Online Associate Degree in Nursing

An Online Associate Degree in Nursing can be your path to a new career that is both personally fulfilling and financially rewarding. Unlike a traditional classroom environment, an online program is accessible to a larger number of people. For some, it is difficult to attend school in a campus environment when they have to work and family responsibilities. Even a college that offers night classes will do so in a structured and consistent way that does not fit with today’s working climate. Your hours may be flexible, but a college class schedule is not.

Now, with distance education available, you can learn and study on your own time to earn an Online Associate Degree in Nursing. An online Associate Degree in Nursing will take you about two years, and in that time, you will learn the skills and knowledge needed to be a registered nurse. An RN can be found in hospitals, clinics, retirement homes, rehabilitation centers, schools or any other place where professional nursing is needed.

Where To Find The Top Online Associate Degree in Nursing Programs

Unless you know someone who has successfully completed an online nursing program and can recommend a program strongly, you will need to do some research on the Internet for the online school that will be best for you. There are a few things to keep in mind.

The first is that you will want to make sure that the school is accredited by the National League of Nursing Accrediting Commission. Secondly, you want to look at the specific requirements of an online program. Although it seems obvious that an online program will be done over the Internet, there are many programs that will require you to visit a campus a certain number of times per semester. There will be some clinical work that will need to be done offline, but this requirement can often be filled in your work environment. The entire degree program is aimed at giving you the knowledge needed to both work as a nurse and to pass your examinations to become a licensed RN. Examples of three popular online programs are offered by Walden University, DeVry University and Keiser University.

Financial Aid for Online Associate Degree in Nursing Programs

When you find an online nursing program that interests you, there may be an issue with financing your education. Although online programs are usually cheaper than the traditional college courses, they can still be expensive for many people. Financial aid can come in the form of scholarships, grants and loans. This money is available from a wide variety of sources that include state, local and federal programs. The school you select can sometimes give guidance, but the best place to start is with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. They have an extensive supply of information on sources of student aid for an Online Associate Degree in Nursing.

Additional Resource: Top Online Nursing Degree Programs