Thinking about a career in the health care field? If you are just getting started in your research about a potential career in nursing, you’ve come to the right place. A health care career in nursing has a variety of options to choose from. To be exact, there are over 1,000 different nursing programs available, depending on what type of nursing degree you are looking for.
Here’s a quick break down to help you make your decision:
Associate Degree in Nursing
An Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) takes two years to complete and is generally offered in community colleges as well as nursing schools and technical schools across the nation. An associate degree will allow the student to work in various traditional health care settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, mental health facilities, rehabilitation centers, and home health aide opportunities.
Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing
A baccalaureate degree (BSN) in nursing is typically earned at a four year university and will provide the student with the ability to enter a nursing career in a leadership or supervisory position.
Either of the above mentioned degrees are going to take time and of course a great deal of commitment on the part of the student. This type of traditional education often works well for those who are living with parents or family, or who have recently finished high school and are moving on to their college education. But what about individuals who may be working full time in another career and want to transition into the field of health care?
CNA Training
For individuals who are looking for a quick way to enter the rewarding health care industry, but just can’t make the time to receive training by traditional means, CNA training may be exactly what you are looking for.
A career as a CNA will introduce you to the health care industry at the lowest level, and provide you with the quickest way to transition into a new career. CNA training is available at most technical centers, adult education facilities, community colleges, and even online.
How Long Does it Take to Become a CNA?
Another huge benefit of completing a CNA training class is the fact that the course typically takes from four to six weeks from start to finish. This is an attractive benefit for anyone wanting to enter the medical field and transition into a new job quickly.
If you are wondering what the downside is of becoming a certified nursing assistant, there really is only one. Since a nursing assistant is exactly that, “an assistant,” you will be at the lowest level of the nursing hierarchy. Some may consider this to be a downside, but in reality, if you are not sure if nursing is right for you, this is the best way to find out.
Complete your CNA training, earn your certification by taking your state board exam, start your career and weigh out your options from there. There are plenty of health care professionals who got their start as a certified nursing assistant and then went on to become x-ray technicians, registered nurses, or even surgical technicians.
Getting your foot in the door by taking your CNA training is an excellent and quick way to explore the health care industry and determine whether it is the path you want to follow.
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