Online Associates Degree in Nursing

What is an Associates Degree in Nursing?

In general terms, an  associates degree is an undergraduate degree that typically takes about two years to obtain.  This type of degree is often earned on the community college or technical school level.

This degree is the lowest level of degree that students can earn.  This degree is also the first stepping stone in achieving higher degrees.

The core curriculum is typically a general education set of classes with an emphasis in nursing  This allows the student to continue on the nursing educational track for higher degrees.  A desirable degree for nurses is a bachelors or master degree in nursing.

What different accreditation is available when studying Nursing?

All federally funded schools must be accredited. If schools are not properly accredited then the degree that is being earned is not recognized. Earning a degree takes a lot of hard work.

Make sure that any school or program that is going to offer a degree has proper accreditation. Schools must either be regionally accredited or nationally accredited. There are colleges that do not have accreditation. Beware any school that is not accredited.

How long will I need to study to acquire my Online Associates Degree in nursing?

Nursing is divided up into two areas.  The first is the RN or registered nurse, and the second is the LVN or Licensed Vocational Nurse.   The RN program is typically two years in length plus the time required to take prerequisite classes.

Graduating from an RN program will usually award the student with an Associates Degree in Nursing.

A LVN program can take as little as one  year of school plus the time it takes to take prerequisite classes.  Graduating from an LVN program will usually require a few more general education program classes to be taken before the AA degree is awarded.  The typical time frame for receiving an AA degree is about 2 years.

What are the options for specialization with my Online Associates Degree in Nursing?

There are few options available for specialization within the associates degree level.  This is because the core of classes that are taken are general education classes not not specific to the major.

This is a gateway degree to higher degrees.  The specialization would occur at the higher level and not at the associate level.  There are however, a few options that can be specialized, such as Geriatrics or Management type specialties.

What subject does one take when doing an Online Associates Degree in Business?

The primary subjects taken are general educational requirements.  This would include history, science, mathematics, art, humanities, language and social science classes.

Nursing programs vary from campus to campus but expect to take medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, chemistry, pharmacology, and advanced nursing classes such as gerontology.

The Associates degree is an entry level degree and is often the basic degree before students begin to specialize their major course of study.

What jobs are available when I graduate with my Online Associates Degree in Nursing?

Jobs that are open to people with an online associates degree in nursing include working as a nurse in convalescent setting, acute care settings and private practice such as home-care or doctors offices.

Management positions are usually awarded to nurses who either have a bachelors degree in nursing or a masters degree in nursing.  Working as a nurse requires that students pass a state board test before they may obtain a nursing job.

What exactly is an Online Associates Degree in Nursing?

An Online Associates Degree in nursing is a basic degree that is focused on general education with an emphasis in nursing and healthcare.  This is an entry level degree that provides a platform for students to reach higher and more specialized degrees such as a bachelor degree or masters degree.

What will I earn as a Business Person?

The salary range for a nurse with an online associates degree begins with minimum wage and rises to about $80,000.   The discrepancy in salary ranges occurs from a hospital to healthcare institution and the type of nursing that is being performed.  There are instances where people with an online associates degree in nursing can make six figure incomes, but those are rare cases.

How do I become a Nurse?

Nursing is a career that is in demand.  This means that acceptance into a nursing program can be tough. The only way to become a nurse is through graduation from an accredited school of nursing or a nursing program through an accredited university.

Following graduation the student must take a state board to become a nurse.  The best way to gain admission is to make sure that all of the prerequisites are completed with a high grade point average.  Many programs also take work history into consideration.

What are the important aspects of an Online Associates Degree in Nursing Institution?

Accreditation is one of the most important aspects of ranking college degree programs.  It is even more important for lower degrees such as the associates degree.  This is true because many students who obtain an associates degree will want to further their education by seeking a higher degree.  Some college programs are not transferable to higher learning institutions and colleges.

This means that if the school or program is not chosen carefully, advancement in education may be delayed if the student must start their degree process from the beginning.  Choosing a nursing program from a school that offers a higher degree than the associates degree is a good first step in gaining access to higher degrees programs.