Benefit of An Online Nursing Degree
Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) or Licensed Vocational Nursing (LVN) programs are typically completed within one year. Registered Nurse (RN) online programs can take between two and four years (associate’s or bachelor’s degree). Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is a four year academic degree. A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), both online education and traditional, require additional studies.
Why Choose to Get Your Nursing Degree Online?
While you can start working as a nurse with an RN, today nurses with a BSN are in higher demand and preferred to those without. A BSN will prepare you for a broader role in acute-care, primary-care, and community health settings, and provide other needed services such as case management, health promotion, and disease prevention. There are more RN to BSN online education degree programs than one might think and the benefits of choosing to get your BSN are quite clear, although finding the right online education program is not always so apparent.
If you are a working RN, you do not have energy to travel to school, complete assignments and still provide quality care to your patients. For some, thought of having to cut back, or even stop working to attend school is frightening. Not working means deferring old loans, taking on new ones and letting the debt pile up until you finish school, without earning in the process. Scheduling for nurses can fluctuate and an online program means you can be flexible with your work, home and school life so you keep your job and your sanity!
While I know many of your nurses are heroes and can balance intense workloads, getting an online nursing degree is a respected way to earn a higher degree and the higher salary you deserve.
Nurses learn an amazing amount on the job, working with patients and observing other nurses and this is still part of getting your nursing degree online. What will differentiate this learning experience is that the guided curriculum is driven by your self motivation and determination. You apply your life experiences to your course work, which you are completing in your off time. An online degree program will have an instructor who will help answer tough questions and help you through the tough BSN or MSN courses – remember, just because it is online, it is no walk in the park! Which is why when you finish your online degree you will have a lot to be proud of. Not only do you graduate with a higher degree, opening up your job opportunities and eligibility for a higher salary, you can also say that you took your education into your own hands. Committing to an online program is saying, I want to learn and I am mature and dedicated enough to work through this in its entirety, because I want to be a better nurse.
The United States Department of Education conducted an online learning study undertaken from 1996 to 2008 that addressed this topic and concluded the following:
1) Distance higher education is more effective and than traditional face-to-face learning;
2) Distance higher education combined with some traditional learning (blended or hybrid learning) is the most effective;
3) Face-to-face learning alone is the least effective method among the three types studied.
Working while completing your online degree is the most effective way to learn. Learning in your free time and watching nursing in practice in a regular day of work, creates this hybrid learning environment. You will complete your clinical at a medical facility, but the non-clinical portion of your course may be completed online. If you are self-motivated and utilizing the material, earning while you’re learning has more benefits than just saving cash, you may actually be retaining the information better.
Where To Find Accredited Online Nursing Degrees
Jacksonville University – If you are looking to earn your BSN or MSN, request information from Jacksonville University, a leading provider of nursing education. Online nursing degrees from Jacksonville University include:
* Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN)
* Master of Science in Nursing – Nursing Administration
* Master of Science in Nursing – Nursing Education
>> Learn more about Jacksonville University Online Nursing Degrees
Kaplan College – At Kaplan College the faculty recognizes the worth and dignity of all people, and encourage students to reach their highest potential, to excel in your life and in your work. Online nursing degrees from Kaplan University include:
* Nurse Assistant Training Program
* Nursing
* Nursing Assistant
* Practical Nursing
* Vocational Nursing
>> Learn more about Kaplan College Online Nursing Degrees
American Sentinel University – American Sentinel is committed to providing first-rate, quality online degree programs and practical education with the highest of standards. The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) has granted accreditation to American Sentinel for its RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN), RN to Master of Science in Nursing (RN to MSN), and Master of Science in Nursing, which offers four specialty areas: case management, nursing informatics, management and organizational leadership, and nursing education. Recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education as a national accreditation agency, CCNE is an autonomous branch of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), the only accrediting body devoted exclusively to evaluating baccalaureate and graduate nursing degree programs. Programs include:
* M.S. Nursing – Case Management
* M.S. Nursing – Infection Prevention and Control
* M.S. Nursing – Informatics
* M.S. Nursing – Management and Organizational Leadership
* RN to BSN
* RN to MSN
>> Learn more about American Sentinel University Online Nursing Degrees
University of Phoenix Online - The University of Phoenix Online has convenient class locations as well as online learning, making quality higher education accessible for working students. Programs for nurses include:
* Master of Science in Nursing
* Nursing/Health Care Education (Certificate)
* Nursing/Health Care Education (Master’s)
* Nursing/Healthcare Management (MBA)
* Nursing and Health Admin (Master’s)
* Nursing for Nurse Practitioners (Master’s)
* RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing
>> Learn more about University of Phoenix Online Nursing Degrees
(2 votes, average: 4.50 out of 5)
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Great. I would definitely consider it.
Distance education in nursing has its benefits and also drawbacks but in the end if a person is keen in pursuing an Online Nursing Degree then he/she should go forward with it.
[...] Distance-based programs are more common for programs offering a post-licensure bachelor’s degree than for other post-licensure degrees. Overall, RNs working full-time in nursing are more likely than any other group of RNs to take more than 75 percent of their coursework as distance learning. More and more hospitals are either requiring or incentivizing the Bachelor of Science in nursing. The dilemma that faces most working nurses is how to attend school and keep working. Online may be the best answer ever. [...]
Best Information which people interested Online Nursing Degree must read this article very informative for knowledge…
I too think online courses are fantastic, especially since it is not realistic to expect people who are working but want to gain further education to go to college full time.
If anyone is looking for an online nursing program, there is a really helpful website which I found when looking for online courses.
e-skolar.com/medicalcareers/nursing-schools/
Of course, you need to do a lot of reasearch with these schools, but you can request information from the website and speak to a school representative who will answer any questions.
Hope this helps!
very intertesting!
Will pursue my career in nursing.
I prefer an online nursing degree over an on-campus one although I have heard that there are many scams on the Internet that claim to be accredited nursing programs. Is there a way to check the authenticity and accreditation of an online nursing degree program before I waste my time, money and energy on a simple scam?
Schools will display which accrediting counsel, if there is one, has approved their programs, and often will have different accreditation agencies based on the program. You can research further about a that accrediting agency, and about their reputation by doing a simple search online. The three online nursing programs in this post are accredited.
To see the accrediting info for Jacksonville University, for example, click the ‘Learn more…’ link in the post, and on the bottom of the page will be another link reads “Accreditation” – if you follow that, a box pops up that says:
“Jacksonville University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097; Telephone number 404-679-4501) to award bachelor’s and master’s degrees. The School of Nursing is a member of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).”
If you have more questions, you can always call: 1-866-944-2648 to speak to an online education specialist. They can help tell you more about a variety of schools, and help you find out about a program that would have the best accrediting power for where you plan to work after graduation.
I always wanted to be a nurse this seems like a great alternative if i decide to major in it.
good
I have been thinking about getting an online nursing degree. I think that I will start with it very soon!
awesome!
I am going to school for an lvn to rn bsn. As an lvn student I enjoy working my patient and helping them in every need to make them feel safe and comfortable. I want to be that person to keep them alive and be thankful for.
Nurse mark the highest standings in public opinions and
A noble spirit.
good!
Beware! If you are thinking of doing an online degree program and you think it is ten years ago and all you did was write a couple papers send in a couple of checks and some school would send you a degree then you need to know times have changed. I have a friend that did the MSN in Nursing Education with the school Jacksonville listed in the article.
From what I am told there is actually an education going on there. Just make sure if you make the move to go with one of these programs that you are a strong self starter that is not prone to procrastination. While the good part of the online school is that you can set your own schedule, remember that you can decide when to do the work, but not doing the work is not an option.
@Sam thanks for your post! Jacksonville University’s online nursing program is serious learning and why we included it in this article. While some still hold a stigma about online learning – an online education is no joke, so I appreciate you sharing your friend’s experience!!! Online degrees are a great option in today’s technological world, but they absolutely take time and dedication. Thanks again
Interesting!