How to Choose the Right Online Nursing Degree Programs By Tannie Lewis

Now that you've decided to become a nurse, what's the next step?

A little homework will reveal that there are so many different options out there. Contrary to popular belief, not all nurses are the same. It's a real profession with a lot of varied career paths possible.

So as a person just starting out, how do you decide which online nursing degree program to pursue?

One common entry-level choice is to become a Registered Nurse (RN). This is in very high demand right now because of the global increase in healthcase demand, coupled with a severe shortage of qualified nurses.

To become a RN, you have a choice of getting a Diploma, an Associates Degree (ADN), or a Bachelor of Science (BSN).

Each offers a different path to become a RN, so which one is right for you?

If you are serious in becoming a professional nurse, you will probably want to pursue the BSN. It's a 4-year course and it offers some of the best job opportunities in the market today. With a BSN, you'll be well-placed to pursue even more specialized qualifications after that to enhance your job prospects and nursing career.

However, if you want to become a RN faster, you can opt for the Associates Degree. This takes about half the time of the BSN to complete, and will thus allow you to get a nursing job faster. This is more focused on technical skills as compared to the BSN, but is often used as a first step towards getting an eventual BSN.

And even though we are talking about degree programs, you may want to know that you have the option of getting a Diploma instead. This is not very popular nowadays, as many people think it will limit their career advancement options. So depending on your exact needs, this may or may not be suitable for you.

As you can see, you have many different ways of getting qualified to take the Registered Nurse exam. However, do note that each of the above mentioned paths ultimately leads you down different jobs and career paths too. Think carefully before you make any decisions and you will be fine.

What do you want to achieve at the end of the day? Where do you see yourself 3 years down the road? 5 years? 10 years? How specialized do you want to be?

Do you need to start earning income as a nurse quickly? Or do you already have an existing job that can pay your bills and school fees?

Will you be able to juggle work, family commitments, and part-time studies all at the same time?

These are just some of the factors to take into consideration when deciding which online nursing degree program to pursue.

If you want to get more insider tips on how to make the right choice for your specific situation, you must go read the experts' advice at: online nursing degree programs