So You Want to be a Nurse?
Focus on Majors: Nursing
Imagine saving lives before you've even hit your mid-twenties. A career in nursing offers the opportunity to be at the forefront of healthcare, from delivering newborns to supporting patients through their toughest battles. Nursing places you at the heart of healthcare's most meaningful moments.
Why Choose Nursing?
The nursing profession is rewarding and offers strong job security and competitive pay. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Employment Projections for 2022-2032, the Registered Nursing (RN) workforce is expected to grow by 6% over the next decade, increasing from 3.1 million to 3.3 million nurses. This growth reflects the increasing demand for healthcare services and the essential role nurses play in patient care.
Paths to Becoming a Registered Nurse
There are three primary pathways to becoming an RN:
Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (BSN): A four-year program that offers the most career opportunities and prepares graduates for advanced roles, such as nurse practitioners.
Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN): Typically a two to three-year program offered at community colleges. Many nurses begin with an ADN and later pursue a BSN while working.
Diploma Programs: Three-year vocational programs focused on clinical training, often hospital-based.
All three paths qualify graduates to take the national licensing exam, NCLEX-RN, which is necessary for employment as an entry-level staff nurse.
Advancing Your Career
For those already practicing as RNs, RN-to-BSN programs allow nurses to earn their bachelor’s degrees while working. A BSN is often required for administrative and teaching positions and advanced practice roles such as nurse midwife, nurse anesthetist, or clinical nurse specialist. These advanced specialties typically require further education leading to a master’s degree.
Educational Requirements and Competitiveness
Nursing education includes classroom instruction in subjects like anatomy, physiology, chemistry, nutrition, psychology, and microbiology. Students also gain supervised clinical experience in hospital settings with rotations in various specialties, including pediatrics, surgery, psychiatry, and maternity.
As nursing programs become increasingly competitive, high school students aiming for a BSN should focus on maintaining strong academic performance. Healthcare experience can significantly enhance applications alongside test scores.
Direct-Entry Nursing Programs
High school students determined to pursue a BSN might consider direct-entry nursing programs. These programs allow students to begin pre-nursing classes immediately and start clinical rotations by their second year.
Preparing for Success
To become a competitive applicant for nursing programs:
Take the most challenging high school courses available.
Seek volunteer or job opportunities in healthcare settings.
Focus on achieving high grades and strong standardized test scores.
With nursing education becoming increasingly selective, robust academic preparation is essential for gaining admission to these programs. By understanding the pathways and requirements early on, parents can better support their children in pursuing a fulfilling career in nursing.
