Some employers have specific preferences, but, with few exceptions, graduates of all these programs qualify for entry level staff nurse positions after passing the licensing examinations. For supervisory or administrative positions, for jobs in public health agencies, and for admission to graduate nursing programs, for example, a bachelor' s degree in nursing is necessary. Those considering research, consulting, teaching, or a clinical specialization also should start their nursing education in a bachelor's program. Some R.N.'s trained in diploma or associate degree programs subsequently enter baccalaureate degree programs to prepare for a broader scope of nursing practice, but this can be a costly and time-consuming way of securing baccalaureate level preparation. All nurse training programs include classroom instruction and supervised nursing practice in hospitals and other health facilities.
Students take courses in anatomy, physiology, microbiology, nutrition, psychology, and nursing.
Increasingly, nursing students learn the latest clinical and administrative uses of computers in medicine. In hospitals, for example, nurses routinely use computers to enter or retrieve information about patients such as X-rays, laboratory test results, or medication orders. Students in bachelor's degree programs as well as in some of the other programs are assigned to public health departments, visiting nurse associations, and other community agencies to learn how to care for patients' homes. Varying amounts of general education are combined with nursing education in all three types of programs. Persons who want to pursue a nursing career should have a sincere desire to serve humanity and be sympathetic to the needs of others.