A Guide on Online Nursing Schools
Information on Obtaining an Online Nursing Degree
Nov 17, 2009 Tiffany Brunskole
Currently there is a widespread shortage of nurses across the United States. There are constant advertisements in every city looking for nurses for all types of fields of medicine. This is one reason why online nursing schools have become so popular. Here is a quick guide on what a person should know about obtaining an online nursing degree.
How Online Nursing Classes Work
Most online nursing schools will have students complete their non-clinical nursing classes via an online schooling portal on the web. These classes include things such as sciences such as anatomy and biology as well as health policy and management classes. There are no online nursing schools that allow a student to take clinical classes online. These classes must be taken at a medical center that works with online nursing students and is close to a student’s home.
The way that each actual nursing class will work will vary by the online school. Some instructors may allow students to work at their own pace and then take an exam at the end of the course, while other instructors may make students follow along on a weekly basis and have assignments that must be completed along the way. Each online nursing school will have specific instructions for students.
Online Nursing Degrees Offered by Online Schools
The most common nursing degrees that are offered by online nursing schools are bachelor’s degrees and master’s degrees in nursing. There are a few different types of bachelor’s degrees that are offered, such as a RN (registered nurse) to a bachelor’s degree or a LPN (licensed practical nurse) to a bachelor’s degree. Each online nursing school may offer slightly different programs, which is why it is important that any potential nursing students research all the information about each school.
The Cost of an Online Nursing School
Just like any type of college or online school, there are going to be varying costs for each online nursing school. Some may only charge $100 per credit while others may charge up to $300 per credit. The average costs of online nursing schools range from $100-$150 per credit. Additional enrollment fees and supply charges may also apply for online students.
Requirements for Admittance Into an Online Nursing School
Potential students should always check with each online nursing school they are interested in for the exact requirements to be accepted to the program. There are some general requirements that each school will require to be admitted in a bachelor’s degree nursing program. They include:
- High school diploma or GED
- ACT or SAT scores within a school’s minimum acceptance number
- 3 years of high school math
- 3 years of high school science
- 2 years of high school foreign language
- Admissions essay or test
Advantages of Obtaining an Online Nursing Degree
One of the greatest advantages of attending an online nursing school is that students can learn at their own convenience and not be strapped down with strict class times. Online nursing schools offer people who already work full time the option of being able to further their careers while still being able to work and maintain their normal schedule.
Obtaining an online nursing degree rather than attending actual classes at a university can also save students money. There is no travel time involved which can save on gas, wear and tear on a car, and other things like parking. Nursing students also don’t have to worry about housing as they can learn from the luxury of their own homes. Also, most online nursing schools don’t charge out of state tuition fees which can cost quite a bit of money over a 2 or 4 year period of time.
Online nursing schools offer students a unique experience to further their education and do it on their own time. When obtaining an online nursing degree, students need to make sure they research different schools and find the best online nursing school for them.
Become a Nurse at an Online Nursing School
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