How to become a Nurse : Overview

If you like science, feel compassion for your sick family, friends, and pets, and want to care for them, consider becoming a nurse.

How to become a nurse

You can become a nurse in three ways. You can get a two-year associate's degree in nursing (ASN). You can get a three-year registered nursing diploma from a hospital-allied nursing school. Or you can get a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Regardless, you'll need to pass a national exam to become a practicing nurse.

Prospects for the nursing profession

Healthcare careers are in high demand, but none more so than nursing. Government statistics predict the current shortage of nurses to grow, at least through 2020. Become a nurse, and you'll surely have a secure, well-paying healthcare job. Though the job can be stressful, nursing pays both emotional and job benefits.

Sources

AACN - Media Relations (www.aacn.nche.edu)
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov)