The demand for good nurses has never been higher than it is right now, and this has led to a huge increase in the number of nursing degree programs and other educational courses that are available for people who are considering getting into this career. Whether you’re about to graduate from high school and want to go to college to get into a career path that allows you to care for others and make a difference, or are growing tired of your current line of work and want to change to doing something more exciting and meaningful, you can now get access to a wider range of study options that are designed to help you get into a career in nursing. Online nursing degrees are becoming an increasingly popular option for student nurses at every level, and here’s why.
Ideal for Working and Studying
Nurses who want to advance their careers with a masters or doctorate degree from Baylor University Online will often find that opting for distance learning is the best way for them to make it happen. Online degree programs tend to be more flexible compared to learning in a traditional campus setting, and they allow nurses to choose a study schedule that works well for them rather than facing the need to rearrange their commitments to make sure that they can get to lectures and classes. With many online degree programs, nurses have the freedom to choose when to access the learning materials, which makes it easier to fit around shift work.
More Cost-Effective
Studying for a nursing degree online can also be a more cost-effective option for students who want to save money. With student debt at an all-time high, it’s no surprise that more nursing students are considering an online degree as a way to spend less while getting the education that they need. While online nursing degree programs don’t typically cost less than a traditional program in terms of tuition charges, they do offer more ways for students to save money on the cost of relocating, commuting and more. Along with this, the fact that continuing to work full-time while studying for an online nursing degree is easier means that students can make more money while they study and have a lower opportunity cost.
It’s Less Stressful
For many nurses who decide to go to school online rather than attending traditional classes, the entire experience may be less stressful. Attending nursing school can be a stressful experience, especially if you have other commitments in your life that can’t be ignored while you are studying for your nursing degree. Whether you’re working full-time and need to continue while studying, or have a family to look after, studying online means that you can tailor your education to fit around these and ultimately reduce stress.
Build Your Professional Network
The idea of studying online may often seem quite isolating for some. And while it’s true that an online degree is unlikely to afford you the same opportunities to meet other students in person compared to studying on campus, the good news is that it will still allow you to build your professional network online. As long as you choose a good nursing school that has experiencing delivering online classes, you will usually find that they offer a lot of different options for getting to know your peers. Online forums, chat rooms, social media groups and group chats can be ideal for making professional connections as you study online along with socializing and making new friends.
Get Employer Support
If you are currently working as a nurse or caregiver and want to improve your education with a BSN, MSN or other nursing degree program, your employer may be willing to offer financial and practical support if you decide to study online. The University of Texas – Arlington has an RN to MSN program that’s for licensed registered nurses to further their education. With the demand for nurses higher than ever, more and more employers are now offering financial incentives including covering the cost of tuition fees for employees who want to get a nursing degree online at any level. An increasing number of healthcare employers are now offering tuition support programs where they will cover either some or all of the cost of getting your degree, along with offering practical support such as adjusting your working hours to make fitting studying around work more convenient.
Develop Key Career Skills
No matter how or where you study for your nursing degree program, you will have the opportunity to develop a range of important career skills throughout the process. Nurses who study online will also have the option to gain even more important transferable skills that they can use throughout their career path. Studying online means developing skills that you may not always have the chance to while studying on-campus such as the ability to motivate yourself, develop a schedule and prioritize your own time.
Graduate Faster
If you want to get into a career in nursing as quickly as possible, studying for your nursing degree online will also give you the chance to graduate even faster in some cases. Accelerated online BSN programs are one of the most popular options for professionals who already have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree and are considering changing their career. With an online ABSN, you can graduate as a nurse in just two years rather than four by building on the knowledge and skills that you have already learned in your previous degree program.
Go at Your Own Pace
On the other hand, flexible online degree programs also allow you to go at your own pace and take a longer amount of time to graduate if needed. If you have a very busy life and you would struggle to study full-time while working and upholding other commitments, you can find online degrees that allow you to study part-time or with a flexible approach where you have a certain amount of time to complete the program in your own time.
If you want to get into nursing or advance your current nursing career, there are plenty of reasons why online nursing degree programs are becoming the most popular way to do this.