Associate degree in nursing: Formal training in the art of healing

Thinking about a degree in nursing? You obviously know a hot career field when you see it. And you'll love what nursing degree can do for your hireability. As a registered nurse (RN), you have the potential to maximize your professional options in the surging healthcare field. An online associate degree in nursing is a great start.

Nursing overview and opportunities

Earn an online associate degree in nursing and you have a chance to become one of this country's premier caregivers. A registered nurse fuses knowledge and compassion, working to restore patients to health and vitality. Registered nurses are found in physicians' offices, community clinics, medical centers and hospitals. With the introduction of new medical procedures and technologies, there's never been a better time to earn your associate degree in nursing.

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that employment of registered nurses is projected to increase 22 percent from 2008-2018, much faster than the national average. The BLS also predicts a unique shift in hiring trends of the registered nurse, from larger hospitals to smaller service providers. Here is a quick list of the projected growth rates for RNs in the industries with the highest employment:

• Offices of physicians: 48%
• Home health care services: 33%
• Nursing care facilities: 25%
• Employment services: 24%
• Public and private hospitals: 17%

Nursing positions and certifications

The top careers in the nursing field continue to be specialized roles: clinical nurse specialists, nurse anesthetists and nurse practitioners. Although these positions require advanced degrees and certifications, the road to each begins with a basic nursing degree. Median annual wages of registered nurses were $63,750 in May 2009. The middle 50 percent earned between $52,520 and $77,970. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $43,970, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $93,700.

In order to obtain a nursing license, you are required to graduate from an approved nursing program and pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN), a national licensing examination. Many states have their own eligibility requirements for licensure. Continuing education also plays a critical role in the process once you graduate and become licensed.

Financial aid opportunities may be available to help you fund your education. Scholarships, grant-in-aid, subsidized and unsubsidized loans, and work credit arrangements all mean that if you want this for yourself, it can be done.

Nursing educational requirements

With an online associate degree in nursing, you can satisfy the nursing degree requirements without putting a job or your family on hold. There are also hybrid programs that combine online study with campus-based lab work for those that appreciate a more traditional route of study.

The coursework involved in an associate degree in nursing features the very best in technology, theory and practice. According to O*NET, you'll study a wide range of topics that include pharmacology, anatomy and physiology, conversions, symptoms, treatment alternatives, and preventive healthcare. Once you complete your classroom studies, you'll work alongside an established nurse in a clinical setting to gain valuable hands-on experience.

Find out how an associate degree in nursing--earned either on-campus or online--can sharpen your professional focus. A nursing degree is precisely the formal training you need to put your own unique spin on this burgeoning career field.

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