Associate’s in Nursing Vs. Bachelor’s in Nursing
Nurses can be incredibly successful whether they get an Associate’s degree or a Bachelor’s degree. Each has its obstacles, and prospective Nurses should educate themselves on the ins and outs of each degree in order to become better prepared to make a proper decision.
As far as the length of each level of education, students should be aware of the following:
- Associates degree programs typically take two years, and often provide entry-level opportunities
- A bachelor’s program takes four years
- Bachelor’s degrees with direct entry typically take three years
- Master’s degree programs require an additional two years
Associate’s Degree In Nursing
For an Associate’s degree in Nursing, you will find yourself taking courses such as microbiology, geriatric Nursing, and other specializes courses. Classes in Associate’s programs also typically last longer, since the program is not as long. These programs are designed to give you the skills and knowledge needed in order to become a competent generalist Nurse who can specialize in many different settings.
Bachelor’s Degree In Nursing
Bachelor’s programs incorporate a heavy amount of coursework and clinical practice into its curriculum. Students must be prepared to take classes such as anatomy, physiology, biology, and nutrition. A good aspect of Bachelor’s programs is that you can use your Associate’s degree as a starting point in your education. From there, you will go through more advanced classes such as emergency care, health assessment, family, community and population-based care, public and global health, issues and trends in Nursing, and much more.
Prospective students must take many things into account when deciding between an Associate’s degree and a Bachelor’s. Each has its benefits, but you cannot go wrong either way. Both degrees will provide you with a very stable and coveted asset in the great field of Nursing.
