Nursing students must overcome many barriers to enroll and succeed in nursing school. These can be financial but also cultural and academic. Nursing education must prepare nurses to care for diverse patient populations and address the social determinants of health (SDOH). It must also incorporate teaching about diversity, inclusion, and equity.
Benefits of Online Learning
Several studies have reported that nurses who participate in online learning have positive perceptions of their education, satisfaction with their courses, and overall outlook on studying online. These positive perceptions are attributed to the benefits of an online learning environment, which include self-paced learning and flexibility.
Nursing students often require structure and accountability regarding their study habits. Still, online learning offers this through a digital platform easily accessible 24/7. Some nursing students prefer to listen to lectures, which is easier to do through an online course. In contrast, others need more hands-on experience and may do better with practical assignments or virtual simulations.
The interactive nature of online learning platforms also allows students to communicate with classmates through discussion forums, which can help them understand and apply nursing theory. In addition, many hybrid ABSN programs combine immersive computer-based lessons that can be completed from home with in-person skills labs and clinical rotations.
Flexibility
Continuing education and lifelong learning are essential for nursing professionals to keep their skills and knowledge up-to-date with healthcare trends and advancements. Online learning allows students to access their classroom whenever and wherever they can, regardless of their busy schedules. This makes it easier for working nurses to balance school and career without worrying about missing essential assignments and exams. The best registered nurse online programs will offer various tools and resources to help their students thrive, including virtual collaboration platforms and discussion forums.
The best online RN programs will also include a variety of clinical experiences. This is a great way to provide hands-on training and prepare students for the real-life challenges they may face in their careers. Students should consider this when choosing a program, as some schools may require them to travel to other healthcare facilities for clinical rotations. Others, like RN-to-BSN online programs, will allow students to complete these experiences from the comfort of their homes.
Access to Resources
Online nursing programs allow you to take courses with an accredited school like William Paterson University. This may allow you to participate in federal aid and state entitlement programs and ensure that your curriculum follows national standards. Many of the same learning activities in traditional nursing schools, such as clinical and group work, can be taken online. This makes an online program a convenient option for those with a registered nurse license ready to advance their career with an RN-to-BSN degree. Nurses will be essential in meeting healthcare needs as the world faces various health challenges. Nurses’ close connection with communities, placement across care settings, and ability to work with diverse populations uniquely position them to address social determinants of health (SDOH) and promote health equity. Nursing education must change to prepare nurses better to do so. This includes providing more culturally and racially concordant care and developing learning experiences that reflect the diversity of patients.
Time Management
Online learning can be challenging, especially for nurses with family and work commitments. However, it is often more flexible and more accessible to fit around other fixed obligations than traditional in-person courses. Moreover, it can save time compared to traveling to and from school. This reduces the overall cost of nurse education, which can be passed on to healthcare centers and hospitals.
Finally, online learning offers a range of resources to suit different learning styles. Some students prefer to listen to lectures or take notes, while others must read to understand a topic thoroughly. In addition, virtual simulations are an excellent way to practice skills and test your understanding of complicated topics. Nursing education should enable student nurses to move from the fringes of the nursing “community of practice” towards full, legitimate membership at the start of their training. This involves teaching them the profession’s factual knowledge, unwritten rules, and practices.
