Nurses are among the most important members of the health care team, providing medical care and comfort to patients, assistance to doctors, and generally doing whatever needs to be done in medical settings from emergency rooms to private health clinics. No matter what your specific medical interest, you can build a great nursing career around it, and an online nursing program can pave the way.

And even better, once you graduate, you’re very likely to find a job doing what you love. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that through 2016, “registered nurses are projected to generate 587,000 new jobs, among the largest number of new jobs for any occupation”; note those with bachelor’s degrees in nursing (BSN) will have the best job prospects.

So how can you get started on your nursing career? Read on to find out more about how to find the right online nursing program for you.

Online Nursing Program FAQ

What types of online nursing programs are available?

Online nursing programs are available at the associate, bachelor, master, and doctorate levels; specialized certificates and diplomas are also available.

Some common online nursing programs include:

• Certificate or Diploma: One-year program after which holders are qualified to take the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) exam.
• Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN): Two-year program after which holders are qualified to take the Registered Nurse (RN) exam.
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): Four-year program after which holders are qualified to take the RN exam and also for certain management positions.
• Associate to BSN: Program that allows associate degree holders to apply credits toward and earn a bachelor’s degree.
• RN to BSN: Program for RNs to earn a bachelor’s degree.
• Master (MSN): Two-year program that for those who wish to specialize as clinical nurse specialists, nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, or nurse practitioners, also called Advanced Practical Nurses (APN).
• RN to MSN: Program fro RNs to earn a bachelor’s degree and continue on for their master’s degree.
• Doctorate (PhD): Program for those interested primarily in research or teaching.

What are online nursing programs like?

Online nursing programs have much in common with their traditional counterparts. Coursework will vary by the specific degree being pursued, but generally, some of the most popular courses in online nursing programs include:

• Anatomy and Physiology (A & P)
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Microbiology
• Nursing
• Psychology and Other Behavioral Sciences

Many online nursing programs also have clinical requirements for which candidates much complete in-person, hands-on training at local medical facilities, approved by the online program.

Courses may also be available in specialties like:

• Cardiac
• Gastrointestinal
• Geriatric
• Midwifery
• Neuroscience
• Nurse Practitioner
• Obstetrics-Gynecology (Ob-Gyn)
• Oncology/Cancer
• Orthopedic
• Pain Management
• Pediatric

Before choosing a specialty, however, you should have some experience in that area whether it be as a nurse or a volunteer.

How do I qualify for an online nursing program?

If you are pursuing a bachelor’s degree in nursing, you will have to meet similar requirements as those of traditional university programs including minimum GPA and SAT/ACT scores, which vary by school. In particular, you should have taken and done well in high school math and science courses, particularly Algebra II, Geometry, Biology, and Chemistry.

A nurse should also be caring, compassionate, reliable, able to take charge in stressful situations, and have a strong interest in health care.

How do I choose an online nursing program?

In choosing an online nursing program, you must first decide what you would like to do for a living, e.g., if you would like to be an RN, you should be looking at associate or bachelor degree programs. If you are already an RN but would like to increase your job prospects and salary, an online RN to BSN program may be for you.

Once you know what kind of program you’d like to attend, decide how much time and money you can commit to online learning. Now match up your interests to those online nursing programs that fit your budget and schedule.

Finally it’s time to pick one online nursing program. Factors you should consider when choosing an online nursing program include:

• Courses offered
• Preparation for licensure exams
• Clinical or residency requirements
• Level of interaction with other students and faculty
• School’s accreditation and reputation
• Faculty qualifications
• Past and current student evaluations

Be sure to ask lots of questions of your potential school so you have as much information as possible before you commit to an online nursing program.