Online Nursing Degree Overview & Career Information
Nursing is a prominent healthcare career field with budding employment opportunities. The demand for registered nurses is rising and is expected to grow by as much as 15 to 20 percent between 2016 and 2016, which is much more than the national average growth rate for other occupations. So, if you are looking for an exciting and stable career path with lucrative opportunities, then nursing could be a great field to consider.
Many registered nurses and licensed practical nurses enjoy the benefit of the flexibility of Online Nursing Degree programs and it eventually enhances their career opportunities and salaries. Therefore, it is imperative that you explore different Online Nursing Degree options and choose the right nursing program that is best for your career goals. Due to diverse clinical requirements, no nursing programs and certification courses can be completed totally online, although most of the nursing courses are offered to the aspiring candidates through distance education programs.
Essential Information About Online Nursing Degree
The coursework of online nursing programs, associate’s as well as bachelor’s, are available online. Students can access online lessons and training videos, complete their assignments online, and interact with their instructors, professional mentors, and classmates via the internet. As a matter of fact, most of the Online Nursing Degree programs are heavy on experimental experience, and therefore, the students are required to complete the practical assignments of their curriculum at their nearest healthcare facility.
It is important for you to know that in Online Nursing Degree programs, applicants are required to complete specific general education requirements in English, maths, social studies, and science. The course instructions on Online Nursing Degree programs cover pharmacology, anatomy, and other essential nursing theories. This online degree program also comprises clinical portions that help the students to get necessary hands-on experience of woring and handling patients under the supervision of registered nurses and professional doctors.
Completing an Online Nursing Degree program, either associate or bachelor’s, qualifies the candidates to appear in the NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination) examination and obtain their nursing license.
How to Apply for Online Nursing Degree Programs?
If you’re willing to shape your career in the field of nursing and become a professional, qualified nurse, then you can apply for the Online Nursing Degree programs. It is essential for you to know that the admission requirements for Online Nursing Degree programs and courses may vary for schools, colleges, and universities. The most common admission requirements for Online Nursing Degree programs are described below.
- It is important for the candidates to have a current RN license.
- The candidates should also fulfill the minimum GPA scores requirement from their previous studies in order to become eligible for admission.
- The candidates must provide transcripts from other schools that they’ve attended.
- Some online nursing schools demand professional or academic references from students, whereas some schools require passing of specific entrance examinations like NCLEX.
- Students must also submit essential reports related to their background check, physical examination, and drug screening in order to get admission in online nursing programs.
Educational Requirements for Online Nursing Programs
The Online Nursing Degree programs offer different online degree options (associate, bachelor’s, and master’s) to the candidates and it eventually determines the type of nursing positions that the students qualify for. Below listed are the essential educational degree requirements for pursuing various rewarding nursing careers.
- Registered Nurses – Online Bachelor’s Degree
- Home Health Aids – High School Diploma in Nursing
- Advanced Practice Registered Nurses – Online Master’s Degree in Nursing
- Licensed Vocational and Practical Nurses – Online Nursing Certifications or License
- Nursing Assistants – Online Associate Degree in Nursing
Career Information
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment opportunities for registered nursing jobs are expected to grow by as much as 15% to 20 % in the next 10 years. Health aides is the fastest growing nursing positions that are responsible for helping patients in their homes. The other most lucrative nursing position is an advanced practice registered nurses, who hold the master’s degree in nursing and practice a specialty.
Top Colleges that Offer an Online Nursing Degree
There are many online colleges and universities that offer an Online Nursing Degree to the aspiring candidates and help them to enhance their educational qualifications as well as become successful nursing professional. The below listed top 5 colleges can help you to obtain an Online Nursing Degree .
- Walden University
- Capella University
- Ashford University
- University of Alabama
- Western Governors University
For more information on the Online Nursing Degree programs, please contact us by filling out the form provided below.