Registered Nurse VS Licensed Practical Nurse

LPN only usually takes only one year to finish. But because LPN graduates have less medical training and skills, they receive the most physically demanding job while only getting almost half of RNs’ salary.

For those who are concerned that they cannot study to become Registered Nurse, they can enroll themselves to online RN programs which can allow them to study while they work in a hospital.

Remember that for those who will take RN programs, it would be easier to find a job. According to a recent study, the US will need 1.7 million RNs in 2020, but according to an estimate, there will be only 630,000 Registered Nurses available in that period which means there will be a shortage.

The advantages of online RN programs

• It is easy to find accredited nursing schools that offer online RN programs.
• You don’t have to attend to class everyday because you can learn at your house (this is ideal for working students and mothers who want to continue their study).
• There are many online schools which offer easy payment mode.
• You can learn at your own pace.

Basic online Registered Nursing (RN) programs

There are many RN programs you can choose, and these will depend on how long you want to study and how much dedication you have. Meanwhile here are some choices you have to make if you are considering you become a Registered Nurse.

• Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN). In traditional nursing school, this usually takes two to three years to complete, but for those who will take a full online RN program, they can even complete the ADN for just 18 months. After finishing this course, they are still required to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) to get their license to practice after passing the test.
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree (BSN). In traditional nursing school and online campus, students can have their degree after studying four to five years. And because they have longer time in school, they have wider knowledge than graduates of Associate in Nursing. BSN graduates also have more specialized skills compared to ADN and LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) because they took courses in community health nursing, diseases management, leadership and management, risk reduction, among others. While it can take longer time to finish BSN, graduates of this program will have higher salary, better job opportunity, and higher position in their working place.

Other available online Registered Nursing programs

• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). If you decided to take MSN, it would take another two years, which means you will study for six years to have this degree. While it can take longer, this is advantageous because you can work in public health and social office, enjoy higher position, and have better pay. The MSN degree can also help you to continue to study Doctorate’s degree which is the highest education a Registered Nurse can get.
• Ph.D or Doctorate in Nursing. After finishing MSN, you can know take Doctorate in Nursing which would take another two years to complete. This means that you would spend eight years in college to have this highest degree.