Friday, 1 June 2012

Online Pre-Nursing Degrees: Program Overviews

Online pre-nursing degrees are available at the associate's and bachelor's degree levels. Pre-nursing distance learning programs are hybrid programs, meaning some coursework is done online and some is done onsite.

Online Associate's Degree in Pre-Nursing Program Overview

Distance learning pre-nursing associate's degree programs allow students to take general education classes prior to nursing school. These programs also introduce students to the fundamentals of nursing. Students take such pre-nursing courses as medical terminology, anatomy and human development. Online associate's degree programs in pre-nursing typically take two years to complete. No prerequisites are necessary other than a high school diploma or GED.

Online Pre-Nursing Associate's Degree Program Requirements

Students enrolled in this type of program complete much of the required coursework online; however, onsite instruction is typically mandatory. Some pre-nursing programs include instruction in obtaining vital statistics. Students would be unable to demonstrate proficiency in these skills through online coursework. Courses that may be taken online uses audio or video files, Web conferencing, Blackboard or another virtual classroom tool and e-mail between the student and the instructor.
Students engaging in online pre-nursing coursework are recommended to have broadband Internet connectivity, up-to-date hardware and software, an e-mail account and a current Web browser. Courses involving video conferencing may require a software download, webcam and microphone.

List of Common Distance Learning Pre-Nursing Associate Courses

Pre-nursing distance learning courses at the associate's degree level tend to be introductory in nature.

Microbiology Course

Students enrolled in online microbiology courses explore the roles of cells and the immune system.

Biomedical Ethics Course

This distance learning course examines moral dilemmas, such as euthanasia, genetic engineering and resource allocation.

Human Anatomy Course

Students undertaking this online course learn to identify human organs and their functions.

Career Information for Pre-Nursing Associate Degree Holders

Students who have earned an online associate's degree in pre-nursing typically continue on in their nursing education by enrolling in a bachelor's degree program. Students who prefer to enter the workforce at this level may obtain entry-level employment as a nursing aide. The U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) anticipated excellent job opportunities for nursing aides between 2008 and 2018. Nursing aides help patients with bathing, eating and dressing. IThe BLS listed the median wage for nursing aides at $24,040 for 2009 (www.bls.gov).

Online Bachelor's Degree in Pre-Nursing Overview

Online bachelor's pre-nursing degree programs enable students to complete general education and prerequisite nursing classes prior to beginning more advanced coursework. Upon completing the initial coursework, students move on to more advanced nursing classes and clinical instruction. Since entrance to nursing programs is competitive, some schools select students based on pre-nursing coursework grade point averages. Some pre-nursing bachelor's degree distance learning programs provide Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) options. Prior to enrollment to a bachelor's degree pre-nursing program, students are required to pass a drug screen, physical examination and background check.

Online Bachelor's Degree in Pre-Nursing Program Requirements

Distance learning pre-nursing bachelor's degree programs cannot be taught entirely online. Clinical aspects of nursing must be taught in a laboratory setting. In addition, pre-nursing students are required to perform clinical rotations under the supervision of a licensed nurse during the latter part of the program. Online aspects of pre-nursing instruction include virtual classes either taught in real time or archived as audio or video files to be downloaded at the student's convenience. Communication between the student and instructor is available through e-mail, chat or online discussion boards made available to the class only.
Students are required to have updated computer equipment and access to high-speed Internet. Special software may be required for some courses.

List of Common Pre-Nursing Bachelor's Degree Courses

Online pre-nursing bachelor's degree programs introduce students to the various areas of nursing.

Community Health Nursing Course

This online pre-nursing course familiarizes students with heath care program implementation within schools, families and communities.

Pediatric Nursing Course

Distance learning pediatric nursing courses introduce students to the specific health concerns of infants, toddlers and adolescents.

Gerontology Nursing Course

Students enrolled in this online pre-nursing course explore aging, socialization among the elderly, care giving and transitional stages.

Career Information for Pre-Nursing Bachelor's Degree Graduates

Students who have completed a pre-nursing bachelor's degree program either continue their education with a bachelor's or master's degree in of nursing or become registered nurses. Students desiring to enter the workforce as registered nurses should take the National Council Licensure Examination for registered nurses. Registered nurses are expected to have a faster-than-average growth rate over the decade leading up to 2018 (www.bls.gov). The 2009 median annual wage for RNs was $63,750.

Continuing Education Options

After achieving a bachelor's degree in pre-nursing, students may pursue master's or doctorate degrees to become nurse practitioners, midwives or nurse anesthetists. While some coursework for graduate nursing degrees may be completed online, the nature of the instruction and internships or residencies require these to be hybrid programs.

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