NURSING CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AND DEGREE PROGRAMS: HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

What Does a Nurse Do?

Depending on where a nursing professional works, job functions may vary, however, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, registered nurses are responsible for providing and coordinating patient care, educating patients and the public about various health conditions, and providing guidance and emotional support to patients and their families.⁵

Most registered nurses serve patient care as part of a medical team, alongside physicians and other healthcare professionals. Some RNs oversee LPNs, nursing assistants, and home health aides. Nurses also may serve a particular patient population, i.e. geriatric nurses support elderly patient care. General nursing job duties can include the following:

• Assess patients’ conditions
• Record patients’ medical histories and symptoms
• Observe patients and record the observations
• Administer patients’ medicines and treatments
• Set up plans for patients’ care or contribute information to existing plans
• Consult and collaborate with doctors and other healthcare professionals
• Operate and monitor medical equipment
• Help perform diagnostic tests and analyze the results
• Teach patients and their families how to manage illnesses or injuries
• Explain what to do at home after treatment

Where Do Nurses Work?

Nurses can work in a variety of medical and healthcare settings. According to the BLS, in 2023, 58% of nurses work in state, local, or private hospital settings, with the remaining serving in ambulatory healthcare service settings, including physicians’ offices, home healthcare, and outpatient care centers, as well as nursing and residential facilities, government and educational settings.²

Skills for Nurses

Nursing professionals rely on a broad range of skills to effectively support patient care delivery in the various healthcare settings nurses serve in. According to O*Net, these are just some of the key skills in nursing:³

• Active Listening— Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Critical Thinking— Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Speaking— Talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Active Learning— Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
• Service Orientation— Actively looking for ways to help people.
• Social Perceptiveness— Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
• Complex Problem Solving— Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Judgment and Decision Making— Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• Time Management— Managing one’s own time and the time of others.
• Inductive Reasoning— The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions.
• Problem Sensitivity— The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
• Deductive Reasoning— The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
• Information Ordering— The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules.
• Perceptual Speed— The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns.

How to Become a Nurse

The field of nursing offers a number of entry points for various levels of nursing practice. This is why it’s important to first decide what kind of nurse you aspire to be.⁴ Those interested in supporting other nurses, physicians, and other medical staff on a team, and/or want to join the nursing field faster may consider a CNA or LPN/LVN path, which require a diploma or certificate. However, those interested in registered nursing would need to complete at least a degree at the Associate Degree in Nursing level.

Finally, those interested in breaking into more advanced nursing roles may want to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), in general, to pursue nursing leadership or a higher level of nursing practice. For many employers in healthcare, BSN and management roles in nursing go hand in hand, with BSN holders offered greater access to leadership opportunities. In fact, certain states such as New York have even enacted laws that require RNs to complete a BSN within ten years of licensure.⁵

Nursing Licensure and Certification

Beyond the required nursing education, there are licensure and/or certification requirements for each level of nursing practice. At the level of a BSN, licensure requirements entail passing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) and earning a state license. Once these requirements are achieved, a registered nursing professional can pursue a nursing role in a number of healthcare settings. Carrington College’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is an RN to BSN completion option and applicants are required to hold their RN credential.

Prepare for Your Career as a Nurse

Carrington College’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) program offers you the training to take your career to the next level. Take the first step on your way to a new career.

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What to Look for in a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) Program

Choosing the right school to pursue a nursing education is a big decision. The right career education and training can help you go further in the nursing field. Although many institutions may offer nursing degrees, it’s important that you look for the one that fits your goals and lifestyle.

A few core things to look for when considering Nursing programs include:

• Small class sizes. When learning to be a Nurse you want individual attention from your instructor.
• Real-world skills and expertise. Even in an online learning format, a real-world approach to nursing practice should be emphasized.
• Cost. Education is a major investment, but it’s an investment in your future. At Carrington College, we participate in most financial assistance programs, both federal and state, as well as private financing. Student loans, grants, and scholarships are available to those who qualify. For complete information on current tuition costs, please see the academic catalog.

What Will I Learn in a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) Program?

The online BSN program at Carrington College focuses primarily on leadership, research, and education offering registered nurses the opportunity for professional growth and development through attainment of a higher degree.

Upon completion of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, graduates will be able to:

• Utilize effective communication with patients, families, communities, and colleagues for collaboration to achieve optimal health outcomes.
• Demonstrate clinical judgement in the delivery of evidence-based patient-centered care to promote and restore health for diverse populations.
• Demonstrate the ability to utilize patient care technologies, information systems, and communication devices that support safety and quality nursing practice.
• Create a safe environment that promotes caring and professionalism with consideration for the patient’s cultural humility, societal beliefs, and practices.
• Apply current scientific and evidence-based knowledge and data interpretation to guide actions which promote human flourishing and enhance patient-centered care.
• Demonstrate behaviors that are consistent with the legal and ethical framework of nursing.

Start Training for Your Career in Nursing With Carrington College

Carrington College is experienced in turning out highly trained nurses who should be ready to confidently advance their careers. Learn more about the Carrington College Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) program.

Carrington College’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) Faculty and Students

Carrington College takes a personal approach to preparing graduates for professional success. Our faculty members are experienced and passionate about helping you reach your career goals.

With students of different backgrounds and ages, you’ll develop nursing skills in a robust community. Carrington College cares that you’re not just a student in a program. Your peers and teachers will know and care about you and your career aspirations.

Find Bachelor of Science in Nursing Training Near Me

Carrington College’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) program is available online. Find out how online nursing education benefits your career goals.

Sources:

1. https://nursejournal.org/degrees/types-of-nursing-degrees/
2. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm#tab-3
3. https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/29-1141.00
4. https://www.allnursingschools.com/how-to-become-a-nurse/
5. https://www.nursingworld.org/content-hub/resources/nursing-resources/rn-to-bsn/