Blog Updated on December 19, 2024.
Nurses provide compassionate care to patients of all ages throughout their health journeys. A significant challenge facing hospitals across the United States is finding qualified nurses to build these relationships. A 2023 McKinsey report estimated a shortfall of up to 450,000 registered nurses by 2025.
We’ll need a new generation of nurses to provide patient care, including professionals who started in other careers. Online nursing degree programs are available for career-changers inspired to become registered nurses. Let’s explore why now is the time to become a nurse online before explaining the professional and educational steps to start your nursing career.
Why Is the Nursing Profession Important?
An aging patient population and nursing workforce create career opportunities for individuals pursuing online nursing degrees. By 2040, one-fifth of the American population will be 65 years and older compared to one-eighth in 2000. Research by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) found that nearly one in five nurses plans to leave their nursing career by 2027. Newcomers to the field not only fill needs in their communities but also shape the future of the profession.
Nursing is a great second career for caring professionals because of the public’s trust in registered nurses. According to Gallup’s 2023 Honesty and Ethics poll, nurses were rated the most honest and ethical among all the survey’s professions. This is not a one-time occurrence, with nursing placing at the top of the list every year since 2002.
The positive impacts of nurses on their patients and communities translate into high job satisfaction. The National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses (NSSRN) found that nearly 89% of respondents were moderately or extremely satisfied with their jobs. This satisfaction level surpasses the 62.3% rate across professions identified by The Conference Board in a 2023 survey.
Can You Become a Nurse Online?
Aspiring nurses should consider the best degree options for their new careers. Eighty-nine percent of registered nurses surveyed by the National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses (NSSRN) in 2022 held either associate or bachelor’s degrees at the time of initial licensing. Pursuing an undergraduate degree online can be a useful choice when switching careers; it can enable current professionals to get their nursing education while meeting their other commitments.
What Is the Best Path to an Online Nursing Degree?
An Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program is a bachelor’s degree program that requires a minimal number of prerequisite courses and takes less time to complete than traditional pathways to a BSN. Future nursing professionals can acquire theoretical knowledge as well as clinical experiences, making it a good avenue to become a nurse online.
Ultimately, the ABSN program doesn’t come with the time commitment that a traditional four-year program entails. Accelerated ABSN programs accommodate students who want to change careers by focusing on the skills needed in their new professions. ABSN students can typically complete their degree requirements in less than three years of full-time study.
An online ABSN program can be a good choice for nursing students who want to become a nurse faster. For comprehensive nursing education, online nursing degrees combine 100% virtual coursework, in-person clinical placements, and campus residencies. Online ABSN students can learn the science of nursing from home while learning the art of nursing through clinical experiences.
How Does an Online Nursing Program Work?
Online ABSN programs typically require bachelor’s degrees in other fields for student admission. Applicants usually need to complete prerequisite courses in anatomy, microbiology, and statistics. Online programs focus on the competencies required for successful nursing careers including:
- Community care
- Ethics and values in nursing
- Evidence-based nursing practice
- Healthcare policy
- Information technology
Nursing clinicals represent important components of any nursing degree because they bring course lessons to life. Hours spent with patients and experienced nurses refine a nursing student’s skills before graduation. Online nursing programs find supervised clinical experiences close to where students live.
What’s Next After an Online Nursing Degree?
Nursing school graduates take the NCLEX-RN exam within two months of completing their degrees. This five-hour, adaptive exam requires the completion of at least 85 items in eight areas of client need, including:
- Basic Care and Comfort
- Health Promotion and Maintenance
- Management of Care
- Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
- Physiological Adaptation
- Psychosocial Integrity
- Reduction of Risk Potential
- Safety and Infection Control
The licensing process for registered nurses varies from state to state. In Pennsylvania, applicants need to submit the following to the Pennsylvania Department of State for consideration:
- Transcripts from an approved program of professional nursing
- Proof of a passed NCLEX-RN exam
- A $95 fee for in-state or a $115 fee for out-of-state applicants
- Completion of three hours of training in child abuse recognition and reporting
Generalist nurses work with patients across the lifespan and treat various ailments in a range of settings. With specialty certifications, registered nurses can apply for niche roles that fit their career goals and areas of interest. Continuing education and training allow registered nurses to pursue specialties in areas like:
- Cardiac care
- Gastroenterology
- Infection control
- Pain management
- Substance abuse
The educational and licensing processes are the same whether you pursue a traditional or online BSN. Employers look at the quality and reputation of conferring universities when considering nursing applicants, not the mode of instruction. Holy Family University hits both of these marks with its online ABSN program.
Complete The Form to Access Your Online Nursing Program Guide
Completing an Online Nursing Program at Holy Family University
Holy Family University’s Second Degree Distance Hybrid BSN is an accelerated option for career-changing students. In 14 months, you can complete the credits and clinical hours necessary for graduation. ABSN students learn from practicing nurses throughout their enrollment in preparation for the NCLEX-RN and licensure. With this level of quality instruction, graduates from Holy Family University achieved a 96% NCLEX-RN pass rate in 2024.
Applicants with bachelor’s degrees in any discipline and GPAs of at least 3.0 qualify for admission to the program. Holy Family University’s prerequisite requirements are streamlined compared to similar degrees—only five prerequisite courses are required when compared to eight or nine with competitors. The 59-credit curriculum provides a strong foundation to become a nurse online with courses in:
- Foundations of Nursing Practice
- Medical-Surgical Nursing
- Nursing and Older Adult Health Promotion
- Nursing Care of Children
- Transition to Professional Role
Nursing students work with the university’s Clinical Placement Services team to find clinical opportunities in their communities. The 504-hour requirement offers supervised, hands-on experiences with patients. Holy Family University also fosters relationships among faculty and students with one on-campus residency per student.
Graduates of the ABSN program are well-positioned for employment opportunities. This innovative program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
Follow your calling to the nursing profession with an ABSN from Holy Family University.
