Online Education Options for Nurses | Workforce Edge Resources
04/29/2024

What Are Some Online Education Options for Nurses?

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As the field of healthcare continues to evolve, so too do the types of responsibilities nurses can take on within their organizations. To stay ahead of changes and grow into areas of specialization that best suit their interests, nurses should explore the variety of online education options available.

Adele Webb, PhD, RN, FNAP, FAAN, executive dean of healthcare initiatives at Strategic Education, Inc., recently discussed the current state of nursing and what a typical education journey looks like. She also gave insights into how learning and development needs are evolving and what healthcare professionals can expect in the years ahead.

Can you describe a typical career and education pathway for nurses?

Traditionally, healthcare leaders have wanted nurses to start their careers with a BSN. But that’s not always the case in today’s environment. It depends on where a nurse is coming from and how they’re entering the profession. For example, if nursing is a second career, a lot of nurses will start with an associate degree. They can then start working and possibly pursue a bachelor’s with their organization’s financial support.

I was a pediatric emergency room nurse, so I got certified as a pediatric emergency room nurse. This kind of certification helps out in a few ways. One, it can help a nurse ladder up at their institution. It can lead to more pay, but it also can provide the skills and mentoring needed to get better at your profession.

How have nurses’ careers and education pathways changed over the past few years? What educational options are nurses interested in at the moment?

A lot of nurses are pursuing a master’s or doctorate, including a DNP degree. I’m seeing a lot of interest in nurse practitioner roles. This is a recent development because, for a long time, nurse practitioner roles were not highly valued.  Now that they are, people want to achieve the certification and contribute to healthcare at a higher level.

“There is a lot of interest in certifications at the moment. Because they allow nurses to really explore the aspects of the profession that interest them the most, they’re always going to be popular.”

How will credentialing evolve in the coming years?

The increased interest in becoming nurse practitioners and pursuing certifications will continue or even accelerate. If your organization achieves Magnet recognition (in other words, if the American Nurses Credentialing Center recognizes your hospital as providing exceptional care according to their guidelines), I expect certifications to become even more widespread within your hospital. With more certifications, nurses can provide different aspects of care for their patients.

Any education-related advice for someone just beginning their nursing career?

The important thing to understand is the value of experience. When you start your career, it’s really the time to get your feet wet and learn what the profession entails. It’s different than school, of course: it’s the real world and it’s when you apply what you’ve learned. It’s also the time when you figure out what your strengths and interests are.

Once you’ve had a little experience, you can focus on a certification in an area of care that you’re passionate about. You can also join a professional organization and start to network with others. This can all happen before you pursue a higher degree as it’ll help you figure out your best path forward.

My general advice for anyone thinking about entering the field is that nursing can be extremely rewarding. It requires a lot of passion and compassion, but it can make for a great and satisfying career.

Interested in nursing programs through Workforce Edge? Find your employer here.

As the field of healthcare continues to evolve, so too do the types of responsibilities nurses can take on within their organizations. To stay ahead of changes and grow into areas of specialization that best suit their interests, nurses should explore the variety of online education options available.

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