Introduction to an Online Education in Nursing
By Douglas Schmitt
NursingSchools.com Contributing Writer
In today's rapidly expanding healthcare industry, professional nurses are in high demand. It is expected that this field will grow more than 27% by 2014. In nursing, there are three professional levels, listed below:
- Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
- Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
- Registered Nurse (RN)
The healthcare career in highest demand is the Registered Nurse, currently accounting for 2.4 million jobs according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
To pursue a nursing career, students must graduate from a recognized nursing program. There are three options for online education in nursing. These are an Associate Degree in Nursing online (ADN), a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing online (BSN), and a Master's Degree in nursing online (MSN).
Accreditation varies from school to school and state to state. Every nursing program must be licensed and/or approved in their state of operation. Not all schools are accredited. When choosing a nursing school and program, it is important to be sure that it is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC).
How an Online Program in Nursing Works
For many, traditional education may not be an option due to reasons including costs and schedule conflict. Online education is different from a traditional education. For beginners and advanced students, online nursing programs offer several advantages, as mentioned below:
- Attending class and studying can be done from home.
- Students can set their own schedules, pacing themselves accordingly.
- An online nursing education is not as costly as a traditional education.
- Some online universities will customize programs to meet individual needs.
- Accelerated classes put students on the “fast track”, allowing completion of studies in two or three years.
- Online classes allow students to interact with others from around the world.
- Class documents, live chat discussions, training materials, and transcripts are recorded and archived for student use.
- Online education has fewer restrictions, making acceptance into higher education institutions easier for students.
Schools offering Online Nursing Programs
Several institutions of higher education are now offering online programs. Two examples are Kaplan University and The College Network.
Funding for Online Nursing Schools
Making an education affordable is an important issue for almost every student. While an education in nursing online is not as expensive as a traditional education, it can be costly.
Just like traditional education, financial aid is available for online nursing education as well. Schools offer tuition assistance programs, and the government offers assistance in the forms of loans and grants.
Beyond these options, students may apply for scholarships. Several nursing scholarships are available. A few examples are listed below:
Employment
There are several reasons for the nursing shortage in the United States today. The primary reasons are:
- Aging population in the U.S.
- Aging population of nurses.
- Health care delivery shifting towards skilled nurses and away from doctors.
This means that there is a high demand and greater opportunity of advancement for nurses that have a BSN degree or higher. Registered Nurses can accelerate or complete their BSN degree further into their career if need be. Completion of advanced degrees results in the nurse earning a higher salary.
For graduate nurses with a Bachelor's Degree, salaries can range from $37,000 to $52,000. Over time, with more experience and further education, salaries will increase, according to Kay Osinski, Assistant Dean at the Baker School or Nursing in Topeka, Kansas.
Hospitals and health care providers have a high demand for individuals that can also be supervisors and managers. This is why a bachelor's degree and nursing master's degree offer more opportunity for advancement. According to Osinski, as healthcare and technology always evolve, nurses should keep up-to-date on the newest information and technology or further their education.
See our page: Interview with Kay Osinski on NursingSchools.com for additional advice and information.
Summary
An increasing demand for nurses of all skill levels coupled with the easy accessibility and convenience of online education makes it easy to see why nursing education online is a suitable option.
Top
| 
