RN Courses of Study

When considering becoming a nurse, there are various nursing courses of study you can consider, such as:

-Nurse's Aide. You can study to become a nurse's aide in about a year at a vocational/technical school or an adult education center.

-LPN/LVN. You can become a licensed practical or licensed vocational nurse in about a year, through a vocational/technical school, adult education center, or community college. You will take courses in practical nursing and nursing skills.

-RN. You can earn your RN licensure through either a two-year associate's degree or a four-year bachelor's degree. Two-year degrees focus more on the practical aspects of nursing, whereas four-year degrees also discuss the theoretical applications of nursing.

About Taking RN Courses Online

You can opt to take RN courses online, through an online program or a distance-learning program, while getting your BSN degree. When taking an RN course online, consider the pros and cons:

Pros: You will usually receive the professor's lecture notes written down; you can work at your own pace and on your own schedule; most assessment in online courses is nontraditional, meaning there will be no exams.

Cons: You cannot usually talk to the professor face-to-face; you may lack support from other nursing students. Also, make sure you consider the technology requirements for online courses. Some typical requirements:

• Internet connectivity – usually a 56K modem or higher

• Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator

• Pentium III PC or G3 Mac with 256k memory

• Shockwave Player

• Real Player

• Adobe Reader

• MS Office – Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

Online Master of Science In Nursing Courses

When deciding that you want to earn your Master of Science in Nursing, you may consider an online program. Online programs are excellent for MSN candidates, because they are flexible and work with your schedule. Most MSN degrees, online or traditional, will allow you to specialize in one or more areas of nursing, such as cardiovascular, nursing education, nursing informatics, nursing management/leadership, and adult nurse practitioners.

When looking into online MSN degrees, check to see what the school's requirements are on clinical learning; some will allow you to complete your clinical training at the facility of your choice, and others may make you come to their campus or a facility of their choice.

Clinical Courses at South University Online

When studying for either your BSN or MSN degree at South University Online, a large part of your schooling will involve clinical courses. South University Online allows you to work on your clinical courses in a facility close to you, further allowing flexibility into the program.

Clinical courses are designed to help give you “hands-on” experience, rather than having you rely on classroom teaching. Some topics for clinical RN courses you may take through South University Online include:

• Drug administration, which helps give you experience in administering drugs
• Maternity nursing, which helps you gain experience in assisting women and their families during the birth process
• Nursing the emotionally ill, which helps you learn how to administer to patients with psychosocial and emotional illnesses
• Nursing of children, an experience that will give specific knowledge in nursing children, from infants through adolescents

About Non-Bachelor's Degree Nursing Programs

If you want to become a nurse, there are several nursing courses you can follow. The longest and most time-consuming is the BSN degree; however, there are options that will allow you to become a nurse but do not lead to a bachelor of science in nursing degree. Here are your options for non-bachelor's degree nursing programs:

-Nurse's Aide. You can become a nurse's aide in about a year, taking courses from adult education centers. You will be a certified nurse's aide and will usually work closely with a RN or physician.

-LPN/LVN. You can become a licensed practical or licensed vocational nurse in about a year. LPN/LVN programs are available through hospitals, adult educational centers, and vocational/technical schools. You will be able to assist nurses with their duties and provide healthcare for people in hospitals, nursing homes, and other facilities.

-RN with an associate's degree. You can become an RN by getting an associate's degree from a junior college or community college. You will have the same rights and privileges as an RN with a BSN, but you may have less career advancement opportunities.

Courses of Study for RNs

If you are an RN, there are a few different courses of study you can consider to continue your education, such as:

RN to BSN. You can earn your BSN if you already have your RN license with an RN to BSN completion program at South University Online. The BSN program at South University focuses on the theoretical applications of nursing and professional nursing skills

MSN. At South University Online, you can earn your MSN degree if you have already completed your

BSN. The South University Online MSN program is an excellent way to further your education and your career potential, and you will learn about topics like nursing education and multicultural nursing.

The Types of Courses You'll Take Studying for Your RN to BSN Degree

When studying to complete your BSN degree, you will take the following kinds of RN courses:

• Nursing Research Methods. This helps you conduct research about relevant health care problems.

• Community Issues In Nursing. You will learn about health issues that affect communities, both local and global, and learn how to become a steward of those communities.

• Transition to Professional Nursing. Since most associate's degree programs focus on skills-based nursing, most RN to BSN completion programs will offer a course to help you to transition to a more professional nursing role.

• Nursing Clinical or Practical Courses. You will probably be required to complete clinical training, which helps you get hands-on experience as a nurse.

Continuing Education Courses for Nurses

Most states require that nurses continue their RN education with update courses, refresher courses, and the like. Often, you can take these continuing education courses online, making them convenient and flexible for you. Some examples of continuing educations courses you may choose from:

• Holistic nursing/complementary therapies

• HIV/AIDS

• Accident Prevention

• Palliative Nursing

• Maternal Health

• Pediatric Nursing

• Renal Disease

• Military Nursing

Depending on where you decide to take these RN courses, the fees for them can vary. When you decide to participate in a continuing education course, make sure your state accepts the course you are taking for your continuing education credit.

Online BSN to RN Courses

If you are considering studying for your BSN online in an online BSN to RN program, you will need to think about the following:

• Are you comfortable with technology?

• Can you learn in a completely online environment?

• Will you be able to get the support you need in a distance-learning environment? If you have decided that a RN to BSN degree is for you, make sure you are aware of the technical requirements needed to complete the program.

Here are some technical requirements of a typical program:

• Internet connection

• Web browser, usually MS Explorer

• Software such as Microsoft Word, Powerpoint, Excel, Access, and Outlook

Why You Would Choose Online RN Courses

There are many options for RNs who are considering going back to school, either to earn their BSN or MSN degrees. But why would you choose an online program like South University's RN to BSN completion program or new MSN program? Here are some reasons:

• Flexibility. The online courses at South University Online offer flexibility and the ability to work with your schedule
• Work. You can keep your job while getting your BSN or MSN degree through South University, since you don't have to attend time-consuming classes on campus
• Technology. You can take advantage of the newest technology trends with South University's courses, such as internet communication and streaming audio and video

Flexibility in RN Courses

Many traditional nursing programs, either RN to BSN completion programs or MSN programs, require you to attend classes on campus, which can eat up a large chunk of your time. However, if you have a job and other responsibilities and want the most flexibility possible when working on your RN to BSN degree or MSN degree, consider South University Online's programs.

South University Online offers two programs, the RN to BSN completion program and the MSN program, in a completely online environment, which affords you the greatest flexibility possible. You never have to come to campus, and you can schedule classes that are convenient for you. 

With South University's online programs, you can work at your own pace and whenever you want. The flexibility of their online programs will ensure you greater success in earning your degree and also allow you to earn your degree with the least amount of hassle.

Adult Education Courses for Nurses

Courses You'll Take Studying for Your MSN Degree

If you are going to earn your MSN degree, you may be interested in the kinds of RN courses you will be taking. Here are some example courses from a typical MSN program:

• Advanced/Graduate Nursing Research. Most schools require nursing research courses to further your research skills.

• Professional Nursing Development. Since many nurses getting their MSN are interested in moving into management or other professional roles, professional development RN courses are usually offered.

• Community Nursing. Community nursing courses help nurses identify and respond to health issues in diverse communities.

• Nursing Informatics. Various courses will usually be offered in nursing informatics, such as Informatics and the Health Care Delivery System and Issues in Health Care Informatics.

• Clinical Courses. MSN degrees have a clinical component, helping nurses put into practice what they have been learning in the classroom.

• Thesis or Capstone Courses. Many programs will require their students to take a capstone course or a thesis course, to synthesize all the information they have gained during their course of study.

South University's Online BSN to RN Completion Program

If you are considering earning your BSN through South University Online's BSN to RN program, the following questions will help you to determine if an online program is right for you:

• How comfortable are you with technology?
• Can you learn in an online environment?
• Can you work well on your own?

 If you have decided that South University's RN to BSN online completion program is for you, make sure you are aware of the technical requirements needed to complete the program. You will need:

• Internet connection
• Web browser, usually MS Explorer
• Software such as Microsoft Word, Powerpoint, Excel, Access, and Outlook

About Taking RN Courses Online at South University

If you decide to pursue your BSN through the RN to BSN completion program at South University Online, you will be taking classes via the web and other technology. Consider the pros and cons of taking online courses:

 
Pros:

• You will usually receive written copies of the professor's lecture notes

• You can work at your own pace and on your own schedule
• Most assessment in online courses is nontraditional, meaning there will be no “traditional” timed examinations

 Cons: 

• You cannot usually talk to the professor face-to-face
• You may lack personal support from other nursing students

Also, make sure you consider the technology requirements for online courses. The technology requirements for the South University Online program are as follows:

• Internet connectivity – usually a 56K modem or higher
• Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator
• Pentium III PC or G3 Mac with 256k memory
• Adobe Reader
• MS Office – Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

MSN Degree Courses at South University Online

If you have decided to earn your MSN degree through south University Online, you may be interested in the kinds of courses you will be taking. Here are some examples:  

• Advanced/Graduate Nursing Research. A standard course designed to further your research skills.
• Advanced Theoretical Perspectives in Nursing. This course is designed to enhance your background in nursing theory.
• The Role of the Nursing Educator. This course is designed to educate you on becoming a nursing instructor, designing curriculum, and effective teaching methods.
• Clinical Courses. Your clinical component will help you put into practice what you have learned in the classroom.

South University Online's MSN Program

If you want to earn your Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), South University Online's MSN program may be a good option for you. South University's program is excellent for MSN candidates, who usually already have a job and other commitments, because they are flexible and work with your schedule. 

South University's MSN degree allows you to specialize in one or more areas of nursing, such as nursing management/leadership or nursing education. The online program through South University incorporates classes on nursing and health care management, nursing education, and developing valid testing methods.

Although the program is online, South University still requires a clinical learning component for their MSN. But to complete these requirements, you can attend practicums in your own community, working with your schedule.