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.

Online nursing classes are offered by Chamberlain College of Nursing, Kaplan University, Saint Xavier University, and Loyola University. These four colleges comprise the top four online colleges in the nation for providing nursing school education in the United States. There is a current shortage of registered nurses so you may want to start out by getting an entry-level nursing degree. There are three different types of entry-level nursing degrees, and each one is offered by a different nursing school. There is the 4-year BSN, 2-year Associate Degree, and diploma. They are listed in order from highest demand to lowest in priority, and having the one at the top of the list can ensure you the highest job placement.You can also consider one of the various accelerated nursing degree programs.

A BSN is required for many jobs, and you can certify this by looking in your local newspaper. This is the primary entry point for professional nursing practice in the United States. The 2-year Associate Degree, on the other hand, concentrates more technical skills than theory, and this will allow students to earn money more quickly than they could otherwise. This is the entry-level nursing program for technical nursing practice. The diploma was the more common entry-level nursing program prior to the 1970s, and there were hundreds of diploma schools in existence at that time. There are now less than 100 such schools because demand has gone down sharply. A nursing diploma can prepare students for work in a hospital or other inpatient facility. Depending on whether you have certain career aspirations or not, this can seem limiting to you.

Different types of nursing school programs take place in different settings. The diploma is usually a 3-year program, the associates degree is usually a 2-year program, and the Bachelor of Science is usually a 4-5 year program. The diploma is oftentimes located in a hospital that often works with a community college. An associate’s degree is usually located in a community college, and a Bachelor of Science (BSN) is usually located in a college or university.

Choosing an entry-level nursing program is a very personal choice, and it can take some time to make up your mind. It is often best to simply look through the job listings before applying for a nursing school program so that you can take part in a nursing program that is more amenable to your needs as a job seeker.

Nursing school programs are nothing without the jobs that will follow them so make your decision about applying for a nursing school program based on the job that you expect to get. Otherwise, you might have a degree that gives you a sub-par job. Or, you might get a job that you might not have a good chance of being successful in.

The job involves a lot of serious responsibilities and you really need to be well trained to meet all the necessary criteria and help people get better treatment. At the same time, there are myths about the difficulty of nurse training. It is definitely worth asking the question: how hard is nursing school really?

You have to get good literacy and numeracy skills in order to do well in nursing school. You have to be able to do basic math problems. This is a major concern for a lot of people, but the reality is that the prerequisites for nursing are not particularly hard. Moreover, you will get additional support from teachers and tutors if you have difficulties in this area of study.

Generally, apart from the good literacy skills, it helps if you are a fast learner. You will have to take serious science subjects that need a good level of understanding of chemistry and biology. The good news is that you will not get overly involved in these disciplines as part of your training. In addition, you will have to do plenty of exercises and preliminary tests as part of the course in order to get prepared for any exam so you will certainly learn your lessons. As long as you did well in high school and are determined to study seriously, you will find the nurse training not difficult.

How hard is nursing school in terms of training and study hours? In order to become a nurse you will need to learn a lot of things, but more importantly you will need to practice. The standard classes are not a lot, but they are sufficiently many to make your life a bit harder. There are practicum classes as well. These are much like unpaid internships. You will get to put the skills you have acquired into practice. These practice hours will also make your schedule busier. The good thing is that you can rely on some flexibility when you need it. All teachers are aware of the fact that the people on the course have a job that they go to and in most cases children to raise. In turn, they are quite understanding and helpful when you have hard time juggling with everything.

Overall, how hard is nursing school? It is not hard. You will do great as long as you are committed to studying and improving your skills. The training process will not be easy, but your efforts will certainly pay off eventually. The important thing is that you will receive the understanding and support you need as well as some flexibility when necessary. The teachers are certainly willing to aid you through the process. More importantly, given the specifics of the training the students get to form very string bonds between each other from the start. This means that you will receive even more help with studying and great support in general.

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.

Before spending the time and effort in applying to nursing school, make a quick self-assessment by asking yourself the following questions.  Do I have the temperament and desire to work long shifts and do the dirty work in hospitals, nursing homes, or doctors’ offices?  Do I have a desire to make a difference in people’s quality of life?  Does beginning a new career in health care sound like a good idea for me at this stage of my life?  If you can answer, “yes” to any of these questions, then applying to nursing school is a good idea.

Once you have made the decision to go into nursing, you will need to decide what kind of specialty you want to pursue, as well as the type of degree program that best suits your lifestyle.  Do you want to go the traditional bachelor’s degree route at an accredited school with an accredited nursing program?  Alternatively, would you rather attend a vocational nursing school?  The decision you make will have a factor in what you will need for the initial application.  Most schools will ask for at least three recommendations or references from either prior professors or employers.  However, your performance on the job, extracurricular activities, or even your grades will not assure that you will be accepted into the school of your choice.  A program selection committee will also review and probably contact your references, order a background check, consider your application essay, and schedule an interview.

Applying to a nursing school of higher education is a practical idea if you want to continue your education throughout your career.  Many times your employer will offer tuition reimbursement for you to broaden your skill base and increase your value to the organization.  Many nurses holding bachelor’s degrees go onto earn a graduate degree.  It is no longer uncommon for a nurse to eventually earn a PhD. in their area of specialization.

In addition to learning chemistry and anatomy, nursing school students are required to both understand and promote health and wellness to their patients.  They offer advice to their patients on topics such as immunizations, health screening, and the prevention and spread of disease.  Nursing students are also taught to be aware of how the environment and socio-economic levels contribute to disease factors.  Understanding the psychology of poverty, along with how cultural behavior and values affect the patient’s point of view of disease is a necessity to delivering quality health care.

As the number of complex health issues being handled outside of the traditional hospital setting increases, the need and demand for well-trained nursing workforce is also increasing, so much so that health care facilities are finding themselves short staffed.  Simply put – the demand for licensed nurses in the workplace far out numbers the actual number of available personnel. Therefore, consider applying to nursing school now! Statistic show that within four years – about the time you will be graduating, that you will most likely find that more than one employer will be bidding for your services, and you may even end up with a signing bonus.  You should expect your first year’s base starting salary to be over $40,000, and within five years, your salary should be in the $50,000 range.

Online nursing degree students pay the same tuition as on-campus students; online course credits are structured no differently than the same course taken in a classroom.  Whether a student chooses to take online nursing classes or in combination with on-campus study, their diploma, certificate, or transcript will bear no distinction from that of a traditional Duquesne on-campus student.  However, students are required to visit the campus once a year for a period of one week, which is usually the week prior to Thanksgiving.

Duquesne’s graduate distance learning allows students to complete their education with the flexibility that not all nursing schools offer, because virtually no on-campus classroom attendance is necessary.  The only prerequisites for nursing courses online are basic computer skills including:

• Send and receive email
• Attach, send and open documents from email or Internet sites
• Participate in online chats
• Research topics using the Web resources
• Use Internet library databases

How does it work?  Students complete all coursework, including nursing prerequisites courses online.  Course instructors use special Internet-based software for instruction, as well as post their lectures and reading assignments online.  Student participate in the virtual classroom by using several formats including contributing to an online thread or message board, online chats, live virtual classroom meetings, and phone conference calls with other students and their instructor.  The educational platform that Duquesne uses is the popular, Blackboard, a Course Management System (CMS) used widely among universities.  In addition to learning, students can access their grades, course calendar, course descriptions, transcripts, student loan, or tuition status.  Information about their instructor is also posted online, such as their educational background, areas of expertise, areas of research, other classes taught, office hours and location, phone contact, and email.

The online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) currently offers three areas of specialization – Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Forensic Nursing, and Nursing Education.  Prior to beginning core course work and clinical requirements, students must complete 21 credits of FNP nursing prerequisites courses online.  The maximum allotted time to finish the MSN program is six years.  The MSN student pursuing a career in Nursing Education must complete 14 credits in nursing education in addition to coursework required by the MSN program including clinical core courses.
All applicants into the MSN program must have fulfilled the following nursing prerequisites prior to admissions:

Undergraduate statistics course or equivalent

Undergraduate physical assessment course required for the Family Nurse Practitioner and Nursing Education programs

Computer literacy (including the ability to send and download attachments) or completed courses in word processing, spreadsheet, database management and presentation graphics

Duquesne also offers two online doctorate degrees -  a PhD, which focuses on research, and a DNP, which has a clinical focus.  The student on the PhD track must complete the following nursing prerequisites courses online or on-campus:

Graduate course in Statistics (6 credits) -

Graduate course in Nursing Theory (3 credits)

Graduate course in Nursing Research Methods (3 credits)

Computer literacy or completed courses in word processing, spreadsheet, database management, and presentation graphics

The DNP track requires that applicants have completed only two nursing prerequisite courses online or on-campus prior to admission – either an undergraduate or graduate course in Statistics (3 credits) and a graduate course in Nursing Research Methods (3 credits).

Like many other people today, you may be looking to change jobs because of poor pay and lack of advancement potential. There are plenty of folks who are tired of being underpaid and under-appreciated. Minimum wage jobs can not help you support a growing family and with the economy faltering it is harder to make ends touch.

As a registered nurse you will be set to work in any state that you wish. Finding employment will not be a problem for you any more. Employers will be begging you to come and work for them. Your advancement possibilities are numerous and the sky is truly the limit.

In fact, there is a chronic, worldwide shortage of qualified nurses (you can read here about the reasons for the nursing shortage).

online nursing programs may just be the opportunity you have been searching for. You can take the courses when you want to and do so at home. Hard working adults now have many more convenient options for furthering their education. You can make the most of this opportunity by enrolling in one of the registered nursing schools that will provide you with a lifetime career.

The excuses you have used in the past are no longer valid. With online registered nursing schools you are free to set your own schedule. You don’t have to commute and you can set your own pace for study and tests. And of course, the costs can be significantly lower. At the very least, you avoid the expenses associated with travel, parking, etc. And the reality is, the tuition costs for online classes will almost always be significantly lower than that for a campus nursing school program.

One thing to keep in mind is accreditation. There are many online programs and courses that my offer some good educational value, but aren’t accredited. Without valid accreditation, you may not be able to pass or even take your licensing certification exam, or able to work in many nursing jobs.

There are two national organizations that accredit nursing education programs. The NLNAC, or National League of Nursing Accrediting Commission provides accreditation covering accredits all types of nursing education programs including master’s programs (MSN), baccalaureate degrees (BSN), associate’s and diploma. The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education or CCNE accredits programs that offer only master’s and baccalaureate level nursing degrees.

There are many fully accredited RN online nursing programs that offer flexible on-line courses. You can also apply for financial aid assistance. These schools will even provide you with tutors and additional instruction as needed. You will find that there is a great deal of help and support in the online school setting.

You do not have to select the traditional campus programs and the length of time that nursing school programs require can vary. Today you can choose from a 4 year, 2 year or 1 year program and become an RN or an LPN. With the flexible scheduling at some of the technical schools and online programs, such as online LPN nursing classes,  you can even take longer periods of time to complete your actual program requirements.

In the past when someone enrolled in many of the nursing school programs the course schedules were very inflexible and you had few options. Today you can take your nursing prerequisites like science, English and math at times that are convenient for you. There is not any pressure to get these completed by any set date that is up to you to decide. With online nursing programs you can have flexibility in scheduling many of your classes so they will not interfere with your current job or family responsibilities.

Some of the traditional 4 year nursing school programs will hold great appeal for high school students in particular. Others will greatly prefer the options and flexibility that is offered by online and 2 year nursing school programs. You can find out information on all of the programs that are being offered in your area and reach the decision that is best for you.

The bottom line is this: If you have the desire to become a nurse, there are nursing school programs that will meet your needs, classes that can be taken either at local campuses or online, and a myriad of resources to help you pay your way. Don’t let scheduling, distance, or cost dissuade you from pursuing your dreams. Health care is one of the best fields you can enter, and as a nurse, you’ll have lifelong job security, financial freedom, and the satisfaction of knowing your are doing something positive in the world!