The healthcare industry is growing, and students are turning to distance learning courses in nursing to obtain the necessary career training. Here are some of the reasons why nursing school is so popular.
- Work while you train. While the process of becoming a Registered Nurse can take years, students appreciate the chance to work in the field as they complete nursing school. You may even be able to find a hospital or physician's office willing to finance all or part of your career training as you work.
- Enjoy a growing field. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that job prospects for nurses are expected to be excellent in the coming years. An aging population and a lack of trained nurses mean more available jobs.
- Room for advancement. Experienced nurses may move on to either specialize in areas of patient care, or to the business side of healthcare administration. Those with excellent organization and communication skills may become head nurses or assistant directors, or advance into other management positions.
- Salary based on skill. Median annual earnings of registered nurses were $68,910 in May 2013, according to the BLS. No career training program can guarantee a particular career or salary, but nurses certainly can't practice without the proper training.
Distance learning programs in nursing typically allow students to complete portions of their coursework online, often while maintaining steady employment and getting clinical practice locally. A number of nursing schools can offer you the education you should need to succeed in this growing field.