Nursing Majors Guide

What Does it Mean to Study Nursing?

Nurses are typically required to be compassionate, responsible, and detail-oriented. They must be willing to take control of stressful situations and to ask for assistance when necessary. Nurses also need emotional stability to handle emergency situations and to engage with emotional and physical suffering, illness, and injury. Additionally, nursing is a high demand profession. The American Nursing Association (ANA) reports that, by 2022, 1.1 million new registered nurses (RNs) will be needed to replace retiring nurse positions and to meet expanding healthcare needs.

Types of Nursing Degrees

Nursing school programs vary in length and intensity depending on the desired degree or certification. You can find a nursing degree program to meet your needs, based on prior education and workforce skills. From undergraduate to advanced graduate-level programs, nursing major colleges offer various opportunities to gain real-world skills. Take a look at some of the nursing degree types below.

Online or Campus-Based Nursing Programs?

Opportunities for increasing your nursing major salary could be improved by enrolling in one of many different nursing programs. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), the number of accelerated programs available nationwide continues to expand. As of 2018, there were more than 280 accelerated BSN programs and more than 60 accelerated programs available at the master’s level in the country. Some of these may feature coursework that is not only available online, but also have admission dates that are ongoing.

Financial Aid for Nursing Students

To help pay for the costs of a nursing degree, you could apply for financial aid or look for scholarship opportunities. Financial aid loans, which may be available through the federal government or a specific school, typically need to be repaid, but scholarships do not. Scholarships do require an application process and not everyone can be chosen as a recipient. The following associations offer nursing scholarships, but you can find other scholarship opportunities available, too:

• American Association of Colleges of Nursing
• National Association of Hispanic Nurses
• National Black Nurses Association, Inc.

To learn about financing your nursing degree either online or on-campus, visit our financial page.

What Can You Do With a College Degree in Nursing?

As you consider different types of nursing degrees, you may wonder about potential nursing major salary, job growth, employment and more. The table below uses data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to provide details on mean annual wages, projected job grown and total employment for popular nursing fields. Just keep in mind that once a nursing degree program is completed, nurses must take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) in order to become certified as either a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse.

Registered Nurses

RNs typically work in hospitals, nursing homes, private physician’s offices, and home healthcare companies. Their duties vary by state and position but usually include administering medical treatments and medication, observing patients, educating patients and families about illness, assisting with diagnosing injuries and illness, recording patient histories, and offering emotional support.

• Minimum Educational Requirement: Most RNs need at least an associate degree, although a bachelor’s degree may be preferred.
• Special Certifications or Licensures: RNs must be licensed by the state in which they practice. In addition to any state exam requirements, RNs must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) to receive their RN certification.

Licensed Practical Nurses and Licensed Vocational Nurses

Like registered nurses, licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) work in a variety of healthcare facilities. They must also complete some postsecondary training. Their roles differ from RNs in the duties they may undertake and the amount of education they have undergone. Typical tasks include monitoring patients, assisting patients with bathing and dressing, changing bandages, recording patient information, and extending emotional support to patients. LPNs and LVNs are supervised by doctors and RNs.

• Minimum Educational Requirement: LPNs and LVNs usually participate in approved career training programs that last approximately one year.
• Special Certifications or Licensures: To become a licensed practical or vocational nurse, students must first pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN). They must also meet any other licensing requirements of the state in which they practice.

Certified Nursing Assistants

Certified nursing assistants support doctors and other nurses by administering basic care for patients in a variety of healthcare facilities. Sometimes referred to as nursing aides, these healthcare professionals can be found working in nursing homes, hospitals, assisted living facilities, and home healthcare services. Duties may include transporting patients between rooms, helping patients with basic tasks (like bathing and dressing), transferring patients from wheelchairs, measuring and recording vital signs, cleaning equipment, or serving meals.

• Minimum Educational Requirement: CNAs are usually required to complete a state-approved career training program. These programs last a few months but are completed in under a year.
• Special Certifications or Licensures: Certified nursing assistants must be registered to work in the state in which they practice. Requirements vary by state but usually include passing a competency exam.

Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners

Nurses wanting to specialize in particular areas of healthcare may be able to become Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs). After receiving the proper education and meeting all licensing requirements, APRNs may be allowed to perform certain advanced primary and specialty healthcare services for patients. Nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners are all examples of APRNs. Duties and responsibilities vary by specialization.

• Minimum Educational Requirement: All APRNs must earn a master’s degree in their area of specialization.
• Special Certifications or Licensures: Regardless of specialization, all APRNs must first earn their RN certification. They must also pass the proper licensing exams, which vary according to their specific area of specialty. APRNs must be licensed in the state in which they work and meet continuing education requirements.

Nursing Associations and Organizations

Nurses have a wide variety of organizations and associations they can turn to for support and resources. These organizations may be fraternal in nature or offer professional support and advocacy. Some include:

• American Nurses Association — This association represents nurses of all types and advocates for policies that advance the profession. They also publish several professional trade journals.
• National Council of State Boards of Nursing — This non-profit organization seeks to promote regulatory standards for the nursing profession. The NCSBN creates, administers, and oversees the National Council Licensure Examinations.
• National League for Nursing — The NLN promotes excellence in nursing through high-quality nursing education. The league features professional development and networking opportunities for nursing educators and faculty.