Online Nursing Schools

Why Pursue a Nursing Degree Online?

As more and more baby boomers enter retirement, the shortage of nurses is growing consistently. This in turn will fuel the demand for nursing professionals and create thousands of new jobs. The expansion of the field is already causing a lift in nursing wages. Studying nursing online provides a flexible environment to attain a degree concurrently with work and any other personal commitments, without the hassle of mandatory class attendance, on campus parking, and other difficulties that come with traditional learning. Now is the time to advance your career and salary expectations.

Degree Levels, Programs, & Specialties

Nursing degrees span a number of levels: one-year or certificate / diploma, two-year Associates degree in Nursing, four-year Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN), post-graduate Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN), and Ph.D. in Nursing. The one-year program generally prepares graduates to take the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPM examination. Completion of at least a two-year degree qualifies students to take their Registered Nurse (RN) exam. Those nurses that pursue a post-graduate degree are referred to as Advanced Practice Nurses.

• Nurses earning their Associates degree are recommended to do so at community colleges. These programs exist on a regional basis and offer affordable, practical curricula. If you later decide to attain a BSN, there is always an option for the Associates-to-BSN degree program available through many online nursing schools.
• Four-year programs normally divide the curricula evenly between study of theory and hands-on clinical work. When it comes to nursing concentrations, BSN degrees offer the widest range of career opportunities.
• Aspiring nurses who are in pursuit of advanced practice degrees are likely to turn to an online university, where most relevant PhD level programs are offered. These nurses are most likely heading for lecturer/teaching instructor and research positions.

Nursing is an incredibly rich profession that offers many creative specialties enabling you to really focus your career. Try to consider the following settings and determine which you find to be most appealing:

• Hospital
• Research Clinic
• Mental Health/Psychiatric Facility
• Education/Administration
• Home Health
• Correctional Facility
• Long Term Care Facility
• Diagnostic Lab
• Ambulatory Clinic
• Private Practice

A good number of nurses choose their specialization based on patient demographics. The nursing program you end up pursuing will cover all types of patients. From Neonatal, Pediatrics, Adolescents, Adults, to Geriatrics, a career in nursing will put you in touch with people at all stages in life. Nursing occupations are also segmented into types of medical conditions, diseases, or disorders. Many nursing professionals advance their careers by specialty.

• Oncology/Cancer
• Orthopedic
• Neuroscience
• Gastrointestinal
• Ob-Gyn
• Labor and Delivery
• Cardiac
• Respiratory
• Pain

Becoming a Nurse

To become a nurse, you must complete a nursing education program and pass the NCLEX exam. For more information about specific careers in Nursing, take a look at the positions below and what is required for success.

Licensed Practical Nurse/Licensed Vocational Nurse (LPN / LVN)
Nurses in this role must complete a state-approved education program and pass the NVLEX-PN exam for licensure. Classes are offered at vocational schools and community colleges, and last about one year. As mentioned before, many students choose to receive their instruction at local campuses so that they may later enroll in BSN programs online.

Registered Nurse (RN)
Though a registered nurse is perhaps the most common nursing job, and many of these nurses go back to school to get their bachelors degrees online. In fact, many who already have a BSN go on to pursue other graduate nursing degrees. RNs teach patients and their families how to manage their illness or injury, explain post-treatment home care needs; diet, nutrition, and exercise programs; and self-administration of medication and physical therapy.

To become a registered nurse, you can choose from three different pathways that start with: an associates degree, a bachelors degree, or diploma from an approved nursing program. Once one of these degree levels has been reached, students must then complete a national licensing examination (NCLEX) in order to obtain their nursing license.