| Are you aware that statistics show by the year | | | | education will occur in the privacy of your home. |
| 2020, there will be a nursing shortage of more than | | | | While it's normal a small amount of actual on-site |
| 1.7 million? The US Department of Labor based on | | | | attendance will be required, these days can normally |
| statistics shows that registered nurses will be among | | | | be tailored to your own work and family obligations. |
| the top professions in the USA by 2012. | | | | In most cases you'll have the choice of the following. |
| If you have an interest in the nursing profession, but | | | | 1. A 4 year BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing), |
| you are concerned about the time and money | | | | which is an extensive course but will offer you the |
| involved in becoming an R.N., you should consider | | | | most opportunities as the nursing shortage becomes |
| studying to become an LPN, or Licensed Practical | | | | more critical. This degree is a requirement for many |
| Nurse, this is an ideal stepping stone in your nursing | | | | positions, and should be sought by those who have |
| career, requiring much less an initial education, allowing | | | | made a career choice and desire maximum flexibility |
| you to get into the workforce that much easier and | | | | in employment. |
| quickly. | | | | 2. You may consider the associate degree (normally a |
| There are multiple LPN to R.N. programs, some online | | | | two year degree) which will focus more on technical |
| and some at actual universities or medical schools, | | | | skills, but provides an excellent background for those |
| specifically designed to help LPNs make the jump to | | | | planning to continue onto their BSN at a later time. |
| becoming an R.N. or Registered Nurse. | | | | The benefit of the two year associate degree is it |
| If you are currently an LPN interested in pursuing or | | | | allows the LPN to obtain the needed credentials more |
| at finding out more information about studying to | | | | quickly, providing them the opportunity to enter the |
| become an R.N., but you're concerned about the time | | | | workforce at a higher salary in a shorter time period. |
| involved or the available openings, there are multiple | | | | 3. The third option is the diploma, which is a two to |
| options available to you. In most cases, and LPN will | | | | three year intensive study in nursing; this was |
| have family obligations, possibly children, a home, | | | | common before the 1970s, but continues in limited |
| possibly a mortgage than normal burdens of a | | | | schools. While the LPN to nursing diploma is certainly |
| full-time life. Most LPN to R.N. programs realize that an | | | | an option, the number of schools offering this |
| LPN is a living breathing individual with responsibilities | | | | diploma, are now less than one hundred. While this is |
| and tailor their programs accordingly. | | | | certainly a viable option, some may find it limiting, be |
| Ideally speaking and LPN can continue doing their | | | | certain to do your research before making this crucial |
| current job while pursuing their higher education. | | | | career decision. |
| These LPN to RN programs are designed to allow a | | | | There are many LPN to RN programs for your |
| working LPN to pursue advanced degrees, while | | | | consideration, and of thing there is a certainty, |
| continuing their current employment, and their | | | | nursing (in all areas) will continue to be an excellent |
| education will be mostly online at their own pace. In | | | | career choice for many years to come. |
| most instances the hours are flexible and your | | | | |