Nursing is a great career which practically guarantees a future job security. Why? Because the Baby Boomers are retiring in droves. There just are not enough nurses and health care professionals to take care of them.
So how do you become a nurse. especially if you are working at a day job to make ends meet? Colleges are not cheap and there might not even be one where you live.
There is an interesting solution to such predicament. Ever increasing numbers of prospective nurses are paying attention to – On-Line Education.
There are quite a few reputable companies out there that will make you the proud owner of a nursing diploma if you have a computer, a good online connection and the discipline to study hard on your own, without the comfort of a regular classroom. Here is a survey of such on-line opportunities.
The on-line giant University of Phoenix, in business since 1989, is probably one the better known of such programs. The nationally accredited university catered to 3,377 students in 2005. For the convenience of bringing a nursing education to your living room, UofP charges an average of $485 per credit hour. UofP grants Bachelor of Arts degrees in health administration and nursing, as well as master’s degrees in healthcare management, nursing, and healthcare education. The on-line Phoenix even offers a doctoral degree in healthcare administration. The on-line classes are limited to a maximum of 20 students with technical help available for 24 hours.
A recent U.S. News & World Report study listed these other schools offering undergraduate and graduate nursing and RN programs on-line:
Regis University (CO) (513 on-line nursing students in 2005, $378 per credit hour); SUNY-Stony Brook (358 students, $181-$442 per credit hour); California State Univ-Dominguez Hills (341 students, $170-$339 per credit hour); Excelsior College (NY) (287 students, $365 per credit hour); East Carolina University (NC) (358 students, $181-$442 per credit hour); Ball State University (IN) (245 students, $212-$364 per credit hour); St. Louis University (199 students, $800 per credit hour); Drezel University (PA) (1828 students, $800 per credit hour); University of Southern Indiana (180 students, $216-$427 per credit hour).
Indiana Wesleyan University also offers on-line Nursing degrees (BSN and RN).
Check out these web sites for more information on the nursing degree programs offered by many reputable on-line educational institutions out there: http://distancelearn.about.com; [http://www.online-degree-search.net;] http://www.guidetoonlineschools.com
