Nursing Schools in Virginia
Attending a nursing school is required if you wish to enter into a career in healthcare industry as a nurse. These schools offer a variety of programs designed to train you on basic and advanced levels to become an efficient and effective nurse.
What kinds of programs are available for enrollment?
Depending on the career aspirations of a student, there are three types of nursing programs from which a student may choose to enroll. The first is a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. This is a four year program which is highly rigorous and provides a solid grounding in nursing and the social sciences. This combination helps the student to become a solid critical thinker and a responsible nurse. Those who wish to gain quicker entry into the field can do so by completing an Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN), which takes about two years and is focused on developing nursing skills alone. This involves theoretical learning in topics like anatomy and physiology, along with a period of clinical training. Lastly, if you wish to gain a basic, entry-level job as an emergency medical technician (EMT), there are shorter courses that are available, and these may last for a year and help you acquire the necessary skills. Individuals who are currently in the nursing field, and wish to grow in their career, may benefit from earning a Master's degree, which offer a chance to specialize in an area of nursing. Professions include nurse anesthetist, nurse practitioner, and nurse midwife.
Bridge Programs
Some nursing schools in Virginia also offer bridge programs for nurses. These are designed for students who are currently working in a nursing capacity and wish to rise in their career without enrolling in a degree program. These programs allow students to complete the additional training in a full-time or part-time status that is required to apply for their new roles. LPN to RN programs, for instance, allow licensed practical nurses (LPN) to undergo specialized training to become registered nurses (RN); these nurses work in a more senior post. These programs also vary in their duration and can last between one or two years.
Online nursing schools
Although a number of schools offer nursing programs, not every student has equal access to the resources. Some individuals are occupied with commitments at home or a full-time job. Others may feel uncomfortable with the idea of attending college after a hiatus of several years. For such people, there is now an opportunity to enroll into online degree programs.
Online nursing schools upload all the relevant course material online for easy access. Students do not have to commute or move into a place near campus to attend classes. This offers a convenient and flexible framework within which students can complete their learning and earn a degree.
After the Degree
Once you have completed your degree, you will have to pass a licensing examination to legally practice your profession. These exams are administered by the National Council for Licensure Examination.