Whether you're considering pursuing a nursing degree, or are a veteran nurse, there's a nursing resource that can help with everything from comparing nursing programs to finding cheap nursing shoes.

Today's nurses must be more educated than ever before, to keep up with the rapidly changing medical field and ever-advancing medical technology. By knowing where to go for the most relevant and current information, nurses can stay up-to-date and competitive, whether they work in a small rural health center or a large urban hospital.

If you're considering nursing as a business, you'll want to research:

1. Nursing programs and schools.
2. Supplies such as uniforms and nursing clogs and shoes.
3. What it takes to earn a nursing degree.
4. The latest news in the nursing industry.
   

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find the right nursing school for you

Your first, and most important, task is finding the school that best suits your lifestyle and your career goals. Maybe you need a part-time program that will allow you to still have a full-time job or spend time with your family. Or you might need an accelerated program so you can enter the workforce more quickly, or an online program you can complete on your own schedule.

I recommend: Use the "Find a School" feature at All Nursing Schools to narrow down your choices. You can search the list by degree program, or by the top-ranked schools. The site also features tips on everything from choosing a school to paying for your education. At NursingSchools.com, you can search for a school by location, specialization or degree program.

Buy scrubs online--or any other supply you need

Looking for nursing scrubs or comfortable nursing shoes? Desperately need a new nursing uniform? You can compare prices, brands and quality for everything from basic supplies to things like stethoscopes and other medical devices at websites dedicated to the needs of nurses.

I recommend: AllHeart.com offers everything from uniforms and shoes to accessories and medical devices. Find scrubs, uniforms and supplies from top brands at Medical Scrubs Mall.

Find the latest nursing news at national and regional publications

If you're a registered nurse, licensed nurse or nurse practitioner, you'll find the news and resources you need at online and print nursing industry publications. Through them, you'll learn about the latest medical advances, laws and regulations affecting the nursing industry, and what it takes to thrive professionally, while also balancing your family life.

I recommend: At Nurse.com, you can subscribe to national nursing magazines Nursing Spectrum and NurseWeek; while you're there, seek advice from fellow nurses at the forum. Or, seek out local nursing publications such as Kansas City Nursing News.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Seek out online nursing communities and message boards, where you can interact with fellow nurses from around the country or even the world. You'll get a better idea of how things work at other kinds of medical facilities or in other states, and you'll learn from the experiences and challenges other nurses have faced.