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"Nurses Needed!"

Ads like this are popping up across the country. Because of the aging U.S. population, new nursing jobs are continuing to become available. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the nursing field was expected to be one of the fastest growing career fields between 2006 and 2016. Today, there has never been a better time to take online college courses and train for a satisfying health care career.

If you're passionate about helping people, don't let misconceptions about online nursing degrees stand in your way. Read on to calm your concerns about how long it should take to earn an online nursing degree, how you can pay for it, and whether it may be respected by health care professionals.

With 1-4 Years of Online School, You Can Be a Nurse

After just 1 year of online college courses, you can become a licensed practical nurse (LPN). This can be a solid first step toward becoming a registered nurse (RN), with more responsibility and higher pay.

There are two main ways to become an RN through online nursing schools:

• 2-to-3-year associate's degree in nursing (ADN)
• 4-year bachelor's of science degree in nursing (BSN). A BSN enables you to specialize later on if you choose to.

4 Ways to Help Pay for Online Nursing School

Yes, you can earn an online degree without going broke. Here are just a few ways:

• Live at home and enroll in a public, rather than private, college or university
• Keep your job while you go to school
• Apply for financial aid, such as a federal grant (which doesn't have to be repaid), loan, or work-study program. Some states and schools offer financial aid, too.
• Check out the loan repayment program at hospitals where you'd like to work. Because nursing jobs can be hard to fill, some hospitals may pay off your nursing-school loans if you sign on with them.

Your Online School Can Arrange and Monitor Your Hands-on Training

Online schools can be perfect for theoretical courses, but nursing students traditionally need lab experience and a clinical practicum. Your online school most likely works with a nursing instructor in your community who can oversee the hands-on portions of your course work.

Medical Professionals and Respect of Your Online Nursing Degree

Accredited online nursing schools--especially those that are traditionally classroom-oriented rather than exclusively online--are recognized by professional medical personnel. In fact, more and more hospitals offer to pay for their staff's continuing education online because the staff typically do not have to quit their jobs to acquire it.

Online nursing schools can give you all the benefits of traditional schools--from the comfort and convenience of your own home. With an online nursing degree, you can soon be a respected medical professional in a field where you're needed now more than ever.

Sources

• American Nurses Association
• Bureau of Labor Statistics
• Houston Chronicle
• Wisconsin Nurses Association