Online Nursing Programs Tips
Read these 22 Online Nursing Programs Tips tips to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. Each tip is approved by our Editors and created by expert writers so great we call them Gurus. LifeTips is the place to go when you need to know about Nursing Degree tips and hundreds of other topics.
How To Find Online Programs
If you think an online program is for you, the next step is to find a program that fits your schedule, budget, and lifestyle. But how do you do that? Since you're planning on studying online, you may as well start there – online.
The easiest way to get an overview of the online programs available is to go to your favorite search engine and do a search for “rn online degree,” “rn to bsn online,” or “msn online,” depending on what kind of degree you're looking for. You should come up with a lot of results; one way to narrow down the number of programs you'd like to look at is to restrict your search by location (“Midwest”) or state.
Once you find a list of schools that offer online degrees and may work for you, begin contacting the schools for more specific information. Most will have online forms to request information; if they don't, then call the admissions office and request a catalog. Begin narrowing down the programs based on the criteria important to you.
Online RN to BSN Degree Programs at South University
One type of RN online degree that is available at South University Online is the RN to BSN online degree. The RN to BSN online degree is designed for working nurses who already have their RN license, but do not have their bachelor's degree in nursing.
The RN to BSN online degree at South University allows you to complete your bachelor's coursework online, at your own pace and on your own schedule. This program works well if you have a job that would interfere with traditional courses, as most working nurses do.
Clinical aspects of the BSN degree are completed at a medical facility near to you, in conjunction with South University. It is necessary to complete your clinical requirements in a real-life situation, as the focus of clinical courses is their hands-on experience.
At South University Online, you can even earn your BSN in as little as 18 months if you participate in the accelerated courses offered.
Deciding If An Online RN to BSN Program Is Right For You
You would like to get your BSN degree, but you aren't sure how to go about it. How do you decide if an RN online degree is right for you? Consider the following questions.
• How flexible is your schedule? RN to BSN online degrees are best for people with relatively inflexible schedules, so you can study on your own timeframe
• How comfortable are you with technology? Since an RN to BSN online degree will require you to use technology, make sure you are comfortable with web, internet, and chatroom programs
• How much face-to-face interaction do you need? In RN to BSN online degrees, most interaction with fellow students and teachers will be online, and little will be in person. If you are comfortable with interacting online, a RN to BSN online degree may be right for you
The Difference Between An Online Degree and An On-Campus Degree
If you are considering an RN online degree, you may be wondering what the difference is between online degree programs and traditional, on-campus degree programs. Here are some of the major differences:
• No travel time. You won't have to travel to campus to go to class, and you won't have to worry about parking and walking to your class
• Work at your own pace. You can schedule classes according to what is convenient to you, and work on your class work at a time that's good for you
• Face-to-face interaction is replaced with online interaction. One of the major differences between online courses and traditional courses, and one that many students are concerned about, is the lack of face-to-face interaction with other students and teachers. Most online programs compensate for this lack of interaction by providing online tools for students and professors to talk and provide support to each other
• No out-of-state tuition. Many state schools charge in-state tuition for online students, regardless of their residency Both online degrees and traditional degrees require a substantial time commitment and one is not “easier” than the other.
Nursing Degrees That Are Offered Online
There are numerous kinds of degrees offered online. In the nursing profession, the most common degrees you can pursue online are the RN to BSN degree and the MSN degree. RN to BSN degrees are designed for people who have a nursing license with an associate's degree, and want to complete their bachelor's degree. They sometimes allow you to get credit for work experience, and also take transfer credit from other institutions.
MSN degrees are Master of Science in Nursing degrees, and usually specialize in management or hospital administration. They are designed for nurses who already have a BSN degree and want to take their education to the next level.
There are other certification programs are offered online, such as RN certifications, but the RN to BSN and MSN degrees are the most common.
Getting A MSN Online Degree from South University
The MSN online degree offered at South University Online is designed for working nurses who already have a bachelor's of science degree in nursing and are looking to continue their education.
An MSN degree from
Prerequisites Necessary For An Online Nursing Degree from South University Online
Not surprisingly, to be accepted in one of the two RN online degrees from South University Online will require you to have completed or to complete prerequisites before you can begin. But what kinds of prerequisites do you need to have completed? It depends on the type of degree you're applying for.
- An MSN degree at South University Online requires a Bachelor's in nursing, a current nursing license for the state in which you practice, recommendation forms, and transcripts from your undergrad college
- A RN to BSN degrees at South University Online requires a valid nursing license, and a minimum number of completed high school course requirements
Making the Decision to Apply for an Online Nursing Degree
Are you interested in becoming an RN, or completing your BSN degree? An RN online degree, like the one available through South University Online, may be the right option for you. It may be difficult to decide if an online degree is best for you. Consider the following questions to determine if you should apply for
- Do you have the appropriate prerequisites? To be accepted into South University's RN to BSN online degree, you currently need to have an associate's RN degree, certain SAT or ACT scores, various high school classes (such as 4 years of high school English, 3 years of science, and 2 years of a foreign language), and a minimum GPA from high school
- Do you have access to the appropriate technology? If you opt to enroll in
South University - Do you have limited time because of your job? If you are already working, it may be difficult to commit the time to an on-campus degree program. An online program like
South University
What Nursing Degrees Are Offered Online
There are numerous kinds of degrees offered online through South University Online, and if you want to either earn your BSN or MSN, there is a program for you.
The RN to BSN degree offered at South University Online is designed for people who have a nursing license with an associate's degree, and want to complete their bachelor's degree.
MSN degrees are Master of Science in Nursing degrees, and usually specialize in management or hospital administration. The South University Online MSN is designed for nurses who already have a BSN degree and want to take their education to the next level. When you graduate, you are poised for an advanced position in the health care field.
Getting a Master's of Science in Nursing Online
A RN degree commonly offered online is the MSN degree, or Master's of Science in Nursing degree. The MSN online degree is designed for working nurses who already have a bachelor's of science degree in nursing and are looking to continue their education.
The MSN online degree enables nurses to learn more about specific aspects of nursing, such as nursing education or nursing administration. Many MSN online degrees focus on leadership, administration, and the business aspect of nursing. MSN degrees, either online or traditional, will help to ensure job security, boost your earning power, and allow you to advance in your career.
Deciding If South University's Online RN to BSN Program Is Right For You
You have an RN licensure, and you would like to get your BSN degree. You have considered the many options available, including the RN to BSN program available from South University Online. How do you decide if this option is right for you? Consider the following questions.
- How flexible is your schedule? The South University RN to BSN online degree is best for people with relatively inflexible schedules, so you can study on your own timeframe
- How comfortable are you with technology? Since the South University RN to BSN online degree will require you to use technology, make sure you are comfortable with web, internet, and chat room programs
- How much face-to-face interaction do you need? In the South University RN to BSN online degree, most interaction with fellow students and teachers will be online, and little will be in person. If you are comfortable with interacting online, a RN to BSN online degree may be right for you
Online Degrees vs. On-Campus Degrees
If you are considering getting your RN online degree at
- No travel time. With
South University South University - Work at your own pace. South University Online is dedicated to making your classes convenient for you. You can work on your class work on your time and with your schedule
- Face-to-face interaction is replaced with online interaction. One of the major differences between online courses and traditional courses, and one that many students are concerned about, is the lack of face-to-face interaction with other students and teachers. South University Online's nursing programs compensate for this lack of interaction by providing online tools for students and professors to talk and provide support to each other
Remember that both online degrees and traditional degrees require a substantial time commitment and one is not “easier” than the other.
Online Nursing Degrees and Cost
At South University Online, an RN to BSN completion degree will cost $262/credit hour, or $1048 per a four-credit course. The MSN program costs $280/credit hour, or $1120 per four-credit course. There is a $50 admission fee.
If a RN online degree from South University Online seems prohibitively expensive, remember that scholarships and financial aid are available for qualified students. Financial help like Pell Grants, Stafford Loans, and work-study programs are all viable forms of aid at South University Online.
And, don't forget the cost benefit that South University Online offers of not having to travel to campus or having to take time off of your job to attend class or residency requirements.
Online Learning and its Benefits
If you are considering perusing a RN to BSN degree online at
- You can keep your job and go to school at the same time. If you pursue your RN to BSN online degree at South University Online, you don't have to worry about taking a part-time job or quitting your job altogether; you can keep your job and pursue your degree in your spare time
- You can work at your own pace. By scheduling only the courses you have time for, you can make sure you take on only as much as you are able to complete. You also can work in the evening or during the day, depending on which is best for you, and work as fast as you are comfortable.
South University - You don't have to travel. Often, if you pursue a degree traditionally, you may spend a lot of time driving to and from campus as well as parking and walking. With
South University
One point to remember is that online degrees are no less demanding than traditional degrees; expect to spend much time and energy no matter what kind of degree you decide to pursue.
Online Nursing Degrees and How They Work
In today's health care industry, nursing is a great profession. If you don't have a nursing degree, though, quitting your job and going back to school full-time to become a nurse is not often a viable option. However, you may be able to make an online nursing degree, like the ones available through South University Online, work for you.
South University Online will allow you to earn either your associate's degree with RN licensure or complete your BSN degree online. At South University, you can complete all your coursework online, and then arrange the clinical part of your degree with a hospital or other medical facility that is close to your home, making the degree as convenient for you as possible.
South University Online classes are held on the web, and you can interact with other students via technology like chat rooms. Technical support is available in the form of bulletin boards and e-mail. South University has no residency requirement, which means you never need to come to campus to complete your degree.
Online RN to BSN Degree Programs
One type of RN online degree that is commonly available online is the RN to BSN online degree. The RN to BSN online degree is designed for working nurses who already have their RN license, but did not complete their bachelor's degree in nursing. RN to BSN online degrees allow you to complete your bachelor's coursework online, at your own pace and on your own schedule. These kinds of programs work well if you have a job that would interfere with traditional courses. Clinical aspects of the BSN degree are usually completed at a medical facility near to you, in conjunction with the school you're studying at. No RN to BSN online degrees allow you to complete your clinical training online, as clinical training is a hands-on experience.
The Cost Of An Online Nursing Degree
Most RN online degrees, like traditional nursing degrees, are priced according to credit hours. Of course, the cost of RN online degrees varies according to the school. Some schools also charge registration fees and fees for clinical classes. In general, you can expect to pay anywhere from $100 to $300 per credit hour, depending on the school. Out of state tuition is not usually charged for online degrees. If a RN online degree seems prohibitively expensive, remember that scholarships and financial aid are often available for qualified students. Inquire at the schools of your choice to see if you fit the qualifications.
In addition to financial aid including grants and loans, many healthcare employers offer tuition reimbursement as a benefit to employees, and applicants should check with their Human Resources department to see if this is an option.
How Online Nursing Degrees Work
Nursing is a great profession for many people, but if you don't have a nursing degree, quitting your job and going back to school full-time is often not a viable option. One option that you may be able to make work for you, however, is an RN online degree. Some schools will allow you to earn your associate's degree and your RN licensure online.
Generally, you will complete your coursework online, and then the clinical part of your degree is arranged with a hospital or other medical facility that is convenient to you. Online classes are usually held on the web, and you can interact with other students via chatrooms or bulletin board systems. Some schools have residency requirements in which you are required to come to campus periodically to interact with students and professors face-to-face.
Deciding if You Should Apply For An Online Nursing Degree
An RN online degree may be an excellent option for you if you are interested in becoming an RN. How do you know, however, if an RN online degree is right for you? Consider the following questions to determine if you should apply for an online nursing degree:
• Do you have the appropriate prerequisites? Most online programs will require certain SAT or ACT scores, various high school classes (such as 4 years of high school English, 3 years of science, and 2 years of a foreign language), and a minimum GPA from high school
• Do you have the appropriate technology? If you opt to enroll in an online program, you will have to have access to an internet-enabled computer. If you don't have one, you must be willing to buy one or travel to your local library to use theirs
• Do you have limited time because of your job? If you are already working, it may be difficult to commit the time to an on-campus degree program. An online program will allow you to work at your own pace and on your own schedule
The Benefits of Online Learning
If you are considering perusing an RN degree online, you may be wondering what the benefits of online learning are. Here are just some of the benefits:
• You can keep your job and go to school at the same time. If you pursue an RN online degree, you don't have to worry about taking a part-time job or quitting your job altogether; you can keep your job and pursue your degree in your spare time
• You can work at your own pace. By scheduling the courses you have time for, you can make sure you take on only as much as you are able. You also can work in the evening or during the day, depending on which is best for you, and work at your own pace
• You don't have to travel. Often, if you pursue a degree traditionally, you may spend a lot of time driving to and from campus as well as parking and walking.
• With an RN online degree, you never have to leave your home, and therefore cut down on your travel time
One point to remember is that online degrees are no less demanding than traditional degrees; expect to spend much time and energy no matter what kind of degree you decide to pursue.
The Prerequisites For An Online Nursing Degree
Like all degrees, RN online degrees will require you to have completed or to complete prerequisites before you can begin. But what kinds of prerequisites do you need to have completed? It depends on the type of degree you're applying for.
• MSN degrees usually require a Bachelor's in nursing, a current nursing license for the state in which you practice, recommendation forms, and transcripts from your undergrad college
• RN to BSN degrees require a nursing license, a minimum number of completed high school science, math, English, history, and language courses, a certain GPA, letters of recommendation, and some schools require a minimum number of years working in the field
Whatever degree you're applying for, check the requirements with the admissions office for the school or schools you're interested in. They will probably provide you with a checklist for all your materials and answer any questions you may have.
About Online RN Courses at South University
If you want to pursue either a RN to BSN degree or an MSN degree at South University Online, you will be taking your courses via the web.
The online courses offered through South University are best viewed using Microsoft Internet Explorer version 5.5/6.0, Safari 2.0, or Firefox. You need to have at least a 56K or faster modem, but a boadband connection is the best way to go.
All courses are viewed on the web, but you will also need software like Microsoft Office (MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, and MS Access) to complete assignments and views course materials, and a reliable email account for communication.
Software for the online courses, as well as other computer equipment, may be purchased through JourneyEd at academic discounts.
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