RN: Registered Nursing Degree

Even though there are already an estimated 2.6 million individuals employed as nurses across the United States, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is projecting that an additional 560,000 new nurses will be need to fill openings from 2008 to 2018. The BLS believes that the health care industry will be the single fastest growing industry within the U.S. economy in the coming decade and that the nursing career will be the driving force behind that growth.

Registered Nurses represent the largest segment of nurses employed in the health care field, and have three educational routes that students can take to pursue a RN career. The three best registered nursing degrees available include:

• Nursing diploma program
• Associate's degree
• Bachelor's degree

Nursing diploma programs were initially the most popular method for educating future registered nurses. These programs are often offered directly from hospitals and could last roughly three years, depending on school, program type, and course load. Coursework generally includes:

• Anatomy
• Physiology
• Microbiology
• Nutrition
• Chemistry

As of 1996 a diploma program was still one of the most popular methods for preparing students for an RN career, but by 2000 a survey conducted by the Health Services Resources Administration found that just 6% of nurses were educated through these programs.

Currently, an associate's degree is the most popular registered nursing degree program available in the U.S. The typical program takes two years to complete, but because of other required classes it can often take upwards of three years or more to complete, depending on workload. There are three different associate's degrees that potential RNs can pursue, including:

• Associate of applied science in nursing
• Associate of science in nursing
• Associate degree in nursing

Associate's programs are most commonly offered by community colleges and nursing schools, but are being offered with greater frequency by larger four-year institutions. Although not the highest level degree an RN could earn, the associate's degree remains the most popular because it offers the fastest track into the career field.

The largest offering of registered nursing degree programs is found at the bachelor's level. A typical bachelor's program takes at least four years to complete, but varies depending on school, program type, and workload. Examples of bachelor's degrees include:

• Bachelor of science in nursing
• LPN to BSN program: accelerated degree for current licensed practical nurses and licensed vocational nurses
• RN to BSN program: degree for registered nurses who have previously completed diploma or associate's programs
• Second degree BSN: accelerated program for those who already hold a non-nursing bachelor's degree , offering a BSN upon completion
• Accelerated BSN program

Regardless of the program an individual chooses, they need to ensure that the program is accredited nationally. This lends credibility to a graduate's degree when applying for jobs and also makes it easier to pursue higher degrees in the future. The two national accrediting boards are:

• National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC)
• Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

Upon completion of any of these registered nursing degree programs, individuals are prepared to complete the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) for registered nurses. This exam is accepted nationwide as a measuring stick for the competency of future nurses and is a requirement for employment in the field.