Five Stages of Nursing Career
In Society, the balance is always maintained by those who live for themselves and those who live for others. This intrinsic nature of a few to be of service to others keeps the world going. These are the men and women who keep our faith alive in Humanity. A career in Nursing is no less than service to society. Perhaps therefore Nursing is considered a noble profession. So, if you are planning to pursue a career in Nursing, here are the Six stage of Nursing Education & Career you must know about.
Choosing to study in the USA, opens a wide range of options for those pursuing Nursing Degrees. From being a Hospital Nurse to becoming a research specialist, the path is wide open for everyone.
So, how does one begin a career in Nursing? By crossing one milestone after another.
- Certification Courses
Diploma courses have become irrelevant over time. However, for those who are pursuing a graduate Nursing Degree to become a Nursing Practitioner, an additional certification could be quiet useful. You could acquire specialty in one of the following areas:
- Adult-gerontology (acute or primary care)
- Pediatrics (acute or primary care)
- Family /Lifespan
- Neonatology
- Women’s Health
- Mental Health
- Associate Degree in Nursing
This would take 2-3 years to complete. There are enough Medical and Community Colleges that offer Nursing Degree courses. It a good place to start if you are looking at a long-term career in Nursing.
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Offered by most Medical Universities, this would take 4 years to complete. However, if you have a Nursing Degree, you could do the graduation in 2 years. There are also online degree courses available for those interested in flexible or distance learning.
- Master of Science in Nursing
Post your Bachelor’s degree, you could attain a Master’s degree in two years. Depending upon your area of interest you can choose the specialty streams from – Nurse Practitioner (NP), Certified Nurse Midwife, Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), Certified Nurse Anaesthetist (CRNA), Nurse Educator, School Nursing, and Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL).
- Doctor of Nursing
Finally, the highest degree in Nursing Education Career is attaining the Doctorate. This would usually take 3-6 years to complete, which you could do at Universities or even Online. The Specialties include:
- Doctor of Nursing (ND)
- Doctor of Nursing Practitioner (DNP)
- Doctor of Nursing Science (DNSc)
- Doctor of Nursing Philosophy (Ph.D.)
The Nursing field is so varied that it offers endless opportunities for those seeking a Nursing career. The choice is yours.