Is Nursing A 4 Year Degree? Find out More

 Is Nursing A 4 Year Degree?

    Is nursing a 4 year degree?

Do you have questions or concerns with the idea of, is nursing a 4 year degree? Do you have a set path when it comes to where who, and how you’d like to pursue your bachelor's degree? If so, you're not alone.

The perception of what it takes to become a registered nurse (RN) often soars above the reality and can cause many to hesitate in the decision to enroll in a 4 year nursing degree. That said, the answer to this question may surprise you.

Nursing is a 4-year degree and also an educational process. So if you’ve spent three years already, why not become a nurse?

In this light, in addition to your question of, is nursing a 4-year degree?  this timely blog post will provide in-depth information on 7 distinct sections as listed below.

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Are You Ready? Let's Get Started!

SECTION 1: What Degree Should You Earn For Nursing?

When it comes to nursing and medicine in general, getting a degree from an accredited school is highly important.

 Nursing is a field that requires state licensure, which means that nursing degree programs are regulated by the state.

The training you receive and the education you attain have to be approved by your state's regulatory authority.

If your nursing degree is not approved by your state or regional regulatory body, then you will not be able to practice as a nurse.

So, when choosing a nursing program, be sure to investigate whether or not they are accredited by the accrediting body in your state.

Most schools will make this information known quite clearly on their website or their promotional materials.

In this light, a bachelor's degree in nursing is the most common type of nursing program available.

 It takes about four years to complete and takes place at a 4-year college or university. Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) can also become registered nurses through a two-year associate's degree program, which can be completed at a vocational or technical school.

The drawback of getting your bachelor of science in nursing  (BSN) from a traditional school is that it usually costs a lot more than other types of nursing education and it takes longer, so you'll wind up paying more in tuition and taking out more in student loans.

The next degree is the Adult Critical Care Nurse - MSN Degree

An Adult Critical Care Nurse or master's degree in Nursing is also referred to as a Doctorate in Nursing Practice (DNP).

This type of nursing program can take anywhere between 18 months and 2 years.

It offers specialization and leadership positions in clinical practice, administration, academia, research, advocacy, and policy development.

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Is Time To Look At How You Can Become A Registered Nurse

SECTION 2: How Do I Become A Registered Nurse?

There are many ways to become a registered nurse (RN).

The first step is completing your education, which is not only required by the state you wish to practice in but will help you get the experience and training needed to be successful in this field.

To become a registered nurse (RN), you must complete a bachelor's degree program in nursing.

This can take four years of full-time study at a community college or university.

 If you are interested in working as a registered nurse (RN) in a specific area of specialties, such as pediatrics or emergency medicine, it is often necessary to continue your education with an advanced degree, such as a master's or doctorate.

Many nurses choose to combine their education with work experience by obtaining an online RN-to-BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) degree from an accredited school.

The majority of accredited programs will allow you to work as you earn your degree.

Whether that means taking just one course at a time or using the weekend to catch up on classes, incorporating your education into your current schedule will help make the program more affordable and manageable.

Find out what programs offer accelerated courses that enable you to earn credit for life experience, and use this option if possible.

Are There Different Types Of Nursing Degrees? Keep Reading.

SECTION 3: Types of nursing degrees?

Nursing degrees are found in two main types: associate's degrees and bachelor's degrees.

The associate's degree is an entry-level degree that leads to employment as a licensed practical nurse (LPN).

After earning the license, many licensed practical nurses (LPNs) choose to continue their education so they can earn a higher salary, perform more complicated duties, and have the opportunity to advance into managerial positions.

Some states require licensed practical nurses (LPNs) to earn their associate's degree before moving on to a bachelor's degree program.

If you're interested in becoming a registered nurse (RN), you'll need a bachelor's degree in nursing (BSN).

Registered Nurses (RNs) can function as both administrators and clinicians, providing direct patient care and supervising other healthcare professionals.

 Many employers require new Registered Nurses (RNs) to earn their bachelor's degree in nursing (BSN) within two years or less of employment.

To become an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), you'll need at least one year of specialized experience as a Registered Nurse (RN) and a master's degree in nursing (MSN). advanced practice registered nurses (APRN) perform more complex medical duties than are allowed for Registered Nurses (RNs), such as ordering lab work, prescribing medications, and even performing minor surgery.

Some Advanced Practice Registered Nurse also serves as primary care providers by seeing patients on an ongoing basis rather than just treating them during hospital stays.

Is There A Difference Between A 2 Year Degree And A 4 Year Degree?

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Keep reading to know more

SECTION 4: What Is The Difference Between A 2 Year Degree And A 4 Year Degree?

Difference between 2 years nursing degree and a 4 year nursing degree

There are many differences between a 2-year degree and a 4 year degree.

A 4 year degree will give you the best chances of landing a high-paying job.

 If you want to go into medicine or law, you'll need a 4 year degree.

 To have the best chance at being successful in your career, it is recommended that you get a 4-year degree.

Trying to decide between getting a 2-year degree or a 4 year degree?

Your decision will depend on what your goal is and what type of career you would like to have.

If you want to go into the medical field or law, then it is recommended that you get a four-year degree.

 If you want to be hired by the government or work in an office setting, then you should get a four-year degree.

A 2-year degree can help you get an entry-level job, but for you to advance within your company and make more money, it would be best if you got a four-year degree.

With just a 2 year degree, there are only so many opportunities available for people with just two years of a college education.

A four-year degree will open up many doors for great jobs and higher pay.

It Is Vital For You To Equally Consider Reading Section 5 To Know What A 4 Year Degree Is Call.

SECTION 5: What Is A 4 Year Nursing Degree Called?

A four-year degree is usually completed in three years and one year of clinical experience. Some fields require an internship, which can be completed during the fourth year or after graduation.

A baccalaureate degree is awarded to students who have completed a four-year program.

What Is A 4 Year Nursing Degree Called?

A bachelor's degree in nursing (B.S.N.) is a four-year program that prepares you to work as a registered nurse (RN).

The bachelor's degree in the nursing curriculum includes instruction on medical terminology and anatomy and physiology, as well as courses in pharmacology, psychology, and ethics.

Coursework For A Bachelor's Degree Typically Includes Classes Like:

Clinical labs:

Observe nurses administering medications and working with patients under different conditions.

Cultural diversity:

 Examine how cultural differences relate to disease prevention and treatment.

Research methods:

Practice using the library and Internet to find health-related articles and studies.

Psychiatric/mental health nursing:

Study the psychological factors of psychiatric disorders.

Let’s Look At Three Challenges of Nursing as a Career

SECTION 6: Three Challenges of Nursing as a Career

The first thing to consider before you decide on nursing as a career is a financial aspect.

A nursing degree can be very expensive and hard to pay back.

In addition, the job market for nurses is expected to grow much slower than in other careers.

The second thing to consider is your time management skills.

Nursing can be a very demanding career with many late hours.

You will have to be willing to work long hours and weekends, especially during your first years of employment.

One other challenge of nursing is dealing with death and dying.

Nurses often come in direct contact with death and dying issues.

Many people do not want to deal with these issues and this can be very hard on some people.

Section 7 Provides Insight Into How Much You Can Expect To Earn In Your Career As A Nurse. Read On

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SECTION 7: How much does nursing pay?

How much does nursing pays? 

The average salary for a registered nurse is about $65,000.

Depending on the state you live in and your years of experience, your salary can vary significantly.

The highest paying states for registered nurses are New Hampshire, Alaska, Connecticut, and Massachusetts.

The lowest paying states are Wyoming, West Virginia, Arkansas, and Mississippi with an average annual salary of $64,450.

According to the US Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS), the average hourly wage for a nurse is $31.24/hour or $63,430/year.

For Registered Nurses (RNs) working in hospitals, the median annual salary is $66.

The middle 50 percent earned between $57,420 and $77,180.

The lowest 10 percent earned less than $50,800 and the highest 10 percent earned more than $90,120

Conclusion

Yes, indeed nursing is a four-year degree. But the question we are trying to answer is, if nursing is a four-year degree, then how many students complete their bachelors in nursing each year? The answer to this is around 100,000 students. As you have seen, nursing is more about helping and caring for people.

I think anyone can do it if they put their mind to it. Worth noting that not everyone can get accepted into nursing programs but if you are a caring person, you could be given a chance at becoming a nurse. 

It is worth mentioning that Nursing students typically take general education classes before they take the nursing program at their local college or university.

Once they get into the nursing program, they will learn everything they need to know to work as a nurse in a variety of healthcare settings.

The associate’s degree is the minimum level of education for working as a licensed practical nurse (LPN) or a registered nurse (RN). If you want to earn more than LPN and RN, consider getting your Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing.

As with any advanced degree program, Bachelor of Science programs are available both online and at universities across the country.

In conclusion, if this information provided in this blog post was able to provide you the much-needed assistance as regards your burning question of whether nursing is a four-year degree, then kindly share this blog post with your contacts on social media.

We would appreciate it as well if you drop us a word of appreciation in the comment section below. Lastly, make sure you keep your eyes peeled for a more upcoming and informative post like this one.