Can you Be a Registered Nurse with an Associate Degree?
If you're looking for a role that involves helping people, then pursuing a degree as a registered nurse might be for you. There are many paths to obtaining education in the healthcare field. These can provide different levels of competencies needed to care for patients. Earning an associates degree in nursing to become a registered nurse (RN) is a great place to start.
RNs promote health and wellness, providing critical care to everyone from infants to the elderly. Nursing is demanding, requiring intelligence, critical thinking skills, and good preparation, but it's also a rewarding one.
Entering the Nursing Profession
To become a registered nurse, the minimal education you will need is an associate degree in nursing. Many RNs with associate degrees eventually go on to earn a bachelor's (BSN) and even a master's degree in nursing (MSN). It's possible at many universities to earn your bachelor's or master's in nursing while working as a nurse, so it's a great idea to keep your options open for the future.
What Do RNs Do?
So what sets RNs apart from other healthcare providers? A lot will depend on the kind of employment and specialization you obtain. Some of the healthcare settings you might work in:
- Hospital
- Psychiatric/mental health
- Occupational health
- Addictions care
- HMO/insurance/managed care facilities
- Hospices
- Military and industry facilities
RNs typically administer medications, observe and monitor patient conditions, maintain records, and communicate with doctors. A variety of areas of specialization are available, including pediatrics, critical care, neonatology, gynecology, or gerontology. RNs may also specialize in particular areas of disease or disorders, such as orthopedics, cardiology, or neuroscience. Some even travel to more remote parts of the country or world to deliver healthcare.
Preparing to be an RN
Successfully completing the nursing curriculum takes considerable commitment from the student. Coursework can be challenging, as students must study and retain information in such fields as these:
- Anatomy and physiology
- Microbiology
- Pharmacology
- Medical/surgical nursing
- Nutrition
- Acute care
Once you successfully complete your coursework, you will be qualified to take the RN-NCLEX examination, administered by the State Board of Nursing. Upon passing the exam, you will be licensed to practice as an RN.
Be aware that obtaining a degree in nursing requires considerable commitment to attending class and studying. It's important to be disciplined and focused. Having a close support network will also be a tremendous help during long study sessions and exam time.
It's also important to develop certain characteristics as you study, in addition to mastering the coursework. A successful RN should be committed to helping people, while having the ability to be part of a hard-working team. They should adhere to legal, moral, and ethical standards of the field. It's also important they are an effective communicator and be dedicated to lifelong learning as their areas of specialization evolve.
Are you excited about the field of nursing and eager to learn more? If you're thinking about earning an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing, consider ECPI University for your educational needs. With an accelerated schedule and year-round classes, you could be able to graduate sooner and start working faster. Contact an ECPI University admissions advisor for more information.
It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!
DISCLAIMER – ECPI University makes no claim, warranty, or guarantee as to actual employability or earning potential to current, past or future students or graduates of any educational program we offer. The ECPI University website is published for informational purposes only. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information contained on the ECPI.edu domain; however, no warranty of accuracy is made. No contractual rights, either expressed or implied, are created by its content.
For more information about ECPI University or any of our programs click here: http://www.ecpi.edu/ or http://ow.ly/Ca1ya.