Career Advisor

Continue Your Nursing Education Online

Nursing schools are offering online programs in order to expand their enrollment and keep up with the increasing need for qualified nurses. Working professional nurses often have demanding and irregular hours and going back to school online offers nurses maximum flexibility. Nursing is currently one of the hottest careers, and right now there is a shortage of nurses. Furthermore, the call for for nurses will increase as the baby boomer generation ages. There are many different skill levels of nursing professionals which are dependent upon experience and education, Getting your nursing qualifications through online education will provide you with the skills necessary to jump start your nursing career.

Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA) - Nursing Assistants help patients with self care activities (eating, dressing, bathing, etc) and bedside care. Some responsibilities CNAs have are repositioning bed ridden patients, feeding patients who cannot feed themselves, recording liquid and food intake as well as taking vital signs, and applying dressings. The median salary is $23,160. Training can be received through community colleges, the Red Cross, and healthcare facilities. A state exam must be taken to become a CNA.

Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) or Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs)- LPN’s provide basic bedside care, measure vital signs, give injections, dress wounds, collect samples for laboratory testing, monitor patients to report any adverse side effects to medication, and gather information from patients. Experienced LPNs often manage CNAs. The median salary is $36,550. Training is about a year long and can be received from a community or vocational college. State exam must be taken to become an LPN.

Registered Nurse (RN)- According to the Department of Labor, RNs “regardless of specialty or work setting, treat patients, educate patients and the public about various medical conditions, and provide advice and emotional support to patients’ family members. RNs record patients’ medical histories and symptoms, help perform diagnostic tests and analyze results, operate medical machinery, administer treatment and medications, and help with patient follow-up and rehabilitation.” RNs who have advanced degrees have the opportunity to prescribe treatments and perform diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. RNs have the option of specializing in a work setting such as an Emergency Room nurse, health conditions like diabetes management, organ or body systems as cardiovascular nurses do, or with a specific population such as geriatric nurses who work with the elderly. Specializations can be combined. The median salary for an RN is $57,280. A bachelor degree in nursing (BSN) can be earned at an accredited four year university. There are accelerated programs available for those who have degrees in other majors/fields. An associate degree in nursing (ASN) can be earned at an accredited junior or community colleges and generally take two years to complete. A master’s in nursing (MSN) also can be earned and requires a BSN and an additional two years of study. MSN and BSN generally give more career advancement opportunities and options for a broader range of jobs. Additionally, MSNs have more options of specialty. RNs must pass a national licensing exam.

Advanced Practice Nurses (APN) - Advanced Practice Nurses have a higher level of education than RNs; they generally have at least a Masters degree while some even have a PhD. APNs can prescribe medication and can diagnose illnesses. Nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists are examples of APNs. The median salary was $81,397.

Succeed in your online classes

Everyone has a different style and method of learning. Knowing what your learning style is important in order to do well in your online classes. Interestingly enough, each Myers Briggs type (personality type) has a different ideal learning style, some of which are well suited for distance learning.

ENFPs (Extroverted Intuitive Feeling Perceiving) – Referred to as the inspirer, ENFPs are known for their people skills. They are highly sociable and spontaneous people. Study groups and studying in social studies such as coffee shops are ideal for ENFPs.

ENFJs (Extroverted Intuitive Feeling Judging) – Known as the givers, ENFJs are the ultimate team players. ENFJs love to explain concepts and ideas to others; thus, they learn best by teaching others.

ENTJs (Extroverted Intuitive Thinking Judging) – The executive, ENTJs, are extremely goal oriented people who prefer structure and a high level of organization. Traditional learning methods like note taking and creating outlines are ideal for ENTJs.

ESFPs (Extroverted Sensing Feeling Perceiving) – ESFPs or the performers are active and dislike theory/traditional reading. ESFPs should try to relate the material they are learning to practical, real world examples as doing so will appeal to their deeply pragmatic side.

ESFJs (Extroverted Sensing Feeling Judging)—ESFJs or the caregivers are highly social people. They enjoy working with people to complete tasks; study groups are ideal for them.

ESTPs (Extroverted Sensing Thinking Perceiving) – Doers, ESTPs, are not interested in theory; they learn best by getting their “hands dirty” or doing. They would best served by actually doing problems and examples.

ESTJs (Extroverted Sensing Thinking Judging)—Known as guardians, ESTJs are extremely down to earth and results oriented. They want to take the most efficient path to achieve their goals. When it comes to learning, ESTJs need structure and benefit from making outlines and notes. At the same time, ESTJs need to constantly link what they are learning to the “real world”.

INFPs (Introverted Intuitive Feeling Perceiving)—The idealists, INFPs, like abstract theories are creative people. Study groups are not the best settings for INFPs to study and learn. INFPs learn best by linking ideas to other ideas they have read. They prefer to discover connections by themselves. INFPs should actively read meaning they should constantly ask themselves questions as they read material.

INFJs (Introverted Intuitive Feeling Judging)—>Referred to as the protectors, INFJs, are not interested in facts and figures but in theories. Small groups or discussion with a peer to exchange ideas are best for INFJs. Note taking is another method in which INFJs learn.

INTPs (Introverted Intuitive Thinking Perceiving) – INTPs or the thinkers see learning as a lifelong process. The Socratic method of teaching actually appeals to INTPs as they are constantly questioning and do not readily accept an instructor’s point of view. INTPs learn best through the three R’s—reading, research, and reflection.

INTJs (Introverted Intuitive Thinking Judging) – INTJs or the scientists enjoy learning about theories but like structure. INTJs do not like studying with groups. Listening to lectures, taking notes, and synthesizing ideas by making outlines are sound methods of studying for INTJs.

ISFPs (Introverted Sensing Feeling Perceiving) – ISFPs or the carer are interested in facts rather than theories. They are sensory learners meaning that they learn more from pictures, movies, music, etc than reading notes.

ISFJs (Introverted Sensing Feeling Judging) – The nurturers, ISFJs, love facts and thrive on memorization. They prefer learning in a linear fashion and in a highly structured environment. They need plenty of examples and are not keen on analysis.

ISTPs (Introverted Sensing Thinking Perceiving) – The mechanics, ISTPs, are extremely efficient people. For them, organizing facts and theories they learn in class into groups is an ideal way to learn. They prefer to study by themselves than with a group of people.

ISTJs (Introverted Sensing Thinking Judging) – The duty fulfillers, ISTJs, are goal oriented and learn by doing. They learn by making a plan or following a teacher’s plan. They also enjoy listening and observing. Creative methods of learning do not appeal to them.