Is Nursing School Worth It?

Are you interested in a career as a licensed nurse and thus planning to join a Nursing School? Then, you must have a lot of queries like- if it is worth spending your time and money in a nursing school and how will it benefit your career. 

Here is the answer to your question- The nursing school is worth it for many reasons which we will be discussing in this article.

But before moving on to that let us dig up a few basic necessary information about nursing.

An Overview of Nursing

Nursing encompasses the independent and collaborative care of individuals of all ages, families, groups, and communities, sick or well and in all settings. Nursing includes the promotion of health, prevention of illness, and the care of ill, and disabled.

Nursing can be described as both an art and a science; a heart and a mind. Due to the vast range of specializations and complex skills in the nursing profession, each nurse will have specific strengths, passions, and expertise.

The nursing profession was founded to protect, promote, and improve health for all ages. 

Nurses are Key to the Health of the Nation. There are over 4 million registered nurses in the United States today.

What types of nurses are there?

There are four types of nurses, namely- 

• Registered Nurses

• Advanced Practice Registered Nurses

• APRNs Practice Specialist Roles

• Licensed Practical Nurses

Is Nursing School really worth it?

You might be wondering if it is worth your time and money to pursue a degree in nursing school. It is better to do an analysis of how it is useful to you. 

Pruitt says, “You will have some very challenging days both in nursing school and as a nurse, but it is all worth it! Nursing is a calling. You see people at their absolute lowest and have the privilege to help them. It takes a special person to be a nurse.”

Let us discuss a few important points to analyze the worth of nursing schools.

Nursing School Tuition and Costs

Tuition charges can be scary no matter which degree or the field you choose to join and when it comes to complete nursing school it can seem very difficult but there are affordable and better-advanced options.

Finding a more affordable program in nursing offered online will help relieve some of the tension associated with tuition. After you have become a Registered Nurse, you can work while you are pursuing your degree.

The cost of tuition will vary which depends on the school you choose to attend as some community colleges are only a few thousand dollars a year and a few private universities have much higher tuition fees.

There are associate degree programs as well, which are quicker to complete. These will allow you to become a licensed practical nurse (LPN), which has fewer career advancement opportunities than an RN, but you will be able to start much faster as it is a 2 or less than a 2-year program. 

Online degree programs are generally more affordable because students pay fewer fees that are associated with higher education. It also all pays off in the end. 

Though, there is a growing movement to require a BSN degree as a new minimum qualification for nurses and to phase out LPNs. Taking the shorter route now may lead you back to school later in your career.

Career Opportunities

There is a wide variety of job opportunities for a nursing degree holder. Nurses work in many different areas of healthcare and the roles often vary within each environment. All of them can basically be differentiated by either direct or indirect patient care areas.

Registered Nurse Careers

There are two kinds namely, Direct Patient Care RN and Indirect Patient Care RN. The RN degree holders can work in a variety of healthcare settings that include:

Hospitals	Physician Offices
Community Health	Clinics
Universities	Skilled Nursing Facilities
Insurance Companies	Correctional Healthcare Facilities
Outpatient Settings	Elementary or High Schools

Advanced Practice Registered Nursing (APRN) Careers

These nursing careers require higher-level degrees like a Master's of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree. APRNs can hold a number of highly coveted specialty nursing positions that include:

Nurse Practitioner	Nurse Anesthetist
Nurse Midwife	Clinical Nurse Specialist

Alternate Career Options for the nursing degree holders include Clinical Nurse Educator, Public Health Nurse, Home Health Nurse, Travel Nurse, Forensic Nurse, Nurse Advocate, Hospice Nurse, and Telephone Triage Nurse.

Earning Potentiality

If you are ambitious, you already know that nursing credentials and skills you have gained from a nursing school will offer you a career path with staying power. 

The average salary for a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree holder is well over $60,000 a year, for  Master's of Science in Nursing (MSN) graduates, over $80,000, and for those who have a doctorate in nursing, the average annual salary is around $100,000.

Here is a list of a few highest paying job roles and their average annual salaries. 

Job Role	Average Annual Income
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist	$167,950
Clinical Nurse Specialist	$106,028
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner	$105,658
Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse	$102,487
Pain Management Nurse	$101,916
Family Nurse Practitioner	$98,408
Registered Nurse First Assist	$96,418
Gerontological Nurse Practitioner	$89,637
Critical Care Nurse	$74,588
Health Policy Nurse	$71,703

Conclusion 

Is Nursing School worth it? Yes, Nursing school is worth it for many reasons and it is understood by now.

If you are a person who is truly passionate about taking care of people, who believes in changing the future of the healthcare industry and understands that nurses change lives every single day, then joining a nursing school is the best option for you.

Job security and the average salary are both very attractive factors. It is the best chance for you to take the opportunity and earn according to your potential on this degree. The wise call would be to choose the right career for you and plan accordingly.