According to the Bureau of Labor’s Occupational Outlook Handbook, the demand for skilled nurses is at an all-time high, and is only expected to go higher. Between now and 2016, the nursing occupation will generate nearly 600,000 new jobs, and hundreds of thousands of positions that already exist will need to be filled. The demand for registered nurses will be higher than the demand for any other occupation for the next decade. If you are considering a career in nursing, there has never been a better time to pursue this rewarding field.
There are three different paths that will lead to an RN, a certificate that declares you a Registered Nurse. Before you apply for nursing school, you should carefully consider the kind of nursing position you want to aim for. There are currently over 700 programs that offer bachelors’ degrees in nursing, a BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing). There are about 850 programs at community colleges and other schools that offer an AN, an Associates Degree in Nursing, and about 70 programs that offer a diploma in nursing. Any of the three types of programs will qualify you for an entry level position in nursing. They differ largely in...