Increasing demand for healthcare services from an aging population and a wave of nurse retirements is expected to lead to a shortage of nurses across the country over the next decade. The National Center for Health Workforce Analysis published a report in late 2022 projecting a shortage of roughly 63,700 registered nurses (RN) and nearly 86,000 licensed practical nurses (LPN) by 2030.
New nurses are needed to bridge the growing supply-demand gap. Proper education and training are crucial to ensure the next generation of nurses is prepared to enter the increasingly complex healthcare landscape.
Enrolling in a nursing program in Dayton, Ohio, can set students on the path to a rewarding career. Prospective students have multiple options when it comes to pursuing a nursing education, including Practical Nursing (PN) programs and Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) programs.
Which Nursing Program Should I Choose?
Deciding what kind of nursing education to pursue comes down to an individual’s goals. For those just entering the field, either a PN or an ADN program can provide them with the foundational training necessary to launch their careers. For current LPNs and licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) who want to elevate their skills and expertise to become an RN, an ADN program can offer them a path forward.
Learning more about each type of program and the sort of training it offers can help aspiring nurses determine which one is right for them.
Practical Nursing Program
Practical nursing programs are designed to prepare students for LPN roles. They teach the fundamentals of nursing care, covering nursing theory and providing laboratory and clinical experiences that help students become well-rounded professionals. They also prepare students to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN), an essential step in becoming an LPN.
The Practical Nursing program at Fortis College in Centerville, Ohio — located just outside of Dayton — can be completed in as little as 15 months, offering students an efficient path to develop the skills needed to perform the following tasks:
Discuss care with patients and address their concerns
Record and interpret vital signs
Administer medication
Assist in emergency care situations
Perform standard laboratory tests
Associate Degree in Nursing Program
Associate Degree in Nursing programs prepare students to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) in order to qualify for entry-level jobs as an RN, a type of nurse who generally has greater responsibilities than LPNs and LVNs. The curriculum in ADN programs covers topics that are similar to those covered in practical nursing programs, while expanding on the concepts and clinical training provided in PN programs.
The ADN program at Fortis College in Dayton, Ohio, provides a comprehensive education that equips students with the foundational skills needed to perform all the same tasks as those listed above for the NP program while also preparing them to carry out the following additional duties:
Provide and coordinate holistic patient care
Educate patients on various health conditions
Provide emotional support to patients and families
Engage in health promotion through public education and outreach programs
The program, which can be completed in as little as 24 months, also explores several nursing specializations, including pediatrics, mental health, and oncology. This can be beneficial for those who want to focus their care on a particular health condition or patient demographic.
How to Enroll in a Nursing Program
The process of enrolling in one of the Fortis nursing programs in Dayton, Ohio, is relatively simple compared with that of traditional college degree programs, which generally entails submitting test scores, writing essays, and securing letters of recommendation.
The ADN and PN programs have two sets of admission requirements: general requirements that apply to all prospective students and specific requirements for the nursing programs.
General Admission Requirements
To qualify for admission to any Fortis program, students need to meet the following requirements:
Hold a high school diploma or equivalent credential
Complete an application form
Interview with admissions staff
Enrollees also need to achieve a minimum score on the Wonderlic Scholastic Level Exam (SLE), which assesses an individual’s cognitive abilities in areas such as language and math.
Nursing Program Requirements
To qualify for either nursing program, prospective students need to be at least 18 years old. The minimum age requirement for all other Fortis programs is 17.
Additionally, nursing program applicants must meet the following prerequisites:
Pass a drug test
Pass a criminal background check
Hold a Basic Life Support certification from the American Heart Association, including CPR training
Nursing students also need to meet health-related requirements, including being immunized against certain diseases, such as the flu and hepatitis B.
Benefits of Attending a Nursing Program in Dayton, Ohio
Training to become a nurse has many benefits, particularly for those pursuing their education in Ohio. The state is home to several large healthcare organizations, including three of the top 10 children’s hospitals in the country — Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, and Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus — and the second-highest-rated hospital in the world, Cleveland Clinic, according to the latest rankings from Newsweek.
Regardless of whether graduates pursue their careers in Ohio or another part of the country, receiving a nursing education in Dayton, Ohio, can yield both short- and long-term benefits.
Hands-On Training
One of the primary advantages of enrolling in a nursing program in Dayton, Ohio, is the opportunity to develop practical skills through hands-on training. Both ADN and PN programs balance classroom instruction with experiential learning in labs and clinicals, allowing students to apply what they have learned in the classroom to real-world situations and settings. This experience ensures that nurses enter the workforce as well-rounded professionals.
Strong Job Market
Whether they are just beginning their careers or looking to shift into a new role, nurses should enjoy plenty of job opportunities over the next several years. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of RNs and LPNs/LVNs is expected to grow by 6% and 3%, respectively, between 2023 and 2033. This growth would create about 197,200 new RN jobs and nearly 17,000 new LPN/LVN jobs. Hundreds of thousands of job openings are projected to be available for nurses each year during this period.
Ohio, in particular, has one of the nation’s most promising job markets for new and existing nurses. According to the Ohio Board of Nursing, nurses over 55 hold more than a quarter of all active PN and RN licenses in the state. With thousands of these nurses slated to retire in the coming years, many job opportunities for RNs and LPNs are likely to be available in Ohio.
Projections Central, a site sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), estimates there will be more than 10,000 job openings for RNs and LPNs/LVNs each year in Ohio between 2022 and 2032.
Cost of Living
For those who choose to remain in Ohio after graduating, the state is one of the most affordable in the U.S., with a cost of living approximately 7% lower than the national average, according to RentCafe. Housing costs are 19% lower than the national average. In Dayton, specifically, the cost of living is about 4% below the national average, while housing is 17% lower, according to the latest data from Payscale.
Train for a Nursing Career With Fortis
As members of the nation’s largest healthcare profession, nurses are integral to quality patient care and play a crucial role in improving health outcomes across diverse settings. Ensuring a positive future for America’s healthcare industry will require growing the nation’s nursing workforce.
If you are considering pursuing a nursing career, explore the Practical Nursing and Associate Degree in Nursing programs at the Fortis campus in Centerville, Ohio, just 8 miles south of Dayton. The programs are designed for those just beginning their professional journey in nursing, and the ADN program offers a path for LPNs and LVNs looking to take the next step in their careers.
Find out how Fortis can help you achieve your goals.
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