There are a range of jobs available to people with nursing qualifications.
Registered nurses are required to hold a recognized qualification in nursing. There are three traditional paths to gaining a nursing qualification in the USA. The two most common qualifications are the Associate Degree in Nursing or the Bachelor of Science in Nursing. The approved nursing diploma program is less common. Nurses must take an exam to obtain their nursing license. There are pros and cons for each qualification option.
Pro - Availability
There are many colleges and universities that offer the BSN qualification. Some distance learning institutions also offer the course, which can be completed at home. Compared to the number of approved nursing degree programs, the range of institutions offering a BSN is much greater.
Pro - Career Advancement
The BSN offers the greatest potential for career advancement because the course covers more advanced elements of nursing than other nursing qualification programs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nurses that hold a BSN qualification have been trained to a greater extent in areas such as critical thinking, communication and leadership. To apply for nursing-related jobs in teaching, consulting or research, applicants must hold a BSN qualification.
Pro - Salary Potential
Due to the range of career advancement opportunities, the earning potential for a nurse with a BSN qualification is higher. According to the BLS, figures for May 2008 indicated that the top 10 percent of nurses earned a median of $92,240. The average wage for a nurse in May 2008 was $62,450.
Con - Cost
The cost of completing a BSN qualification is higher than for either an ADN or approved nursing diploma. For example, the University of Wisconsin charged $385 per credit for the BSN course as of September 2010. This figure doesn't include books and other materials.
Con - Time
The career advancement opportunities associated with BSN qualifications typically arise from the fact that BSN holders have spent more time studying and have taken more classes. This has its downsides too. It typically takes two to three years to complete either an ADN or a diploma in nursing, but it takes at least four years to obtain a BSN qualification. Factor in the costs of being a student for a further year and you can see how the costs of the course can accumulate.
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