Nursing, total
enrollment in all nursing programs leading to a baccalaureate
degree was 363,433. A report from the Institute of Medicine recommends that at least 80% of the
nursing workforce hold a baccalaureate
degree or higher, compared to the current 56% percent.
The baccalaureate curriculum is designed to
prepare students for work within the
growing and changing health-care
environment. With nurses taking more of an
active role in all facets of health care, they
are expected to develop critical-thinking and communication
skills in addition to receiving standard nurse
training in clinics and hospitals. In a
university or college setting, the first
two years include classes in the
humanities, social sciences, basic sciences, business,
psychology, technology, sociology, ethics, and nutrition.
In some programs, the nursing classes start in
the freshman or sophomore year, whereas others have
students wait until they are juniors. Many
schools require satisfactory grade point
averages before students advance into
professional nursing classes. On a 4.0 scale, admission
into the last two years of the nursing program may
require a minimum GPA of 2.5 or higher in
preprofessional nursing classes. The
national average is about 2.8, but the
cutoff level varies with each program.
In the junior and senior years, the curriculum
focuses on the nursing sciences and
emphasis moves from the classroom to health
facilities. This is where students are
exposed to clinical skills, nursing theory, and
the varied roles nurses play in the health-care system.
Courses include nurse leadership, health promotion,
family planning, mental health, environmental
and occupational health, adult and
pediatric care, medical and surgical care,
psychiatric care, community health,
management, and home health care.
This level of education comes in a variety of
settings: community hospitals, clinics,
social service agencies, schools, and
health maintenance organizations. Training
in diverse settings is the best preparation for becoming
a vital player in the growing health-care field.
Re-entry Programs
Practicing nurses who are returning to school to
earn a baccalaureate degree will have to
meet requirements that may include
possession of a valid RN license and an
associate degree or hospital diploma from an
accredited institution. Again, it is best to check
with the school's admissions department to determine
specifics.
Nurses returning to school will have to consider
the rapid rate of change in health care and
in science in general. A nurse who passed
an undergraduate-level chemistry class ten
years ago would probably not receive credit
for that class today, due to the growth of
knowledge in that and all other scientific fields.
The need to reeducate applies not only to practicing
nurses returning to school but also to all nurses
throughout their careers.
In the same vein, nurses with diplomas from
hospital programs who want to work toward a
baccalaureate degree would find themselves
in need of meeting the common requirements
for more clinical practice as well as
developing a deeper understanding of community-based
nursing practices, such as health prevention and promotion.
There are colleges and universities available to
the RN in search of a baccalaureate that
give credit for previous nurse training.
These programs are designed to accommodate
the needs and career goals of the practicing
nurse by providing flexible course schedules and credit
for previous experience and education. Some programs
lead to a master's-level degree, a process that
can take up to three years. Licensed
practical nurses (LPNs) can also continue
their education through baccalaureate
programs.
Nurses thinking of reentering school may also
consider other specialized programs. For
example, there are programs aimed at
enabling a nurse with an ADN or an LPN/LVN degree to earn a BSN, accelerated BSN
programs for nurses with degrees in other fields, and accelerated programs for non-nurses with degrees in other fields who wish to enter the profession.
Choosing a Program
With approximately 996 baccalaureate programs in
the United States, some research will
reveal which programs match your needs and
career objectives.
If you have no healthcare experience, it might
be best to gain some insight into the field
by volunteering or working part-time in a
care facility, such as a hospital or an
outpatient clinic. Talking to nurse
professionals about their work will also lend insight
into how your best attributes may apply to the nursing
field.
When considering a nursing education, consider
your personal needs. Is it best for you to
work in a heavily structured environment or
one that offers more flexibility in terms
of, say, integrating a part-time work schedule
into studies? Do you need to stay close to home? Do
you prefer to work in a large healthcare system,
such as a health maintenance organization or a
medical center, or do you prefer smaller,
community-based operations?
As for nursing programs, it's best to ask the
following: How involved is the faculty in
developing students for today's health-care
industry? How strong is the school's
affiliation with clinics and hospitals? Is
there any assurance that a student will gain an up-to-date
educational experience for the current job market?
Are a variety of care settings available? How
much time in clinics will be needed for
graduation? What are the program's
resources in terms of computer and science
laboratories? Does the school work with hospitals
and community-based centers to provide health care?
How available is the faculty to oversee a student's
curriculum? What kind of student support is
available in terms of study groups and
technology? Moreover, what kind of
counseling from faculty members and administrators
is available to help students develop well-rounded,
effective progress through the program?
Visiting a school and talking to the program's
guidance counselors will give you a better
understanding of how a particular program
or school will fit your needs. You can get a
closer look at the faculty, its members'
credentials, and the focus of the program. It's also
not too early to consider what each program can offer
in terms of job placement.