As of May 2006, the average hourly wage of a nurse within the United States was $28.70, while the average annual income was $59,710. Today, in 2010, the average annual nursing salary has already risen to between approximately $62,450-$65,130, with an average hourly rate of roughly $31.31. The states with the highest ranking annual salaries include California, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts and New York. These states pay annual salaries ranging between $73,160- $83,040 and hourly wages between $35.17- $39.92. Wages such as these make nursing a viable and very much sought after career field in today’s work force, and the wages are only getting higher as demand for trained nurses increases. With nurses in such high demand and earning such enticing salaries, many men and women and considering formal schooling in these fields, however, many are not only unaware of the skills required to become employed in the nursing field, but also uncertain of how to tell if they themselves fit the profile for a nursing position.

Nursing is a demanding field both physically as well as emotionally. Nurses are required to deal with a wide range of situations from the mundane and ordinary tasks of everyday medical offices, to the frightening and shocking events witnessed by those in emergency rooms. They therefore must possess a wide range of skills, of those pertaining to both educational as well as personality or character trait qualities. They must be prepared not only to handle life or death situations, but also synonymously be able to help others through the crisis. Nurses must therefore have well honed people skills, be able to experience and fully express empathy, and compassion, comfort a patient, and be able to deal with crisis situations while remaining calm. Nurses must also be patient, willing to continuously learn and well adapt to teaching others skills and methods of handling patients, or dealing with situations. A study in the “Journal of the American Medical Association” by Linda H. Aiken, PhD, RN, also sites that 40% of nurses experience burnout during their careers. Likewise it can also be noted that nurses must be well aware of the stresses of their positions, and well educated in how to deal and cope with these stresses.

Aside from personality or character traits, candidates for nursing also must possess a certain nursing prerequisites to be eligible for enrollment in nursing programs. While prerequisites for nursing programs may differ from school to school, those looking to be accepted into nursing programs in the United States must have a minimum of a high school diploma or GED. Average to above average marks in science and mathematical skills are also often required for acceptance to most programs. Those looking to be accepted into baccalaureate programs often require more courses than associated degree programs as well. While enrolled in post secondary programs for nursing, individuals will also cover subjects of study such as anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, medication administration, ethics, and nursing theory. Depending on the level or degree of specialization within the nursing field, one may also have to pursue several years of prior post secondary preparation courses in order qualify for the intended field.

The Pro’s

Programs such as online nursing classes provide huge perks for both students and professors alike. Schedule flexibility is one;  distance learning emphasizes an asynchronous method of learning, meaning two people do not have to be available at the same time to be able to interact with each other. Nursing students which couldn’t make it to the web cast that day can easily watch its recorded version or read the professor’s documentation about it later.

Another benefit would be transport issues. Due to the fact that lessons take place in the virtual world, students can just simply stay at home and learn without going to have to go to the college’s campus especially if it’s a state or two away. The students are also provided with easier access to information. Being online, a student can easily get research information on homework or coursework activities through wikis, blogs, e-books and forums. Online Nursing School Programs also provide the benefit of clinical activities when you’ve reached that part of the program. Usually the online institution will find a medical facility near your home where there they’ll send staff to teach and assist you on your clinical requirements.

The Con’s

Although the advantages mentioned above are quite enticing, there are those who remain skeptical with this kind of approach to learning especially with hands-on, in-the-field degrees like Nursing. One disadvantage of online nursing school programs would be the student’s interest. Many complain that they have a hard time comprehending such long and dry lectures made by professors with complementing documents which are just as dreary. Clarification usually takes time to be made unlike in the campus were professors are easily available for the student and can quickly provide an answer to any of the student’s inquiries about the topic.

Another disadvantage of online school nursing programs would be the student’s ability when it comes to the clinical requirements. Research made by the U.S. Department of Education show that although students of online nursing school programs tend to excel in lectures, on the field performance sometimes leave more to be desired.

In all of this, it really depends on the individual as to which method to utilize in order to obtain his Nursing Degree. If you believe that you’re a self starter and can work without easily being distracted, then you should enroll in an online nursing school program. Some schools who offer this kind of service are the Indiana State University, The College Network and Ashford University. Otherwise, stick to the traditional on-campus learning, the vast temptations on the internet might get in the way of your learning.

A licensed practical nurse (LPN) also known as a vocational nurse is what some may consider the entry level area of nursing. Any one considering a career as a LPN must have a general education diploma or have successfully completed high school. Training for a position as a licensed practical nurse can usually be obtained through a community college or a vocational school. With full time study most students are able to complete training within a year. After completing a practical nursing program students must complete and pass a state licensing exam. LPNs make a decent entry level salary starting anywhere from $35,000 annually for a year’s worth of training. Licensed practical nurses are trained to provide daily living maintenance to patients, dispense medication to patients, start IVs and in some medical facilities maintain medical paperwork.

For those individuals looking for higher pay and more professional responsibility seeking licensure as a registered nurse is the ideal. A registered nurse (R.N.) completes an associate of nursing degree (A.S.N.) at a local community college. With the full time study most A.S.N. programs can be completed in two years and this includes both classroom and clinical portions of the program. Nurses with a two year degree are eligible to take the NCLEX test which is the nursing certification test to obtain a license to work in their chosen state. Obtain passing the NCLEX a person is officially a registered nurse and has an unlimited amount of opportunities to work and any medical facility as a nurse. The pay for a registered nurse is higher than those of the practical nurse with starting salaries beginning as high as $50,000 a year depending on the employer. Registered nurses have the training to provide a vast amount of patient care and they can specialize in many different areas such as neonatal care, intensive care and medical surgical nursing to name just a few.

Registered nurses can further their education and receive a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (B.S.N). Many hospitals are willing to assist their registered nurses in furthering their education by offering tuition assistance and reimbursement. Likewise, there are many nursing programs that offer R.N. to B.S.N. programs to aid current nurses in obtaining their bachelors degree. For an R.N. bridging their education to a bachelor’s degree it can take anywhere from two to four years to finish the program depending on full time or part time study. For those without previous nursing experience a traditional B.S.N. program is four years in duration. A bachelor’s degree in nursing helps to expand on the clinical skills already obtained and then offers a core in nursing foundation such as the history of nursing and the application of nursing on a broader level such as in administration.

Finally, there are a number of advanced practice degrees that can be obtained by nurses with a four year degree. The Master’s of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) can be obtained in a variety of specialized fields such as nurse practitioner or nurse anesthetists. Advanced practice nurses are highly trained in their chosen areas and earn a much higher income because of the additional education and training. Most master’s degree programs can be completed in two years if attended full time.

Anyone considering nursing as a profession has a variety of pathways to beginning their nursing career.

The NCLEX is made and administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. It comes in two forms the NCLEX-PN for those seeking licensure as a practical or licensed vocation nurse and the NLCEX-RN for those seeking licensure as a registered nurse. This test is given and overseen by each state separately.

There is a cost associated with taking this exam and it is professionally monitored. If the exam is failed you have to wait a grace period of about 45-90 days before you can retest. Each state decides how many times an applicant can take the test after failing it. Moreover, the test is varied in composition mixing multiple choice with fill ins and rankings, and it is time limited. The exam is what is called CAT computer adaptive testing which allows the computer to choose the questions in a certain sequence based on the test taker’s previous answers. This provides an idea of the test taker’s knowledge of specific questions related to certain aspects of nursing. Because of the cost, time and significance of the NCLEX you should definitely prepare for this exam.

You would never want the many years of nursing school to go to waste all because you failed to pass the NCLEX so you should definitely prepare for this exam. There are nursing school programs that do devote time to reviewing for the NCLEX but given all that has to be covered within a nursing curriculum seeking an additional source to prepare for this test is vital. After graduating from nursing school it should be a priority to take this test as soon as possible since much of what you have learned is still fresh. Seek the support of NCLEX study groups; purchase the many NCLEX review materials and study, study, study. Review everything especially triage information and pharmacology because there is a good chance there will be questions related to these topics. This test will determine whether you will be able to work so it is in your best interest to prepare!

The NCLEX is one of the most important tests you will take as a nursing school graduate. Showing competence on this test by successfully passing it shows that you have truly taken the steps needed to become a qualified licensed nurse.

When choosing a nursing school it is important to make sure that your school is accredited and has a good record in preparing its students to become future nurses. Accreditation is very important when deciding upon any school for higher education. When a school is accredited by a particular organization, in this case a nursing organization, it means that certain qualifications and standards have been upheld when teaching nursing students.

There are two main nursing organizations that provide accreditation. They are the National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission (NLNAC) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing and Education (CCNE). It is important to only consider schools that are accredited by either or both of these nursing organizations. This will ensure that you will receive a quality nursing education. Similarly, when choosing a nursing program it is recommended that prospective students research the pass rates on the NCLEX which is the major test taken by nursing graduates to receive licensure to work as a nurse. The higher the NCLEX pass percentage for nursing graduates at a nursing school the more prepared the students were to take the test. This is a good sign that this school is preparing its students sufficiently to work as a nurse.

Convenience is also important when picking a nursing program. You should pick a school that is easily accessible and that provides convenient class hours and flexibility for your personal schedule. If you work full time and would like to pursue nursing school on a part time basis make sure that all schools you are considering offer evening and weekend classes and flexibility with clinical hours. Make sure that you are able to complete the nursing school program in the allotted amount of time stated by the nursing schools that you are considering. Most nursing schools mandate that the nursing curriculum be completed within a specified time usually no more than four or five years depending on the whether you are attending school full or part time.

Make sure that you can afford the nursing program that you choose. There are many quality nursing programs, some better than others, but it is always a good idea to balance a quality education with affordability. It is better to attend a good school that you can afford than a great school that is unaffordable and leaves you in a tremendous amount of debt or worse is so unaffordable that you have to halt your nursing education because of lack of financial aid. Apply for financial aid and choose a school that offers a quality nursing education at an affordable price.

Taking the time to consider a variety of different reasons why a nursing school may or may not be for you will ensure that you are ultimately satisfied with your nursing school choice.

You need to do some homework on the online school of your choice, and understand the nursing prerequisites .  It must be an accredited online school or it may not qualify you for the degree that you want.  Also, if it is not accredited you may not be eligible to take the state nursing board exam to get certified in the state you want to work in.  There are a number of online institutions offering online nursing degrees but verify their accreditation before you enroll and make any payments for classes.

Another good alternative  is that if you already have an associate’s degree and want to up grade to a bachelor’s degree and your place of employment offers tuition reimbursement then you can go to the human resources department and get a list of institutions that they will offer reimbursement for.  That way your choice can be made much more simply.  Just go through their list of online nursing degree schools and find the one that fits your needs the best.

If you already have a registered nursing degree you may want to pursue certification in nursing management.  One of the online nursing degrees offered by Excelsior College is a Nursing Graduate Certificate in Nursing Management.  This distance learning graduate level certificate consists of twelve graduate level credits with four required classes.  The rest can be taken as electives depending on what concentration in nursing management you want to pursue.  These classes are available only to those nurses who already hold a bachelor’s degree in nursing.  With this certificate you will be able to gain leadership roles or perhaps a position in executive management or even in nursing administration.

Once you have finished the program at Excelsior College registered nurses can take the necessary examinations to be certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (Nurse Executive Board Certificate) and the American Organization of Nursing Executives (Certified Nurse Manager and Leader or Certified in Executive Nursing Practice).  To achieve the necessary course work you can transfer credits from other accredited programs and universities; set your own schedule based on work and personal time constraints; and earn credits in your own home, at your own pace without regard to the normal academic calendar.

Getting online nursing degrees to improve your education and ability for moving up within your health organization is a great way to spend your spare time at your own pace.

One of the main responsibilities and goals of a public health nurse is the focus on prevention. In clinical settings such as hospitals the goal is to treat a condition and cure the condition if possible. Public health nurses do treat ailments, but their main objective is to prevent diseases and complications from occurring. Many work in organizations such as Planned Parenthood to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections through community outreach programs directed towards schools and high-risk populations. Public health nurses also participate on councils and assist in research projects to offer data and suggestions on improving access to healthcare for specific populations and communities with the goal of increasing awareness and improving the health and lifestyles of individuals in order to prevent the onset of disease and conditions.

The majority of public health nurses work for the local government, although many can be found working in clinics, schools, community centers and other establishments. Unlike nurses who work in hospitals, public health nurses typically work pretty conventional hours. In addition, many enjoy the flexibility to travel and the pace of a public health nursing job is typically different from the pace of a hospital. Salaries for public health nurses tend to be a bit lower than nurses in a clinical setting. However, those nurses who choose public health nursing find that there are other benefits such as government job perks or a conventional schedule that make up for the difference in clinical nursing salary. Furthermore, most public health nurses do possess a bachelor’s degree in nursing and at least a year or two of clinical nursing experience. Having these requirements provides a base upon which a public health nurse can utilize skills already applied in a clinical setting from previous employment and experience.

In all, choosing a career as community health nurse will provide an opportunity to utilize clinical skills to not only treat but prevent disease on a broad level.

Distance Learning

Distance or online learning is available for most degrees that are available in traditional educational facilities and nursing is no different. The college or university must be accredited with the US Department of Education or any of the 6 regional or 52 national bodies funded by this department – accreditation is the key word here!

The beauty of distance learning is that it allows many more students access to training and education that may not have been available to them normally. It also allows students to complete their courses in their time, so they may work and be educated at the same time, a very necessary evil in this day and age of economic strife. As long as an online teaching facility is accredited it is also allows for eligibility for the same scholarships and financial aid as students enrolled in traditional facilities.

The Online Nursing Degree

Just as the class-based nursing degree is a popular course, so too is the online course; if not more so. There has always been a shortage of nurses and this is still the case. Because distance education is so flexible, it has boosted the popularity of the nursing degree and made it more accessible. Students are able to learn through some of the best universities and colleges in the US regardless of their location.

Practical Application

Practical lab work needed to complete course modules can be undertaken in a local area, and so can other practical classes. The university or college will arrange for this on behalf of the student as it is important for student to be able to apply the theoretical knowledge they have acquired online. A licensed professional will be able to verify that the practical work was undertaken and this is not an obstacle to learning.

In the initial phases of an online education process, finding employment in the nursing field may be a little more difficult than with a traditional degree, but times are changing fast. Employers are seeing the benefit of employees taking online courses as they are still able to work and no leave of absence is required. Recent research also shows that hospitals and other employers are more eager to provide financial assistance to staff who undertake online degree courses in nursing, because of this fact.

Conclusion

Online nursing degrees are rapidly gaining more credibility in the eyes of more traditional institutions. It is vital not to support online scams in this important service industry, and this can be done by only attending an accredited nursing school. It is a simple matter to verify these credentials with the US Department of Education.

The demand for LPN’s does not only extend to clinical situations they are in huge demand in the normal workforce as technology advances, and this makes it definitely a career opportunity which is more diverse. Training as and LPN is also a good stepping stone to get started in nursing and advance a career into and RN or even BSN. In nursing there is no limit to how far a career can go.

Overview of KPA’s (Key Performance Areas)

The LPN, like all nurses, cares for the injured, ill, infirm, disabled or convalescent patient. By nature they are sympathetic care givers and they work under the direct supervision of an RN or physician. Depending on what is expected of them, they are trained to and may:

• Take health information from the patient
• Take vital signs (blood pressure, temperature, etc.)
• Prepare and administer injections
• Help patients with their personal hygiene needs
• Perform routine lab tests and take the samples for these
• Care for infants
• Educate patients and their family members about good health
• Supervise CNA’s (Certified Nursing Assistant) and aides

Tuition

Educational programs for LPN’s involve a year of study and this can be done online, at a vocational or technical/community college or a hospital. It is a more practical nursing program than  the RN program for example. Bear in mind that the program has to be certified and accredited by the State Board of Nursing, as this is the only way to obtain a license to practice. Graduates of the program must pass a National Council Licensure Examination, and each individual state in the US administers this examination.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees cost approximately $2 000 but this obviously varies from institution to institution and considering and online college, may save quite substantial amounts in tuition fees. Grants, financial aid and bursaries are available to help students complete these studies.

Future Work Prospects

LPN’s have very good future work prospects, presently they are in great demand and this demand is expect to grow by 14% in the next six years. Hospitals are obviously the first port of call when seeking work, however home health care services, and care facilities have great need of these nurses too. The Baby Boomer population is finally ageing and it is this which is expected to increase the demand for more nursing services. Advanced technology allows physicians to perform procedure in their rooms which were typically performed in hospitals decades ago and this make the LPN role vital in terms of post operative doctors’ room and home care.

In order to become a nurse practitioner or NP, the student has completed a minimum of a Masters Degree in advanced Nursing education and is trained to diagnose and manage common illnesses such as those in the elderly or pediatrics. They are able to manage chronic illnesses and provide a very wide range of health care services. Some of the care they provide is the same at that which is provided by a doctor, they work closely with physicians and can provide regular care to a patient.

It is necessary to have a RN qualification to become a NP, and this can be done through online courses, hospital based programs, community and other colleges and universities.

Patients in the care of the nurse practitioner are from all age groups and the core philosophy of this nurse is based in individual care. They can care for patients illnesses as well as the effects this illness has on the family of the patient. Below are the “Key Performance Areas” or KPA’s:

Key Performance Areas (KPA’s)

Preventative health care as well as education for wellness are priority as this means fewer doctors visits, prescriptions and expensive treatment is required. This nurse encourages patients to get involved in their own care and helps them to understand what to expect. They are often actively involved in patient advocacy. This is a state regulated profession, and because of this key performance areas are varied. These include but are not limited to:

• Collaboration with physicians and other health care personnel and providing patient referrals.
• Education and counseling of patients and their immediate families or care giver.
• Diagnosis and treatment of injuries, infections, and acute illness
• Diagnosis and treatment of chronic illness as well as management of these conditions. This included heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and others.
• Physical examination and collection of medical history
• Ordering, administering and interpretation of the results of diagnostic studies, including but not limited to blood tests, X-Rays, and EKG’s
• The prescription of medication
• Referrals for rehabilitation treatment and physical therapy
• Family planning and pre natal care
• Well baby and child care including immunization and screening
• Annual physical examinations and health maintenance for adults

Careers

They practice in all states, and in all types of institutions, including private practice. Careers for the Nurse practitioner are available in all fields including community health, HMO’s, health departments, home care, hospitals, clinics, hospice, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, nursing schools, physicians offices, occupation health and industry, travel, schools, VA, and other Government departments, free and walk-in clinics. In most instances a nurse practitioner specializes in one area of health care, and there are as many NP specialties as there are medical.

Conclusion

Because of the far reaching possibilities of the Nurse Practitioner profession, a high quality, individual and very cost effective health care scenario is the end result of the provision of their services. Insurance providers cover the cost of this type of care in most instances as it is less expensive than always consulting with a physician. And you know how health insurance companies are about cost!