With a full set of National Institutes of Health (NIH) research grants and world-class faculty and facilitates, the College is considered one of the top programs in the country. Over 10,000 active alumni create a network of opportunities for placement across the country, in roles ranging from hospital administration to patient care and public health policy roles.

The variety of programs allows nurses at nearly any point in their careers to pursue opportunities in the field. Fully accredited by the Ohio Board of Nursing as well as the Commission on Collegiate Nursing education, programs prepare students for the National Nursing Licensure Examinations as well as providing hands-on experience with the latest advances in medical technology. For existing nurses seeking further credentials, there are advanced R.N. to B.S.N. programs which provide a streamlined route to a degree in the field. Advanced research as the doctoral level helps prepare students for the highest levels of the field, including administration and policy roles. Within Columbus, the medical community provides an opportunity to make connections with advanced medical professionals at all levels, including work in the University’s hospital system in collaboration with the Medical School.

Today, New York University’s nursing programs include both undergraduate and graduate clinical programs which have deep interaction with the medical community, including work with Brooklyn research and hospital centers. With specialty programs focused upon clinical practice and Geriatric nursing, students gains both knowledge and experience in a variety of fields.

The school’s programs range from a bachelor’s program to a master’s and PhD graduate program, as well as providing advanced continuing education to active nurses. Students learn in formal classroom as well as clinical settings, as well as performing research in the school’s various institutes, including joint programs with the World Health Organization. As a result, students gain valuable experience through placements in community hospitals both regionally and internationally, giving them exposure to a wide variety of medical settings. Many nursing students embark upon careers in public health and advocacy, helping to shape public and private policy surrounding health organizations, in addition to performing core nursing tasks. The active New York policy environment, with a number of major organizations such as the United Nations centered in the city, allows students to take a number of routes as part of their careers.

The basic philosophy of nurse practitioners is a high level of personalized care and attention to the overall wellness of the patient. To that end, practitioners go well beyond the standard nurse duties and collaborate with doctors to help foster an improved clinical environment. Additionally, practitioners may help counsel patients regarding wellness programs and help to perform complex diagnostics. Many specialized situations, such as pre and neo-natal care, chronic disease and behavioral issues are often addressed by nurses.

Advanced nurses work in a variety of environments, from heading up departments in hospitals to helping to organize medical clinics and working on administrative roles within HMOs and health care organizations. Making an investment in further nursing education can open doors to a number of career opportunities. Nearly any nurse can embark upon additional education and certifications in order to elevate their knowledge base and career ladder, with a focus upon improving their overall medical knowledge as well as specific-area understandings in a specialty. Most supervisors within nursing departments have advance degrees, allowing them to interact more closely with physicians, hospital administrators and patients, helping to ensure a well functioning, efficient structure of patient care. As part of the AANP, advanced nurses join a community of professionals dedicated to advancing the profession and improving patient outcomes at the clinical and policy level.

The major source of continuing education for nurses is the American Nurses Credentialing Center, which provides on-going learning experiences for certified nurses. The organization helps to organize seminars and learning groups throughout the country where nurses participate in learning seminars based on both general and specialized topics.

In addition to generalized educational opportunities, many specialty organizations within nursing provide renewal educational programs to their members. For oncology nurses, the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation provides professional development opportunities for its members, ranging from academic course work to seminars and volunteer opportunities. Other specialty organizations, such as the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board also provide on-going on-line and in-person educational opportunities. Networking is a major part of on-going educational opportunities, as study groups and seminars provide an opportunity to meet fellow professional nurses and to trade ideas and experience. Working with other nursing professionals allows you to gain valuable knowledge and approaches to specific medical and administrative issues that may arise.

The first issue you should consider is how well your program allows you to meet the state requirements for working as a registered nurse. Depending on the state, there are various requirements which include classroom based experience, so make sure the program is sufficiently flexible to allow you to work in the state you are interested in. More states, as a baseline requirement, have certain clinical hour requirements in addition to NCLEX exam certification as a pre-requisite to working as a registered nurse in the state.

Additionally, if you are interested in a particularly area of specialty, you should examine the program offerings to determine what additional courses may be required. Of particular note are specialty medical settings in your area - in certain cases, meeting these requirements may require travel to nearby facilities, so factor in that time investment. Take time to compare various programs, given the wide range of degree offerings available so you can select the program which offers you the best long-term return on your educational investment. Many major nursing colleges offer hybrid on-line programs, so make sure to compare prominent and on-line focused schools, with a focus to finding an accredited program that will help build your career.

In general, students pursuing a masters degree are expected to have already earned a Bachelor’s of Science in nursing, as well as having clinical experience and a qualifying score on the GRE exam. Based upon these credentials, there are a variety of programs you can apply to, ranging from full-time, dedicated programs to part-time options which allow you to study as you continue your active career.

An additional option for medical professionals who have science degrees but no experience in nursing allows for students to gain core credentials and a registered nursing license along with advanced nursing training. These accelerated programs allow biology and life sciences majors, as well as clinical professionals to transition to careers in nursing or hospital administration. Upon graduate from these programs, students are required to pass an examination from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, as well as mastering a variety of patient care skills and engaging in on-going professional development. For students who are actively pursuing nursing degrees, many schools allow for advanced coursework that will allow for graduate with both a bachelor’s and master’s degree, putting you a step ahead in your career path.

Nurses play a crucial role in helping to direct child care to the proper specialists. Because of this, the job requires a high degree of specialization and detail, skills which are developed in a registered nursing program and through experience in hospitals and community care centers. Pediatric nurses also can specialize in personalized care for sick children or those with specific diseases by providing in-home and on-going treatment at Children’s Hospitals and through out-patient care.

A number of professional organizations, such as the Society of Pediatric Nurses, cater to the specific demands of the job by providing professional development resources. Additionally, the organization holds conventions, seminars and helps nurses with further education, including accreditation through the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB). The skill sets developed through the Board provide the necessary skill sets in order to meet the high standards of care required for Pediatric Nurses in today’s top hospital practices.

Today, the majority of registered nursing professionals are employed by hospitals, although the demographic shifts are expected to increase opportunities for clinical and home-based specialty care with an increase in the elderly population in the United States. As a result of these shifting trends, the overall health care market should expand, providing a growing number of opportunities for nurses over the next decade, particularly for in-home, geriatric and clinical care.

At the same time, as hospitals seek to lower costs, nursing jobs are becoming more demanding. Nurses are expected to perform medical, administrative and patient care duties in a single shift, as well as actively learning about new advances in technology and science. Those entering the nursing profession should anticipate and understand the nature of these demands, as nursing can be challenging in a physical, emotional and mental sense, requiring a variety of skills.

For those seeking job security and opportunity, however, nursing remains one of the fastest growing fields. In nearly every community, demand for health care is rising, which creates additional responsibilities for qualified nurses.

In addition to establishing initial credentials for nurses, the organization also provides on-going programs to help nurses learn about new technology to improve patient outcomes. Certified as an ISO (International Standards Organization) accepted certification, the ANCC is considered the gold standard for nursing certification.

At a base level, the ANCC provides training and testing for the nursing profession across various specialties including advanced medicine, nurse practitioners, clinical medicine and specialty programs. Many hospitals require their nurses to gain certification, given its acceptance by a variety of institutions, including major insurance agencies, government programs and medical regulators. With on-going education and credential renewal programs, the ANCC helps elevate and maintain a higher level of nursing education on an international basis.

Another important component of the organization are its volunteering opportunities, which help connect nurses to need-based care opportunities, including low income families, impoverished communities and international volunteer opportunities.

The programs range from a traditional bachelor’s degree all the way to a PhD in Nursing Science, which prepares students for leadership positions in nursing, through practice, education and health advocacy. By working closely with state-based medical programs including the Veterans Affairs programs, the Shands Cancer Research program and the University Medical School, students gain a complete understanding of the various facets of nursing.

Established in 1956, the program has a long-standing history, which has helped it to grow to over 70 faculty members, across specialties in geriatrics, hospital administration and family care. With research grants from organizations such as the National Cancer Institute, Florida’s nursing program is an ideal choice for nearly all levels of study. While the cost of the program can be high for out-of-state students, studying at Florida provides an investment that can help bolster your long-run career prospects.