Nursing
The Center for Nursing Advocacy defines nurses as those who improve lives as front line members of the health care delivery team. They assess and monitor patients and determine what patients need to attain and preserve their health. If you are an observant, patient person who likes to help and care for others and pays attention to detail, you should explore this industry and all of the programs that are offered. Not only are nursing degrees the most sought-after in online programs, nursing studies are very flexible and rewarding.
Concentrations
When most people explore the types of concentrations offered in nursing, they may think of all the acronyms: LPN, RN, CAN, NP, etc. However, the best way to approach a nursing degree is to consider the different degree levels in nursing.
Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) is a two-year program that is more of a general education structure designed to prepare a student for a specialized field of study. Most students who earn an ADN return to school to earn a bachelor’s or master’s degree.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is a four-year program that goes beyond the general studies of nursing. The last two years of this degree is what really focuses on a specialization. Some areas of interest include:
- Adult acute and chronic disease
- Community health nursing
- Maternal/Child health
- Pediatrics
- Psychiatric/Mental health nursing
Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) is a term given to a registered nurse who has met advanced educational and clinical practice requirements, at a minimum of a master’s level, beyond the basic nursing education and licensing required of all registered nurses (RN). There are four ways that RNs can specialize in advanced patient care. They can choose a(n):
- particular work setting or type of treatment (examples include intensive care or operating room nurse);
- specific health condition (one example would be a diabetes management nurse);
- organ or body system type (an example is a dermatology nurse); or
- well-defined population (examples include geriatric and pediatric nurses.
Qualities and Skills
General course requirements for nursing will include studies in anatomy and physiology, biology, human growth and development, microbiology, organic chemistry, nutrition, and psychology. Those who complete a bachelor’s degree receive training in areas like communication, leadership, and critical thinking. Successful nurses are those who are caring, sympathetic, conscientious, and detail oriented. Emotional stability is a must since nurses must be able to cope with human suffering, emergencies, and other stresses.
Occupations
There are many occupations for nursing depending on your specialization. The most common type of nurse is a Registered Nurse, which makes up the largest group of healthcare professionals. Specialized nursing types include Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM); Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA); Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS); and Nurse Practitioner (NP). However, all of these types of nurses must first become a Registered Nurse.
Earnings
Not only is the average salary range for a Registered Nurse relatively high, many employers offer excellent benefits, such as flexible work schedules, child care, educational benefits, and bonuses.
Online Colleges Offering Degrees in Nursing
Jacksonville University
A private, independent institution, Jacksonville University has a student community of over 3,000 from 45 states and 50 countries; a 14:1 student-faculty ratio; and an average class size of 18. The institution is a model of intimacy nestled in a city with a population that exceeds one million.
Graceland University
Graceland recognizes the growing need for distance learning and has several options for students who have a need for an education outside the traditional classroom. Undergraduate degrees in Nursing and Healthcare Administration are offered through Graceland University’s Global Campus, and the institution offers online graduate programs in both Nursing and Education.
Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences
Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences (FHCHS) offers education in allied health and nursing through a partnership with Florida Hospital, one of over 350 worldwide hospitals operated by the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Florida Hospital is recognized across the globe for its programs in heart and orthopedic surgery, organ transplantation, and limb replantation.
Chamberlain College of Nursing
Chamberlain College of Nursing provides quality healthcare education programs at four campus locations and online through distance learning. Students will benefit from nursing programs that feature a broad educational foundation and create clinically proficient graduates.
Bowling Green State University
While Bowling Green State University was originally established as an institution for educators and boasts today that it is the 14th largest producer of teachers in the United States, it offers more than 200 undergraduate majors. In addition to its seven undergraduate colleges, BGSU offers Master’s and doctoral level programs as well.
Benedictine University
Along with 17 other institutions, Benedictine University is part of the Association of Benedictine Colleges and Universities, and its mission and vision reflect Catholic and Benedictine traditions.
Kaplan University
Kaplan University is part of Kaplan Higher Education Corporation (KHE); a division of Kaplan, Inc. Since 1938, Kaplan has developed an extensive and renowned tradition as both a pioneer in academics and career- producer.
ITT Tech
Headquartered in Carmel, Indiana, ITT Educational Services, Inc. is a leading private college system centered on technology-focused programs. ITT mainly provides career-orientated degree programs to approximately 54,000 students.
Liberty University
Liberty University is the world’s largest evangelical university. With over 20,000 students both on and off-campus from all fifty states and over seventy countries around the world, Liberty provides the highest quality education in a devout Christian environment.
Grand Canyon University
Founded in 1949, Grand Canyon University is a leading, private, and accredited Christian university located in Phoenix, Arizona.
