How do you define the nursing profession?
Earning a nursing education online is a great way to advance your nursing career.
Ever since Florence Nightingale defined the nursing profession in 1859, it has been under construction. Nursing is constantly being refined and redefined, but the philosophy of the profession remains the same. Nursing is the profession that optimizes health and promotes well being in body, mind and spirit not only in individuals but in families, communities and nations. Nursing is a blend of psychology and physiology and is dedicated to restoring and maintaining the health and wellness of each client regardless of the situation or condition. Nurses are on the front lines fighting illness and disease, as well as educating and managing, using a variety of specialties that range from clinical work to in home and long term care.
Why should I choose a nursing career?
There is a huge demand for nurses. This year there are 100,000 unfilled jobs in the nursing profession and by 2015 that figure jumps to 382,000 jobs. The health care industry is growing at such an incredible rate that by the year 2020 the industry will be short 800,000 nurses. Those statistics have made nursing a very lucrative career. An LPN can earn around $37,000 the first year of service and that doesn’t include overtime. An RN can earn $52,000 and a nurse with a BSN can easily earn $55,000 not including bonuses or advances. A nurse with an MSN earns over $63,000 and a PhD is worth $73,000 or more depending on the hospital. Nurses work flexible hours that include three day work weeks and enjoy attractive vacation, insurance and retirement benefits. The satisfaction of caring for those in need and the ability to make a difference in the life of another human are the major reasons people choose nursing. Those experiences are priceless.
How can I earn nursing certification?
The classroom has always been the method to earn nursing certification, but online studying has become extremely popular. Advancing your nursing education in the classroom is fine for people who have the time to go to one location five days a week to study. Classroom study is more structured and can be an arduous task for students who work full time or who have family responsibilities and it can also be expensive. Instructors may not have the time to give each student the attention they need due to the size of the class and the distractions in the classroom. Online study gives the student more flexibility as they pursue their nursing education, which means they can blend their online courses with their other responsibilities. Instructors are available through emails, chat rooms and forums, as well as through telecommunications and other Internet options. The flexibility and the cost savings of online study has made earning or advancing one’s nursing education extremely popular and is making a nursing career a reality for a larger group of people.
Can I complete my theory and clinical studies online?
Classroom study does include theory as well as clinical work, but it still requires the student to go to a specific location to study. An online nursing education does include clinical work which can be completed in several ways. Local hospitals host visiting instructors so they can teach clinical work to online students. Some hospitals use staff nurses as instructors, which gives the student more flexibility. Video demonstrations are available so the student can complete some of the clinical work at home and when the clinical work is more advanced, hospitals assign mentors so students can ask questions and share information. Instructors are available through video calls and emails, plus chat rooms are open so the students can discuss different clinical concepts and practices while working on their nursing education. Studying nursing online has helped students earn nursing certification as well as a BSN, MSN or a PhD which results in a lucrative position in the healthcare industry.
By: David Stone
