Online Nursing Degree Programs

According to a recent U.S. News and World Report article, the healthcare field will offer some of the best opportunities for employment in 2010. Because of the rise in the median age of the U.S. population, registered nurses, x-ray and lab technicians and physical therapists (among other nursing-related occupations) are in great demand. And online nursing degree programs are an excellent and convenient way to become part of this lucrative and growing field.

Online degree programs offer stay-at-home or working people the opportunity to advance their education and work toward a nursing degree and do so at hours that are convenient for them, as well as the chance to study at home or wherever they have a computer and an internet connection. Students can study at their own pace, return to material they need to study further or skip ahead over material they already know. In addition, online classes are often less expensive than traditional in-university classes.

Despite the non-traditional approach to education, online nursing degree programs are the equivalent of university and college degree programs. While students may not be able to directly and immediately ask questions of their instructors, they can still communicate with them via email or online chats and often get one-on-one answers to their questions rather than having to compete for an instructor's attention. You should note, however, that some online nursing degree programs do require you to spend some time on a local participating campus, but often no more than a few days or a couple of weeks.

So how do online nursing programs work? The method may vary slightly, but generally online classes are hosted on a website where the instructor in the particular class posts the lecture, necessary material and assignments. Often, there is usually a bulletin board where students can ask questions and post comments for clarification. If the site includes a chat feature, the instructor will usually schedule it for normal class hours, but other than those restricted times, student can log in and work whenever it is convenient. And like regular classes, you still have to turn in your assignments on time. The instructor will set the deadline and students simply email the work. In the case of testing, some instructors may opt for a written assignment rather than an examination, or you may be instructed to go to a local institution where the test will be taken under the watch of an exam proctor.