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Online Nursing Schools

Online Nursing Schools

The Need for Nursing

As the cost of healthcare rises, doctors are spending less time with patients. But quality care is still necessary—and that's where nurses come in.

Nurses can work in hospitals, clinics, private offices, schools, and for home health agencies. They can also work in the legal arena as consultants and lawyers, for insurance companies, and even as clinical researchers. Some people use their degrees as sales representatives for drug and medical equipment companies. With so many employment options, and now more men entering this growing field, it makes good sense to earn a nursing degree.

Many hospitals today are competing heavily for nurses; some offering sign-on bonuses, cars, childcare, on-the-job training, and even housing assistance. Nursing provides generous benefits and salaries.

The amount of opportunity in nursing is tremendous with ever-increasing job security (Bi-lingual nurses are especially in high demand). Nurses are needed in all parts of the United States and especially in major cities (which is great if you are a military family). This is not a 9 - 5 job! Hours are flexible, which is conducive for individuals with children, and those who are in school. The need for nurses is expected to grow, which is why online nursing schools are on the rise.

Nursing Programs Offered

There are plenty of programs offered, which range from going to school for a year, up to four years. Many nursing schools online are emerging, and offer the following programs:

• Licensed Practical Nursing or Licensed Vocational Nursing (LPN/LVN): LPN and LVN programs usually involve a year of training at a hospital, vocational school or community college. When you graduate in this program, you can upgrade to licensed LPN/LVN status after you get your diploma or certificate. To get an LPN license, you have to pass your state's nursing examination, known as the NCLEX-PN® exam.
• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN): Applicants may enter after graduation from high school, as well as established LPNs, who can usually qualify for advanced standing within the ASN program. This two-year degree focuses on technical skills and clinical training, allowing entry into the health care delivery system at the beginning practitioner level. Graduates are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): The bachelor's degree in nursing prepares students for many diverse and dynamic career paths in a variety of health care settings. The American Nurses Association and the National League for Nursing strongly recommend baccalaureate education as the entry point for professional nursing. The B.S.N. is available to both accommodate the beginning nursing student, who, upon graduation, is eligible to take the examination for licensure as a registered nurse, or the current registered nurse, whose highest academic credential is an Associate of Science in Nursing degree or a nursing diploma, who wishes to complete a BSN. This second option is known as the RN-to-BSN. The online bachelor's of nursing is the most commonly available online nursing degree.
• Master of Science in Nursing (MS): A master's degree in nursing will improve your career mobility and professional network. This degree is for nurses who want are interesting in furthering their expertise in a particular specialization and becoming nationally certified. For nurses interested in managerial or executive positions, an MSN is a must. The duration of a full-time program requires about two years. The prerequisite for some programs is having practiced as an RN for at least one to 2 years. Online master degree programs are especially useful in that they allow for a nurse to continue working as s/he is pursing an MSN.
• Doctorate in Nursing (Ph.D.): The Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing is the highest level of education a nurse can achieve. The Ph.D. prepares nursing educators, nursing researchers, and nurse scientists to advance interdisciplinary practice, research, and nursing practice in clinical, academic, or scientific environments. The majority of nurses who achieve the doctorate level of nursing are interested in nursing from an academic perspective. Doctorate students may invest in the understanding of more abstract concepts and applications of modern healthcare and nursing practices, focusing on communities, organizations and societies.

Remember!

Make sure that the nursing school you choose is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) and/or the American Association of Nursing Colleges (AACN). Accreditation indicates to you that a nursing program has appropriate educational objectives, and that the nursing schools itself uses established standards of current nursing practice to achieve these goals.

A BSN student can usually complete their degree in two to three years, depending on their prior college credit. MSN students will complete their programs in slightly less than two years, according to Charlotte Saylors, Vice President of Strategic Development in Healthcare at the University of Phoenix Online.

Nursing Exams

Depending on the program you choose, whether via an online nursing school or a traditional nursing school, you may have to take:

• Pre-Admission Examination (PAX)
• RN/PN (LPN) Achievement Tests
• Nursing Acceleration Challenge Exam (ACE) I and II
• National Council Licensure Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX)

Prerequisites for Nursing Degrees

You may want to make sure you've taken the following classes to help you with your nursing program:

• Anatomy
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Computer Applications
• English
• Foreign Language (especially Spanish, Chinese, Polish, or Russian)
• Growth & Development
• Health & Nutrition
• Physiology
• Pre-calculus or Calculus
• Statistics

You should check with the school you would like to attend to see what kind of entrance exams are required. Most online BSN degrees require:

• SAT or ACT exam (necessary minimum score will vary by school)
• Grade point average range from 2.0-3.25 (G.P.A. will also vary)
• Three years of high school math, including geometry and algebra II
• Three years of high school science, including biology and chemistry
• Four years of high school English
• Two years of high school foreign language

Other types of nursing certificates and degree programs may have their own specific prerequisites, and most schools list these in their catalogues or websites.

Benefits of Nursing Degrees Online

Besides being able to work on your nursing degree at your own pace, the online arena gives you many schools and program options to choose from.

One plus for nurses who are attending nursing school online is the use of technology. Aside from lessons about nursing, the integration of technology is a useful skill, especially because medical facilities are always upgrading technology.

"With the technological changes currently happening in the delivery of healthcare it is a significant advantage for nurses to continue their education online and become very comfortable in the process of their education working with computers," says Saylors. "In the last few years much of healthcare has moved rapidly into the use of computer technology with the use of hand held devices, electronic patient records, and computerized patient support systems."

Differences Between Nursing Programs Online vs. Traditional Nursing Degrees

With any online course, the majority of your nursing coursework is done online via the school's website. Students use asynchronous forums to communicate, and turn in assignments via email. Same thing goes with nursing. The flexibility of online learning is a plus.

"Nurses, like all of our students, are initially attracted to the features of flexibility and convenience in pursuing their degrees online," says Saylors.

Nursing schools online are also useful for students who are already nursing but want to upgrade their qualifications.

Adds Saylors, "Most of our students are already employed, however, given the current nursing shortage, if part of the reason they have returned to school is to enhance their job options, upon completing their degree it will generally make them much more marketable."

Residency Requirements for Online Nursing Schools

Many schools permit you to study completely online, but some have residency requirements. Check with the school to make sure you won't have to travel there for a few weeks if you're not interested in on-site study.

Financing Your Online Nursing Degree

Don't worry: the nursing school you choose will help you determine how you can pay for your nursing degree. The Financial Aid Office will inform you of any federal financial aid for which you may qualify, as well as fellowships and/or scholarships that are available. Also, take the initiative to search the web for scholarships in nursing. Whether you use personal savings, loans or grants—or a combination of any of those—nursing schools know that education is a wise, but expensive investment, and are equipped to help you get the financial resources you need.

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