Registered nurses (RNs) are often the healthcare professionals who have the most direct contact with the public, caring for, advising, and supporting the emotional needs of patients and their families. As a nurse, you will need to handle a variety of responsibilities that include performing diagnostic tests, taking medical histories, treating some illnesses and conditions, administering medications, managing patient follow-up, and ... helping with rehabilitation. It is a challenging career that can be physically and emotionally exhausting, but nursing also provides endless rewards by allowing you to help others and make a difference in the world
It is possible to get a nursing job with an online associate degree or a diploma and your nursing license. However, you may not be able to advance beyond entry-level work. To begin to take advantage of the extensive opportunities open to nurses in medicine, research, consulting, teaching, and public administration you will need at least a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
Online bachelor-level study in nursing includes a rigorous curriculum. Most programs require liberal arts coursework in addition to lab science and sociology classes such as Anatomy and Physiology, Microbiology, Chemistry, Nutrition, Pharmacology, Sociology, Pediatric Nursing, Surgical Care, Geriatrics, Adult Health, Maternal and Women's Health, Newborn and Neonatal Care, and Fundamentals of Practice in Nursing. To help you manage the complexities of modern healthcare, you may also be trained in communication and critical thinking.
Online bachelor degree programs in nursing also require clinical experience in a variety of healthcare settings including hospital and non-hospital facilities. That hands-on experience will prepare you to take on roles in facilities that provide acute care, long-term care, outpatient services, public health services, home healthcare, mental health services, and other types of care. Once you are on the job, you will see that there is more to nursing than taking a patient's vital signs and prepping the exam room. RNs are often charged with preparing a care plan that outlines what needs to be done for a specific patient, such as administering medication, maintaining intravenous (IV) lines, providing therapies and treatments, and recording a patient's care and response to treatments. RNs may also manage other nurses or nursing aides.
Because the goal of undergraduate nursing programs is to prepare you to handle a wide range of nursing duties, you will not choose a specialty for your bachelor-level study. If you continue on to graduate school, you can choose a concentration such as women's health, geriatrics, or surgery.
Overall job opportunities are excellent for registered nurses and are expected to continue to expand. If you are willing to relocate or work in underserved areas, you will likely have even more career options. If you already have your associate degree in nursing, you may be able to get reimbursed for bachelor courses by completing an online RN-to-BSN program.
