A study at Vanderbilt University estimated that the shortage of nurses in America could reach as high as 500,000 by the year 2025. With so many vacant positions available, nurses are in high demand these days. In fact, there is no better time like the present to start thinking about becoming a nurse! With the global population living longer and more people needing more health care, the job outlook for a nursing student is proving to be extremely promising.

So, what does it take to become a nurse? There are several types of nursing programs to choose from because there are many different kinds of nurses! Here are a few options:

• Hospital nurses make up the largest group of nurses. They provide bedside care in hospitals and carry out the healthcare regimen prescribed by doctors.
• Registered Nurses (RNs) help to educate patients and the public about health and disease, in addition to providing direct patient care.
• Nursing home nurses work in nursing homes, caring for patients with a wide variety of ailments that range from broken hips to Alzheimer’s disease.
• Office nurses care for outpatients in doctors’ offices and clinics. They help perform examinations, administer injections, and maintain records.

Because there are so many different career paths for nurses, there are several types of nursing programs out there. If you’re thinking about becoming a nurse, there are three different entry-level programs available to help you get started on your career.

The 2-year Associate Degree in nursing allows you to get your nursing degree quickly, and to start making money! This type of program provides the practical training and technical skills that you need to succeed in a health care environment. Lots of nurses with associate’s degrees often proceed to advanced nursing programs following a few years of work.

The Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN) is a 4-year program that offers the most job opportunities in today’s job market. Since a BSN is required for many of the higher nursing positions, it is the preferred option for many students who are looking to increase their marketability.

A nursing diploma is a 2-3 year program that is designed to prepare students to work in a hospital. Students who have a nursing diploma are qualified to take exams and apply for a Registered Nurse position. Since many diploma schools are affiliated with junior colleges, you have the option to take other classes.

If you love to help people and are interested in the field of health care, nursing might be the career for you! The nursing profession offers a very flexible schedule—you could work in a wide variety of locations and work whatever time you want. With so many fulfilling nursing job options out there, nurses are definitely never bored.