Advance your Nursing Career by Pursuing an Online Master Degree
Are you an RN who has thought about going back to school and obtaining a master degree in nursing? There are many things that you think might hold you back from achieving this dream, such as finances, home and work responsibilities, or just the lack of time. Not too long ago it was very difficult to complete a graduate degree in nursing due to many inconveniences. Aside from having to physically be present during classroom instruction there was mandatory hands on practice at specific times dictated by the school of nursing graduate program. For many registered nurses working full time this meant less time earning money and even less time spent with the ones you love.
The good news is that times have changed and thanks to computers and the Internet registered nurses have ample opportunities to advance their education and career by obtaining knowledge online. Not only can one keep a full time nursing job, have personal and family time, but also study and complete a master in nursing degree. It is to no surprise that schools of nursing and other universities have decided to go from offering limited theoretical information to complete online courses and degrees. An increasing number of schools have adopted the Web-based model by offering online degree programs while keeping the same quality of course content and instructors as traditional, on-campus programs.
There is a sharp increase in the number of students enrolled in online nursing courses. More than three million online students were reported in 2005 alone and statistical data shows that about 25 percent of those students pursuing a graduate degree are taking classes exclusively online. Returning to school is not an easy decision for most people. Before anything else you should weigh the advantages versus the disadvantages of an online educational program, learn how online classes are managed, and adopt a strategy to select the best nursing school and program for you.
Advantages vs. Disadvantages
First on our list of pros for an online nursing degree is the reduced tuition cost as compared to a traditional on-campus program. We all know how long it takes to pay off student loans and other forms of financial assistance but you will save up to fifty percent of what you would normally pay when completing your master education. Not all universities offering online degrees will have the same price per online credit so it is a good idea to shop around however, no matter which nursing school you choose to pursue your online master degree at you will typically have to pay no more than $200 per credit. Not only will you save money by reducing your educational cost but you will still be able to make money working as a registered nurse.
Some nurses choose to work full time and take online courses at a slower pace, while others work part time in their field and choose to enroll in several master courses at one time. One can also adjust the number of work hours depending on semester load since many employers are flexible and want to provide opportunities for continuing education of their staff. An online degree gives you the freedom to schedule work and study time so that your needs are fulfilled. You are the only one who can make efficient use of available time and this can be seen as a both a pro and a con. Are you very organized, able to plan well, and follow a self-imposed schedule? Online degrees do not require you to attend on-campus classes but you still need to plan your time effectively and complete your work by due dates.
No matter what shift you are working as a registered nurse, you do have the flexibility of choosing a convenient study and test time. For some people this flexibility of scheduling can be intimidating and not the best option. Those who tend to postpone work and constantly change self-imposed dates and times for study are not good candidates for online classes but should instead chose on-campus options. It may come as a big surprise to find out that online students spend more time communicating and getting feedback from their instructors than traditional students.
The higher level of access to teachers and increased communication between students and instructors often leads to a superior education and better understanding of the material. Various methods are used to interact with students and teachers in an online course, some of them being real time chat rooms, emails and web boards, all of which allow asking questions, posting documents, and reviewing notes. No matter where you are as long as you have access to a computer with an Internet connection you can get in contact with your fellow students or teachers and get an answer to your questions.
Another advantage to an online degree is the increased communication that takes place between students enrolled in the same online course. Web boards, private chat rooms and emails allow and encourage students to share ideas, concerns and course related information. Nursing students who have experienced both traditional and online courses often say they interacted more with their fellow students during the online experience than during traditional classes.
During lectures students mostly listen and take notes while free questions receive a limited amount of time at the end of the class. Online classes require students to read and study independently and then gather online, discuss, ask questions and gain insight from each other and the instructor. It is a mistake to assume that online courses will have a lighter workload than traditional ones. While you are able to make your own schedule in terms of self study, as an online student you often need to put in at least the same amount of work and time as for an on-campus class and therefore when you chose to enroll in an online masters degree prepare yourself for an intense and demanding experience.
How to Select the Best Online Nursing Program
The task of making the best selection can seem overwhelming with so many choices of online programs from universities and nursing schools. The first step is to check the accreditation status of the program. An online master degree program must be accredited by the National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission (NLNAC) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). To verify the accreditation of an online program check the Department of Education website.
Other things you may want to consider are the length of the program, requirements in terms of clinical experience, and proximity of clinical sites that are accepted by the program. Compare online course curriculum to the traditional one and make sure the two correlate in terms of material being thought and hands-on training. It is also useful to search for reviews from other students who have completed a similar online nursing program and obtain feedback on the level of satisfaction with their online experience. Online nursing degrees offer many benefits and are attractive to many registered nurses who want to continue their education and still have the option to practice while going to school. No matter what your decision we encourage you to consider this unique opportunity that could improve your career and change your life in a positive way.
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