Career Study - Career & Education Options

An Associate's Degree In Nursing Is A Worthwhile Pursuit

The current nursing shortage makes now a great time for men and women to pursue a nursing degree. Whether you are a recent high school graduate or someone looking to change careers, a nursing degree can prepare you for a highly rewarding profession that offers long-term growth and diversity.

If you've decided on nursing as your career choice and wish to enter the field quickly, either a nursing diploma or an associate's degree in nursing will help you achieve that goal. Both credentials qualify graduates for entry-level nursing jobs, but each one offers distinct advantages that you should take into consideration.

Diploma in Nursing
Hospital-based nursing diploma programs usually take two to three years to complete and prepare students for nursing jobs delivering direct patient care in hospitals or other inpatient facilities. With a diploma in nursing, you qualify to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam and apply for a registered nursing (RN) license.

The number of hospitals that offer nursing diploma programs has decreased in the United States from over 800 in the 1970s to less than 100 today. However, the ones that exist are often affiliated with community colleges where students can take basic liberal arts classes that fulfill requirements for an associate's in nursing.

Associate's Degree in Nursing
As a cost-effective alternative to a bachelor's degree, students can earn an associate's degree in nursing at community colleges and 4-year institutions across the country. The curriculum for a 2-year associate's in nursing program focuses on technical nursing skills and typically requires students to complete basic math, science and English courses to round out their education.

Graduates of an associate's in nursing program are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN exam and apply for their RN license. An associate's degree in nursing qualifies students for entry-level nursing jobs in hospitals or inpatient facilities. Additionally, the degree often serves as a steppingstone for nurses interested in eventually earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree.

Getting your nursing diploma or associate's degree in nursing are great ways to start your nursing career. And you will find many accredited nursing programs that provide the technical and hands-on training you need to succeed as a practicing nurse.

As previously mentioned, either a diploma in nursing or an associate's in nursing qualify you to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam and apply for your registered nursing license. However, an associate's degree can serve you later in your career should you decide to pursue a BSN or an advanced nursing degree that prepares you for specialized nursing practice.

Of course, if you choose to earn a diploma in nursing now, you can always return to school to complete requirements for an associate's or bachelor's degree later in your career.

Nursing is an excellent career choice given the current demand for qualified nurses across the country. The field accepts candidates of all ages and experience levels, and nursing students will find a wide variety of financial aid options available to help them fund their education.

So put your compassion, dedication and skills to work in a nursing career, and enjoy the long-term personal and professional rewards the job has to offer.

Sources:
DiscoverNursing.com, 2002-2006
Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2009

Earn Your Associate's Degree Through Distance Education

Getting an Associate's degree through distance education is easy! Many programs have been created to meet growing consumer demand.

Are Your Achieving Your Educational Goals?

Earning a college degree can be difficult. Life gets in the way with hectic schedules and other distractions. This is one of the main reasons that people don't complete their degrees once started.

Working parents, business people and other professionals find that the the hustle and bustle of daily life have made their educational goals seem almost impossible to achieve. Fortunately, Associate's degree distance education programs provide a solution to this problem.

The Benefits of Higher Education Can't Be Beat

Generally, career opportunities open up for those who earn an Associate's degree or higher, wheter it's earned at a local college or through a distance education program. It's no surprise that employers look to resumes with a certain level of educational achievement as well as a strong work history. When two applicants have similar job experience, the one with the stronger educational background will be selected nine times out of ten.

A Convenient Choice For Those Strapped For Time and Money

An Associate's degree program may be less daunting to someone who wishes to obtain a higher degree since it usually takes only two years to complete compared to four years for a Bachelor's degree. This choice is akin to climbing a hill instead of a mountain in order to reach a higher position in life.

And it is much easier to settle into your favorite chair, at home, to start class than it is to make the drive to an uncomfortable classroom after a stressful day at work. Sipping your favorite beverage with some good music playing in the background while completing a homework assignment doesn't sound too bad either.

Other issues like having to hire a babysitter so that you can attend class or having to leave a work project at a critical point in order to get to class on time are non-issues with a distance education program. You take classes at a time that is convenient for you. No need to juggle priorities! Of course, the key to studying effectively is self-control and the ability to block out distractions at home.

Learn More About Your Options!

An Associate's degree is a excellent addition to a resume and it is also a route to achieving a higher sense of self-confidence and self-pride. Earning a degree can make a person feel more capable and intelligent which is a huge psychological benefit. No wonder so many people are taking up Associate's degree distance education courses! And the best part is that these programs have become more widely recognized and accepted, making them eligible for financial aid and scholarship benefits.

If you are considering the pursuit of an Associate's degree in Business, Healthcare, Technology or other area of study, please visit us at Career-study.com to request information from schools offering distance education study programs to get started.

 

Love to Cook? A Degree in Culinary Arts Leads a Great Career!

Culinary training requires great skill and creativity, and is highly respected as a result. Not only does it lead to one of the hottest careers available, it teaches the many aspects that make up the culinary arts. It is a perfect option for those who have good taste, like a fast pace environment, and have an eye for detail.

Reality TV shows like Top Chef detail activities of a professional kitchen and have generated an interest in culinary arts. These TV shows provide an inside look at the processes and requirements that are involved in preparing cuisine. The excitement and exhilaration of running a successful kitchen are just the kind of characteristics that some seek in a stable but active career.

As eating out is a favorite experience for many, good food not only brings patrons to an establishment, it can keep them coming back. When it comes to eateries, there is nothing better than having a great reputation for good food. While many focus on the final delicious results, few ever notice what goes into creating a pleasant dining experience.

Training in the culinary arts shows exactly what it takes to create that unique dining experience and separates the pros from regular kitchen helpers. Aside from the aspects of food, there is presentation, equipment matters, staff development, kitchen safety and even the need for metric and conversion calculations. When any one of these elements is off, it can negatively affect a dining experience.

Even with all its practicality, culinary training is a unique curriculum that combines math and chemistry along with dashes of creativity. Students get to learn the basics of the culinary arts while adding their own personal style to the mix. This does not often happen with other types of education.

Training can be as simple or as extensive as one sees fit. For those already established in the culinary arts, further training can give a welcome boost and a fresh perspective. It can also lead off into more specialized branches, such as that of a pastry chef.

One can also choose a certain type of ethnic cooking to specialize in, such as that of a French or Japanese style chef. This requires the understanding of not only foods but also cultural attitudes towards foods. With more and more people choosing to eat healthier, the call for vegetarian chefs is also on the rise.

Upon graduating from an accredited culinary arts program, the possibilities for employment are widespread. Aside from restaurants or cafes, opportunity for employment can arise anywhere the vacation and hospitality industry is located. Hotels and resorts are often the biggest employers of trained culinary professionals.

It is not unheard of for many to combine their culinary training with business training and start their own restaurant or cafe. The freedom that comes from owning a business and creating a good dining experience is attractive for many. While some begin with a simple coffee or dessert shop, others go all out creating high-end cuisine options.

With a completed degree, many find the doors to working in the culinary industry open more easily as compared to those who try to break in with mere experience. It not only shows the willingness to learn, it shows knowledge of kitchen protocols and other liabilities. It can also mean a higher earning potential.

With accredited programs, financial aid for culinary training is often available to those who qualify. This can make the choice of taking the leap into one's dream career a solid reality. With the help of a financial aid professional, options that will make tuitions and fees easily manageable can be explored and implemented.

If you're interested in a Culinary Art degree, please visit http://www.career-study.com/culinary to find an accredited program in your area.

Thinking About an Online Degree? Consider Your Options

You are ready to pursue higher education, but you are not quite sure how you want approach it. There are a number of options available to you. Traditional education, via the classroom, is one. Another way to ensure that you are ready for a career is by earning your college degree online.

Research indicates that those who earn their degree via the Internet engage is an experience that is as rewarding as one set in a classroom. Now you need to decide if this is the right path for you.

Regardless of which type of setting you choose, only consider degrees from institutions that are fully accredited. If you decide to go for the online degree, do a couple of things before you begin. Decide why you are pursuing a degree in the first place.

Decide if you are seeking higher education because you want to develop as a person, or because you view it as a means to establishing yourself in a certain field. A college degree online can be obtained at a leisurely pace, or be done on a fast track. It is only after you have given these questions proper consideration that you should begin the process of obtaining your online degree.
 
If you are looking for convenience, seek a college degree online. Perhaps your work schedule is erratic or inflexible. Or maybe you are an adult who has obligations to your family.

Regardless of why you need the added convenience that cannot be found with a traditional education, take advantage of the fact that with an online education, you will be able to make your own class schedule. This is obviously the most common reason why thousands of people have chosen this route.
 
Things To Consider And Questions To Ask  

In the past, a downside to earning a college degree online has been the cost. Originally, very few programs were capable of offering financial aid to students who needed it. That has changed, though. There is a very good chance that you will now be able to find some form of financial aid to help ease the financial burden that is often associated with higher education.

Depending on what type of degree you are pursuing, you may even find a number of scholarships that will make life easier for you.
 
The one major concern that you may have to about earning a college degree online is the level of respect employers have for online education. Because it is based on a relatively new form of education, a degree earned via the Internet, it is assumed by some that it will be viewed as inferior to traditional classroom education. There is no concrete proof of workplace bias towards online education, and many employers reimburse its employees for classes taken online so the stigma of online education appears unfounded. 
 
As you finalize your decision to earn a college degree online, consider some other factors. Discover your learning style.  Make sure you are motivated enough to see this through, despite the fact that you will not have a professor who can keep you accountable throughout the process. Your academic skills must be up to par.
 
If you lack confidence in your ability to handle this on your own, start small. Attempt an online class or two, and then build up to a regular class load. Remember that you can do anything that you put your mind to.

Consider obtaining a college degree online as an excellent opportunity to get the education you want, with an unprecedented level of convenience.

Visit Career-study.com to request information from fully accredited online colleges offering Associate's, Bachelor's and Master's degrees for a number of majors.

School Spotlight: HighTech Institute

HighTech Institute has been educating students for over 30 years. With schools and campuses across the US offering programs in:

• Healthcare

• Technology

• Graphic design & animation

• Criminal Justice

HighTech Institute has something for everyone!

To request more info about HighTech Institute's career training programs, click here...