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Expert Advice >
Careers
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By Vicky Phillips, Online Education Analyst
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Question: 
I've been an RN for 10 years and earned my RN-BSN on campus. To advance to a management position at my hospital I need a masters degree. I want to specialize in geriatrics. Can I earn this type of advanced nursing degree online?
—Kim, Wisconsin
Answer: Yes. There are several online graduate school options for seasoned nurses who want to move from direct care into nursing management.
The most common online masters for you to consider would be the Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN). This is the traditional capstone nursing degree. Because there remains such a severe shortage of nurses, many colleges—indeed hospitals themselves—are sponsoring distance learning nursing masters degrees.
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Learn about other types of online masters degrees related to nursing
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Expert Advice >
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By Vicky Phillips, Online Education Analyst
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 Question:I have a bachelors in psychology and want to change careers to become a nurse. Are there any online bachelor degree programs in nursing (BSN) that will admit me without the RN (registered nurse) certification?
—Peter, Madison, WI
Answer:
The good news: online nursing education is booming. In 2009, there were 129 online RN-BSN degree programs nationwide, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.
The ANA tracks an additional 114 distance learning nursing programs which are considered hybrid (50 to 99 percent online). Hybrid means some nursing courses are taught online while others require campus attendance.
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Read the rest of our expert answer to this common question.
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Expert Advice >
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By Vicky Phillips, Online Education Analyst
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Question:
“I graduated college ten years ago with a Bachelor of Arts in History. I want a new career in marketing. Should I earn a second online bachelor degree with a new major in marketing?”
—Jamie C., Napa, CA
Answer:
In most cases earning a second bachelor’s degree is a waste of time and money. In your case, this would almost certainly be true.
If you pursued a second bachelor degree online, you’d face several unpleasant and costly obstacles.
To earn a new bachelor’s all colleges will require you to meet new general education course requirements. Since no two colleges have identical degree requirements, be prepared to repeat more than the academic major portion of your degree.
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Read more about earning an online bachelors
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Expert Advice >
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By Vicky Phillips, Online Education Analyst
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 Question:
I’m worried about employer acceptance of my online degree. I just completed my bachelors online and am ready to send out my resume. Should I use my cover letter to reveal to potential employers that I earned my degree online?
—Holly, Nashville, TN
Answer:
These days, taking college or post-secondary courses online is not an oddity. In 2010, more than 85 percent of traditional residential colleges will offer college courses online or through distance learning.
Online education is no longer the future. It’s right now.
As a result, there is no need to reveal in a cover letter or resume that you “earned your degree online.” Details about why you chose any particular type of school—such as a private school versus a public school or a Christian college versus a secular college—are best left to discussion during an actual interview.
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Learn which online schools MAY carry stigmas and how to discuss your online degree with a prospective employer
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Expert Advice >
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By Vicky Phillips, Online Education Analyst
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Question:
It’s always been my dream to be a lawyer. Which colleges offer the best law degrees online?
—Brice, Indiana
Answer:
Unfortunately, in order to sit for the bar exam to become a lawyer in most states you must first attend a law school accredited by the American Bar Association. And the American Bar Association (ABA) does not yet accredit any online law school.
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Read more expert advice about the best ways to use online education to become a lawyer
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