SITE SEARCH
Breaking News
Online Degree Rankings
Best Buy Online Degrees
Best Buy Online Degrees
An online degree can cost as little as $3,000 – or over $100,000. More than 12,000 online degrees and certificates – and no two charge the same tuition. Our affordability rankings reveal who offers the best – and worst – buys in online degrees.
 
Best Student Satisfaction
Best Student Satisfaction
Enrolled in an online degree program? Alumni of an online college? Visit your college or degree program in our directory and "grade" – rate and rank – its performance. Your opinion will help others "get educated" about the real-life ratings of thousands of online college programs.
 
Best Public Perception
Best Public Perception
Not all online colleges rate the same in the eyes of the public or potential employers. How does the public rate your online degree? Do they rank it high – or rate it low? Help rate and rank all the choices. Your opinion will help others "get educated" about the real-life reputation of thousands of online colleges.
 
Newsletter
Most Popular Articles
Career Center
CAREER CENTER HOME
 
This career is among the top 10 fastest growing careers in the United States. Job opportunities will remain excellent through 2016.
Physician’s offices and home health agencies will see the greatest demand. Outpatient surgery centers, emergency centers and rehab clinics will seek more educated applicants than exist.
RNs who hold bachelor's or master's degrees will enjoy the best prospects and highest salaries. Advanced practice specialties—clinical nurse specialists, nurse practitioners, midwives and nurse anesthetists—will experience extremely high demand.
In 2006 RNs enjoyed an average salary of $57,280. The middle 50 percent earned $47,710 to $69,850. The highest 10 percent earned more than $83,000.
RNs in hospitals earned the highest salaries. Those in nursing care facilities earned the least.
RNs (registered nurses) treat patients and educate the public about health. As front-line providers, they give advice and emotional support to patients and families.
RNs also monitor patients’ medical symptoms. They perform diagnostic tests and help with patient follow-up and rehabilitation. RNs often supervise licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and nursing aides (health care aides).
RNs often specialize according to setting and population. For example, one RN may become a nurse educator working with HIV/AIDS patients. She or he might work for a government health department. Another may choose surgery and work in a hospital surgical unit.
Tremendous opportunity exists for RNs with special interests to combine these interests to forge interesting careers. For example, an RN who enjoys writing may specialize in medical journalism or book editing.
Consider both employment demand in your geographic area and your special interests in deciding the right RN career niche.
RNs follow one of three educational paths: Earn a diploma from an approved nursing program; complete an associate degree in nursing (ADN); or earn a bachelor’s of science in nursing degree (BSN).
A Master of Science in Nursing degree (MSN) may be required for any of the four advanced practice nursing specialties—clinical nurse specialists, nurse anesthetists, nurse-midwives and nurse practitioners.
Licensing: RNs must also pass a national licensing examination, the NCLEX-RN, in order to obtain a nursing license.
Entering the Field: Many RNs launch their careers by earning healthcare diplomas or certificates. Some earn associate degrees first. After becoming employed in nursing as a health aide or LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) they may enter BSN programs to prepare for broader practice and earn higher wages.
Career Changers: Accelerated BSN programs are the fastest route to a BSN for career changers who already hold a bachelor’s degree with a non-nursing major. MSN (Master of Science in Nursing) programs are sometimes open to individuals who hold a bachelor’s in another field.

Find online degrees for Nursing now. >>

American Nursing Association
National Council of State Boards of Nursing
ExploreHealthCareers.org - RN Careers

 

Salary and growth data courtesy of the Bureau of Labor Statistics. For more detailed information on RN careers, salaries and job prospects visit: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition, Registered Nurses, at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos083.htm.

 
Ask GetEducated!
Q I’m looking for an online MBA. I’ve found several that fit my budget but none are accredited by the AACSB. What is the AACSB? Do I really need a distance MBA degree that is accredited by them? —Roberta, Gary, IN
A The AACSB is the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International. It is considered the gold standard of business school accreditation. But not every student needs an AACSB-accredited MBA...
Q I was laid off from my job as a real estate agent and want to be a high school math teacher, but my bachelor’s degree is in psychology. Do I need a new degree in education? Will an online bachelor’s in education qualify me to become a licensed teacher? —Willis, Houston, Texas
A If you didn’t earn a bachelor’s degree in education years ago and you now want to teach in the public schools, don’t fret. Every state maintains what are termed “alternative teacher certification” programs...
 
Featured Programs
Ohio University-Main Campus
Ohio University’s online Master of Health Administration (MHA) degree program prepares professionals for leadership positions in contemporary health organizations in the U.S.  Graduates are highly valued for their ability to solve complex problems and meet organizational goals by combining their knowledge of the evolving health environment with their experience.  The program is designed for mid-career professionals, is offered entirely online and can be completed in two years.
Baker College Online
Baker College Online is one of the largest and most affordable accredited online colleges in the nation. Our tuition is often less than half that of other online colleges while the quality of your education and training remains high. Baker Graduates increased their earning potential by 35% upon completion of their degrees. As a career college our goal is to prepare you for a great career and help you find a good job or advance your current career in the shortest possible time.
Military Resource Center
For active-duty military, reservists, veterans, and military families.
More than half of military students use online education. What do you need to know to find schools that best fit your needs? How can you find the best financial aid and scholarship package at your online school? Answers are here.

Jobs and Careers in Online and Distance Education
Online and distance schools need teachers.
The field of online education is growing and so is the need for teachers who can teach online. Check out our regularly updated list of online job opportunities, post your job availability, and visit our Online Resource Center, with tips, advice and free downloads for online educators.

Sponsors
 
GETV
Home | Articles | Media Coverage | About Us | News Releases | Privacy | Team Bios | History and Mission | Newsletter | Contact Us | Advertising Opportunities