Online Nursing Schools: The Medium of The Future?

The shortage of nursing staff is becoming critical. According to projections released by the U.S. Bureau of Health Professions, the country will need around 1.7 million nurses by 2020, and with the current trends, there will be less than half of that available. National surveys conducted into the number of registered nurses also revealed a huge shortage. The growing demand makes for a selection of lucrative career opportunities. In the quest to recruit more nursing students, online nursing schools were established to make studies more accessible.

Currently, more than three quarters of colleges currently offer access to online degree programs. Nursing programs provide training from two sources: Educational material, and practical training on the job, often referred to a clinical training. The non-clinical portion of the course can be attended at online nursing schools. The clinical part of the course involves gaining experience in the application of acquired knowledge, and has to be done at a suitable medical facility.

Depending on where you live, you will obtain your license from the Board of Nursing from your state. Each state has its own set of expectations and requirements for issue of a (nursing) practice license. The National Council of State Nursing Boards has created a model on which these requirements are based. The license has to be renewed periodically, and some states require continuing education for renewal. Online nursing schools make it easier for working nurses to keep up with educational requirements.

For those considering a nursing career, there are a few degree options, which can qualify you for a number of jobs. You can become a Licensed Practical Nurse, a Registered Nurse, or even an Advanced Practice Nurse. As an advanced practice nurse, you have the option of specializing in a number of fields, including being a nurse practitioner, a certified nurse midwife, a certified nurse specialist, or even a certified registered nurse anesthesiologist. Depending on the direction of study, it may take anything between two and eight years to complete.

Most online nursing schools allows for study at your own pace, so you can obtain a basic qualification, and continue your studies after hours, while still maintaining an income. You can use this accessibility to start your nursing career, or further it to your advantage.