Why Choose Registered Nursing?
Nursing is the largest health care occupation, with two million current jobs. Earnings are above average, particularly for advanced practice nurses who have additional education or training. Graduates of the associate degree nursing program at Ferris are eligible to write the National Council Licensure Exam to become a registered nurse.
Registered nurses (RNs) work to promote health, prevent disease, and help patients cope with a variety of health problems. They work in a variety of settings. The Registered Nursing program at Ferris prepares nurses to assume roles in structured health settings such as hospitals or nursing homes. Hospital nurses usually are assigned to one area such as surgery, maternity, pediatrics, emergency room, intensive care, treatment of cancer patients, or may rotate among departments. Office nurses assist physicians in private practice, clinics, surgicenters, emergency medical centers, and health maintenance organizations (HMOs). Home health nurses provide periodic services, prescribed by a physician, to patients at home. Nursing home nurses manage nursing care for residents with conditions ranging from a fracture to Alzheimer?s disease.
Students in the Ferris Nursing Program learn nursing theory and skills in the classroom and state of the art nursing laboratory while also having the opportunity to practice direct patient care in hospital and community settings under the guidance of clinically expert faculty. At Ferris, the students must fulfill entrance requirements before beginning the clinical experiences, which are provided to small groups of students in hospitals within the area. Completion of the three-year Associate degree enables the graduate to sit for the R.N. licensure exam. Students with an Associate degree and RN licensure can complete Ferris State's Bachelor's degree (BSN) on a part-time basis on campus or at selected sites across the state, or full-time on campus.
Get a Great Job
Due to the current nursing shortage, faster than average growth is expected through the year 2010 and beyond. This increased need is based on industry growth and the projected replacement of existing practicing nurses. Job opportunities will remain plentiful in home health, long-term and ambulatory care. Two of three present jobs for registered nurses are in hospitals.
Average full-time RNs earn $23.00 per hour, with highs reaching $28.00 per hour. Advanced practice nurses (with education beyond the BSN) can earn salaries ranging from $55,000 to $90,000 per year, depending on the specialty and location of employment.
Admission Requirements
High school graduates entering the program must have at least a 3.0 GPA, and a B or better in a year of biology and chemistry. An ACT math subscore of 19 will fulfill the math entrance requirement.
College students wishing to enter the program must have a 2.7 GPA with B- or better grades in MATH 110 or equivalent, and in one-semester classes with a lab in both biology and chemistry.
To assure students of quality technical training in both classroom/lab instruction and clinical practice, enrollment is limited. Students who meet the program's admission criteria are accepted by date of application. It is essential to apply for admission at the earliest possible date. A year of college level prerequisites is required before entering the program's two-year professional sequence.
Graduation Requirements
The six-semester program leads to an associate in applied science degree. Graduation requires a minimum 2.0 GPA overall. Students must earn a grade of C or better in major and core courses and meet all the general education requirements as outlined on the General Education website.
If a student interrupts progression in the professional sequence of the program, re-entry cannot be guaranteed due to space limitations in laboratory and clinical placement sites.
More Information
Arlene Morton, Program Coordinator
College of Allied Health Sciences
Ferris State University
200 Ferris Drive
Big Rapids, MI 49307
231-591-2259
mortona@ferris.edu
The National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) publishes a variety of nursing and nursing education materials, including a list of nursing programs and information on student financial aid. For a complete list of NLN publications, write for a career information brochure. Send your request to:
Communications Department
National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission
61 Broadway ? 33rd Floor
New York, NY 10006
FAX: (800) 669-1656, ext. 153
www.nlnac.org
