OnlineNursingClasses.netOverview of Online Nursing Schools
Nursing is one of the most talked about careers right now, and for good reason. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts hundreds of thousands of new nursing jobs to be created in the next few years, making the career a safe bet for those looking for a stable profession. The education sector has responded to the increased demand for nurses by making many new types of online programs, for those interested in switching to this booming career (BLS).
How It Works
You may be wondering how online nursing school works, since nursing is such a hands-on profession. In online programs that prepare new nurses to enter healthcare settings for the first time, students complete their course work online, while attending clinicals in their local community. This allows students to hone their nursing skills in real-world situations, while also giving some of the flexibility of online learning.
Some graduate degrees in nursing are designed to prepare already seasoned nurses for leadership roles in their workplace, and do not require nurses to complete the on-site clinicals.
The Online Programs Available
These hybrid nursing programs and course-work only degrees are available in many flavors. Here are the major ones.
- LPN Training: Prepares students for a career as a licensed practical nurse, rather than as an RN.
- Bridge Programs: These programs help give LPNs, paramedics, and other healthcare professionals an accelerated way to enter the nursing profession; the applicable course work they have already taken is counted towards their nursing degree.
- Undergraduate Degrees: Associate’s degrees in nursing (ADN) and bachelor’s degrees in nursing (BSN) can be earned through hybrid online learning.
- Graduate Degrees: Master’s degrees in nursing can prepare students to be nurse leaders or nurse practitioners, who have advanced diagnostic abilities; PhDs prepare nurses for academic research.
Becoming a Registered Nurse or Licensed Practical Nurse
Both registered nurses and licensed practical nurses are licensed at the state level. While the requirements vary slightly by state, most states require nurse candidates to have graduated from an educational program that is recognized by the state nursing board.
Nurses must then sit for a standardized test; Registered nurses take the NCLEX-RN, the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses, while practical nurses take the NCLEX-PN. Because licenses are granted on a state-by-state basis, it makes sense for nurses who are looking to earn their license to attend an online nursing program recognized by their state’s nursing board (BLS).