Category — Nursing

The popularity of the Master of Science in Nursing program has seen a tremendous spike in the last decade. As more nurses enter the field, that means that just as many eventually choose to pursue a master’s in the field. It’s a logical option, as obtaining the degree allows graduates to pursue positions either in education or management.

Given the hectic schedules that most nurses must already accommodate, an online degree program tends to make the most sense when it comes to fitting in with their lifestyle. Fortunately, the tremendous growth in this program’s popularity ensures that there’s no shortage of online options. Here we’ve ranked the ten best online programs for obtaining a master’s in nursing. All of these institutions are ranked highly by neutral sources, and many have a glowing reputation within the medical community.

1. John Hopkins University
Cost – $33,168 per year

2. Loyola University New Orleans
Cost – $744 per credit

3. Duke University
Cost – $1,358 per credit

4. Drexel University
Cost – $800 per credit

5. Georgetown University
Cost – $21,000-$36,000 per year for full-time studies

6. Clarkson College
Cost – $437 per credit

7. University of Texas-Tyler
Cost – $338.23 per credit for residents; $689 per credit for non-residents

8. University of Colorado Denver
Cost – $355 per credit

9. University of Florida
Cost – $11,954 per year for residents; $29,347 per year for non-residents

10. Delta State University
Cost – $2,862 per semester for residents; $4,548 per semester for non-residents

Source: TOP 10 BEST ONLINE MASTER OF SCIENCE IN NURSING DEGREES

For the majority of professionals already in the nursing field, some level of formal education has already been achieved. Typically, practicing nurses hold an associate’s or a bachelor’s degree. Despite the demanding rigors undergraduate programs place on their students, many decide to pursue higher levels of educational standards. A masters degree in nursing is the next step these individuals seek.

Master’s programs are primarily designed for aspiring educators who will go on to instruct both new students and professional peers. Coursework generally incorporates special education from the National League for Nursing (NLN) and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). These courses are often competency-based programs, providing the skills necessary to teach in many environments such as hospitals, schools, businesses, and community clinics. They also emphasize assessment, evaluation, measurement, dealing with various styles of learning, and creating unique curricula.

The following list features the Top Ten rankings for online masters degrees in nursing. Each school was thoroughly reviewed and highly regarded by respected publications as well as leaders in the medical community. These respected schools boast top rankings on U.S. News and World Report’s online education honor roll, multiple specialization options, renowned faculty and staff and a number of other unique characteristics.

1. Johns Hopkins University: Master of Science in Nursing
Cost: $33,168.00 per year full time

2. Loyola University New Orleans: Master of Science in Nursing
Cost: $744.00 per credit hour

3. Duke University: Master of Science in Nursing
Cost: $1,358.00 per credit

4. Drexel University: Master of Science in Nursing
Cost: $800.00 per credit

5. Clarkson College: Master of Science in Nursing
Cost: $437 per credit hour

6. University: Master of Science in Nursing
Cost: Between $21,000 and $36,000 per year full time

7. University of Texas-Tyler: Master of Science in Nursing
Cost: EST. $338.23 per credit at 9 credits, non-residents $689.00 per credit at 9 credits

8. Sacred Heart University: Master of Science in Nursing
Cost: $600.00 per credit hour

9. University of Florida: Master of Science in Nursing
Cost: $11,954 per year for residents and $29,347 per year for non-residents

10. University of San Francisco: Master of Science in Nursing
Cost: $1,130.00 per unit

Source: Top 10 Best Online Masters Degree in Nursing Programs

A recent article by CBS Chicago reports indicates that the Chicagoland area is experiencing an increasing need for nurses. The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) reports that in Illinois, job demand for registered nurses is expected to grow 16.3 percent for 2020 from employment in 2010. Vocational and licensed practical nurses are expected to see a 9.1 percent growth during the same period.

Basic Supply and Demand

The high demand for nurses is reflected in the availability of jobs. In December 2012, the Economic Information and Analysis Division of IDES found over 5,200 online job postings for registered nurses in Illinois. Several factors contribute to the increase in demand for healthcare workers. The baby boomer generation is now requiring more long term care. The retirement rate among nurses who are from the baby boomer generation is also creating more job openings, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. The influx of younger nurses coming into the profession is currently not keeping up with the rate of nurses who are retiring. Currently, nursing is one of the top 25 occupations with the most vacancies in Illinois.

Another factor that is contributing to the increased demand for nurses is the financial pressure hospitals are now feeling. Hospitals are more inclined to release patients as early as possible, which means the patients may require home care or a subsequent stay in a long term care facility. This pattern is creating more job openings for nurses in settings outside of traditional hospitals.

Hospitals Respond

Healthcare providers are also expanding their services in Chicago. According to the Chicago Tribune, Rush University Medical Center is expected to hire 40 to 50 nurse practitioners in 2013 while NorthShore University HealthSystem is expected to expand and augment their service offerings. The expansion of health services by local hospitals should drive the demand for nurses. A concern expressed by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing is that a nursing shortage could lead to increased stress, which could cause nurses to leave the profession. It is believed that a nursing shortage could eventually negatively impact the quality of care patients receive at a given hospital or other facility.

While nursing is a profession that already requires specialized education, licensing, and training, educational requirements for nurses may increase in the near future. Currently, many nursing jobs require an associate or bachelor degree. However, the Institute of Medicine is working to increase the number of nurses who hold a bachelor degree to 80 percent by the year 2020. As of now, approximately 50 percent of nurses have a bachelor degree. In addition to having a degree, nurses are also required to have a nursing license and to regularly complete continuing education courses to renew their license and keep their skills current. By doing so, nurses are sure to be able to rest secure in job stability if nursing jobs are as readily available as they currently are in the greater Chicago area.

It’s easier than ever to become an entry-level registered nurse through great online associate’s degree programs in nursing. The only requirement in this field, after earning an associate degree in nursing, is passing your state’s local exam to get your license, unless upper-management in your state accepts the nursing license you earned in another state under the Nurse Licensure Compact legislation.

Newly registered nurses aren’t limited to one field; their income is up to $65,000 annually in pediatric nursing, geriatric nursing, infant nursing or surgical nursing jobs. Online courses also eliminate obstacles of variable work schedules or complications in commuting to a distant university.

These accredited institutions are listed here in alphabetical order.

1. Ashwood University offers associate’s degrees, bachelor’s degrees, and master’s degrees in nursing.

• Costs start at $599 for an associate degree.
• A distinctive feature of this school is that it grants degrees after evaluating the applicant’s life experience in the medical field within fifteen days of processing time.

2. Chamberlain College of Nursing grants associate’s degrees in nursing.

• Costs are $665 per each credit hour plus a $95 application fee.
• A distinctive feature of this college is its LPN to RN program for Ohio residents, which requires fewer credit hours for your degree than average courses.

3. Excelsior College issues two different nursing degrees: an associate in science and an associate in applied science.

• Costs are a standard $400 enrollment fee plus $300 per course.
• A distinctive feature of Excelsior is that students can learn through CD-ROM course discs sent by mail.

4. Kaplan University offers an associate of science degree in nursing.

• Costs are $371 for every credit hour taken.
• A distinctive feature of this university is the opportunity to receive on-site training and online simulations.

5. Panola College grants an associate’s degrees in nursing.

• Costs are individually calculated for each student, and they average between $2,500 to $3,400 annually.
• A distinctive feature of Panola is emphasis on holistic treatments for all of the patient’s needs.

Regarless of where you receive your online nursing degree, you’ll succeed with a nursing job that’s in high demand.

Source: Best Online Associates Degree in Nursing Programs

We were recently sent a news release from the website BestCollegesOnline.org for a ranking they did of the cheapest online RN to BSN programs. BestCollegesOnline.org is a website which ranks online schools in various disciplines both according to quality and cost. We know that many of you are interested in getting quality healthcare careers and doing so online is often the most flexible and rewarding option for a working healthcare professional (especially an RN with a job).

Nurses with BSN degrees give themselves more job opportunities and also higher salaries. And since most or all of your education can be performed online, and RN to BSN online program might be the perfect choice for your career advancement. But how do you choose which school to go to?

We took a look at this ranking of the most affordable online RN to BSN programs and have determined that the schools listed are reputable and cost effective. Just remember that all rankings are to be taken with a grain of salt and only should serve as a starting point in your exploration.

#1 – University of Wyoming RN-BSN
#2 – Lamar University RN-BSN
#3 – Western Governors University
#4 – Thomas Edison State College
#5 – Liberty University
#6 – University of Massachusetts
#7 – California State University Dominguez Hills
#8 – Colorado Technical University
#9 – Kent State University
#10 – Arizona State University

For more information about each school, please visit the article source. And good look with your search!

One of the hottest jobs in our economy is in nursing and healthcare. Working adults can prepare themselves for this career with an online education that provides the flexibility that many people need these days. Especially those of us who are very busy.

Getting an online degree has many advantages, however you must make sure that you are going to a high quality school, as employers can be more picky about online degrees than traditional ones. Because of this, you may be wondering what the best schools are for getting an online nursing education. Here we are listing a ranking of the ten best online BSN programs available today according to the site Best-BSN-Programs.com.

10 Best Online BSN Programs

#1 Colorado Christian University
#2 Indiana State University
#3 Western Governors University
#4 Kent State University
#5 Keiser University
#6 Liberty University
#7 Colorado Technical University
#8 Walden University
#9 Drexel University
#10 Graceland University

Choosing one of these schools will give you the education you need for a high quality BSN degree and prepare you to be competitive in the nursing job market.

Source: http://www.best-bsn-programs.com/top/10-online-bsn-programs/

We were sent a press release today with this ranking of online programs in Master’s of Nursing and thought it was useful enough to publish. According to the site Top Nursing Programs, here are the 10 best online MSN programs.

10. Chamberlain College of Nursing
9. Old Dominion University
8. Drexel University
7. Georgetown University
6. Michigan State University
5. Loyola University New Orleans
4. Benedictine University
3. Indiana State University
2. St. Xavier University
1. George Washington University

The MSN is becoming one of the most important nursing degrees for nurses looking to advance their career. It’s popularity can be clearly seen through the number emails we get from programs and publications contacting us about this particular degree.

If you’re looking to get your Master’s degree in nursing and want to do so online, a website called Best Nursing Masters recently published their 2012 rankings for online masters programs in nursing. Leading the pack is Ball State University’s Online Master’s in Nursing.

Getting an advanced graduate degree is an important and costly decision and while college rankings aren’t a precise science, we do believe that they serve as a tool to help students make wise choices. As always, we recommend consulting multiple ranking sources in order to derive a consensus in your mind as to which program is the best fit for you.

Here are the 10 best online programs for a masters in nursing according to the site Best Nursing Masters.

#1 – Ball State University Online Master’s in Nursing
#2 – Benedictine University Masters in Nursing
#3 – Drexel University Online Masters in Nursing
#4 – Georgetown University Online Master of Science in Nursing
#5 – Gonzaga University Online Master of Science in Nursing
#6 – Jacksonville University Online Master of Science in Nursing
#7 – Johns Hopkins Online Master of Science in Nursing
#8 – Loyola University Master’s in Nursing
#9 – Saint Xavier Online Master’s in Nursing
#10 – University of Cincinnati Online MS in Nursing

Nurses continue to be in high demand.  A career in nursing is about the best protection you can have against any economic downturn, especially since health is one of the fundamental things that people need.

Over the last decade, salaries for nurses have gone up much faster than most other jobs at about 48% – this growth is not only better than inflation but also better than the majority of other jobs which have either remained steady with inflation or lost ground.

Below, we include the starting salaries and averages salaries for some of the more common nursing positions: [Read more →]

As a nurse one of our principal responsibilities is to educate our patients. Our teaching reaches across a broad gamut: medications (old and new), procedures, wound care, signs and symptoms to be aware of, health habits, how to continue caring for themselves once their home and more. The teaching can occur as spontaneous answers to questions from our patients or more formal educating including a plan and resource materials.

Patients are held in-house for increasingly shorter stays and are going home sicker, precipitating a greater need for instruction and information than ever before. The information you provide them during their hospital stay will hopefully help them gain a full recovery and decrease the risk of readmission. So how do we educate our patients effectively? Taking these factors into consideration will help you to successfully convey the information needed.

Provide a hospitable learning environment: With all the distractions of the hospital it may be difficult to find somewhere that is free from excess noise, disruption, is private and conducive to learning. While we can’t always choose the physical location where the learning will take place, we can try to provide planned learning at a time of day when those disruptions would be minimal; possibly mid-morning after breakfast, morning hygiene, assessments and rounds. Each floor has a different rhythm, choose what will work best for you and your patient.

[Read more →]