Online Graduate Programs in Nursing in Huge Demand
Kelly Sheehy reported in an article released on January 10, 2012 that U.S. News had released their evaluations of the best online graduate programs in nursing. The rise in demand for online nursing programs has been fueled by the high number of qualified applicants being turned away from nursing schools due to a lack of available seats in nursing programs. The major reason for the lack of available seats is tied to the lack of qualified faculty to lead programs.
To become a nursing instructor, an individual must have at least a Master’s degree in Nursing. A typical nurses rotating schedule and shift work makes it extremely difficult for most nurses to complete graduate studies. Having an online option should make it much easier for a nurse who is interested in becoming a nursing instructor complete the required credentials.
If you are looking to enter a graduate program in nursing, check out the U.S. News rankings before making your final decision.
How the Top Online Graduate Programs in Nursing Are Ranked
Sheehy reported in the article how U.S. News ranked the top online nursing programs:
Online master’s of nursing and doctorate of nursing practice degrees are ranked in four distinct areas: admissions selectivity, faculty credentials and training, student engagement and accreditation, and student services and technology. Online degree programs considered for the rankings have at least 80 percent of their course content available online, and enrolled students in the 2010-2011 academic year.
Four schools came out on top in the U.S. News rankings in the specific ranking categories:
- Faculty Credentials and Training–George Washington University’s School of Nursing
- Student Engagement and Accreditation–University of Northern Colorado
- Admissions Selectivity–Delta State University
- Student Services and Technology–Loyola University New Orleans
Schools ranking in the U.S. News Honor Roll had to rank in the top one-third of at least three ranking categories. Five schools made the criteria, including Clarkson College of Nursing (Nebraska); Drexel University’s College of Nursing and Health Professions (Philadelphia); University of Colorado’s Health Science Center School of Nursing; and the aforementioned George Washington and Loyola New Orleans.
The online nursing degree option will do so much to alleviate the nursing instructor crisis, as well as help nurses ready to transition to a new phase of their careers in instruction. Working with individual’s schedules, instead of against them will ensure that a new generation of nurses is well-prepared to enter this exciting career field. Seeing otherwise qualified individuals turned away from full programs is a waste of talent.
Learn more about the U.S. News Top Online Graduate Programs in Nursing