Nursing is a very rapidly changing field and nurse education is changing with it. This article explores why schools are increasingly turning to digital education and having access to course material anywhere opens doors for students from underserved areas.
The Rise of Online Learning
Online learning has transformed most sectors in recent times and nursing is no exception as more and more students are using online learning systems to pursue their degrees in nursing due to the convenience and accessibility that come with them. With online programs, students can complete their coursework from anywhere and this allows for easy balancing between professional and personal life and studies. With demand for nurses still on the rise, schools are opening more and varied programs such as these time management to meet this increased demand. Online learning is also a means for students to receive a good education from well-known schools without having to relocate, making it all the more enticing.
How Technology is Enhancing Virtual Nursing Programs
Technological progress has helped immensely in making online nursing education effective and interactive. With simulated labs in a virtual environment, students can practice clinical scenarios in a safe and controlled space before working with actual patients. With video conferencing software, digital case studies and AI-based examinations, students can have hands-on learning from a distance. Such technological progress is narrowing down the gaps between online and conventional learning and online nursing programs are more dynamic and interactive than ever. With progress in artificial intelligence and machine learning, nursing students will have increasingly sophisticated learning tools in the future.
Flexibility
One of the main advantages of online programs for nursing is being able to learn at time management. A number of students, specifically those who are already working in healthcare, find that taking traditional classes is impossible due to their busy schedules. With online learning, one can complete coursework in the evenings or on weekends and students can still progress without having to put their careers on hold. Online programs also provide access to nursing education for individuals who reside in rural areas and do not have a nearby school for nursing. With asynchronous learning, students can fit their education into their lifestyle without having to relinquish work or family obligations.
Resolving the Nursing Shortage with Accessible Education
The international nurse shortage is a critical problem and online education is working to address this issue. By reducing geographical limitations and lowering tuition costs, online programs are making it possible to create more skilled nurses. Online programs allow healthcare centers to recruit trained professionals faster and avoid having to cut corners on patient care due to a lack of staff. More online programs are being offered by educational institutions to attract students from diverse backgrounds, increasing the number of skilled professionals entering the profession. This increased access allows healthcare systems to continue to function and provide required care to all who need it.
Simulation Laboratories
One of the largest problems with online nursing degrees is a deficiency in face-to-face clinical experience. Schools are closing this gap with creativity, however. A number of programs have begun to incorporate high-tech simulation labs in which students can have real-world medical experience in a simulated form. Other schools partner with healthcare centers so that students can have hands-on clinical rotations within their own communities. This hybrid model better prepares graduates for real-world nursing issues. Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies are being incorporated into nursing programs, too and give students more immersive and realistic training.
Challenges and Solutions
Despite all its advantages, online nursing education is not without challenges. Some find self-discipline and time management challenging when studying from a distance. Others worry that online degrees will not be taken seriously by future employers. Accredited schools are taking steps to allow students to succeed, however, such as offering structured coursework, mentor programs and interactive learning tools. Indeed, most schools with online programs have formed good partnerships with hospitals to give students adequate clinical experience. By working to solve these problems, online nursing programs are improving and adapting, offering students the most balanced education.
Employer Attitudes
One question that is most often in the mind of students considering an online degree in nursing is whether or not employers regard them as being on par with traditional degrees. The good news is that as online learning continues to move into the mainstream, healthcare employers are increasingly recognizing its validity—especially when the program is accredited. Employers tend to place more emphasis on skills, experience and certifications than on how a degree was achieved. So long as students complete their clinical hours and pass their licensure tests, an online degree in nursing can be as valuable as one from a traditional in-person program. The greater success of online graduates in healthcare positions continues to contribute to the validity of such programs.
