With a plethora of RN to BSN Online Programs available, choosing one which is able to fit into your busy schedule and meet your needs can be a difficult task.
Before offering some advice on how to choose the best online program, first let me remind you that earning a BSN can be challenging, particularly if you have children and a family to support.
Having said that, keep in mind that registered nurses with a BSN have (and will continue to have) better job opportunities than those who do not possess such a degree, and therefore, obtaining a degree is certainly worth the time, money and effort.
If you hold a BSN, you will be able to work in different settings, move into leadership roles, and will be able to understand the theory and science behind nursing, which in itself can be very satisfying to know.
As mentioned, obtaining a BSN while you continue to work and support your family can be challenging.
However, thanks to the many BSN programs available online, obtaining a degree is now more manageable than ever.
RN to BSN Online programs offer unrivalled convenience, flexibility and around the clock access.
There is no need to pay for daycare, take time off work or commute to class.
But as with anything else, it is advisable to keep a few things in mind before you decide upon a program.
RN to BSN Online Programs - Factors to Consider Accreditation While Online RN to BSN Programs are plentiful, they are not created equal.
To put yourself in the best position to find a reputable online program, you must undertake some research.
A good place to start is to find out whether the online school and the program they offer is accredited.
Choosing an accredited school/program is important because it guarantees that the school/program has met national education standards for both integrity and quality.
Before going through the latter stages of the application process, check whether the school in question is accredited.
Even if the school tells you that they are accredited, this may not mean that their RN to BSN Online Programs are accredited, as accreditation is done on a program to program basis.
Accreditation not only tells you about the reputation of the school and program, but will also affect your course credit transferability, licensing eligibility and future educational opportunities.
Do You Possess the Right Characteristics Needed to Succeed Online? The most successful online students are those who possess a certain set of learning goals, qualities and preferences.
Without the presence of an instructor motivating you (or perhaps pressurising you), you will need to be self-directed, self-motivated as well as responsible.
You must be able to shift from the passive approach of classroom based learning to a more active approach, which is required to succeed in online learning.
The discipline to study, effective time management skills and independence are all required.
Communication To get the most out of RN to BSN Online Programs, you must be comfortable communicating electronically, either through online discussion forums or via email.
Some students prefer face-to-face meetings and do not like a delayed response from their instructors, and therefore do not enjoy online learning - others are fine with these aspects of communication.
It is advisable to ask the school the following questions: -How accessible are the instructors? -How long does it typically take for an instructor to respond? -Can you contact instructors through email? Computer Competency At the very least, you must possess a basic understanding of computers and software programs.
Do you have the skills, comfort and knowledge in using a computer to ensure that you are in the best possible position to get the most out of an online degree? If not, can somebody teach you, for example, a friend, your partner, or your children? Apart from questioning your computer competency, you must also question the school.
Some good questions to ask are: -Is tech support available 24/7? -How can I contact tech support (email, phone, fax etc)? -Is a free online course demo available to test my computer skills? The last question is probably the most important question to ask.
This is because if there is a demo available, you can have a strong idea of how the program materials will be presented to you, as well as the usability of the program.
If you are comfortable with the demo, it is likely that you will be comfortable with the online course.
As stated, enrolling in one of the RN to BSN Online Programs available is a very attractive option for those who want to advance their careers.
As long as you carefully assess your needs, objectives and preferences, selecting the right program is within your reach.
For more reasons as to why you should work towards obtaining a BSN degree as soon as time allows, click here.
Before offering some advice on how to choose the best online program, first let me remind you that earning a BSN can be challenging, particularly if you have children and a family to support.
Having said that, keep in mind that registered nurses with a BSN have (and will continue to have) better job opportunities than those who do not possess such a degree, and therefore, obtaining a degree is certainly worth the time, money and effort.
If you hold a BSN, you will be able to work in different settings, move into leadership roles, and will be able to understand the theory and science behind nursing, which in itself can be very satisfying to know.
As mentioned, obtaining a BSN while you continue to work and support your family can be challenging.
However, thanks to the many BSN programs available online, obtaining a degree is now more manageable than ever.
RN to BSN Online programs offer unrivalled convenience, flexibility and around the clock access.
There is no need to pay for daycare, take time off work or commute to class.
But as with anything else, it is advisable to keep a few things in mind before you decide upon a program.
RN to BSN Online Programs - Factors to Consider Accreditation While Online RN to BSN Programs are plentiful, they are not created equal.
To put yourself in the best position to find a reputable online program, you must undertake some research.
A good place to start is to find out whether the online school and the program they offer is accredited.
Choosing an accredited school/program is important because it guarantees that the school/program has met national education standards for both integrity and quality.
Before going through the latter stages of the application process, check whether the school in question is accredited.
Even if the school tells you that they are accredited, this may not mean that their RN to BSN Online Programs are accredited, as accreditation is done on a program to program basis.
Accreditation not only tells you about the reputation of the school and program, but will also affect your course credit transferability, licensing eligibility and future educational opportunities.
Do You Possess the Right Characteristics Needed to Succeed Online? The most successful online students are those who possess a certain set of learning goals, qualities and preferences.
Without the presence of an instructor motivating you (or perhaps pressurising you), you will need to be self-directed, self-motivated as well as responsible.
You must be able to shift from the passive approach of classroom based learning to a more active approach, which is required to succeed in online learning.
The discipline to study, effective time management skills and independence are all required.
Communication To get the most out of RN to BSN Online Programs, you must be comfortable communicating electronically, either through online discussion forums or via email.
Some students prefer face-to-face meetings and do not like a delayed response from their instructors, and therefore do not enjoy online learning - others are fine with these aspects of communication.
It is advisable to ask the school the following questions: -How accessible are the instructors? -How long does it typically take for an instructor to respond? -Can you contact instructors through email? Computer Competency At the very least, you must possess a basic understanding of computers and software programs.
Do you have the skills, comfort and knowledge in using a computer to ensure that you are in the best possible position to get the most out of an online degree? If not, can somebody teach you, for example, a friend, your partner, or your children? Apart from questioning your computer competency, you must also question the school.
Some good questions to ask are: -Is tech support available 24/7? -How can I contact tech support (email, phone, fax etc)? -Is a free online course demo available to test my computer skills? The last question is probably the most important question to ask.
This is because if there is a demo available, you can have a strong idea of how the program materials will be presented to you, as well as the usability of the program.
If you are comfortable with the demo, it is likely that you will be comfortable with the online course.
As stated, enrolling in one of the RN to BSN Online Programs available is a very attractive option for those who want to advance their careers.
As long as you carefully assess your needs, objectives and preferences, selecting the right program is within your reach.
For more reasons as to why you should work towards obtaining a BSN degree as soon as time allows, click here.