When it comes to nursing, it’s easy to assume that you need hands-on training, but studying a nursing discipline online is actually possible, and an increasingly popular option. Online study comes with many benefits, including the option for those already working in the field to further their qualifications in a highly flexible way. Nurses often expand on their current qualifications by studying online, fitting their study commitments around full-time work and other day-to-day obligations.
At Wilkes University, for example, you can study for an MSN degree entirely online, and as the provider points out, it’s a way of advancing your career from registered nurse to nurse practitioner in as little as two years, while continuing to work either full-time or part-time. Studying online does, of course, take a lot of energy, organization and discipline, but for those who can manage it, career advancement can be well within reach, without the commitment of returning to a brick-and-mortar school.
Due to the worldwide pandemic in recent years, online learning has become more and more common, which also means that online schools and other education providers are well set up for it in a way that just wasn’t the case a few years ago. It also means that online qualifications have become the norm and are often well-valued by employers, who appreciate the extra self-discipline and dedication that goes into studying outside of the traditional classroom setting.
If you’re wondering if studying a nursing discipline online could work for you, you will need to take a good look at your circumstances, the commitments you already have, and the amount of spare time you could fit your studies into. You’ll likely need the moral support of your family, your employer, and other people close to you, and you’ll need excellent time management skills, along with an ability to effectively organize yourself.
If you do feel that you would be able to make it work, there are many benefits to studying online. It can often be more a more affordable way to get a qualification compared to physically returning to school, not least because you should be able to continue working throughout your program of study. It allows you to study without relocating, and without disrupting your family, if you have one. Many providers will provide assessment by coursework and exams that are 100%, or almost 100%, online. You may also find that there’s the opportunity for clinical rotations and on-campus residencies, where you can hone your newly developed skills with real patients.
If this sounds like something that interests you, then your next step is to start researching programs. Many providers will allow you to access a program guide online so that you can get a clear idea of what’s involved, what the time commitment will be, and whether you already have credits you could apply to your degree. Don’t forget to check whether financial aid is available. It often is, even when you’re studying entirely online.
