Friday, July 24, 2009

Nursing Careers - Earning Your Advanced Nursing Degree Online

It's now possible to earn your advanced nursing degree online with distance learning. For registered nurses who work full time and wish to advance their careers but find that they have no time to go back to school, online advanced nursing programs offer a great opportunity. With online programs and courses, you can log in anytime you want at the convenience of your home, with or without your urbane scrubs free shipping, and take your lessons according to the pace that is most comfortable for you.

Determining if distance learning is right for you

While distance learning offers immense and equal opportunities for everyone, it is an education alternative that is not suitable for all kinds of people. Before you consider distance learning, you have to make a self-assessment to see if this alternative is right for you. You need to be disciplined, responsible, computer literate, and a self-starter for this type of education to be sustainable and effective. You also need to have a strong interest in learning the lessons and a strong desire to earn your advanced nursing degree on your own without anyone imposing a schedule on you. In distance learning, you will decide when to log on and when to turn your weekly assignments. In general, you will be managing your whole education. Being organized and independent are therefore valuable traits that you need to possess for the program to be effective.

How distance learning works

It's easy to get started with distance learning all you have to do is sign up and immediately, you can have access to the courses and modules offered by the online school. However, not because you are studying virtually doesn't mean you'll be working passively. "Classes" will also be interactive. Professors will be grading you on your interaction and participation. Various communication methods are used to make this possible such as telephone calls, video streams, video conferences, and even the traditional face-to-face meeting. Just like in the traditional classroom setup, you have to do more than just memorizing information and passing a test-you will have to get involved. Distance learning students can also interact with their fellow-students or classmates, simulating the traditional classroom environment. Online classes are not necessarily easier and less time-consuming than traditional education. The requirements are the same with on site programs but the only difference is the medium and delivery.

Choosing a distance program

A lot of the distance programs are offered by reputable college and universities. Before going with a program or online school, check the reputation and qualifications of the nursing school. Don't just go with a school you never heard of. Also look at the list of professors and faculty members involved in the program and check their credibility. You can also look at the track record of the school in terms of the nursing graduates they have produced on the graduate level that. Specifically, look at the number or percentage of students who passed in national certifying exams for the specialization that you wish to take up. If the pass rate is high, then it's a good sign.