Online Nursing Degrees: Online nursing degrees offer graduates a wonderful opportunity in one of the fastest-growing health care careers. A shortage of nurses has generated a job-friendly environment for those who complete the coursework, practical training and certification to enter this fulfilling medical profession. Registered nurses may continue their education through flexible online bachelor’s and master’s degree programs, opening the door to higher salaries and advanced nursing specialties.
Course Outline: Registered nurses are the most prominent professionals in the medical community, judging by their massive presence and skilled involvement in the health care, education and administration of patients. As the primary caretakers of hurting people, they are vital to millions who suffer from sickness, disease, physical trauma, mental illness and the ravages of old age. Busy doctors depend upon teams of well-trained nurses to carry out precise instructions, allowing doctors the freedom to extend the reach of health services to those in need. Nurse educators also disseminate preventative health information to patients and others through public health venues, community health centers, media resources and schools.
Nursing is the largest health profession, according to the American Nurses Association, with over 2.9 million registered nurses (RNs) on the rolls in 2006. A U.S. Census press release in April of 2005 reported only 819,000 physicians for that year. Anyone who has stepped foot in a hospital is aware that nurses fill vital roles in every step of patient treatment and recovery. They obtain patient medical histories, assist with diagnostic tests, support doctors during surgery, administer medications, perform hands-on hospital and outpatient care, and provide a tremendous number of additional services to insure that patient care is competently discharged. Nurses strive to do no harm while seeking to be effective, healing and compassionate.
Registered nurses (RN's) work to promote health, prevent disease, and help patients cope with illness. There goal is to infuence the outcome of there patients for the better. Registered nurses are health educators for patients, families, and communities. When providing direct patient care, they observe, assess, and record symptoms, reactions, and progress of the patient. They assist physicians during treatments and examinations, administer medications and assist in the gradual recovery.
Registered develop and manage nursing care plans, instruct patients and their families in proper care, and help individuals and groups take steps to improve or maintain their health. While state laws govern the tasks that RNs may perform, it is usually the work setting that determines their daily job duties. Hospital nurses form the largest group of nurses. Most are staff nurses, haveing a nursing degree and provide bedside care and carry out medical regimens. They also may supervise licensed practical nurses and nurse aides. Hospital nurses usually are assigned to one area, such as surgery, maternity, pediatrics, emergency room, intensive care, or treatment of cancer patients. Some may rotate among departments.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that an additional 587,000 registered nursing jobs are expected for the 10-year period between 2006 and 2016 to help allay a shortage that, if not corrected, threatens to compromise the quality of future patient care. However, this critical situation offers excellent career opportunities to those who embrace nursing as a vocation and who take the necessary educational steps to become licensed registered nurses. Traditional and online colleges and universities are scrambling to help meet the growing shortage by offering innovative online nursing programs that allow greater flexibility to students who must continue working while completing their accredited courses of study.
Graduation from high school is required for entrance into any nursing programs in junior colleges, four-year universities or private nursing schools. Most programs are extremely competitive; and applicants must show an aptitude for the rigorous science coursework that is part of any nursing curricula. A career in nursing generally involves completing a combination of traditional or online classes, along with supervised practical training in hospitals, clinics or other medical settings. Classes may include nursing theory, clinical practice, anatomy & physiology, biology, chemistry, pharmacology, psychology, mathematics, human development and statistics.
Preparation for entry-level nursing jobs may be accomplished in several ways. Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) or licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) may be trained in as little as a year through an accredited community college program. Other students may choose to complete a two-year Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or four-year Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing (BSN) as a pathway to this well-respected, fulfilling career. More rarely, three-year diploma programs may be offered through hospitals; but this route has diminished over time. Following the completion of educational requirements, ADN and BSN graduates must pass the National Council Licensure Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) exam and meet additional criteria in order to become fully licensed registered nurses.
A number of online RN to BSN, and RN to MSN (Master of Science in Nursing), programs offer working nurses the opportunity to continue their full-time jobs while completing an online degree in a flexible format. These unique programs make it possible for RNs to move into positions of administration, specialty or education without sacrificing income, benefits or seniority. Employers often contribute by offering tuition reimbursement to cover all or part of education expenses for nurse employees. Savvy students complete their first year of nursing to qualify for an LPN or LVN job, and then move up the education ladder without shelling out much, if any, tuition money.
Although more than 92% of registered nurses are women, men are quickly discovering the benefits of the profession – including the high pay, generous benefits, bonuses and flexible schedules -- that are conducive to family life and financial stability. Men are often drawn to the profession after serving as medics in the U.S. military; which offers great foundational training for becoming a civilian registered nurse. In fact, there is a growing call for legislation to ease the transition from military medic to RN. Currently, medics who separate from military service with extensive medical training and experience must begin anew in preparing to become licensed RNs. However, in light of the current nursing shortage, there may be light at the end of the tunnel for this elite group of former military medical corps members.
Nursing graduates work predominantly in public and private hospitals; however many also work in medical clinics, nursing care facilities, convalescent homes and home health care. Those with higher degrees may opt to enter management or education. Several advance practice nursing specialties, including nurse mid-wives, nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, and clinical nurse specialists offer the best salaries due to fewer nurses pursuing the additional certification to fill these jobs. Forensic nursing is also a growing field and involves work with law enforcement officers and the criminal justice system.
The faster than average growth that is expected in the nursing field makes it one of the best choices for a well-paying, stable and family-friendly job. Although nursing work does involve its own set of challenges, it offers a wonderful opportunity for diligent, detail-oriented, compassionate individuals who desire to help ease the pain and suffering of others.
