Nursing is a field that has always been known for job security. Even in tough economic times, nursing shortages persist. Hospitals may reduce the number of nurses to save money, but that reduction in no way reflects the need for well qualified nurses who can provide exceptional patient care. A registered nurse performs patient care duties under the direction of a physician. The nurse carries out a physician's orders regarding medication administration and patient care. A nurse must be able to assess patient needs, write care plans, monitor progress and respond to emergencies in a calm and competent manner.

There are numerous reasons to consider nursing as a career. Nurses earn better than average pay. Entry level registered nurses earn starting salaries in the neighborhood of $40,000 per year. A nurse who becomes a specialist in an area such as anesthesiology or one who chooses to become a nurse practitioner can eventually earn a six figure salary. Flexibility in scheduling is another reason to consider nursing as a career. While nurses work evenings, weekends and holidays, schedules can often be adjusted to meet the nurse's needs. Some nurses prefer working shifts such as three 12 hour days which allow them to have more consecutive days off between shifts. Others may prefer working standard 8 hour shifts. Outside of the hospital and long-term care setting, nurses can work regular hours in physician's offices, mental health centers, schools and health departments.

Becoming a registered nurse requires earning a degree or diploma in the field and taking a state licensing examination. The good news is that there are several avenues to earning nursing credentials. An individual who is interested into getting into professional nursing quickly can enroll in an associate degree program at a community college or junior college. The associate degree can be earned in two years. Associate degree nurses take courses necessary to meet the requirements for the licensing exam, but do not take a lot of electives due to the length of the program. Another option is a hospital diploma program. Nursing students in these programs can complete the diploma in two to three years in this type of program, which is structured similar to the associate degree program. The bachelor of science in nursing program takes four years to complete and is offered by colleges or universities. Within the bachelor's degree program a nursing student has the opportunity to take some electives and additional nursing courses to prepare for a role as a nursing administrator. All three programs prepare nurses to sit for the state licensing exam.