The Benefits of an Online Nurse Educator Program
The modern world is fast-paced and everyone is busy. Many traditional campus-based degrees, both undergraduate and graduate, are sometimes out of reach due to our other commitments. But if you're looking for that next career step in the extremely busy world of nursing, how can you progress when family and work commitments take over?
The answer might be an online nurse educator program.
Why an Online Nurse Educator Program Might Be for You
In most cases, people who opt for any online degree program seek flexibility and convenience. However, there are many aspects to this, and not all will apply to everyone.
RELATED: Find a Nurse Educator School.
1. Ideal for Working Parents
Nursing is an intense career with long hours. If you are a parent working in this field, it can be especially difficult to find the time to upskill. Online masters programs are not typically limited to the 1-2 year format like on-campus programs. Even when they are, you can study whenever you like as they are asynchronous (lectures are pre-recorded videos). Often, coursework has a longer deadline or is in conjunction with your schedule of completing that course.
2. The Convenience of Remote Study
The benefits of a fully online program are that you can study from anywhere. You rarely (if ever) need to visit the college or university, unlike campus study where most of your degree is in a college/university. So long as you have a stable internet connection, you are good to go. You can choose from among the best online nurse educator programs around. Based in Hawaii? You can pursue an online nurse educator program without uprooting your family and career.
3. Flexible Learning for Diverse Populations
Campus life is not suited to everyone. While remote study benefits everyone, there are often unique challenges to being an older student, those with a learning difficulty or disability, and those with a chronic illness. There is no end to the list of flexibility benefits for those with diverse needs.
Plus, different people have different learning needs even when leaving disabilities, illness, and outside responsibilities aside. Some learn better in lectures, some with visuals, some learn by practical application. Online nurse educator programs use the best available technology and techniques (such as VR) to help you succeed.
4. A Wider Range of Programs to Choose From
Not every college or university offers online versions of their campus degree. However, there are a large number of online only colleges and universities with no physical campus, who do everything digitally, and have spent years building a reputation as an online provider. Your ideal online nurse educator program may be just a few clicks away. These online only programs utilize some great technologies that campus colleges either don't use, don't need, or are limited in use or scope.
5. Online Nurse Education Programs Can Help You Save Money
Pricing out any degree can be complex. First you have tuition and fees, usually one of the largest elements of your total cost. On-campus students must consider food plans, but there are also variable costs such as transportation. Studying from home or other remote location is much cheaper. Plus, you very often have the extra benefit of paying the same in online tuition as you would pay as a state resident – no out of state extra fees.
6. Local Practical or Clinical Experiences
The great thing about being a working nurse choosing an online nurse educator program? You may apply what you learn to your job where applicable. There is also a strong chance that you may carry out any training required as part of your degree, or conduct the practicum, capstone project, or thesis in your current workplace. You will need to check finer details, but many working nurses take advantage of this opportunity.
7. Opportunities to Network with Fellow Students
Despite popular belief, studying an online degree in any discipline is not isolating. Realizing that students need community and support from their peers, online nurse education programs provide virtual networking, group seminars, forums, and many other tools available to help students connect and support each other. Due to the global nature of the internet, you can talk to people across the world.
8. Numerous Start Dates
At best, the typical campus based graduate degree has two intakes per year (spring and fall) though most have just one (fall). You will find that online nurse educator programs often have up to four start dates – one for each season – especially those that offer asynchronous study. This means that classes are recorded for students to access when suitable for them. Synchronous study means live broadcast classes at a set time.
FAQs
Are online nursing degrees legitimate, or as prestigious as campus degrees?
Yes. So long as they are accredited, they are no different from campus degrees. The only difference is how the college or university delivers the degree.
What about clinical training?
Nurse Educator degrees typically have a practical element of clinical training. This is the only exception in your online study – you will need to travel to a relevant and approved health facility for it.
How long will an online nurse educator degree take to complete?
The main benefit of pursuing any online program is that you can work at your own pace. If you study full-time, you may still complete within 1-2 years – just like a traditional campus program. However, you are typically advised to complete the degree within 3 or 4 years, with three being the most common.
What are the minimum requirements for an online nurse educator degree?
The usual academic requirements apply – for example, a BSN and an RN license, and a GPA of 3.0 typically applies. However, as this is online, you will need a device such as a laptop or desktop powerful enough to watch videos and run interactive tools.
Are there concentrations available? What are some typical curriculum focus areas?
Depending on the degree and the level, i.e. Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in Nursing Education or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in Nursing Education, you may find concentrations in academic teaching, curriculum design, research, instructional technologies, advanced nursing, and nursing leadership, among others.
What types of online program are currently available?
You will find fully online programs described as synchronous (classes delivered live at a set time, like campus study) or asynchronous (these are recorded classes that you may access at any time). You may find some hybrid programs too which mix campus and online study.
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