College Degree Search

Typically, nurses don’t have a lot of training in computer systems or in information technology; this is where the nurse informatics specialists come in. This specialty merges nursing skills with computer ability. An informatics nurse specialist helps hospitals and other health care systems pair clinical care with the most up-to-date technology, including patient information management systems, administrative computer systems such as scheduling programs or insurance databases, and other systems that are crucial to providing patients with the best possible health care.

Nursing informatics jobs also involve managing nursing-related information so that nurses, physicians and patients can make well-informed decisions on care. These highly-skilled individuals are responsible for managing data that ultimately improves workflow and patient care throughout any health care setting. If this career sounds enjoyable to you, know that online degrees are available at your fingertips. You can enter onilne nursing informatics programs and have the luxury of taking courses from home during the times that fit into your schedule.

Before you can consider taking a course or getting an online degree in nursing informatics, you’ll first have to be licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN). This is necessary even though you won’t really be providing direct care because you’ll have to fully understand the needs of nurses to provide them with the best possible support. You can become an RN either by earning an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in nursing, or by earning a diploma from an accredited nursing school. Once you’ve received an active RN license, you can complete your nursing informatics certification program. You’ll find that the coursework covers topics such as clinical information systems, health care policies and best practices, consumer health informatics, and analysis and design of health care information systems.

What is a Holistic Nursing Program?

Holistic Nursing deals with the entire being of the ill person, rather than just focusing on the specific physical part of the patient. Holistic Nursing Programs provides training in compassion, self-care, massage therapy, healing or therapeutic touch, intuition and spirituality. By combining these healing techniques, the body is able to heal as a whole, rather than in segmented parts.

Certification programs are available to nurses or to students enrolled in nursing school. A few independent schools offer this type of training as an alternative to the traditional nursing degree. Holistic Nursing Certificate Programs include extensive Continuing Education courses that foster the growth of holism. Contact hours earned through an AHNA Endorsed Program can be applied to the contact hour (a unit of nursing continuing education in nursing) requirements for holistic nurse certification and re-certification through the American Holistic Nurses Certification Corporation. Endorsed Programs offer 30 or more contact hours to nurses, and include two or more modules.

It is a well known fact that nurses are always in high demand. Those who seek to further their education can make double the money of those nurses who only have a year’s certification. It can be easier to seek an Associate’s Degree before moving on to the Bachelor’s. This is because they can work at their profession while they are working on a higher degree. Once the Bachelor’s has been achieved, the perfect foundation is set for moving onto the master’s level. Each level offers more opportunities, responsibilities as well as pay.

The Bachelor’s of Science Nursing Degree, which is the formal name, can take more than four years to complete depending upon the amount of time that is spent at school. Full time students can average just over four years while part time students may need six years to achieve their degree. Since the first two years are core classes that would be needed for any degree, many find that the associates program, which is two years, allows them to complete these courses and then begin working. The final two years or more are spent on courses that are designed for nursing alone.

Those who are already a licensed practical nurse or LPN can further their career by taking courses that are specifically designed for nursing, which gains them the degree of choice in a shorter amount of time. This is because all of the courses are used alongside their experience to gain rather than focusing on core classes that may not be necessary to the student. This is a popular way for LPNs to get the job advancement that they want without having to go through all of the schooling that is irrelevant to them.

For those who are interested in furthering their career as well as their education, a Bachelor’s of Science Nursing Degree can be the perfect choice. There are online courses that can be taken that work around the busy schedule of the already working nurse. Most universities also offer these programs and they tailor their courses for the hours that the student may need to complete their studies.

Many people are considering a career in nursing because there is such a demand for them right now. With the economy falling and every other industry suffering from layoffs and shut downs, it is comforting to know that there is still an industry where there is job security and the chance to move forward in a career. Many factors lead up to this need but the main reason is the aging baby boomer and their need for health care.

Some of the industries where nurses are needed are:

Hospitals
Medical Centers
Doctor’s Offices
Nursing Home
Hospice in Home Care

An Associate’s Degree in Nursing can offer an entry level position that can be the foundation for a rewarding career in nursing. Any nurse who has this degree can further their education by seeking a Bachelor’s and then Master’s Degree if they choose. The better the degree, the better the pay that the nurse can attain and the more responsibility they have. While many may not be able to afford to move on in their career by staying in school full time, it is possible to work while still moving forward. Some employers may even mitigate the cost of schooling in order to help the nurse achieve it quicker.

The two year or Associate’s program focuses mainly on the technical aspects of the job and are very general courses. There are also core classes that need to be taken that are required if moving up in education. Those who are not planning to further their education may want to stick with a program that offers this degree quicker without the core classes. The problem with this is that if the core classes are not completed and the nurse decides that they want to seek a higher degree, they have to take the time to complete these before working on the actual degree.

An Associate’s Degree in nursing only takes two years to complete and offers a great platform for moving up the scholarly ladder. When the core classes are skipped, then the degree program can take as little as a year. It is really up to the student to decide which is more important to them before choosing the program. There are many schools and programs that are offered online for the convenience of the student.

Once you see all of the benefits to this type of nursing degree, as well as how easy it is to obtain one today, you will be able to make a more accurate decision about whether or not this is right for you. It could be one of the most important things you ever decide to do.

There are other degrees in nursing that are more common than a Master’s but for those who want to reach and achieve this goal it is possible. The one problem may be in deciding which degree course that is appropriate for the career that is wanted.

The following are the nursing degrees that can be achieved through the master’s program:

Master of Nursing also known as MN
Master of Arts in Nursing also known as MAN
Master of Science in Nursing also known as MSN
Within these degrees are sub degrees which offer specialties for the student who wants to attack one aspect of nursing fully. For instance, within the Master of Science there are subsets such as Public Health, Business Administration and Health Services. There are many more to choose from and it is really dependent upon were the student sees themselves working after they have attained their degree. This can be the most difficult aspect of finding the right degree. When a student knows where they want to work after school, it is easier to decide the program that is right for them.

Nursing is a very diverse field so it can be complicated when the student does not know if they want to specialize or not. One plus is that the student does not have to decide right away. As they progress through their schooling, they can decide that they want to specialize in one area. This is not necessary however as they can simply complete the Master of Nursing and begin working in a hospital or medical center as soon as they are ready and find employment.

There are many schools that are in local communities as well as online that offer Master Degree programs in nursing and that also offer the above specialties along with others that were not mentioned. Online courses can be the best option for those who are already working in the industry and who want to further their career by gaining a higher degree. This means that they can work and earn a viable income while still attending college to gain a specialty. Essentially, it’s a win-win.

Anyone who wants to become a nurse should really know all of the different programs and degrees that are available to them. There is a wide range and each one offers its own advantages to those who complete them. This is solely discussing degrees along with the highest certification that can be had without attending a university or college.

Licensed Practical Nurse Training Certification – These are also known as LPNs and usually only need to have one year of training. The schooling is not as in depth as a college degree would be but offers more than other training programs that do not last as long or which do not cover as much material. These nurses are considered the middle rung of nursing and the pay scale is in the middle as well. Because it only takes a year to complete the courses, many starting out in the field complete their certification and work in the industry as they obtain their preferred degree.

Associate’s in Nursing – This is the first of the nursing degrees that can be had and like the LPN, it is popular because the basics are taught, to a much fuller degree than the certification program, and work can begin immediately after graduation and testing has been completed. Those who want to further their career and their education can do so while still being employed in their profession. Once the degree is completed, the title of Registered Nurse is given and the acronym ASN is used.

Bachelor’s in Nursing – This degree is formally called a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and is a four year university program. Those who complete this degree are given the acronym of BSN and are the nurses that are most sought after. They can rise further through their careers and are offered the most in starting salaries when compared to the LPN or the ASN.

Master’s in Nursing – There are many programs that fall in this category and each one offers its own specialty. Once a BSN has been achieved, a student can get their master’s by going to a university and applying for one of the programs. Each school offers their own so it is important to do the research before making any commitments.
These are the most common degrees and certification for licensed nurses. There are many schools that offer courses in times that fit the schedule of the student. Online courses are also available to make it even easier to get the degree or certification that is wanted.

A career in nursing is a great way to help people while still making a good living. The demand for nurses is always high and in these times when job opportunities are few and far between, the chances of getting a job are good. The only problem can be finding the best nursing school for you because there is such a variety. There are online schools, traditional colleges and specialty schools that all offer nursing degrees.

Online Schools – This can be a great option for those who are currently working but who want to change careers. You can do the work at your own pace and take as much time as you want to complete your degree or program. Also, you can go as fast as you can to get the degree or certification as quickly as possible. When time is an issue, then an online school is probably the best way to go. Just make sure that the school you choose has the proper qualifications.

Specialty Schools – These are the schools that advertise late at night and during the day on television. They advertise during these times for those people who do not have a job and who are looking for something new in their lives. While these schools may seem cheesy, they are a good choice for those who have a lot of time and their hands and who do not have a lot of money for schooling.

Traditional College – This is the best option for anyone as most traditional colleges now offer online courses for those who do not have the time to go to the school. You can earn a real degree at these schools and you can go so far as to get a masters degree in nursing if you so choose. The only downside to a traditional college is that the tuition may run a bit higher than the other two types.

There is no way to start a nursing career without having a nursing degree or certification. Look at the options for nursing schools in your area and choose the one that is right for you. Once you have completed your training, you have more job offers than you can imagine. Finding the best school for you may require some research but it will more than pay for itself with the rewards that you get. Start looking into a nursing school today.

Nursing students that complete a diploma program generally earn a certificate, not a degree. But some programs have changed their curriculum; some do include a two-year degree as part of the process. This is important for entry-level nurses to know. Before they may advance to another educational level they may have to take an advanced placement program that assesses them for college level work if their diploma program fall short of a degree. Candidates must check with the specific diploma program to discover its degree description. All diploma programs should provide ample training so students are prepared to take the RN licensure exam.

It is not always possible for students to attend brick and mortar schools because they may not have the time or the money that is needed to complete them. One way to make it easier on the students is by choosing an online school that allows the students to work at their own pace. The same degree programs can be found online and are typically more cost effective than a community college or university would be.

The following are some of the benefits of an online nursing certificate program:

Time Savings – For those who are currently working in the field and who want to increase the amount of money that can earn by taking courses, this is a great time saver. They can take their courses online during their off hours. After their shift is over, they can study while relaxing or eating their meal. The courses do not even require that they show up to any building and all the work and tests are conducted online.

Money Savings – Not only is money saved by having a lower cost of tuition at an online school but there are also savings when considering gas and other aspects of traveling to and from a college. In most cases there are no books to purchase and all materials are transferred over the internet. The ability to work at one’s own pace is also a money saver as only those credits that are being taken are paid for at that time. Some brick and mortar schools require that a certain amount of credits be taken each quarter or semester.

Valid Certification – Even though the programs are being offered online, they still offer the same certification that would be offered at a traditional school. The student just needs to ensure that the school they are attending is certified and that it has all the proper credentials.

The above are the main reasons why online nursing certification programs can make a student more successful. It is important to have the ability to earn money while still seeking higher learning and this is a definite bonus to these types of programs. Staying home with the children in the evening while doing school work is another reason why this is a popular method for gaining a higher education. This option gives you more flexibility while earning your nursing degree.

The Registered Nurse to Bachelor’s in Science (RN to BSN) degree program provides the educational preparation for nurses to practice with more independence in diverse settings, both within hospitals, and beyond. RN to BSN programs are designed for Registered Nurses who are graduates of associate’s degree or diploma programs who want to complete their BSN degree. It provides credit for nursing skills already learned through school or work experience. Most often these programs are available with a very flexible schedule designed to meet the needs of working nurses. BSN degree enables nurses to pursue more challenging careers in healthcare, obtain professional certification in nursing specialty fields, expands career options and job opportunities.

Women and men already licensed as a Registered Nurse can generally enroll into a RN to BSN nursing program and upon completion, if desired, enroll into the next level RN to MSN nursing program to receive a Master of Science Degree in Nursing (MSN). If you are a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN), you may wish to enroll into the LPN to RN or LVN to RN nursing program to pursue an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN or ASN) and become eligible to take the RN licensure examination.

RN to BSN Nursing Program Points:
RN to BSN nursing programs lead to a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing BSN.
RN to BSN nursing programs generally last 1 to 2 years and are offered by nursing schools, colleges and universities.
Salaries of RN nurses with a BSN degree are generally higher than those without.
BSN nursing degrees can help career advancement, job security, job satisfaction and personal growth.