RN Programs: Start to Finish Degree Options, Courses and Finding the Program for You

Diploma and certificate programs for registered nurses are increasingly rare, and only available at a decreasing number of sites in the United States. With the Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (BSN) poised to become the entry-level requirement for many nursing positions, diploma/certificate programs are no longer highly recommended paths into the profession.

These types of programs are typically offered by hospitals in conjunction with an onsite nursing school, providing students with both classroom and hands-on training. A high school diploma or GED equivalent is typically the main requirement for admission into a nursing diploma or certificate program. Courses include sciences and health care strategies, with most programs requiring a commitment of one to three years, depending on the course load.

Accredited programs allow the student to sit for the NCLEX-RN, and employment options include entry-level positions at hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and doctors’ offices. Diploma recipients can build on their education by applying to a program offering a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing degree.

RN diploma programs combine clinical experience and classroom work. Common courses include:

Graduates from an RN certificate or diploma program will have the following core competencies:

• Determine health status

  Nurses will be able to determine the status and health needs of clients based upon interpretation of health data and preventive health practices in collaboration with patients and health care team members.

• Formulate goals

  Nurses will be able to determine health care goals and outcomes for patients.

• Coordinator of care

  Nurses will coordinate resources for the provision of individual and family care, and collaborate for the planning and delivery of care.

• Advocate

  Nurses monitor and promote quality and access to health care for patients and families.

• Communication

  Nurses will communicate and collaborate with members of a patient’s health care team to promote and maintain optimal health.

An associate degree in nursing is a common educational gateway to a career in nursing. ADN programs are offered at community colleges and technical schools throughout the United States, and provide students with the basic nursing skills needed to care for a wide variety of patients in a number of settings. Students who complete the ADN program are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN and apply for their RN license.

ADN programs offer didactic classroom education coupled with intensive clinical instruction. The ADN differs from a nursing diploma in terms of requiring a larger number of credit hours and more in-depth coursework taken at the college level. RNs with an ADN earn a higher salary than those with a diploma, and can assume greater responsibilities in the healthcare workplace. The ADN is an affordable and efficient path for entry into the nursing profession, opening many possibilities for further education and advancement.

Since the Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommended that the BSN become the standard entry-level nursing degree by 2020, some nurses are choosing to sidestep the ADN by directly pursuing a BSN, while others are enrolling directly in a BSN program following the successful completion of the ADN.

Students at this level can expect to participate in many courses, including but not limited to the following:

Graduates from an ADN program will develop the following core competencies:

• Effective Communication

  RNs will use therapeutic communication skills when interacting with patients and their families.

• Patient Assessment

  RNs will be proficient in the assessment of the emotional, physical, and cultural status of the patient, with an ability to analyze the effects of these factors on health status.

• Decision making

  ADN graduates will demonstrate appropriate clinical judgment, critical thinking, and the ability to make decisions related to patient management and safety.

• Managing care

  Graduates will have the skills to prioritize patient needs and the implementation of individualized care, including .

Nurses seeking career advancement, a higher salary, more skills, and increased job responsibility would do well to consider a so-called RN-to-BSN “bridge” program. These programs streamline training and minimize redundancy, meaning registered nurses can generally complete a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in less time than a typical four-year bachelor’s degree program. A bachelor’s degree or higher is often necessary for administrative positions, research, consulting, and teaching, and is poised to become the industry standard for entry-level nursing positions by 2020 or 2025.

BSN programs are pursued by students in four-year colleges and universities. In order to earn the BSN, students follow a relatively more rigorous academic course of study as compared to that of ADN students, with considerably broader training in the humanities.

Generally taught at the university level, BSN programs provide more in-depth instruction in topics such as nursing leadership, research, and community nursing.

For students with no previous college education, nursing schools within four-year colleges and universities offer pre-licensure baccalaureate nursing programs; these programs also prepare students to sit for the NCLEX nursing licensure exam. Other students may enter so-called “Second Bachelors” programs, wherein they pursue a BSN and nursing licensure after having earned a baccalaureate degree in another discipline.

These programs are usually offered on campus and/or online and may take two to three years to complete, depending on course load and work schedule. Online programs give RNs more flexibility by offering schedules that allow students the opportunity to simultaneously study, work, and meet other responsibilities.

Typical courses that students take for a BSN degree may include:

Graduates from a BSN program will develop the following core competencies, which build on competencies from previous degrees:

• Critical thinking

  Graduates will use critical thinking to identify the health-related needs of individuals, groups and communities.

• Leadership

  Graduates will provide leadership for the continuing development of the nursing profession.

• Streamlined Communication

  Effective patient communication is a vital component of patient care, as is interdisciplinary communication. Nurses must effectively communicate with patients and team members in a variety of settings.

• Use of technology

  Nurses can perform procedures such as assessing vital signs with a range of assessment tools. Nurses evaluate patient data, and utilize information technology to document and communicate salient clinical information.

• Teamwork and collaboration

  Nurses collaborate with members of the multidisciplinary care team in order to safely and appropriately treat patients. A nurse with a BSN may assume a managerial position, supervising other nurses and staff in the provision of patient care.