Deciding to become a registered nurse is your first step on an exciting and challenging journey. The next step is deciding on an RN school and program of study. Your choice must take into account a wide range of personal, practical and professional considerations. You probably have a lot of questions. Can you afford registered nursing school? What kind of class schedule will work for you? Should you get an associate's degree so you can begin practicing in just two years—or should you invest your time and money in a 4-year BSN degree that opens up more opportunities for future advancement? What kind of nursing do you want to practice, and how soon do you have to decide? The more time you spend considering all your RN school options now, the better the chance that you will get the right training for your unique needs and goals for your registered nurse career.  Questions for Registered Nursing Schools As you research RN schools, here are some important questions to ask: - Is the school accredited?
- Does the school prepare you to get your nursing certification?
- Does the school specialize in a particular type of nursing?
- What class schedule options are available – days, evenings, weekends?
- Does the school document your course hours?
- Does the school assist in work placement?
Registered Nurse (RN) Education: Time to Completion There are a number of different paths to a registered nurse career: - ADN (2 years) – Offered by community and junior colleges, the Associate's Degree in Nursing option is the fastest route to becoming a registered nurse. When you graduate, you can apply for an entry-level nursing position and begin earning valuable experience right away. Should you wish to continue your education with a BSN degree in the future, your employer may offer tuition reimbursement benefits and college credit to help you (see RN-to-BSN programs below).
- BSN (4 years) – Offered by colleges and universities, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree prepares you for a number of nursing career options. BSN nurses can work in any health care setting, including critical care, ambulatory care, public health and mental health. A BSN is also a prerequisite for most advanced nursing certifications and degrees. Therefore, if you know you want to pursue an advanced nursing specialty—such as nurse-midwifery or pediatric nursing—you may want to go ahead and get your BSN as soon as possible.
- Diploma (2 to 3 years) – Offered by hospitals, often in cooperation with local community colleges, diploma programs prepare students to work in hospitals and other inpatient settings. This type of program used to be much more common, but there are now fewer than 100 such programs in the U.S.
- RN-to-BSN (2 to 3 years) – These programs, also known as Bridge Programs, are specifically designed to help RNs who have associate's degrees or diplomas earn BSN degrees. They are structured for working nurses and offer flexible class schedules, as well as credits for work experience.
- Accelerated BSN (1 to 1.5 years) – If you already have a bachelor's degree, an Accelerated BSN program will allow you to apply some of your college experience toward the general education requirements of a BSN degree. Second Degree BSN programs are also available if you wish to earn your BSN degree at a somewhat slower pace.
After completing any of these programs, you will need to pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN). Nursing degree education requirements vary based on state, so make sure you research the requirements in your state by contacting your state board of nursing. Registered Nursing School Courses RN school combines classroom instruction with supervised clinical experience in hospitals or other health care facilities. Basic coursework for an aspiring registered nurse includes the following: - Anatomy
- Physiology
- Microbiology
- Chemistry
- Nutrition
- Psychology
- Nursing practice and theory
ADN and BSN students are also required to take general liberal arts courses. RN School Accreditation Accreditation is a guarantee that a program meets nationally established standards for nursing education. Independent national organizations accredit registered nursing schools through a rigorous application process, and accreditation must be renewed every 5 to 10 years. Most states require you to receive your nursing degree from an accredited institution in order to become licensed, and you must also attend an accredited institution to be eligible for most financial aid programs. Learn more in our section on Nursing School Accreditation. Related Reading  Sources:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2009 |
Registered Nurse (RN) Education ResourcesRN Career & Degree Information Related RN Articles "A nurse is compassion in scrubs." ~Lexie Saige "Nurses are the hospitality of the hospital." ~Carrie Latet |
