Which Nursing Degree is Right for You?

Which Nursing Degree is Right for You?

If you are a caring and empathetic person who enjoys looking after others, offering support and making a difference, nursing could be the perfect choice of career for you. Nurses are in high demand right now due to a shortage of these important health professionals across the nation. As a result, there are more options available than ever before when it comes to the nursing degree programs available, in order to encourage more people to get into nursing and make the career more accessible. If you’re considering a career in nursing, which degree program is right for you?

Traditional BSN

The traditional BSN program is still the most popular option for aspiring nurses. This is the traditional nursing school or college degree where you will need to attend regular lectures and classes. There are both full-time and part-time options available, and the degree program will usually take around four years to complete full-time.

Accelerated BSN

If you have already gained a bachelor’s degree in a different subject and want to change your career path into nursing, an accelerated BSN might be the ideal choice for you. This is a fast-paced, intensive program that allows you to gain your BSN qualification in around half the time that you’d expect the traditional program to take, allowing you to get into your new nursing career faster. In addition, an ABSN is often the ideal choice for aspiring nurses who are looking to save money after already investing in a bachelor’s degree. Find out more about accelerated nursing programs in Illinois here.

Online BSN

If you’re considering becoming a nurse but want to study in a flexible manner that puts you in control of your studies and enables you to continue working full-time and keeping to your current commitments without disruption, an online nursing degree could be what you need. Online degree programs in nursing are available with a wide range of options to choose from whether you want complete flexibility, a structure of online lessons and classes to attend, or a blended degree program where you will be spending some time studying online and some time studying on-campus. Online degree programs are also available at advanced levels and are ideal for current nurses who are looking to advance their career while working full-time as a nurse.

Nursing Apprenticeships

If you are more of a hands-on learner and prefer to learn on the job, a newer option that you might want to consider is a nursing apprenticeship. Apprenticeships are often offered directly by the employer and tend to be provided in conjunction with colleges and nursing schools where you will be required to attend some classes. One of the biggest differences between an apprenticeship and a nursing degree is the cost; apprenticeships are often available at a much lower cost to you and you are usually able to earn a wage from the full-time work that you complete as part of the program.

If you want a caring career where you can make a difference, there are various study options to consider that will enable you to become a nurse.