Top Three Things to Look for in Online Nurse Degree Programs
With so many online nurse degree programs to choose from, finding the one that's right for you may seem like a daunting task. By following these three tips, however, you'll be able to read between the lines of the school brochures and websites and focus on the information you need to get the best education possible.
Tip Number One: Choose a Nursing Career Path
When you first begin researching online nurse degree programs, it's important to plan your education around your future career goals. While all nurses must pass the national licensing exam, there are three main educational paths to becoming a registered nurse (RN). Your future career goals will help determine which path is best for you.
- Two- to-three-year nursing diploma: These programs, which are often offered by hospitals, focus heavily on acquiring clinical experience. A nursing diploma will prepare you for entry-level nursing positions. This educational path is popular among students who are satisfied with becoming RNs; however, there is little room for career growth or specialization without first acquiring more education or specialization.
- Two- to three-year Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN): Associate degree programs, offered by community colleges, are popular because they quickly and efficiently prepare students for a career in nursing by combining educational courses with clinical internships. However, many nurses who have earned their ADN eventually return to school to enroll in an RN-to-BSN program in order to broaden their professional horizons.
- Four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): Students who earn their bachelor's degree in nursing are better prepared to succeed in the nursing profession than their diploma and ADN-holding counterparts. While all newly-minted RNs begin in entry-level positions, BSN-prepared RNs experience better job opportunities over time. They are also equipped to enroll in RN-to-MSN (Master of Science in Nursing) programs that will allow them to specialize in a particular field.
Tip Number Two: Look for Accreditation in an Online Nurse Degree Program
While searching for that perfect online nurse degree program, it may seem like a small matter to check a school's accreditation. However, this detail is too important to overlook. Accredited online nurse programs educate students with nationally established nursing standards that ensure a superior nurse education and provide the following great benefits:
- Better educational programs: Students at accredited online nurse schools have opportunities that students in non-accredited programs don't have, such as the ability to participate in federal and state funded financial aid programs.
- Opportunity to build on your degree: Graduates of accredited online nurse degree programs also have the ability to pursue advanced studies at other accredited schools, including accredited RN-to-BSN and MSN programs. Degrees earned at non-accredited institutions are almost never recognized by accredited programs, which means earning subsequent degrees is nearly impossible for non-accredited graduates.
- Competitive edge in the job market: A degree from an accredited online nurse school will make you more competitive in the job market, as employers are more enthusiastic about hiring registered nurses with an educational background they can rely on.
Tip Number Three: Balance Online Nurse Education with Clinical Experience
Once you've decided whether you're going to enroll in an online diploma, associate degree or bachelor degree program, and you've eliminated non-accredited nurse schools, it's time to evaluate the programs themselves.
The most important aspect of choosing an online nurse school is finding one that offers a good balance between academic nurse education and hands-on clinical experience. One way to evaluate this balance is by examining the nurse school faculty. A superior online nurse program will employ experienced medical professionals, such as nurse supervisors, as well as top-ranked physicians who currently practice medicine.
Professionals who are still active within their health care field will know how important it is for students to receive an up-to-date nurse education along with carefully supervised clinical studies. Make sure to carefully explore the clinical study and internship options your prospective programs offer, and when possible, speak with current nurse students about their experiences within the program.
Making the Right Choice
By following these three simple guidelines, you'll be able to cut through the confusion you might feel when deliberating over the numerous online nursing degree program options. Instead, you'll be able to focus on taking the first step towards an exciting new career in nursing.
