How to get a nursing degree?

Question

I want to be a nurse, but how do i go about getting my degree? What is the fastest and/or cheapest way?

Answer 1

There are several ways:
1. A diploma program at a hospital with their own nursing school. This program will be heavier in clinical experience than academics.
2. An Associate Degree program at a community college. This will give you all of the required clinical experience with a good bit of academics that will get you a 2 year degree. This will be beneficial should you desire a 4 year degree later in life.
3. A Bachelors Degree program at a 4 year college. This will give you all of the clinical experiences that the last 2 programs offer and all of the academics that a 4 year degree requires. This is the path to take if you are considering any advanced practice careers like nurse practitioner, nurse anesthetist or other masters level nursing specialties as you will have the prerequisites required for graduate study that the previous 2 programs do not offer.

So, you want fast and cheap, options 1 and 2 are tied. You want practical and beneficial for the long run, option 3 will serve you best. Good Luck in your choice.

Answer 2

Many community colleges have nursing programs. If one near you has a program, it's probably the fastest and cheapest way to get your training. Getting accepted into nursing programs is very competitive - they have lots more applicants than they have room for.

Good luck.

Answer 3

Go to school