From one of our Sponsors: eLearners.com®
Resuscitate Your Career with an Online Nursing
Degree
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the industry that will offer
the most new jobs in the coming years is healthcare. According to the Reuters
report, “
Those looking to jump on the bandwagon with a career change or current nurses
looking to pursue an advanced degree have no shortage of online options. With
so many choices, the process of selecting the right program can be daunting.
Luckily, there are many resources for those pursuing a nursing degree, both
traditionally and online.
50,000 members strong, the National Student Nurses Association is an
excellent resource for anyone entering the field of nursing or for those
looking for assistance in expanding their healthcare education and careers.
American
Association of Colleges of Nursing describes all types of nursing education programs
and provides links to the AACN’s member schools. Numerous financial aid sources
are also listed.
Futures in Nursing offers
nursing basics and higher education, career planning and financial
assistance advice.
Yahoo! Education has an
extensive directory of online healthcare degree options that provide detailed
analysis of each program.
The online nursing degree option is also very attractive to those
already in the nursing field. A nurse does not work a nine-to-five job; long
hours, crazy rotations and emergencies make classroom learning nearly
impossible. A recent survey conducted by the National Student Nurses
Association of recent graduates and current students enrolled in the University
of North Alabama at Florence’s online nursing program found that while 66% of
respondents were initially reluctant to return to school due to work
commitments, the majority touted the convenience of online learning for
dispelling their preconceptions.
Taking online nursing coursework allows existing professionals to access
lectures, coursework, group projects and their professors on a timeframe that
adjusts to their hectic schedules. These nursing students can interact with
professors and students through bulletin boards, chatrooms, emails, virtual
classrooms and even the telephone, if necessary. While there are still
deadlines to meet in terms of tests, homework and term papers, this work can be
done whenever the working nurse has time.
Many nurses seeking higher degrees find that they can complete them entirely
online, either because they completed clinical rotations during their initial
brick-and-mortar degree program or because their current work experience covers
this requirement.
Those looking to enter the field for the first time via an online nursing degree will have to
set aside time for the program’s clinical requirements. Even if enrolled in an
online program based out-of-state, students can usually complete clinical
rotations at a local facility.
Nursing is a diverse field, with each career path requiring a unique
education, ranging from certifications to advanced degree programs. For
example, an individual might opt for an online nursing program that leads to
a career as a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) or Licensed Practical Nurse
(LPN). An associate’s degree may lead to a career as a nurse at hospitals or
inpatient and outpatient facilities; however, this program focuses on basic
nursing skills and is not as time-intensive as more advanced programs. More
healthcare facilities are now looking for nurses with a greater skill set,
often requiring a bachelor’s of science in nursing. This degree is also now a
prerequisite to take the National Council of State Boards of Nursing’s NCLEX
exam in many states.
According to salary data, an advanced degree in nursing is also a very
wise investment. Salary.com's Salary Wizard shows that while LPNs earn a median
income of $38,941 yearly, a registered staff nurse can expect to make an
average salary of $61,323, with a head nurse averaging $85,239.
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