The post-pandemic era will increase the demand for nursing, so you should take advantage of this opportunity. Where to begin is the most relevant question, however?
Awarded as the third best job in the US in the U.S. N.W.R’s 2021 Best Jobs list, Nursing offers excellent employment opportunities and higher salaries. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nurse practitioners earn a median salary of $111,680 annually.
We’ve compiled a comprehensive guide on finding the best nursing schools in the United States, along with information on eligibility, cost, and admissions.
What are the benefits of studying nursing in the United States?
Nurse practitioners are in high demand in the USA. Human resources are in short supply in the health care and patient care fields in the US. It is for this reason that there is a massive demand for nurses and nurse practitioners.
By 2025, there will be a shortage of 260,000 nurses in the US, according to many studies. In 2006, the US government removed the limit on foreign nurse practitioners. As a result, hospitals were permitted to hire to deal with this problem.
In such recruitments, applicants with US nursing education are given some priority. It’s because of their familiarity with local patient care and advanced healthcare practices. The chances of landing a job at American hospitals are better for international students with degree certification or a bachelor’s degree in nursing from US colleges.
After completing the nursing education, you have the option of becoming a family nurse practitioner, a vocational nurse, or even a nurse anaesthetist. Here are some of the top nursing colleges in the US if you want to make a career in the field.
- Nurse registration in the United States requires educational qualifications and experience.
- The institute you graduated from should be accredited in your country. To become an RN, you need to be registered with the nursing council of the country and have a license.
- The application process will be sped up if you have at least two years of experience.
Nursing registration in the USA requires English proficiency.
- There are two types of tests available, and you would like to request one of them.
- The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Testing System (IELTS) are the most common tests.
- By the end of 2020, Florida and Oregon will incorporate OET’s approval into their respective rules. We’ll inform those interested in working in these states as soon as their OET results are accepted. To become an ECFMG Certified Intern, IMGs must score a minimum of 350 on each of the four components of the OET (Medicine): Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking.
A minimum of four Grade Bs is required for licensure in Oregon (minimum score 350), and a minimum of four Grade C+s is required for licensure in Florida (minimum 300).
- It is important to keep in mind that English test results must be submitted to the nursing board within the validity period.
How Does Nursing School Work?
To become a nurse, you must complete nursing education. Designed to prepare you for your first day, the degree programs provide you with all the information and experience. To prepare yourself for your career, you’ll require a lot of study and hands-on practice in various medical settings.
The majority of programs follow a similar structure. A nursing work curriculum’s core classes are its most important component. These are the courses you need to take to get your degree. As well as preparing you for the NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination) exams, you will need to take to get your nursing license. Also, they cover all the essential nursing competencies.
Depending on your school’s requirements, you will also have to complete any general education requirements. Those courses listed above are also part of the BSN program for students without an ADN. A majority of RN to BSN students, however, attend either face-to-face or online programs.
These basic topics will not be covered in those bridge programs. Instead, they’ll integrate the knowledge you’ve already gained with courses such as Community Health, Health Promotion, and Risk Reduction, Informatics in Nursing, Innovations in Healthcare, Nursing Ethics, Nursing Leadership, and Nursing Management. Nursing and healthcare-related courses will also cover current trends and issues.
When you graduate with a Bachelor’s degree, you can also complete elective courses (depending on your program’s structure). There will usually be some electives required that relate to your degree program and a few free electives available.
Clinicals are another important component of a nursing degree program. Practicum hours of clinical hours may also be referred to as these. Working full shifts in a variety of medical settings with an instructor or nurse educator will be part of that component of your program.
As part of this part of the curriculum, you gain hands-on experience and begin putting your classroom learning into practice. Depending on the program you’re in, you’ll have to complete three clinical hours for every one hour spent in the classroom. However, most programs will require you to complete three clinical hours.
BSN students must also complete capstone projects or take final exams as part of their program. Capstones usually involve completing a research paper or project and presenting it. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing can take three or four years to complete.
Programs for graduate nursing students
There are some important differences between the structure of a master’s degree program and a bachelor’s degree program in nursing. A Master of Science in Nursing program will cover some core elements regardless of which program you choose.
This course is designed to provide you with the scientific background for nursing practice. It exposes you to organizational leadership concepts and explains how you can integrate scholarship into your nursing practice.
Nursing and healthcare technologies will be discussed, as well as quality and safety improvements, and health policy. Also, as to how to foster a collaborative medical environment that improves patient outcomes. Clinical practice is also more extensive in these programs.
In an MSN program, you take core courses that build off the knowledge you learned in your undergraduate program as well as what you have learned throughout your nursing career. As an MSN student, you have more choices when selecting courses, allowing you to specialize in your field.
There will be more electives that relate to your desired focus area, such as nursing (leading to becoming an APRN) or health policy, education, or another path in nursing.
Graduating from nursing school opens you up to advanced practice and leadership opportunities. Those with Master’s degrees make over 10% more than those with Bachelor’s degrees. In an MSN program, you will also receive additional clinical hours. Clinical hours will probably focus primarily on an advanced practice area if you’re going to go into one.
Last but not least, there is a difference between undergraduate and graduate nursing programs in their end. In most programs, you can select either a thesis or a non-thesis option. If you choose a non-thesis option, you will be exposed to more practical aspects of nursing and will most likely have to complete a capstone project similar to what you would encounter in a BSN program.
It usually takes a few more hours and focuses more on research and nursing theory. A thesis paper must be written and presented. Researchers and educators in the nursing field should consider thesis options for their careers.
To be eligible for enrollment in a doctorate program, you must take the thesis option. The average Master’s program takes two years to complete. Doctor of Nursing Practice or DNP is the most common doctorate for nurses. The doctoral program in nursing is also available, as is a Ph.D. program. As a result of these programs, you will be able to go into greater depth about your specialty.
A nursing degree can prepare you for executive positions in health care facilities, teaching positions, and more advanced research careers in nursing. You will probably take additional courses in Healthcare Informatics and Ethics, as well as more advanced topics like Epidemiology and Systems Management.
It is required to complete 500 clinical hours for DNP programs and to complete a DNP project. Depending on your career goals (for example, practice-based, business-based, and so on), there are different tracks you can choose from. On average, nurses who earn a DNP degree earn $5,000 more per year than nurses with MSNs.
Conclusion
Nurses are rewarded for their work, but they also face many challenges. There is a high demand for licensed vocational nurses (LVN) and registered nurses (RN). However, to be eligible for such jobs, you must have the right knowledge and practical experience. Nursing schools can play a significant role in assisting you in nursing help program.
However, getting into your favorite nursing school may not be as easy as it seems after reading this blog. The English proficiency test must be taken with excellent scores to be considered for admission. But don’t worry! We’ve got you covered when it comes to English proficiency tests such as the IELTS and TOEFL at Leap Scholar. Become a successful nurse by starting your journey now.
