If you don't know already, there is a worsening shortage of nurses in America. This crisis is not simply a shortage of nurses found in hospitals, though it is that as well. But a greater problem is that there is also a dire shortage of nursing professors and teachers. This in turn has resulted in many places hiring nurses with no teaching experience as professors.
Due to this situation, there is one recommended path that as an aspiring nursing student, you can take to get a quality professor who will provide a well-rounded education. That is to do an online degree.
But before we get to that, let's take a look at your options. You want to get a degree to further your career, so you have three options:
- Keep your job and go to night classes at a local college. This is hard and a lot of times if you have a job where you schedule changes or you are on call this is not possible. Plus, you get stuck with whatever quality professors are available near where you live. And since you can't go to college full time the degree takes much longer to get.
- Quit your job and go to college full time. This is not possible for many people, they have to support their family, they have to support themselves, they have house payments, car payments, etc. On top of all that, you give up your income for so many years.
- Do an online degree. You get to keep your job, you can work as slow or as fast as you want, and you can work when you want - no need to go to class at a specific time. If you are already working and want to keep your job, this is a no-brainer. And if you are not working but want to get your degree done quickly, this is the fastest way.
The format of an online degree allows an educated and qualified professor to teach many students at the same time through the internet. You will be able to access the professor should you have any trouble and you can also interact with you classmates through online forums. Overall, though it is different than what you are probably used to, it is definitely an enriching experience.
If you are motivated and you are willing to put in the work, you will be able to learn more than you would have in a classroom setting with the professor spoon feeding you all the concepts. This in turn with make you an indispensible asset for any employer you work for. A nurse who understand the underlying concepts is a nurse that everyone wants. For you, that means better salary and job security.
The biggest advantage of an online degree is that it is flexible. If you are already working you will be able to do an online degree and work at the same time. Sure, it will be a bit tough for a little while, but you'll pull through and be so much better off because of it. Furthermore, you will be able to work at your own pace, if you want to take it slow and steady you can do that, if you want to quickly get the degree and onto other things in life you can do that as well. This is not a flexibility that is available in a normal classroom setting.
Another area you get save on in doing an online degree is on commuting. You don't have to go anywhere for an online degree, just get on the internet. Though you may have to go to a place to give your tests depending on what school you sign up for, it sure beats going to class fighting traffic every day.
Another thing is that an online degree is cheaper than the traditional route. The thing is that online universities don't have to provide classrooms and libraries, and all the other facilities. They can focus on getting good study materials and quality professors, the stuff that really matters. This in turn means that you have to pay less for a better education.
It is not all a bed of roses though. An online degree takes work. You have to be self-motivated to make it work. You have to have discipline. If you are motivated and are willing to put in the work, an online degree really has some great benefits for you. Take a look at some schools, request some information, if you feel it is right for you then take the plunge, you won't regret it.
