Online Nursing Degrees

Nursing programs have become one of the most popular health care degrees since so many nurses are needed in hospitals, home health care services, physicians’ offices, nursing care facilities, outpatient centers, and other health care environments. And
just as there are a range of career choices for nurses, nursing students will find all kinds of education and training options available to them. Online nursing degree programs can offer students more flexibility in terms of juggling work and school and having more access to programs from schools located across the country. Students may choose to enroll full-or part-time, and they can also select programs that train them to become Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses or Vocational Nurses, and specialized nurses with graduate-level degrees. These programs welcome students who have just graduated from high school, students who want entry-level positions in nursing, and professional nurses who want to improve their career prospects by earning a higher level degree.

Students who are just entering the nursing profession can choose to enroll in a certificate program, which typically lasts three years; an associate nursing degree, which can last two to three years; or a bachelor degree (BSN), which should take four years to complete. Certificate programs are less popular and will be more focused on nursing, while associate’s and bachelor’s programs will mix liberal arts education with a more focused nursing curriculum. Some online programs may feature accelerated tracks for bachelor’s or graduate-level candidates, especially if students already can apply some credits and/or work experience in nursing towards their degree. All nursing students should expect to take courses in anatomy and physiology, biology, chemistry, medical terminology, health care information technology, nursing roles and responsibilities, ethics, and various courses related to the students’ chosen specialty. Areas of concentration may include nurses’ assistant, surgical nursing, mental health nursing, and more.

Overall, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an excellent job outlook for the nursing industry and expects major job growth. Most registered nursing jobs are found in physicians’ offices and home health care services, while other nurses will find jobs in outpatient care centers, with hospitals, and with nursing homes and other care centers. RNs who earned online bachelor’s degrees in nursing will find it easier to find jobs due to their advanced training and education. Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) will also enjoy faster than average job growth, especially with home health care services, outpatient care centers and doctors’ offices. The BLS expects jobs to increase 14% by 2016, as LPNs are needed in long-term health care centers like nursing homes to help with the increase in older patients. Nurses who continue to pursue advanced degrees and certifications will see their job prospects increase, and they can enter niche fields, take on management positions, become administrative heads, and more.