A Bachelor of Science in Nursing is just one of many nursing degrees available that can be taken online. Many universities offer online degree courses of various types, and the BSc in Nursing is just one of them, but one which is particularly suitable for currently working RNs who want to progress further in their career, and become more skilful in nursing.
There are many advantages, not only in studying for a Bachelor of Science, but also in doing so online. Here are ten of the main reasons why you should consider this type of course.
1. Registered Nurses with a Diploma or Associate Degree can convert that to a full Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and so qualify themselves for promotion in their chosen career. Such promotions are becoming increasingly available nationwide, but the right qualifications are needed for them and this online degree provides that.
2. More money. If you need a higher paid job, then rather than leaving the profession, you can achieve that by gaining a higher qualification. This might not be the major reason for nurses taking a higher degree, but very few can honestly say that it is not one of them. Extra pay is a welcome side-effect of a higher nursing qualification.
3. Personal development. Being more highly qualified will give you a lot more confidence in doing your job: this is a natural result of higher education. As you become more highly trained in what you do, both academically and practically, you become more confident in carrying out the routine aspects of your job at all levels, and of being able to handle problems competently as they arise. This provides you, not only with more job satisfaction, but also with more self-esteem.
4. If you are a working nurse, an online course enables you to arrange your own study time. Everybody knows how the erratic working hours of a nurse can make it difficult for you to commit to specific times for study at university, but an online course allows you to receive your lectures and carry out your course work at irregular times to suit the demands of your work.
5. If you have a young family, you will be able to see them off to bed before commencing your study. You can tell them a bedtime story rather than having to leave them and drive to your nearest university to attend classes. This in itself is sufficient reason for many working mothers to elect for online Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree courses.
6. Even without the above benefits, you have the advantage of being able to access your lectures at any time with an online course. Not only that but you can replay them time after time until you fully understand each lesson. You cannot do this with an on-campus course, unless your lecturer is a robot!
7. You can carry out your course work and present finished assignments when it is convenient for you to do so, and although you will have deadlines, they are not as strict as those for offline students. Weekly schedules will generally make sure that you keep up with the timetable of on-campus students.
8. You can take your examinations online, and do not have the fear or nervous reaction that many have of sitting in an examination room. You can take your exam in the comfort of your lounge - or even in your bedroom, in your nightgown and slippers and a box of chocolates or a glass of wine if you prefer!
9. Your online Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree is exactly the same as that received by campus students. You use the same textbooks, receive the same lectures and do the same assignments. You also sit the same exams and receive exactly the same degree: the certificate or diploma has no features that distinguish between online and offline students. They are identical and a future employer will never know the difference (because there is none).
10. Your final benefit, and it is a real one, is that even though you study online, and never attend your university while you are learning, you are invited to attend your graduation ceremony along with your fellow online students. You will get the chance to stand side by side with those you knew only through emails and online communications, and many might even have helped you with your studies.
Of all these ten benefits, that which is most important to you will be a personal one, but it is difficult to ignore the last: that which allows you to finally feel like a real student if you hadn't before, and stand up with the rest of your graduation year in your own university, with your own fellow students, and receive your very own Bachelor of Science in Nursing. It's a great feeling, so enroll for the course and look forward to feeling it!
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If you are interested in a nursing degree program and/or studying for an RN to BSN online program, then check out the University of Saint Mary where you will find all the information you need to take a place on one of the five course starts offered per year.
