Nursing Schools in Indiana
Nursing is becoming one of the fastest-growing occupations in the United States. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects the addition of over 700,000 new jobs in this field between 2010 and 2020. Not only this, the field of nursing is becoming more complex as well. Today, nurses are taking more responsibility in the workplace and work alongside doctors in the diagnosis and treatment of patients. If you are considering a career in nursing, the first step is to complete your educational training from an accredited nursing school. If you are unsure about what you will be taught in a nursing program or want to know about the types of programs that are available, our guide will help you gain more insight on the matter.
Types of Programs
Typically, nursing schools offer three types of nursing programs. The most basic of these is a certification diploma which could be obtained by completing short training courses. Each individual course lasts between 3 to 6 weeks, and the final certification could be completed in a year. With this training, you could enter employment as a medical first responder, emergency medical technician, paramedic, or even a licensed practical nurse (LPN).
The second option is to obtain an Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN), which is a two year program, offered at community colleges and some nursing schools. This degree is more rigorous in its curriculum, and divides the students' training between classroom and practical training. Students will learn topics in biology, anatomy, chemistry, microbiology, and health-related subjects. Coupled with this, they will be required to spend time in a clinical setting to understand how to practically apply their skills.
The most comprehensive program is a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. These programs typically last four years, and combine training in medicine and nursing along with courses in liberal arts and social sciences. The aim of this degree is to make students better problem-solvers and able to take on the more challenging problems in the field of nursing. To help with this, students take courses psychology, sociology, and statistics in addition to their basic nursing curriculum.
Accelerated Nursing Programs in Indiana
Prospective nursing students could choose one of the three nursing programs in order to complete the required training. However, a significant number of students are considering a career in nursing after having completed an undergraduate program in another field. For these students, the idea of spending an additional four years to obtain a BSN degree is tedious and costly.
In order to address this problem, accelerated nursing programs are available in select nursing schools in Indiana. These programs are much more competitive, but allow students to complete their nursing studies between 12 and 20 months. The curriculum is packed into rigorous modules, and you must complete each before moving to the next. Accelerated master's degree programs are also available for students, and students may choose to specialize in certain areas when completing this program. These programs may be completed in three years.