Online Bachelors Degree in Nursing
Is a Nursing Degree for You?
A bachelor's degree in nursing varies according to the focus of your chosen healthcare field. In general, most nursing degree programs are associated with positions in the areas of registered nursing, licensed practical nursing, general healthcare, and pharmaceutical practices. When choosing a nursing degree and the online nursing school to pursue that degree, it is best to determine the area of nursing in which you are most passionate. A bachelor's degree in nursing generally focuses on the level of nursing you wish to pursue, along with a specialized area of study to help you in attaining your individualized nursing career. Some specialized areas of nursing study include (but are not limited to) adult practice, cardiology, cardiovascular, clinical nursing, critical care, emergency/trauma, general medicine, family practice, oncology, hospice, employee health, labor and delivery, neonatal, women's health, occupational medicine, pediatrics, and radiology. Individuals who choose to enter a bachelor's degree program in nursing are generally people who enjoy assisting and helping others. In order to succeed as a nursing student and eventually a nurse one must be very people oriented, enjoying the presence of others frequently and feeling comfortable communicating with others at a personal level. If you find personal satisfaction in having a direct positive effect upon another's life than nursing may be the degree option for you. Nursing students must also have strong scientific and mathematical competencies in order to thrive in a nursing degree program.
Advice for Earning Your Nursing Degree Online
Students who have obtained a bachelor's degree in nursing who wish to become registered nurses must complete the NCLEX-RN exam. Successful completion of this exam along with a bachelor's degree in nursing distinguishes an individual as a register nurse (RN). An individual who holds a bachelor's degree in nursing is regarded highly in the professional world. Because such programs involve a rigorous study of math and science, employers from all professional realms seek nursing degree holders as their employees. Students who have successfully completed a degree in nursing have many character attributes that are desirable in the job market. Nursing graduates are critical thinkers who know how to quickly and effectively solve problems. They work well in stressful situations and are attuned to the needs of every individual around them. For this reason nursing students make excellent employees and are widely sought after.
Required Courses
The courses an individual would take within a nursing degree will vary among institutions. While the specific institution and degree specification largely determines the classes a nursing student will take, all nursing students will be expected to complete math and science courses. Students entering a bachelor's degree program in nursing can expect to take anatomy, biology, chemistry, physiology, nutrition, statistics, and calculus. Students will also be expected to complete a certain number of hours working directly in a clinic or nursing environment before they graduate.
Common Career Paths
Completing a bachelor's degree in nursing (and passing the nursing exam as mentioned above) qualifies you for career in many different fields of medicine and medical environments. While the public generally associates nurses with hospitals and doctor's offices, students with bachelor's degrees in nursing may also work in nursing care facilities, clinics, patients' homes, schools, and various community centers. The type of work environment is normally related to the chosen specialization. For example, home health care nurses administer at-home care for patients recovering from surgery or accidents and critical care nurses work in intensive care units in hospitals. An individual with a bachelor's degree in nursing can become a nurse who delivers babies, an emergency room nurse, a physician's assistant, a cardiology nurse, a school nurse, or a retirement home nurse. The number of available nursing jobs is increasing with a need to replace experienced nurses leaving the industry. It is projected that registered nurses will account for the second largest number of all new job occupations.
Starting Salary: $45,800
Mid-Career Salary: $61,600
Learn More About a Career in Nursing
