Registered Nurse (RN) Career

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What You Do in This Career

Registered Nurses make up the largest healthcare occupation, and the demand for RNs is expected to grow. While 60% of nurses work in hospitals, Registered Nurses can work anywhere: in people’s homes helping the elderly, in care facilities, hospitals and doctors’ offices, even as traveling nurses. It is one of the most versatile professions. RNs treat, educate and advise patients, take medical histories and symptoms, perform diagnostic tests and analyze results, administer medications, work closely with medical assistants and CNAs, and help with patient follow-up. Much of the job depends on communicating effectively with patients. RNs have to explain post-treatment home care, diet, nutrition and exercise, and self-administered medication. They also run health screenings, immunization clinics, blood drives, and inform the public about diseases. RNs pretty much do everything, which is why training requirements are so strict and salaries so generous.

Salary and Career Path

So how much do they pay a person to do a little of everything? The median annual income of registered nurses in 2008 was $62,450, with some making more than $92,240. Employers offer incentives to attract and retain nurses since there is such a demand, including flexible work schedules, child care, and educational benefits. Many online vocational programs offer Registered Nurse to Nurse Practitioner degrees, which combine the BA program with the advanced MA program and improves marketability and increases earning potential.

What Kind of Degree or Coursework You Need

To become an RN, you must have a bachelor’s of science degree in nursing, or an associate degree in nursing and a diploma. BSN programs take 4 years to complete, and AA programs are 2-3 years. However, BSN degrees are usually required for advancement. Registered Nurses usually start out as staff nurses in hospitals, but there are many opportunities to specialize even further. Registered Nurses can go on to become clinical nurse specialists, nurse practitioners, nurse-midwives, and nurse anesthetists, which all require master’s degrees.

Top Online Health Services Programs

There are multiple educational paths that can be taken to become an ultrasound technician or diagnostic medical sonographer. The schools below do not offer ultrasound-specific training, but they do offer medical assisting and other healthcare programs closely related to sonography. You can request information by clicking the college's logo.

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DeVry University
AS in Health IT
 		DeVry University — Although DeVry University's online associate's degree in health information technology program is not specifically an ultrasound training program, it does prepare students to be HIT leaders in contemporary hospitals, physician's offices, medical clinics, and more.
Virginia College Online
BS in Health Services Mgmt
 		Virginia College Online — If you want to complete a health-based interdisciplinary studies degree online that will prepare you for ultrasound technology as well as for management, then apply for Virginia College's bachelor's degree in Health Services Management or associate's degree in medical office administration. The tuition for each program includes the cost of every textbook for every course. After earning this degree, additional training may be required to become an ultrasound technician.
Herzing University
AS in Medical Assisting
 		Herzing University — The AS in medical assisting degree program from Herzing University is not an ultrasound training program, but it does present students with an introduction to a physician's office, and can help lead to careers in sonography. Students learn how to assist doctors and nurses in the exam room as well as perform routine medical laboratory procedures.
Hodges University
AS in Health Info Mgmt
AS in Health Admin
 		Hodges University — Hodges University's AS in Health Information Technology and AS in Health Administration programs, while not purely an ultrasound training program, do teach students how to use the latest information technology to meet the needs of the healthcare industry. Health information technology allows medical offices to collect and analyze data from patients and doctors, a vital part of the medical process. Students learn to manage patient health information, medical records, administer computer information systems, and code diagnoses and procedures.
Lincoln College
AAS in Health IT
 		Lincoln College — The AAS in Health IT degree program from Lincoln College Online teaches students the ins and outs of technological-related medical work such as data tracking, organizing, and recorded. This degree is useful for anyone wishing to advance in his/her career within a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, ultrasound clinics, physician offices, and more. Additional training is required before becoming an ultrasound technician.

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DeVry University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association, www.ncahlc.org. Keller Graduate School of Management is included in this accreditation. In New York, DeVry University operates as DeVry College of New York. DeVry University operates as DeVry Institute of Technology in Calgary, Alberta. DeVry is certified to operate by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. AC0060. DeVry University is authorized for operation by the THEC. www.state.tn.us/thec. Nashville Campus - 3343 Perimeter Hill Dr., Nashville, TN 37211. Program availability varies by location.

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