Student nurses are required to finish 30 to 60 credit hours in anatomy, microbiology, physiology, chemistry, nutrition and many other subjects at a college or university. This is the oldest way of getting a registered nursing degree and it usually lasts for about three to four years. Most of the registered nurses in the United States are given education through diploma programs. One way of getting basic nursing education is through a two-year Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN). This is also offered in some four-year colleges and universities, the pre-requisites and co-requisites extend the time to three years or more finish the course.

Another way to be a registered nurse is to get a degree in Bachelor of Science in Nursing that lasts for four years and prepares the students for graduate-level education.  The first two years are rendered in obtaining general education requirements and spend the next half in nursing courses. BSN is deemed to have a more hands-on approach in nursing education. Nursing schools are accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

Once a student completes the education needed and graduates as a nurse, he or she can now take NCLEX-RN examination. One has to pass the exam to become a licensed as a registered nurse. However, the inevitable controversy also exists for the appropriate entry-level preparation for registered nurses. Some professional organizations believe that the BSN should be the sole method of RN preparation. According to them, ADN graduates should only be “technical nurses” who will work under the supervision of BSN graduates. But because of the shortage in nurses and the lack of faculty staff to teach BSN, it is impossible for BSN to be the standard preparation in getting a nursing education.

Further studies in nursing can be attained through master’s and doctoral levels. It takes three years of full time study to finish a degree in Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Master of Nursing (MN). This prepares the nurse graduate for specialization as an advanced practice nurse (APRN). Some of the areas of APRN are nurse practitioner, a certified nurse midwife, a clinical nurse leader, clinical nurse specialist, etc. Nurse Practitioners are the ones who assess, diagnose and treat patients in fields like family practice, women’s health care, emergency nursing, psychiatry, geriatrics or pediatrics and a lot more. Clinical Nurse Specialists are focused on patient care, research or they also work as staff educator.

Doctoral programs make the graduates ready for nurse education, health care administration and clinical research.  Most of the programs offer the Ph.D in nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice. Some offers the Doctor of Nursing Science, Doctor of Science in Nursing or the Doctor in Education. These programs take three to five years of full time study to finish. To ensure a nurse’s clinical competency in one’s chosen field of specialty, professional nursing organizations have certification exams. A nurse graduate would have to complete the desired pre-requisite work experience after getting their registered nursing degree to be able to take the exam. And if the taker passes the exam, then he or she can use a professional designation after his or her name. The American Nurses Credentialing Center is considered to be the largest credentialing organization and they offer more than 30 specialty examinations.

Ever wanted to just get away?  I don’t mean just driving a few hours for a week-end retreat all by yourself, I mean literally just picking up all your belongings, including of course your wife and children and just moving out of the country and just starting over!  Well I wanted just that, but wasn’t sure where to go or even where to start.  But after a lot of research, I finally made my decision.  Jamaica – that’s right – Jamaica.

Of course I wanted to learn all about the typical Jamaican family and one of the first things I learned about their heritage  was the special bond that exists between families, and that is what I really wanted, our family seemed to be missing any and all bonds and so I wanted to learn before it was to late to try and get that back.  Don’t get me wrong, Jamaican parents are very strict by nature and learned from an early childhood to urge their children to excel academically and athletically.  They are also usually very fun loving and tend to be very involved in all phases of their children’s lives.

Jamaican parents remain a constant guiding force in their children’s lives well beyond adulthood and believe that you are never too old to be scolded or be given advice.  Also the siblings are taught togetherness and looking out for each other even though sometimes the children might be taken care of by nannies or “helpers”.

If there is help in the home, a Jamaican child is still expected to do chores just like our children like making their bed, setting the dinner table or even washing he dishes.  No television is allowed during the week when school is in session.  I think that is an excellant idea!  So much more gets accompolished when there is no inteference from the television.  They are also not allowed to cavort around town or idly “hanging out”.  Another good idea! The Jamaican children are huge fans of skateboarding, and almost seems to be national past time. Many adults also use skateboards as a means of primary Island travel. I saw many crates full of blank skateboard decks that were distributed among some of the Island natives.

I learned that in Jamaica, not only do parents keep an eye on their children, but the neighbors and friends always seem to take great interest in each other’s children.  Thus helping to keep them safe and sound.  I like this idea very much.  Jamaican families are a tightly woven family.  So if you are unkind to one member of the family, the rest of the family empathizes.  Even when the children grow up and decide to embark on a new life as a husband or wife, the families still preside over their interest and well-being – kinda reminds me of the old saying of the Musketeers, “One for all and all for one.”