Online Nursing Degree Programs
Online nursing degree programs include bachelors of science in nursing (RN to BSN), masters of science in nursing (RN to MSN), nurse practitioner and doctoral or PhD degree in nursing. Some of the online nursing degrees are designed for licensed RNs only.
Are you able to make complex decisions when time is crucial? Do you find the medical profession fascinating? Degrees in nursing are suitable for those who care about people and have a strong desire to help them. Are you organized and self-motivated? As a nurse, you'll work on the frontlines of the medical profession, interacting with patients, doctors, medical researchers, and regulators in the healthcare industry. All nurses must be licensed by the state in which they work, and they must meet continuing education standards set by state law.
Nursing Degree Online Programs and Certificates in Nursing
Online nursing degrees, certificate in nursing and related nursing courses are available by distance learning in these and more areas of study:
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What can I expect from a nursing degree program?
Nursing degree programs train you in the basic skills required by nurses including health and wellness promotion, pharmacology, mental health, anatomy and physiology, nursing skills, psychology, and microbiology. You may choose to complete your studies with an associate's degree in nursing, or start at a bachelor's degree in nursing (BSN) and continue to a master's degree in nursing (MSN). Your training may qualify you to be a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN), or Registered Nurse (RN). A combination of education and experience will qualify you to become a Nurse Practitioner.
Types of Online Nursing Degree Programs
Online nursing schools provide aspiring students access to nursing education by offering online nursing degree programs, certificates in nursing and nursing courses at the learner's convenience and on a flexible schedule. Nursing education offered via distance learning is focused on both theoretical and practical skills and offers interactive simulations where learners apply their learning to real-world situations.
It's important to ensure that the online nursing degree program you attend is accredited and that you meet the entry requirements for the specific degree program you wish to pursue. This will ensure that your degree will be accepted by employers and other colleges and universities, and to protect yourself against fraudulent degree programs and diploma mills.
Accelerated nursing degree programs are designed to train nurses to attain their degree quicker than traditional nursing programs so that they can fill the need for nurses in the health care industry. Thus some online nursing schools are offering accelerated high quality online nursing degrees and programs at both bachelor level as well as online nursing master's degree programs.
Online nursing certificate programs are also available that will prepare you for a career as an LPN or LVN in a very short time period. An LPN or LVN usually takes less than a year, and qualifies you to work with patients under the supervision of a RN or doctor. As a LPN or LVN, you will collect samples and specimens, check and record patient vital signs and measurements (weight, height, etc.), clean and monitor equipment, and assist RNs and physicians as directed. Many people enter a LPN program with the intention of continuing their education to become a RN while they work.
Your LPN certification program will instruct you in the basics of human anatomy and physiology, how to administer medication, basic pharmacology, special needs of children and the elderly, and plenty of practice in a clinical setting under close supervision. When you complete your studies, you will have to pass a state licensing exam. Some states and employers also require continuing education courses for their LPNs.
Your associates degree in nursing will qualify you to sit for your state RN licensing exam. Your online associate's degree in nursing program will include courses in health and wellness promotion, pharmacology, mental health, anatomy and physiology, nursing skills, psychology, and microbiology. You will also practice what you learn in a clinic.
Most nurses who wish to advance their careers, or enter the classroom as a professor of nursing earn a bachelors degree in Nursing (BSN) or a Master's degree in Nursing (MSN). BSNs and MSNs must pass the state licensing exam to receive their RN. Your bachelors degree in nursing (BSN) will add depth to your knowledge in the basic sciences in medicine such as microbiology and biochemistry. It will focus on developing your nursing skills in specialized situations such as mental health, chronic care, pain management, public health, and nutrition.
Masters degree in nursing (MSN) programs focuses on developing your management, leadership, and educational skills to prepare you to train and manage other nurses and aspiring nurses. You will take courses in nursing theory, healthcare policy, curriculum development for nursing, advanced nursing ethics, and leadership and management. You will be expected to complete and defend a master's thesis or master's project.
For most of the online nursing degree programs, the learners pursue the non-clinical portion of their online nursing degrees entirely online and then complete the clinical portions at health facilities close to their location. Some online nursing degrees have a residency requirement at some point in the learning process.
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Careers and Salaries with a Nursing Degree
Private hospitals, managed care facilities, and physician's offices hire nurses at all levels. In the public sector, many nursing graduates find employment with the Veteran's Administration, county hospitals, managed care facilities and prisons.
LPNs and LVNs usually work in managed care settings, such as nursing homes or in hospitals. Many others work in private physicians' offices. Most RNs with an associate's degree work in hospitals and doctors' offices, but large pharmaceutical organizations may hire you as a clinical research associate (CRA) if you have work experience as a nurse or pharmaceutical sales representative. A RN qualifies you for employment as a physician's office nurse, hospital nurse, clinical research associate, school nurse, nurse educator or public health care nurse.
A bachelor's degree in nursing will open careers as nurse manager, CRA, nurse educator, and nursing school professor in addition to the opportunities afforded to RNs with other degrees or certifications. Careers in pharmaceutical and medical device sales are also open to holders of the BSN or MSN.
A master's degree in nursing will increase your competitive edge when applying for supervisory positions in health care administration and management. Careers requiring a master's degree in nursing include hospital administrator, nurse midwife, nurse anesthetist, clinical nurse specialist, and nurse practitioner. Nurse practitioners work independently and are able to diagnose many illnesses and prescribe some medications. Opportunities for you to enter a career in nursing are very favorable. The increasing age of the US population and changes in the healthcare industry contribute to the growing need for nurses.
Salaries for graduates in nursing depend on the degree earned and the industry you choose. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2008), LPNs and LVNs average earnings fall between $35,000 and $45,000. RNs can expect to earn between $57,000 and $68,000. For example, as a nurse in a physician's office, you can expect to earn about $59,000 per year. If you enter an upper level administrative position, especially in a large hospital, or become a top sales representative for a pharmaceutical company, salaries in excess of $100,000 are not uncommon. A Director of Nursing in a hospital or managed care facility can expect to earn between $105,000 and $135,000.
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