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An Introduction to the RN to BSN

Nursing has long been an incredibly influential aspect of the field of healthcare. Professionals in this field can care for people that have a wide variety of health-related issues in hospitals, clinics, or even in their very own home. For many years, nurses could obtain their nursing license by completing an Associate's degree in Nursing and a supervised clinical experience. In recent years, the educational expectations for upcoming nurses has changed.

Outline of the Degree Program

If a degree transition sounds like the solution you need in order to pursue better paying careers in the field, you should take a look at some of the online programs that are currently being offered to people just like you. The application process for these degree programs often requires you to submit proof of your associates degree, nursing license, and any transcripts and GPA information from your previous universities.

Once you have been accepted into the program, you can enroll in classes and begin your experience towards better opportunity. While in the RN to BSN program, you can take classes that focus on advanced topics in the field of nursing. Some of the courses in this program may focus on some of the technological advancements that are current within the field, as well as any changes to ethics or practice that may have occurred since you were last enrolled in nursing programs. Since most RN to BSN programs online require you to have at least 2 years of nursing experience in the field, the majority of your program will be online classes that can help expand your understanding of the field of nursing as a whole.

Another interesting part of RN to BSN programs online is that they may include some information from fields that have been influential to or influenced by the field of nursing. For instance, in recent years, the IT field has made an impact on healthcare and nursing alike. Emerging specialized fields such as nursing informatics have provided even more career expansion for nurses interested in spreading their expertise to other sectors of their organization. Information pertaining to computer information systems, employee training, and even management may be included within these transitional programs. If you would like to see some of the most popular specialized nursing fields available to obtain through completion of this degree program, take a look through the list below.

• Medical-Surgical Nursing
• Orthopaedic Nursing
• Gerontological Nursing
• Oncology Nursing
• Sports Nursing
• Rehabilitative Nursing

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Learning in the Online Setting

Online degree programs have become a popular piece of educational culture in the United States. This country has long been seeking ways to increase convenience in nearly every aspect of life, including higher education. RN to BSN programs online can help you learn the skills needed to help advance your career without having to commit to long drives, student housing, or the loss of a profitable job that supports you and your family. While you are in these online programs, you can have the opportunity to engage in self-learning, self-discipline, and time schedules that work around your daily goals and responsibilities.

Online courses within this program can be accessed from your university's website. Once you have logged into your first course, you can see your course outline which can provide you with forward information about what to expect in the course. Most instructors in online courses provide you with due dates at the very beginning of your course, which can allow you to begin planning from day one. Students taking more than one class at a time can take advantage of this constant access to courses and maintain up to date on each course's requirements.

RN to BSN programs online may consist of courses that require students to engage in online discussions, research papers, and even examinations. Each of these requirements has a specific tool in the online classroom, which can allow students to easily complete their assignments without the use of paper of pencil. Online courses may also have helpful email tools so that students can easily access their instructors when they are in need of guidance.

Example Courses

The online RN to BSN program can be a great way for current nurses to transition to the minimum licensure requirements without any delay of their current employment. These convenient online programs were developed in a way that complements current employment and can easily be included into a busy nursing schedule. The courses that you can take during this program can help expand your knowledge of nursing practice, assessments, and techniques so that you can provide the best quality of care to those that you serve.

Reading down below this section, you can see some example courses provided by our educational experts. These courses can be found in online RN to BSN programs all over the country and can help to strengthen your abilities as a BSN holder. Each course in this program can focus on different specialized areas regarding patient care, technology, and nursing policy. As you browse through the sample courses below, you should conside how your experience in the field of nursing can contribute to your learning in this program.

Advanced Nursing Practice

Nurses interested in progressing through higher level degree programs can take courses such as Advanced Nursing Practice to help transform their understanding of practice in the field. This course can provide an overview of new techniques, communication methods, and evidence based practice for use in the field. This course can be exceptionally useful for associates level nurses that are returning to college after many years in the field.

Information Systems in Healthcare

The healthcare field, including the field of nursing, has been highly improved from the use of information systems. This course can serve as an introductory course for students interested in learning more about the systems and technologies current in the field of nursing. Students that choose to pursue a specialty in nursing informatics may also take this course as a platform for more advanced learning in this area of nursing.

Advanced Health Assessments

Bachelors level nursing professionals can gain access to more advanced methods of assessment through online RN to BSN programs. This course can help you learn more about advanced assessments, how to perform them, and how to analyze their results. Students interested in pursuing masters level education in the future may also benefit from learning in this course.

Career Opportunities with this Degree

One interesting fact about becoming a BSN holder is that you can pursue nursing positions in a wide variety of specialized fields. As you can see in the list below, there can be a multitude of potential career opportunities for you to choose from that can help you meet your goal of helping those in need. In each of these positions, professional nurses can have achieve earnings that may be representative of their experience and education. The area you live and the amount of work experience you have in the field can be factors that influence how much you can make during your time in the field. Before reviewing the average salary information for nursing professionals, take a look at a few popular nursing positions current available.

• Geriatric Nursing: Online RN to BSN programs can prepare you to work with a wide variety of clients in the field. A popular field that you could gain access through by having this degree is geriatric nursing. In this area, you can work primarily with clients in the aging population who may be managing health-related symptoms of growing older.
• Emergency Care Nursing: As a bachelors level nurse, you could also obtain positions in the emergency care centers of your local hospitals and healthcare facilities. Nursing in this sector may require you to manage different tasks quickly, as well as make fast decisions when people are in need.
• Pediatric Nursing: Some BSN holders have a desire to exercise their skills with the pediatric population. Nurses in this field can work with infants and children in need of specialized or general healthcare. If you work in this field, you can find positions in local healthcare facilities, hospitals or even specialized pediatric offices.

Now that you have seen a few of the popular specializations, you might be interested in learning more about how much you can earn from your nursing career. Our team has drawn information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics in order to help you see real salary averages for professionals holding your same level of degree. Each of these in the list below can be options for you to consider in healthcare and medical facilities nearby. Read through the information provided below to get a grasp on what to expect in terms of career opportunities and earnings in the field.

• Registered Nurses: $70,000 on average per year (BLS).
• Medical and Health Service Manager: $98,350 on average per year (BLS).
• Healthcare Social Worker: $54,870 on average per year (BLS).

Professional Organizations to Know

Professional organizations are currently a part of many different career disciplines in the United States. People in various careers join together to share experiences, knowledge, and new information that can help others promote success in their fields. In the field of nursing, there are numerous professional organizations available for you to consider. Some of the benefits of these organizations include advocacy, peer support, and even having access to job openings in your field all over the country.

Our team of experts recommends that you consider joining one or more of these excellent organizations in order to maximize your expertise in the field of nursing. Meeting others in your field and learning new skills as they are presented can be a great way to find better opportunity as your advance in your career. Take a look at some of the most prominent professional nursing organizations available in the U.S.

The American Nurses Association

Professionals organizations in nursing can be found in large numbers through an online search. Probably one of the most popular options for you to consider is the American Nurses Association. This agency could be a good choice for nursing students and professionals that are interested in general knowledge and research in their field, as well as access to new changes and networking opportunities on a regular basis. Yearly meetings and group communication programs are also a helpful aspect in this agency.

The Emergency Nurses Association

The Emergency Nurses Association is a great example of specialized nursing organizations for you to join once working in the field. This organization can be a helpful resource for nurses that are interested in or are currently a part of emergency nursing positions in the field. Relevant work advice, policies, and publications can be found through membership of this group, which can transform your understanding of your career in the field.

The American Academy of Nursing

In order for professional fields to continue growing and improving, professionals should come together to share what they know and petition for constant positive change. Once you are enrolled in a degree program or are working in the field, professional organizations such as the American Academy of Nursing can be a great place to be a part of. This agency can allow you to share your ideas, learn from others, and be an advocate for improvement in nursing practice.

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An Introduction to the Doctorate of Nursing

There are many degree levels for professionals in the field of nursing. Many of the current popular degree programs may focus on providing students with the practical knowledge required to help patients in a clinical setting, while other degree levels may focus on providing improvements to the field of nursing as a whole. If you are a current nursing professional that is seeking a methods to help advance your career to higher levels, the online Doctorate of Nursing could be a great option for you to pursue.

The Doctorate of Nursing online is a degree program that can teach you more about the field of nursing, leadership, and financial management of healthcare organizations all over the country. Since a majority of these programs require that applicants have 2-5 years of professional experience as a licensed nurse, most students entering into this program are well aware of the practical components of nursing in the field. The goal of this program is to advance your understanding to higher levels, such as those that manage large teams of nurses or those that are interested in research to continually change the field as a whole.

Outline of the Degree Program

If you have made the decision to move forward into Doctorate of Nursing online programs, you should prepare yourself for a different type of training than you may have seen in undergraduate and even masters degree programs. At the doctoral level, you can pursue 1 of 2 paths - the Ph.D. or the Doctorate of Nursing. The Ph.D. path can provide you with skills relevant to nursing research and field improvement. A Doctorate of Nursing can assist you in learning more about what leadership may look like in the field of nursing as well as a deeper look into the ethics and federal regulations present in nursing overall.

The courses that can be enrolled in during these programs can provide you with skills that can assist you with managing teams of nurses, developing training programs to help improve the quality of service, and partnerships with other sectors of healthcare for a strong bonded facility. Some other topics such as personnel communication, the hiring process, and budgeting may also be covered in courses throughout this program. If your goal is obtain higher tier positions in the field of nursing, advanced degree programs such as this one could be a supporting resource along the way. Many positions in the field that are open for application may require that applicants have experience in the field of nursing, as well as advanced education pertaining to the management of nursing divisions in healthcare organizations.

Specialization Options to Consider

Like its parent healthcare field, the field of nursing can be an extremely diverse place to find a career. Nursing plays a role in nearly every aspect of healthcare, especially in practice and education. Current nurses seeking doctoral level degree programs to promote their career can choose a specialization that can lead them to new places after graduation. Our team has provided a list of a few of the most common specializations below for you to review.

Healthcare Administration

Nursing professionals can learn more about healthcare organizations as they gain experience in the field. Current nurses that are considering Doctorate in Nursing programs can choose specializations that can highlight their expertise of the healthcare field and help them to obtain better positions in their current medical facility. Healthcare Administration is a degree specialization that can include common concepts about healthcare finance and management that can teach you how to make effective decisions for the organization that you work for.

Population Health

While some upcoming students choose to focus on leadership or training, there are specialization options for upcoming doctorate professionals interested in increasing the quality of care within healthcare facilities. This specialization could be a great option for nurses that are seeking positions in research or treatment development.

Education

In order for the trend towards better healthcare to continue, educated and experience nursing educators must be present to train the next generation of nurses. This degree specialization can help you learn teaching techniques, regulations and requirements of nurse educators, and allow you to explore new and upcoming topics for new nurses to be taught. If you have experience in the field and a desire to teach others what you know, this could be a great addition to your degree program.

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Learning in the Online Setting

Over the years, upcoming graduate students have been on the search for programs that could easily fit into their already busy schedules. Technology has influenced education in a way that can provide you with options for your education that may be more convenient than those offered in the traditional environment. Online Doctorate of Nursing programs can be found at universities all over the country and can provide you with a high quality educational experience to help advance your career in 2-4 years for most students.

While engaging in your courses during this program, you may find that online courses mirror what you can find in the traditional environment. This is because online programs are created to replicate your experience in a real-world classroom. These online programs are also subjected to all of the same accreditation requirements, making them reliable resources for your education. Online classes can be attended from any location that you choose, as long as internet accessibility is a factor in your choice.

Online classes may consist of opportunities for research, scenarios that require you to critically analyze situational issues, and even examinations that can test your knowledge of the material presented. All of your assignments can be completed via the online classroom and attendance can be at your convenience. Most online courses require you to log in at least 1-2 times per week, meaning you can fit your studies into a schedule that works best for you. The online degree experience can be an excellent option for busy professionals with the desire to do great things in their career.

Example Courses

As you transition into online Doctorate in Nursing degree programs, you should expect to take part in courses meant to expand your understanding of the field as a whole. Some specialized programs may focus on the practical aspect of nursing and how they can be improved, while other programs allow you to relate the healthcare field and its policies to nursing specifically. The courses that you take within each program can vary, while some topics remain intact regardless of which program you are in. In order to help you see the general trend of these online programs, our team has pulled information from current doctoral programs offered in the U.S.

Each program may have diverse course offerings that meet the same standard for education institutions in this field. Variables such as majors and concentrations can play a role in the type of courses that your program offers. The courses below represent what you may find at various universities, as well as the information that is intended for you to learn. Read through each of these courses in order to get a better understanding of what you might learn during this program.

Advanced Scientific Perspectives in Nursing

Nursing is part of the changing field of healthcare. With that knowledge, students can learn to continuously explore new ideas, question what is known, and compare theoretical foundations in order to develop more effective methods of practice. This course can introduce students to some of the most well-known theories in nursing, as well as provide students with the opportunity to develop their own ideas during the process.

Healthcare Technology

The field of nursing has been influenced over the years by the use of technology. As computer systems, new treatment devices, and better communication methods arise, nurses in the field should be prepared to work with and manage these systems on a daily basis. In this course, students can explore some of the current technologies in order to effectively utilize them in the field. Also, this course can prepare learners for implementing new technologies in the future.

Nursing Leadership for Quality Improvement

Potentially one of the most critical components of doctoral level nursing is leadership that leads to better quality in the field. This course can allow students to explore some of the current policies surrounding nursing practice, case studies that can enhance student learning, and methods for success in nursing leadership. Students interested in pursuing management level positions in the field could benefit from the skills taught in this course.

Career Opportunities with this Degree

As you can see when looking through potential specializations in the field, there are many directions that you can choose to move in when choosing your degree path. A majority of the specializations for the online Doctorate in Nursing either focus on leadership, research, or education. If you have a strong desire to be an influence in any of these fields, you should take a look at the career opportunities available for each sector of nursing.

Your training and your demand in the field can play a role in your earnings and career availability along the way. In order to help you make the best decision for your program, our team of educational experts has organized a list of common careers for those that have achieved their online Doctorate in Nursing. Each of the positions below can play a role in the accurate application of nursing practice within society, as well as the quality of nursing as a whole. See if any of these positions match what you expect to do and make while working in the field.

• Medical and Health Service Manager: $98,350 on average per year (BLS).
• Medical Scientist: $82,090 on average per year (BLS).
• Nursing Instructors and Teachers: $77,360 on average per year (BLS).

Professional Organizations to Know

Being a professional in the field of nursing can be a great experience regardless of which type of position you choose. The online Doctorate in Nursing can prepare you to work as a leader among other nurses in the field or perhaps even a lead researcher that provides new ideas to help improve the field as a whole. In order to efficiently support your experience as a graduated professional, you should consider becoming a member of professional organizations in the field, or even learning more about what each organization can offer.

The list below contains some of the most well-known organizations in the field of nursing. Some of these agencies can provide you with research to review, new ideas, and even new regulations as they release. Others can provide you with more information about accreditation and high-quality degree programs – which is helpful for upcoming students that are not yet enrolled in their desire program. Take a look through these organizations in order to familiarize yourself with what each can offer.

The American Nurses Association

Professionals that have met all of the educational and training requirements for nursing, as well as students of nursing programs can join the American Nurses Association to help jump-start their careers. This organization permits membership to professionals and students interested in learning more about the field of nursing and sharing new information about the field as it is released. As a professional in the field of nursing, it is important to maintain connections to other professionals in the field for networking and support purposes.

The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing

The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing is an important agency to know for students interested in pursuing any level of degree in nursing. This organization is the leading accreditation agency for degree programs at the certificate, associates, bachelors, and masters levels, making it an organization important for upcoming students to know.

The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

Accreditation agencies in nursing can be a great resource for information about reliable degree program, as well as lists of colleges that provide accredited degree programs. The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education can be a great organization to know while working in this field, since it plays a role in approving bachelors and masters level programs in nursing.

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Online Bachelors Options

Pursuing a degree online can be intimidating if you do not know what to expect. The trend in online degree programs has lead to huge amounts of commercials and advertising for online universities that fail to give you detailed information about the reliability of programs and whether or not they are worth your time. We are here to tell you about some of the available and reliable online nursing programs that are available for enrollment, as well as what to look for when making your choice.
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Online RN to BSN degree

If you have already obtained as associate’s level RN certification and are seeking a bachelor’s degree, then the online RN to BSN program is right for you. Most of these online programs have been designed to successfully transition RN level nurses to BSN level nurses in 2 years or less. RN to BSN programs provide refresher courses to touch on what was learned in associate’s level learning as well as a curriculum that instructs learner about new and innovative nursing technologies and procedures. With this program as well as all others, it is important to identify accreditation information in any college that you are interested in. Accreditation is the key to licensure and further education. Any online nursing program without proper accreditation should not be considered as possible choice.

Read more about Online RN to BSN programs.

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Online Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing

Students that are considering nursing as their first degree should enroll in online BSN programs. These programs start from the very foundation of general education and move through nursing courses in the last 2 years of the program. The entire program can be completed in around 4 years if classes are taken at the recommended full-time rate.

Online Masters Options

Since online degree programs have grown so popular, nurses are finding it a necessity to move towards a master’s program. Obtaining an online master’s degree is easier than ever with easy to use online classroom formats. We have listed some of the most common online master’s options in nursing below.
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Online RN to MSN degree

Nurses with associate’s level RN certification do not have to stop at the BSN. If you have current RN certification and want to go even further with your degree, than you should take advantage of online RN to MSN programs. This program was created in an effort to promote RN to bachelor’s level and then continue to curriculum through the MSN. Some online programs claim that the RN to MSN can be completed in as little as 3 years, which is incredible for busy nurses looking for a quick advancement.

Online Master’s of Science in Nursing

After achieving a BSN or after several years of working in the field, some find it beneficial to move forward to an online Master’s of Science in Nursing. This 2 year online program provides students with advanced knowledge in the field of nursing as well as ideas in management and financial planning. This degree program is a great option for nurses that are interested in pursuing higher level careers in the nursing field or simply seeking a competitive edge among other nurses.

You can continue your nursing education by obtaining a Doctorate in Nursing. Learn more about earning an Online Doctorate in Nursing.

Career Options with a Bachelors in Nursing

Career Options with a Masters in Nursing

Top Organizations to Know

American Nurses Association

The ANA is the leading support organization for nurses across the country. This organization is a great way for nurses to stay informed on current and changing regulations on patient and workplace safety, communicate with other professionals within their field, and become involved with other nurses in the industry.

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing

When choosing a nursing program, it is important to consider accreditation as a leading decision-making factor. If a degree program is not accredited, than it likely will not be accepted for licensure. Agencies such as the ACNE provide proper accreditation for nursing programs at every educational level.

American Academy of Nursing

The American Academy of Nursing provides nurses with the opportunity to become a part of a group that seeks to reform healthcare policy through the knowledge they have in the field of nursing. Agencies such as this one are great for professional nurses because they give nurses the opportunity to seek out a greater cause with their knowledge. Healthcare reform is something that many people consider extremely important and this organization plays a large role in it.