Pursuing a nursing degree online is a quick and effective way to take the next step in your professional career. Regardless of whether you eventually want to become an RN or hold a PhD, you can find an online nursing program that suits your career ambitions.An online nursing degree allows distance learners to study at their own pace and to take classes without disrupting their current professional obligations or personal responsibilities. Most programs offer courses asynchronously, which gives students the flexibility to study and complete assignments at their own convenience.Students in a distance learning nursing program will find that the skills required to succeed in online education mirror those needed in nursing. Online students must have the dedication to study and engage with difficult material, and the self-discipline to work hard with minimal supervision. Successful online students must be detail-oriented, strong communicators, and critical thinkers. All of those attributes will also serve graduates well in their careers.Graduates will leave school prepared to enter a growing industry. As the Baby Boomer population ages, positions in nursing are expanding rapidly: the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that resident nursing positions will grow by approximately 16% through 2024. To learn about the degrees available, and the positions you can fill once you obtain certification, be sure to check out our guide below.
Meet Our Expert: Jonathan Steele
Executive Director, WaterCures.org
Online Nursing Degree Overview
Nursing Degrees at a Glance
| Degree Level | Average Cost | Loan Default Rate | Time Commitment | Early Career Pay | Mid-Career Pay | Unemployment Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Associate | $12,216 | 17.75% | 2+ years | $52,200 | $64,500 | 4.8% |
| Bachelor's | $16,348 | 9.42% | 4+ years | $56,600 | $73,600 | 2.1% |
| Master's | $17,419 | 7.57% | 2+ years | $82,000 | $89,000 | 1.8% |
Nursing is one of the top-paying fields for recent graduates; the average starting salary for associate and bachelor's degree holders exceeds $50,000 per year. Registered nurses (RNs) check patients' symptoms, administer medications, and perform diagnostic tests. Nurses with a master's degree have more responsibilities than RNs. They diagnose and treat illnesses, order X-rays, and write prescriptions. While some states require nurse practitioners to work under licensed physicians, others allow them to work independently.
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| Career | Median Salary | Projected Growth | 2014 Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pediatric Nurse (RN) | $66,220 | 19% | 200823 |
| Neonatal Nurse | $54,133 | 19% | 3100 |
| School Nurse | $39,035 | 16% | 16506 |
| Nursing Assistant | $25,090 | 17% | 1545200 |
| Nurse Anesthetist (APRN) | $153,780 | 19% | 38200 |
Online Nursing Degree in Action
Meet Our Expert: Jonathan Steele
Executive Director, WaterCures.orgJonathan Steele received his nursing degree online from Regents/Excelsior College. He is certified in bloodless medicine and surgery, and is currently the executive director a WaterCures.org. Here, he discusses the many benefits of online nursing degrees as well as the challenges faced by students who choose to pursue their nursing degrees online.
Bridge Programs
Students who already hold a nursing degree but wish to pursue advanced certification can enroll in online bridge programs. By pursuing advanced nursing degrees online, students can avoid superfluous work and earn their degree quickly.
- LPN to ADN:Licensed practical nurses work under the supervision of RNs. LPNs can spend an extra 1-2 years of study to complete an ADN, which qualifies them for the RN exam. Some programs only admit students who have taken certain prerequisites.
- LPN to BSN:Students in an LPN to BSN bridge program typically finish in 2-4 years, depending on whether they study full-time and how many prerequisite courses they've completed. Some online nursing degree programs require that students already hold an ADN. Others only require students to complete nursing prerequisites.
- RN to BSN:RN to BSN programs are convenient for working professionals. These students already have an effective grasp of the material they will be working on, and can rely on their experience in the field to help them complete the nursing degree online program and earn advanced certification.
- RN to MSN:Nurses who hold ADNs can earn their bachelor's and master's nursing degrees online at the same time in 2-3 years. (Some programs skip the BSN.) Students in these bridge programs start with undergraduate work and eventually progress to master's level material.
- RN to DNP:An RN to DNP program is an unusual but often useful career path. Typically, students entering these programs already have their BSN, though many schools will admit students with ADNs as long as they hold a bachelor's degree of some kind. RN to DNP students take an increased number of classes at the start of the program. The length of these programs varies. They're often offered as hybrid-programs, where the first half leads to a MSN, and the second half to a DNP. These nursing degree online programs typically take 4-5 years to complete.
Online Nursing Professional Requirements
Nursing certifications provide the opportunity to augment professional growth, job satisfaction, salary potential, and professional competency. Certifications vary largely depending on level of degree, population being served, and intended career path. Below are some of the most common types of certifications and tests for nurses.
State Board Certification
State certification grants applicants the legal authority to become a professional nurse. Voluntary certification is available in specialty areas of nursing.
National Certification
Most national certifications are associated with professional organizations interested in raising professional standards. Individuals achieve certification through an assessment process. National certifications typically must be renewed periodically and acceptance varies from hospital to hospital. The type of certification depends on the profession and specialization.
- CMCN (Certification in Managed Care Nursing):The CMCN is executed by the American Board of Managed Care Nursing (ABMCN). Applicants must demonstrate a base level of knowledge of the following areas of nursing: Managed Care Overview, Health Care Management, Health Care Economics, and Patient Issues. The CMCN certification must be renewed every 3 years.
- CPHQ (Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality):The CPHQ is the only nationally accredited certification in healthcare quality. Healthcare quality professionals analyze data, improve performance, manage risks, and improve patient safety. They play an integral management role in caring for patients.
- CCM (Certified Case Manager):Case Management Nurses organize patients' long-term care. Case managers have the proficiency and professional experience to care for patients with complex or debilitating medical conditions.
- CHPN (Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Nurse):The CHPN was created for seasoned hospice and palliative care nurses. Candidates must have completed 500 hours of hospice and palliative nursing practice in the previous twelve months or 1,000 hours in the past two years.
- CNE (Certified Nurse Educator):The Academic Nurse Educator Certification Program fosters excellence among academic nurse educators. CNE certification recognizes academic nursing education as an advanced and specialized area of nursing and helps educators continue their professional development.
Maintaining Certification
Certifications must be renewed every five years online or by mail up to one year before the prior certification's expiration. Applicants may not be eligible practice beyond this expiration date.