Portable Career Fields for Military Spouses in Nursing
Nursing Degrees
A degree in nursing can open doors to an exciting career with excellent pay. Job opportunities with a degree in nursing can be found across all 50 states and overseas. Nursing careers span a variety of specialties, including:
- Clinical Nurse
- Neonatal Nurse
- Critical Care Nurse
- Dialysis Nurse
- Psychiatric Nurse
- Trauma Nurse
- Oncology Nurse
- Travel Nurse
- Pediatric Nurse
- Geriatric Nurse
- Public Health Nurse
A degree in nursing can even provide opportunities to work for yourself by starting your own business or working private-hire jobs. A nursing degree is available as an associate, bachelor’s, or master’s.
There are accelerated degree programs for those students who wish to advance their education and already have a certification as a licensed practical nurse (LPN), licensed vocational nurse (LVN), or registered nurse (RN),
A degree in nursing is an especially great career path for military spouses as they are certain to secure excellent job opportunities across their many moves. Don’t forget about the MyCAA Program for military spouses; for more info, click here.
Nursing Acronyms 101
What is the difference between all the different nursing acronyms, such as CNA, LPN, LVN, RN, BSN, etc.?
Certified Nursing Assistant
A certified nursing assistant (CNA) is a non-degree certification offered through a vocational (trade) school or community college. Both campus-based and online programs are available, though a program cannot be fully online due to the nature of the nursing profession.
All clinical hours must be performed in person at an approved location. A CNA performs many basic care tasks, such as grooming, dressing, bathing, nutrition, exercise, and taking vital signs.
Licensed Practical Nurse
A licensed practical nurse (LPN) may be referred to as a licensed vocational nurse (LVN) depending on the state. To become an LPN/LVN, an individual must complete formal training either through a trade (vocational) school or through an associate degree program.
For those individuals looking to enter the workforce quickly, some LPN/LVN certificate programs can be completed in one year or less. Due to the nature of the nursing profession, it is not possible to complete an LPN/LVN program completely online. While each state varies, generally an LPN/LVN graduate must also pass examination by the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical/Vocational Nurses (NCLEX-PN).
An LPN/LVN is responsible for providing basic health care services such as:
- Gathering information on patient concerns.
- Measuring patient vital signs.
- Providing basic patient care, such as changing bandages.
- Assisting with personal care such as bathing and dressing.
Registered Nurse
To become a registered nurse (RN), an individual must complete a formal training program through an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program.
There are some accredited vocational training programs, usually offered in conjunction with hospitals and other medical facilities. Yet, by and large, RN programs will be offered at a college or university, military-friendly or otherwise.
\To become a registered nurse (RN), an individual must complete a formal training program through an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. There are some accredited vocational training programs, usually offered in conjunction with hospitals and other medical facilities. Yet, by and large, RN programs will be offered at a college or university.
An RN program will consist of coursework, lab studies, and clinical rotations. Clinical rotations will give RN candidates a great opportunity to experience the wide range of nursing specialties available if they choose to focus on a specialty in their careers. Once the RN education and training have been completed, the student must pass the NCLEX-RN to obtain licensure, which is required in all states.
It is not possible to complete an RN program completely online. Students who are already licensed as LPNs/LVNs may have the opportunity to participate in a “bridge program”. LPN-to-BSN bridge programs are designed to accommodate working professionals. A student will put in additional clinical hours in a setting other than their workplace, yet most coursework may be available online.
Associate Degree in Nursing
An Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) is typically completed in two years. After education and clinical training has been completed, a student may take the NCLEX-RN to obtain licensure as a registered nurse.
RN licensure is required in all states for RNs seeking to practice. A student may also instead choose to take National Council Licensure Examination for Practical/Vocational Nurses (NCLEX-PN). Licensure requirements for LPNs/LVNs vary by state.
An ADN without licensure is a valuable degree in its own right and opens a variety of career opportunities in health care and beyond.
Jobs you can obtain with an Associate Degree in Nursing:
Nursing assistant– provides basic care and helps patients with activities of daily living. Median annual salary: $31,000.
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurse– provides basic medical care for patients in a variety of settings including nursing homes, extended care facilities, hospitals, physicians’ offices, and private homes. Median annual salary: $49,000.
Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing
Students can earn a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (BSN) as a traditional 4-year program or as a bridge program for those already holding an RN certification. Unlike associate degree or vocational/certificate nursing programs, the BSN requires a wide range of nursing curriculum and general education courses. A graduate of a BSN program typically has more career opportunities and higher pay rates than someone with merely an associate degree.
Jobs you can obtain with a Bachelor’s in Nursing include:
- Nursing technician– helps medical scientists conduct tests and experiments. Median annual salary: $46,000.
- Registered nurse– provide and coordinate patient care. Educate patients and the public about various health conditions. Median annual salary: $77,000.
- Health services manager– plans, directs, and coordinates the business activities of healthcare providers. Average annual salary: $101,000.
Master’s Degree in Nursing
Those earning a Master’s Degree in Nursing are well prepared to be leaders in their careers and related fields. When earning a master’s degree one can continue in their current career path with additional earning power, undertake leadership roles, or transition into teaching.
A Master’s Degree in Nursing can also lead to specialty certification as an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). Nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners are popular APRN careers.
- Nursing instructor– teaches post-secondary nursing education programs. Average annual salary: $83,000.
- Advanced practice registered nurse– coordinates patient care and may provide primary and specialty healthcare. Average annual salary: $116,000.
Looking to boost your education even further? Nursing is also an immensely popular doctoral program. Those seeking to earn a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) or a Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD) will have opportunities to become experts in their field.
Careers with an advanced degree in nursing include college professors, research and publication, and senior leadership positions such as head administrators for health and wellness organizations.
VA- Approved Nursing Degree Programs
Ready to earn your degree in nursing? Check out these great programs available at our partner schools:
Bethune-Cookman University offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Bethune-Cookman is a premier historically black university that participates in the Yellow Ribbon program.
Farmingdale State College is part of the esteemed SUNY system and offers a traditional BSN degree and an online Nursing RN to BS Completion Program. Farmingdale does not participate in the Yellow Ribbon program but does have an excellent Office of Veterans Services which helps veterans navigate the admissions, registration, and financial aid process.
Rutgers University-Camden offers a variety of nursing programs, including a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, an Accelerated BSN for students who hold a bachelor’s degree (or higher) in a non-nursing major, an on-campus or online bridge program for RN to BSN students, and intensive nurse specialty programs for School Nursing and Wound Ostomy Continence Nursing. Rutgers participates in the Yellow Ribbon program.
Southern Connecticut State University offers a variety of undergraduate nursing programs: a traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing, an accelerated career entry program (ACE) for students holding a bachelor’s degree in another field, and a flexible RN-BS bridge program designed for registered nurses from associate degree and vocational certificate programs. Southern Connecticut State University participates in the Yellow Ribbon program.
The University of Cincinnati offers a fully online Master’s in Nursing Administration and a Doctor of Nursing Practice (offered mostly online). The University of Cincinnati participates in the Yellow Ribbon program.
*All average annual salariesare adapted and calculated from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics National Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates. For more information click here.
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