College Nursing Programs Tips
Read these 22 College 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.
Choices for RN College
Once you've decided to become an RN, you will need to choose a RN college or university to pursue your degree. When looking at RN colleges and universities, you have some options. You can choose to pursue a traditional degree, in which you attend classes on a college campus, take tests and exams, and interact with your fellow students. You can also choose to learn online, via the web. Many schools have developed online programs in order to accommodate adult learners and people with inflexible schedules. Online courses are well supported and flexible. There are also distance learning programs or blended learning programs available at many RN colleges. Distance learning involves taking class either online, via CD-ROM, or audio/visual instruction. Distance learning can help a student have all the tools she needs to be successful in the pursuit of her degree.
Nursing Colleges and Male Nurses
Nursing, along with teaching, has traditionally been considered a female profession. However, just as a larger number of males today are teachers, many males are finding themselves attracted to the nursing profession. More males are entering RN college today than ever before, mainly because of the shortage of nurses in America. Because there are too few nurses to go around, salaries are highly competitive and benefits are substantial. This makes nursing a good fit for men who may be concerned with being the “breadwinner” for the family. Many RN colleges and nursing institutions are purposefully attracting men to the profession to try to alleviate the nursing shortage. They are trying to integrate curriculum to be more gender-neutral, and to incorporate men into their faculty. In order to overcome the nursing shortage, many experts say, men will need to fill in more than the 5% of the nursing population they are today.
Admission Requirements for RN College
When applying for RN college, you should be aware of the admissions requirements necessary to be accepted into the program. For different courses of study, of course, the requirements are different. But here is an example of requirements necessary for an RN to BSN program:
• A completed associates degree from a regionally and/or nationally accredited program
• Transcripts from your previous universities and colleges
• A valid RN license
• Some prerequisite courses, such as math and science
• References or letters of recommendation
• A resume
• Minimum cumulative GPA between 2.8 and 3.0
If you are not a native English speaker, you may also be asked to take the Test of Standard Written English or the Test of Spoken English.
Choosing a Ph.D. Nursing Program
If you are considering a Ph.D. nursing program, you may be wondering what kind of criteria you should develop for the right RN school for you. Here are some guidelines. • Investigate the school's research interests. What are your research interests, and do they match that of the school and the professors?
• Look at the school's facilities. When getting your nursing Ph.D., research is important, and good research can only be done in good facilities. Check out the school's facilities to make sure they are up to par.
• Interview faculty. When getting your Ph.D., you will work closely with faculty who will help guide your education. Make sure the faculty have similar interests to you, are well-respected, and have personalities that fit with yours.
Other questions, about scheduling, finances, and location are similar to questions you would ask when pursuing your bachelor's or master's degree.
RN to BSN Courses
If you are already an RN and have decided to pursue your RN to BSN degree at South University Online, you may be interested in knowing what kinds of classes you'll be taking. Here are some class topics from South University Online's RN to BSN completion program you may take when completing your degree.
Professional Nursing. Because associate's degree RNs usually have already taken courses focused on the practical aspects of nursing, South University Online's RN to BSN degree have classes that expand an associate's RN's knowledge to talk about the theoretical applications of nursing.
Ethical Issues in Nursing. You will learn about different ethical dilemmas and issues that face professional nurses in the health care field, making you more equipped to make these kinds of decisions.
Mental Health Nursing. You will learn how to deal with patients that have mental/psychiatric illnesses.
Nursing Practicum. You will be required to complete a clinical or practicum course, to help you gain hands-on experience with the nursing concepts you've been learning about in class. At South University Online, you can complete the clinical component at a facility near to you.
Common RN Community College Curriculum
When deciding to attend a RN college for your associate's degree in nursing, you may wonder what some of the typical classes are that you will take. In general, associate's degrees in nursing focus more on the practical applications of nursing, whereas bachelor's degrees focus on the theoretical applications of nursing. Here are some common classes you may take when getting your associate's degree from a community college:
• Science classes, such as anatomy/physiology, biology, chemistry, and psychology
• An intro to nursing class
• Math, logic, and statistics courses
• Nutrition
• Practical nursing classes, usually one a semester
• Specific nursing classes, such as surgical nursing, family nursing, gerontology, and pharmacology
Finding the RN College That is Right for You
When deciding to become an RN, you need to figure out what RN college is right for you. You can follow the steps below to help your decision making process.
- Choose your educational path. You need to decide if you want to become a nurse's aide, a LPN/LVN, or an RN. This is the first step in trying to find the right RN school for you.
- Find a school. Do research online and with the help of career counselors to find schools that fit your needs. Do you want a two-year program or a four-year program? Do you need an online program? Do you want to participate in distance learning?
- Choose your school. Evaluate the RN schools you've researched and figure out which one is the best fit for your criteria. Does it have the right program you're looking for? Is it convenient? Will you be able to have a flexible schedule, if necessary? Does it have an accelerated program?
- Inquire about financial aid. Once you have selected and applied to your RN school, investigate financial aid options if necessary. Most schools have aid for students who qualify, and some schools have scholarships available. There is also federal aid available for qualified students.
Evaluating RN Programs
When deciding on where to go to get your RN degree or nursing certification, you will need to select a school. Here are some guidelines as to what makes up a good RN college:
-Accredited. An RN college needs to be accredited by a national accreditation organization in order for you to get your nursing license. Check with the school to make sure they are accredited.
-Fits your lifestyle. If you are a busy RN, LPN, or nurse's aide already, make sure that the school you choose will be flexible enough to accommodate you. You may want to consider an online program.
-In your budget. If you are looking to attend RN college, cost is almost definitely an issue. Make sure the tuition for the college you're considering fits your budget and doesn't have a lot of hidden fees.
-Has the programs you want. Make sure that the RN college you choose has the program you want to study, and the faculty and staff are knowledgeable and helpful
Common RN to BSN College Curriculum
When pursuing your RN to BSN degree, you may wonder what kinds of classes you'll be taking. Here are some classes from common RN schools you may be expected to take when completing your degree.
-Nursing Research. Almost all programs of study require some nursing research class to help you to conduct research associated with health care problems.
-Professional Nursing. Since those RNs who hold associate's degrees usually have education focused on the practical aspects of nursing, RN to BSN degrees have classes that expand their knowledge to talk about the theoretical applications of nursing.
-Nursing and the Community. Many RN to BSN programs will include a course on community health concerns for both the local environment and globally.
-Nursing Practicum. You will probably be required to complete a clinical or practicum course, to help you gain hands-on experience with the nursing concepts you've been learning about in class.
Considerations for Online RN College Programs
- Is the college accredited?
South University - Is there a residency requirement, and is that going to work with your schedule?
South University - Do you feel comfortable enough with technology to make an online program work?
South University
Who Should Attend RN College Online Programs
You can choose to attend RN college in an online environment, such as the RN to BSN completion program through South University Online, or South University Online's new MSN program. If fit one of the following criteria, one of
- You are a working RN who wants to complete your bachelor's degree in nursing
- You are a BSN RNs who wants to work on your MSN degrees
- You are a working RN professional whose job makes it difficult for you to attend traditional classes
- You are an RN with family commitments or other scheduling conflicts who would prefer to be able to study from home
RN College Admission Requirements
When applying for
- A completed associate's degree by a nationally accredited program
- Transcripts from your previous universities and colleges
- A valid RN license
- Prerequisite courses, such as math and science
- References or letters of recommendation
- Minimum cumulative GPA between 2.8 and 3.0
If you are not a native English speaker, you may also be asked to take the Test of Standard Written English or the Test of Spoken English.
Guidelines to Choosing a Good RN College
When you have decided you want to further your nursing education, familiarize yourself with the guidelines of a good RN college:
Accredited. To allow you to sit for your examinations that will get you're your RN license, a RN college needs to be accredited by a national accreditation organization. South University Online's RN to BSN program and MSN programs are both accredited by SACS.
Fits your lifestyle. If you are a busy RN, make sure that the school you choose will be flexible enough to accommodate you. You may want to consider an online program. Both the MSN and RN to BSN programs at
In your budget. If you are looking to go back to school, cost is almost definitely an issue. Make sure the tuition for the college you're considering fits your budget and doesn't have a lot of hidden fees. Also check for financial aid;
Male Nurses
Nursing has traditionally been considered a female profession. Many males, however, are finding themselves attracted to the nursing profession for various reasons.
Because of the shortage of nurses, nurses today are able to command higher salaries and better benefits than ever before. Substantial salaries and benefits make nursing a good fit for men who are concerned with supporting a family.
At South University Online, if you are a busy man you can expect to earn your BSN or MSN degree quickly and on your own schedule. Consider one of South University Online's programs to further your RN career.
About South University's MSN Program
South University Online offers an online MSN program for nurses who have already earned their BSN. What can you expect from South University Online's MSN program?
South University - You will learn about nursing management skills
- You will learn about nursing education and how to design and evaluate curriculum for training nurses
- You will have no residency requirement
- You will study current trends in nursing, such as multicultural nursing and ethical decision making strategies
If you are interested in furthering your education with an MSN degree, South University Online's MSN degree is flexible and accredited, making it a good choice.
RN College Instructors
If you are a nurse interested in education and training, you may want to considering becoming an RN college instructor. South University Online's MSN program focuses on nursing education and will help you learn what it takes to be an effective nursing instructor.
RN instructors teach every level of nurse from vocational nurses to RNs to MSNs. The best way to become an RN instructor is to earn your MSN at an accredited program, like South University Online's program
.
RN instructors are needed now more than ever because of the nursing shortage that is currently facing the country. Consider applying to
Attending RN College Online
You may choose to attend RN college in an online environment. Attending RN college online is an appropriate choice for:
• Working RNs who want to complete their bachelor's degree in nursing
• RNs who want to work on their MSN degrees
• Working RN professionals whose jobs make it difficult for them to attend traditional classes
• RNs with family commitments or other scheduling conflicts who would prefer to be able to study from home
When choosing an RN college online, consider the following points:
• Is the college accredited?
• Is there a residency requirement, and is that going to work with your schedule?
• Do you feel comfortable enough with technology to make an online program work?
• What kinds of technical and social support does the program offer?
RN Colleges vs. RN Universities
When you are choosing a school, you may wonder what the difference is between an RN college and an RN university. In short, colleges are schools that have a limited ability to offer post-secondary education. Colleges can usually confer either two-year or four-year degrees to their students, but do not have any postgraduate degrees available.
Universities, on the other hand, confer four-year degrees and can also confer postgraduate degrees, such as Master's degrees and Ph.D.s. They are usually accredited by various affiliations for individual programs. If you are deciding between a RN university and a RN college, consider to what lengths you want to take your education. If there is a conveniently located college in your area that confers four-year degrees, and you have no interest in earning a MSN degree in the near future, go ahead and investigate that school.
Becoming an RN College Instructor
If you are a nurse interested in teaching other nurses, a career option for you may be to become an RN college instructor. RN instructors are tasked with teaching at every level from vocational nurses to RNs to MSNs. Requirements for each post are different; if you want to teach at a vocational nurse or adult education program level, you usually must have your BSN and a minimum number of years as an RN. You also must have an active RN license. For those who want to teach on the college or university level, you are usually required to have not only an BSN but an MSN as well, and demonstrated clinical as well as teaching experience. Many colleges and universities are in need of RN instructors right now, given the nursing shortage and the attractiveness of the nursing profession. Many people who would consider nursing education instead stay in the field for the benefits and salary they can receive.
Finding the RN Program That's Right For You
If you have decided to further your RN education, you can either earn your BSN if you are an associate's degree nurse or your MSN degree if you have already earned your BSN. You can also choose to study online or through a traditional program.
To decide what kind of program is right for you, like an online program through South University Online, you need to determine if you are comfortable enough with technology, if you are self-motivated, and if you can work on your own while earning your degree.
RN College Choices
If you are an RN looking to further your education, you have some options available to you.
You can either earn your BSN degree if you are an associate's degree nurse, or you can earn your MSN degree if you already have your BSN degree. For both RN to BSN completion programs and MSN programs, there are both traditional and online programs available for your education.
South University Online offers online programs for both their RN to BSN completion program and their new MSN program. You can earn your degree quickly and on your own schedule with
The Difference between RN Colleges and. RN Universities
When looking at RN programs, you may notice that some RN programs are offered through colleges, while others are offered through universities. Here are some of the differences between the two:
- Colleges are schools that have a limited ability to offer post-secondary education. Colleges can usually confer either two-year or four-year degrees to their students, but do not have any postgraduate degrees available. You can usually get an associate's degree in nursing or pursue a training track as for an LPN/LVN at a nursing college.
- Universities confer four-year degrees and can also confer postgraduate degrees, such as Master's degrees and Ph.D.s. They are usually accredited by various affiliations for individual programs. You can pursue a BSN, MSN, or practice doctorate in nursing from a university. South University Online, for example, is a full-fledged university with the ability to confer doctorate degrees; you can pursue either your BSN or MSN degree online through their programs.
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