Nurses are considered the backbone of the hospital because of their hours of hard work and determination to help patients. Being a nurse is a great opportunity for people to show the world what they can do and get involved in making a difference. A career in nursing can help you become more confident in yourself. There are many types of nurses, but we will focus on registered nurses (RNs) because they are the primary link between doctors and patients. Registered nurses have long hours, many daily tasks, and even influence other nurses by guiding them in their careers. However, they are rewarded with a good salary and the thought of knowing that they saved lives that day. There are three different ways to become a nurse. You can become a registered nurse, which are programs offered by nursing schools owned and operated by hospitals. “Employees in these occupations typically need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. » (INFOhio). These programs will teach you the minimum education you need to obtain a registered nurse license. However, it is the quickest and cheapest way to become a registered nurse. Another way to get your registered nurse license is to earn an associate degree in nursing (ADN). This degree is offered by all community or state colleges and typically takes two to four years to complete. Both degrees allow you to take the NCLEX-RN exam, which is the test that determines whether or not you can get your license. However, with an ADN, you can go to school more to get your BSN. The third option is to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Unlike the other two routes, it takes four years, but there's a lot of paper......a diagnosis and if you don't show compassion, the patient's loved ones might feel like they don't have no one to take care of them. However, despite all the stress, it is also very rewarding work. In the end, you go home with the pride of knowing that you saved someone's life today. You've made a difference in your patients' lives and see a brighter future as they recover. Works Cited Hultgren, Marianne. “Why a BSN?” Breastfeeding. Np, February 5, 2014. Web. May 16, 2014. “Summary.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, January 8, 2014. Web. May 16, 2014. Larkin, Stephanie. “Professional Standards and Expectations of Nurses.” Calling all Pennsylvania nurses. BlogSpot, December 17, 2008. Web. May 16, 2014. Staples, Stephanie. “Integrity in nursing: what is it?” » NurseTogether.com. NurseTogether, nd Web. May 16 2014