The coronavirus epidemic undoubtedly served as a reminder of the value of high-quality Nursing. An online nursing program can be the perfect choice if you want to pursue nursing education but lack the time flexibility to attend classes in person. Fortunately, there are numerous universities across the world that provide a wide range of online nursing programs for potential students to select from. 

However, because nursing entails providing hands-on clinical care, those programs frequently demand that students show up in person for some sessions. When selecting an institution, it’s important to consider the specifics of this unique requirement (if applicable) to make sure you could reasonably travel to your selected institution if it was essential to periodically attend in person.

Online Associate Degree in Nursing 

The shortest Degree path to becoming a registered nurse is an associate degree in nursing, which qualifies students for entry-level jobs in the healthcare industry (RN). Although registered nurses in the U.S. make an average yearly salary of more than $75,799 in 2022, those with this entry-level degree may expect to earn closer to the lower end of that range or around $65,000.  

This online nursing program typically lasts two years to complete, and some of the courses must be taken on-campus at the medical school. The student must successfully complete the degree program and the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) to obtain the qualifications required to work as a registered nurse.

According to Accredited Schools Online, the top online associate degree nursing programs are offered by Barton County Community College in Kansas, Sinclair College in Ohio, St. Philips College in Texas, Tulsa Community College, and Cincinnati State Technical and Community College.

Online Bachelor of Science in Nursing 

Earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) can increase predicted income by up to 15% over average RN salaries with associate degrees, in addition to enhancing knowledge and training. Most online BSN programs are created for people who are already employed as RNs but wish to increase their career options by obtaining a bachelor’s degree. It normally takes RNs (who already have associate degrees) between 15 months and two years to finish the requisite number of credits for a bachelor’s degree, which is comparable to other bachelor’s degrees.

There are some institutions that permit students to complete all their courses entirely online because these programs are specifically created for working nurses. Registered nurses with BSN degrees can anticipate making an average of $83,000 annually. Oklahoma State University, Baptist Memorial College of Health Sciences (Tennessee), Rutgers University (New Jersey), Indiana University, and Goshen College are top competitors in the online RN-to-BSN space (Indiana).

Online Master of Science in Nursing 

A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) can be achieved entirely online at some institutions, just like BSNs, without ever setting foot in a physical classroom. RNs who already hold bachelor’s degrees (which is required) and desire to advance their careers into administration or teaching find these programs to be appealing. At this level, salaries rise to the top of the scale, typically hovering around the upper $80,000 range. On its list of the best online graduate nursing schools, U.S. News & World Report places Rush University (Illinois), University of South Carolina, Johns Hopkins University, Ohio State University, and St. Xavier University (Illinois) at the top.

Until the American Association of Colleges of Nursing changed its recommendation for advanced practice nursing in 2015 to a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, earning an MSN was the only route available to nurses who wanted to eventually become any type of advanced practice RN, including nurse practitioner, clinical nursing specialist, certified nurse midwife, nursing educator, clinical nursing leader, and anesthetist. State regulations presently establish which degree is necessary for advanced practice nursing.

Online Doctor of Nursing Practice 

The most advanced clinical nursing degree is the relatively new Doctor of Nursing Practice, however, students can still obtain this degree through a number of online programs. Doctor of Nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice, Doctor of Nursing Science, and Doctor of Nursing Philosophy is among the degree program’s subspecialties. All the programs have a strong emphasis on research, advancing the academic understanding, and preparing nurses for management positions in clinical practice. Depending on their specific role, nurses with this degree often make much more money than ordinary RN. For instance, nurse practitioners frequently earn more than $100,000 each year.

The Bureau of Labour Statistics forecast a 36% increase in nurse practitioner jobs between 2016 and 2026 due to the rising elderly population in the United States and the growing emphasis on preventative healthcare. Many institutions and states now require a nursing doctoral degree in place of the previous MSN to qualify for these positions. Azusa Pacific University in California, Bradley University in Illinois, Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., Clemson University in South Carolina, and DeSales University are some of the best online programs for obtaining a Doctor of Nursing Practice, according to NurseJournal.org (Pennsylvania).

Are you interested in enrolling in an online course in nursing? Experts at MWT Education Consultancy will help you to choose the right course to launch a bright career overseas. 

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