By Alvina Lopez According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “employment of registered nurses is expected to grow by 22 percent from 2008 to 2018,” a figure that is largely at odds with the current number and capacity of nursing programs at traditional universities. A recent survey of 2010-2011 enrollment figures administered by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing found that “U.S. nursing schools turned away 67,563 qualified applicants from baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs in 2010 due to an insufficient number of faculty, clinical sites, classroom space, clinical preceptors, and budget constraints.” Interest in nursing today continues to grow among students, but traditional colleges are unable to accommodate…
-
-
Research Online Programs Carefully
When looking for an online nursing education program you need to do some research. Of course it needs to be an accredited program. There are several accrediting agencies such as the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC), the Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). Some online programs require on-campus attendance as well as completing online courses. Others have cooperative agreements with clinical facilities and preceptors for you to complete clinical components. Others allow you to find your own qualified preceptor who is then approved by the school to supervise your clinical practicum. Other considerations include whether you can take a…