The face of online education has changed greatly over the years, with an increasing number of healthcare facilities honoring online degrees when choosing candidates. Online degrees offer many advantages over traditional nursing schools and it would be wise to weigh the pros and cons of each option to see which one fits your needs the best. Here are five compelling reasons every aspiring nurse should consider getting an online degree.
High Demand
One of the most compelling reasons to attend a nursing program is because of the increasingly high demand for qualified nurses. Demand is becoming more and more specialized and NPs with a bachelor’s degree will often be asked to have a master’s degree in a specific concentration to fill positions.
For this reason, job prospects are very high and there’s actually a shortage of nurses in many domains at the moment. As a matter of fact, jobs for registered nurses are expected to grow by 16% from 2014 to 2024, more than double the national average according to the United States Department of Labor.
Added Flexibility
One of the biggest advantages of online education is the added flexibility it offers students. This is especially important in a field like nursing, where many nurses holding a bachelor’s degree may have to further their education while maintaining a job. You can set your own schedule and complete your degree in the time you want with an online program, which is something you can’t do as easily with a traditional program.
In addition, you can finish your masters or bachelor’s degree much faster online. For instance, you can finish an online FNP program in as little as 18 months, much faster than through most traditional brick and mortar institutions.
Variety
While the choice for specializations was very limited not too long ago, the various choices available through online courses are almost endless these days. From a family nurse practitioner, all the way up to geriatric nursing and nursing forensics, there is an online program for everyone. You can choose to specialize based on specific organs or organs groups, age, treatment type or specific health conditions.
Accreditation
Most institutions will accept qualifications from an accredited school. While online education used to be frowned upon, online degrees are being increasingly recognized, especially in the healthcare industry. This is especially true for those who already possess an associate’s or bachelor’s degree from a traditional school, but this applies to first time students as well. In order for a degree to be valid, it has to be accredited by either the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Pursuing an online nursing degree is a great way to add a few notches to your belt without having to compromise your current position. It’s also a great way for new students to cut down on tuition costs and study at their own pace, wherever they are across the globe. So if you believe online education is the choice for you, don’t hesitate to contact some of the institutions in your area, as they will be more than happy to answer all of your questions.
Image credit: By Vlastimil – originally posted to Flickr as Studentky, CC BY-SA 2.0, Link
