Nursing Home Infection Preventionist Training Course
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers this free training course for individuals who perform infection prevention and control in nursing homes, although all nurses can benefit from the program. Upon completion, participants can identify how pathogens spread, risk factors, and infection prevention practices related to nursing homes.
Learners take 23 modules and submodules that are each 30-90 minutes long, completing around 19 hours in total. Course topics include the infection preventionist role, infection surveillance and outbreak management, infection prevention practices, and antibiotic stewardship.
The American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation designates the CDC as an accredited source of continuing education. The course awards AMA PRA Category 1 credit upon completion.
How Much Are Online Nursing Programs
Online nursing degrees can be a very affordable option. When you add in the possibility of scholarships or grants, you could reduce the cost even more.
At Southern New Hampshire University, earning your bachelor’s degree in nursing costs $320 per credit, but you may be able to transfer up to 90 credits and lower the cost 45 credits for your RN license and 45 from previous educational experience. Should you transfer in all 90 credits, it could cost you only $9,600 in tuition to earn your BSN.
For a 39-credit master’s degree, you could transfer up to 12 graduate credits, with the remaining courses being $627 per credit.
You can also have a conversation with a Student Financial Services counselor to develop a plan to find the best way to make your education affordable whether that’s through financial aid or the creation of a customized payment plan. SNHU also offers a discount up to 30% for active-duty service members and their spouses.
Alumni from community college partners and employees of partnered organizations also receive tuition discounts.
Kristina Libby ’17 is able to give back thanks to the affordability of her bachelor’s degree at SNHU. “I literally was shocked,” she said. “I ran to my husband with my computer and I said, ‘Look, look, we can do this,’ because all of the programs around here at the state schools, we would have had to take out a second mortgage. It was not possible and Southern New Hampshire University was affordable.”
Frequently Asked Questions About Nursing
Yes. Many of the best nursing schools offer fully online degrees. Students complete coursework through a distance learning platform. They fulfill clinical requirements locally.
RNs need a two-year or four-year degree to meet the educational requirements to become an RN.
Nurse practitioners are the most in demand. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects jobs for these nurses to grow 45% between 2020 and 2030, which is much faster than average.
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How Long Do Online Nursing Programs Take
On average, earning your Associates Degree in Nursing takes up to two years. Depending on your previous educational background, getting your BSN degree online can take anywhere from 12 months to four years, while online MSN degrees usually take around 2 years to complete.
When it comes to online learning you can also opt for an accelerated program, which lets you earn your degree faster. Granted, this type of program is more challenging, but if you are looking for the fastest route towards your degree, this may be a worthy option to consider. Also, if you already have a Bachelors Degree in an unrelated field and wish to switch to nursing, that might also shorten the duration of your studies.
The Nightingale College online nursing programs are specifically designed to be completed in a fairly short amount of time, while also holding onto the highest standards of nursing education. Generally, this is how long it takes to complete each online program at our college:
Read more about how long it takes to complete nursing school.
How Much Does The Program Cost
The program costs approximately $16,000 including tuition, books, fees and lab fees, liability insurance, testing fees, uniforms, immunizations, certifications, criminal background check, and random drug screens. Personal health insurance may also be required. This information is subject to change. Go to the Tuition and Fees page for up-to-date tuition and fee information.
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Thomas Edison State University
Online Bachelor of Science in Nursing
This is for registered nurses in nearby states whod want to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing online. Accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, this institute provides an opportunity for working nurses to pursue a higher degree through their RN to BSN/MSN program. This is a 120-credit hour curriculum that students can enroll in any day provided that they complete at least three credits in this university for every 12 months. Credit transfers are available for work-related experiences, and associate degree earned prior enrollment.
Can I Become A Nurse Online
There are many nursing programs that offer associate, bachelors, and masters degrees online, though not entirely. Thats because nursing is a hands-on profession, and youll need clinical experience thatll prepare you to work directly with patients.
So, while you may be able to do classroom coursework online, youll need to complete your clinical hours in person at a hospital or similar medical setting. This is known as a hybrid education.
An exception might be made if you already have the following:
- A current registered nurse license
- A certain number of clinical hours
If this is your case, you might be able to find programs for a Bachelor of Science in Nursing that are offered solely online. A BSN can give you a deeper education in nursing theory and practice and open the door to professional advancement and a higher salary.
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Types Of Nursing Degrees Online
Today, many degree programs are available online. Due to the care-related emphasis of the nursing career, some programs require in-classroom work as well as online education. Others can be completed almost entirely online.
- Several LPN programs allow students to complete 50 percent or more of their coursework online.
- RN to BSN programs are some of the most common online nursing degree programs.
- MSN coursework can often be completed online.
Getting A Masters Of Science In Nursing Online
You do have the option of pursuing an online MSN degree, should you decide you want to advance your education even further and join the ranks of the highest trained nursing professionals. Some of the programs are fully online, while others combine theory-based education online with clinical training at approved medical settings.
Nightingale College offers a 100% online instruction MSNEd program which is designed for BSN-prepared nurses who wish to play an important part in educating future generations of nurses by becoming a Nurse Educator.
Thinking about becoming a Nurse Educator? Enroll in our MSNEd online program and help educate future generations of nurses.
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Adn Nursing Classes You Can Take Online
While the clinical portion of your ADN program will have to be completed in-person, along with any required orientation and class meetings that some programs mandate, there are many classes from your nursing program that you can complete online.
In general, you can expect that many of the general education requirements that you need for your Associates can be completed online, as well as any introduction to nursing classes, and the majority of nursing theory and classes outside of clinicals, such as pharmacology and biology.
As an example of what an online ADN program might look like, heres an overview of the types of courses in an ADN curriculum that can be completed online:
- English
Fostering And Maintaining Student Relationships
Student-teacher relationships are important from elementary school through graduate school. They lead to:
- Academic achievement
- Increased motivation to learn
- Professional student development
Yet, stressed and overworked faculty often have little time to build constructive and authentic relationships with their students.
The lack of student-teacher relationships may have an unfortunate trickle-down effect on some students’ future career development. It could discourage students from furthering their education and choosing a career as a nurse educator.
Strong student-teacher relationships can help bridge the gap and support students’ efforts. Some students are working in healthcare while completing their education. Mandated hours or extra shifts are obstacles to completing assignments, maintaining grades, and attending class.
“Showing a student that you care about them and are there to support them may make the difference between a student who drops out or fails in the program and one that is successful,” Jastrow says.
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Wgu Graduates Loved Their Experience Earning A Healthcare Degree
Hear from WGU Health College graduates and see how they feel about their education experience.
1. CCNE is located at 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.
2. Results from a 2020 Harris Poll survey of 1,400 new college graduates nationwide with a survey of 1,340 WGU graduates.
Can You Become A Nurse Online
As much as colleges recognize the benefit of online learning, it is not entirely possible to become a nurse online. This is because of the clinical aspects involved. You can complete a nursing degree online, however, you will still be required to fulfill clinical hours in-person, at a patient care or lab facility.
All states have a clinical hours requirement for new registered nurses , though this will vary depending on your local licensing board. In Connecticut, for example, its required that 50 percent of total contact hours in a first-time nursing program are completed in:
- Supervised, direct patient care experiences
- Direct, observational experiences
- Simulated experiences appropriate to the program outcomes
- Laboratory experiences for the acquisition and practice of clinical nursing skills
The goal of the clinical requirement is to ensure that new nurses walk away with hands-on, practical experience in their field of work. They will have direct experiences with patients and how to handle situations they may encounter on-the-job. They have the opportunity to put their learnings to practice in a real-life medical setting. This, in turn, has a major impact on the success of nurses down the road, and cannot typically be fulfilled in an online environment.
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Additional Online Student Fees
Online students spend the most money on tuition. However, they should also budget for extra expenses. Students may need to buy books, supplies, and scrubs. Some online programs charge a technology or distance learning fee. Nurses should also save money for the NCLEX-RN exam and state licensure.
Some online nursing schools include in-person requirements such as clinical rotations. Travel and lodging costs add to learners’ expenses. Prospective students can ask schools for an estimate of the total cost of attendance.
Online Nursing School: Can You Become A Registered Nurse Or Advance Your Nursing Education Online
The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically impacted how nursing education and admissions are done. With brick-and-mortar schools and universities closed, the focus has shifted towards online RN programs.
Even though online nursing programs have been around for quite a long time, becoming a Registered Nurse, or advancing your nursing education online is not only possible but recommended right now. The main challenge is to offer relevant and safe clinical experiences and schools all over the country manage to successfully provide those with the use of simulations, telehealth, and even virtual reality.
As far as Nightingale College is concerned, our extensive experience in teaching online nursing programs helped us tremendously, while other schools were just switching to virtual didactic instruction. Weve worked even harder on perfecting our online curricula and methods of teaching and we strive to offer meaningful learning experiences for our learners.
This is why today we want to share everything you need to know about going to school for nursing online, from what it takes to become a registered nurse online to how these programs work and what makes online learning worthy of your time and consideration.
Contents
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Master Of Science In Nursing Programs
Just like the four-year nursing degree, a Master of Science in Nursing can also open doors for career advancement. This degree allows nurses to move into managerial and advising roles within a larger healthcare organization, and its typically pursued by nurses who have at least five years of professional job experience after earning the BSN degree. The program is often taught entirely online, though some programs do require residencies on-campus or at a local hospital.
The MSN degree is highly competitive. Nurses generally need to take the MAT exam prior to submitting their application, though many schools allow applicants to submit GRE scores as well. Prepare to submit professional references and a resume, as well as an application essay, as part of the admissions process. Though highly competitive, nurses will find the accelerated MSN program to be accelerated, rigorous, and beneficial over the long-term.
Rn Licensure & Certification
Once an individual has completed education and clinical requirements, they must pursue licensure to become a registered nurse.
Though licensure requirements do vary by state, passage of a state-approved training program and the National Council Licensure Examination are almost always needed.
The NCLEX-RN exam covers:
- infection control
- fundamental nursing skills.
RNs can advance their careers by earning certifications in specialty areas. The American Nurses Credentialing Center, a subsidiary of the American Nurses Association, offers a variety of certifications and specialties ranging from General Nursing practice to Public Health Nursing and Pediatric Nursing.
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How Can I Become A Registered Nurse
Becoming licensed as a registered nurse requires an associate degree, bachelor’s degree or diploma, any of which require in-person training and labs as well as significant clinical hours completed at a healthcare facility for clinical experience.2
After successfully completing a pre-licensure program in the form of a diploma, ADN or four-year BSN program, graduates must sit for the National Council Licensure Examination . The exam is taken at a Pearson test center, with locations around the country and some internationally as well3. You must pass the NCLEX for licensure.
Once achieving nursing licensure, registered nurses should consider continuing their education. Due to the fast-paced and evolving needs of healthcare, there is an increasing demand for nurses with further education and training that comes from a bachelor’s or master’s degree.1 This increasing demand is emphasized by healthcare organizations.
An online nursing degree can be the best choice for those already working as a registered nurse, as it offers work-life flexibility. At Southern New Hampshire University, there are no set meeting times, and resources like the technology help desk and chat with a librarian are available 24/7. Asynchronous classes mean you can complete your tests and assignments on your own time and keep your life more balanced than a traditional classroom format would allow.
How Much Do Online Nursing Programs Cost
While the cost of classes and programs varies greatly by school, many students discover that online programs are less expensive than traditional programs after considering the time and money saved on commuting and incidentals. The convenience of completing classes from the living room often outweighs the downsides.
Many schools will require electronic books to be purchased as well as uniforms, stethoscopes, and white nursing shoes or other items needed for clinicals, if required.
Online courses require each student to have access to a computer which is fast enough and has enough memory to support the program. Purchasing a new computer may be required if the standard is not met.
See our guide discussing the cost of RN programs.
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Penn State World Campus
Online Bachelor of Science in Nursing Accelerated RN to BSN
The Penn State University World Campus also provides an online Bachelor of Science in Nursing curriculum for distant learners with a valid U.S RN license whod want to earn a higher degree for this course. Clinical requirements can be fulfilled in nearby institutions acknowledged by Penn State University. Through the Accelerated RN to BSN program, students can finish their degree in less time as the courses are compressed in 7 ½ sessions. Students can earn one from three of the special certificates: Nursing Management, Nursing Forensics, and Nursing Informatics. This is accredited by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing and Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
Registered Nurse Career Outlook
Registered nurses represent one of the top 10 in-demand careers in the United States. In 2018, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that there were over 3 million nurses, making it one of the largest healthcare job niches.
Jobs are expected to grow 12 percentfaster than averagethrough 2028, with 370,000 new nursing jobs expected to be created between 2018 and 2028.
Physicians offices and home health agencies will offer the greatest demand. Employment is expected to grow more slowly in hospitals, which are discharging patients earlier and performing more procedures on an outpatient basis.
RNs who hold bachelors or masters degrees will enjoy the best prospects and highest salaries. Advanced practice specialties like clinical nurse specialists, nurse practitioners, midwives and nurse anesthetists will experience extremely high demand.
Nurses will be needed to care for the aging Baby Boomer population who increasingly suffer from chronic conditions like arthritis, dementia, diabetes and obesity. Long term care facilities that provide rehabilitation for patients, as well as hospice care and residential care facilities will also need nurses to care for their aging and chronically ill patients.
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Courses In An Adn Program
Online ADN programs prepare learners for the NCLEX-RN exam. Core coursework covers nursing foundations. Learners also study pharmacology and behavioral health nursing. Enrollees learn nursing practices particular to serving pediatric and geriatric patients.
Students practice key nursing skills through clinical components. Nurses learn how to examine medical records, track symptoms, and administer medication.
See below for three common courses in online ADN programs. Keep in mind that specific courses vary by program.