Actually, earning an associate degree in nursing is not a bad choice. Nursing shortage is expected to grow annually through 2016, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. About 233,000 additional jobs for registered nurses will open each year through 2016, in addition to about 2.5 million existing positions. The demand for nurses will create over a million new jobs; this is why now is the best time to acquire cheap nursing degree online. It’s time to explore your chances for a nursing career.

Online Nursing Education

A one-year or associates degree in nursing is very popular at community colleges. These online or distance learning options for the associate degree are available online and offer very affordable and practical curriculums. If you decide at a later time you want to pursue your nursing education further, you can earn your BSN then you can jump right into an Associates-to-BSN degree program available through many online nursing programs. LPN/LVN degree programs can usually be completed within a year. RNs require a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree for nurse practitioners. BSN degrees offer the widest array of career options and nurses at the PhD level are mostly found in research positions or as educators.

Salary for Nurses

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for registered nurses in May 2006 was $57,280, with the lowest ten percent earning less than $40,250 and the highest 10 percent earning more than $83,440. RNs earn approximately $15,000 more per year then their Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) counterparts. It’s obviously worth it to pursue to nursing degree online!

Online associate nursing degree programs offered through distance learning by accredited online scolleges and universities are listed below:

• Western Career College - At Western Career College, you can obtain valuable career training in a highly supportive learning environment, attending classes at the times and places that are convenient to you.
• Rasmussen College - One-hundred-ten years after the founding of Rasmussen, the college continues to stay true to its mission to be a leader in education by expanding its offerings to include Bachelor’s degrees, and by earning regional accreditation. Rasmussen College is also known as a leader in online learning, with more than 14,000 students and 1,000 faculty members. University of Phoenix College of Nursing – Advance your nursing credentials and earn a bachelor’s or master’s degree from a university that has more than 25 years of experience in nursing education.
• South University College of Nursing - Thinking about a career in nursing? Well, discover how South University’s nursing programs can help you learn the skills needed for this rewarding career.
• Kaplan University School of Nursing - When you enroll in Kaplan University School of Nursing online, you will enjoy the flexibility of pursuing your educational goals from the convenience of your own home or anywhere you have Internet access.

Save the headache and expense of commuting and have more time for family, work, and other social activities. Online associate degrees in nursing make available to the nursing students flexibility, a variety of career choices and specialties. So, take the first step towards your associate’s degree in nursing online.

For me it was an easy decision to choose the online mode of learning. Online learning has so many benefits, it is unimaginable why anyone would not want to be an online student. I could go on and on for days about these many benefits, but this medium only permits me to mention just six. So based on my own experience, here are my top six best reasons why I am an online student.

1. Study anytime, anywhere:

As an online student, I can study at any time of my convenience and in any location as long as I have access to the interne. Thus gives me extreme flexibility as I can plan my study time around my work schedule without affecting my work time. In addition, if I am late at work or traveling on business, I will not miss any lectures as my school goes with me wherever I go ?

2. Student-centered Teaching:

Online courses are taught different from classes in traditional campuses. Online education is very student centered. The courses are designed to reach students of varying levels of understanding. As a result, online courses are divided into various modules, each with their corresponding exams. They guide students through the program in a methodical manner that promotes easy learning.

3. Cost:

Although some universities charge a technology fee that is built into the overall cost of their online courses, the overall cost of the online course is less than that of traditional schools. With online schooling, there is cost associated with travel, boarding and campus life.

4. Access and associations:

Online colleges give us students, unlimited access to their vast digital library filled with information to enhance our studies. I found it so helpful during my research thesis when I was digging for information. In addition, my online college was associated with several professional bodies. This association also gave me access to their private information on the development of various technologies, production and maintenance manuals and journals.

5. Multi-cultured Input:

Being an online student opened my eyes to many cultures from across the world. In my class, we have students from the Far East, Africa, Latin America, USA and Europe. This made our online class discussions very interesting as we had input from varying perspectives. We also learnt how to exercise tolerance about other people’s opinion when they differed from ours. In addition, from the camaraderie that developed in our class, we able to establish various business alliances that are still contributing to my success today.

6. Less Intimidating:

While at high school, I was a very subdued individual. I was afraid that my opinions will be laughed at and would follow me around on the school campus. I found that with online degree, I was able to burst out of my shell and become more involved in class discussion. The anonymity helped to become more confident as no one could follow me around and call me names as before. Therefore, whatever friendship I developed was done so on a level playing field.

An online degree offers the perfect solution for many people who find that their career reaches a dead end and that there is nothing else left to do but to get a higher education. Anyone that has been passed over time and time again for promotions because employers value employees with a higher level of education knows how frustrating it can be. But the questions are how and when do you find the time to pursue an online education? Whether it is business, nursing, web design or education, there is a wide variety of online degrees to choose from and has been designed to cater to your needs.

Advantages of Distance Learning

Today distance learning makes it easy for working adults with family responsibilities and other obligations to return to college to pursue further education. The freedom to study how and when you want is the main reason so many people are turning to online learning. The flexibility, convenience and accessibility of an online degree make it easier than ever before to earn a degree online and enhance your career prospects.

Now or later: When should I pursue my Online Degree?

Why wait to reap the benefits of an online degree? There is absolutely no perfect time to pursue your degree. Finding the perfect time to pursue your dream is now. There is no time like the present to make your dream finally a reality. The longer you put it off and wait for that perfect time, which for some never comes, the harder it will be so if you are considering going back to school, it is best to do it now. Ever try exercising after letting yourself go for a year or two? So if you are in the scholastic mood of going back to school, just do it while you still want to.

How and when do I find the time for Online Learning?

Working and taking online classes at the same time can be a heavy burden. Trying to juggling these priorities will certainly require sacrifices and commitment. However, strongly committing to your new career both at work and in class is a sure way to impress your employer and possibly push you to the top. Also, you might find that working and going to school at the same time complement one another. You can apply what you are learning in school on the job.

Find Your Own Path to New Career Opportunities

To quote German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche “… you can never climb in vain: either you will reach a point higher up today, or you will be training your powers so that you will be able to climb higher tomorrow.” The decision to pursue your degree online just adds more ways in which you can create new career opportunities to suit your needs and circumstances.

Sounds like the name of a Stephen King novel doesn’t it? And, in the story the computers come to life and chase the protagonist through his apartments. Well fiction may not be far from reality reports from all over the country have been coming in about computers attack users…just kidding… let’s start with the good shall we

The Good

In a report recently released by the United States Department it is stated the “on average, students in online learning conditions perform better than those receiving face-to-face instruction.”

Online Students Perform Better

The report studied students that did part or all of their online courses versus student that did the same courses in a classroom for over 12 years at all levels of education (grade school, high school, and college). It also included courses like military and medical subjects. Students with online experience outclassed campus student in testing.

Online Learning is More Innovative

The study explained the results by saying that the mixing of online learning helped because it resulted in extra learning time for online students and that online education was more useful and interesting for students. Online learning also added new elements of learning more easily than classroom education and online education fit the need of individual learners better.

The Bad;

The stubborn bias against online degrees still refuses to die in the workplace. As the above study show one could reasonably argue that there is no difference between online education and traditional education, but bias hiring practices still are being clung by some hiring managers.

Prejudice Is Wrong

The prejudices that persist against online degrees are as stupid as racism. Let’s face it not hiring someone because they have an online degree is just wrong.

The Evil;

The increase in fraud at traditional colleges are becoming alarming with the discovery of Eamonn Daniel Higgins and others being paid big money to attend class at big name universities in California as reported by various news agencies.

Alarming Traditional Campus Fraud

Eamonn Daniel Higgins attended 10 different colleges from 2002 to 2009 the list of schools he earned degrees for other is staggering.

Stricter Regulation of Traditional Campus Colleges Needed

Official say that Higgins was not even registered on any of these campuses he was just being paid to attend classes for students who were out golfing or doing who knows what. Higgins is being charged with earning degrees for over 120 people in 7 year time.

Traditional College Campuses Clueless

One report even mentioned that a woman was attending classes and took test for male enrolled students. The ring was only caught because a policeman made traffic stop and discover Higgins had way too many drivers license the schools never caught on and the establishment looks at my online degree and with disdain! Who regulates these “traditional colleges” anyway?

Are you into Web Development? The Web Development program at Baker College Online provides you with the necessary skills required for developing and implementing Web sites for both public and private organizations.

What you will learn in this program

The Web Development Program will introduce you to the fundamentals of Web design, development and programming. You will develop the skills and knowledge essentials for developing and maintaining web pages. You will also learn server-side programming and database-driven applications, internet commerce, interactive design, HTML programming and multimedia development, the basics of marketing and computer information systems just to name a few.

About Baker College and Online Education

Founded in 1911, Baker College is the largest independent college in the state of Michigan. Baker College is fully accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of The North Central Association of colleges and schools. At Baker College online you will receive job specific training. The training program is focused primarily on educating and training you for rewarding careers. As a career college Baker College is currently serving over 38,000 students all over the world. 98 percent of Baker College graduates are successfully employed in rewarding careers. You will be a working professional in no time at Baker College.

Why Baker College Online?

As a career college, Baker College gives you the education and training necessary to succeed throughout your career. The online program at Baker College offers unlimited online access to your classroom 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The online programs at Baker College are not self-paced rather courses have a start date and an end date and there are deadlines to class work and assignments. The schedule is flexible and convenient to fit your busy life. Baker College Online has highly qualified and knowledgeable instructors who are experts in their field. Financial aid assistance is available for those who qualify.

What is Online Learning?

Online learning is a learning experience delivered via a computer and the internet. Sometimes students and instructors in different places are able to interact using two-way video and other technologies. Course work and collaboration is conducted through electronic forums, e-mail, chat rooms or discussion groups and other forums. Learning activities include group projects, pair work and online discussion and debate. The vehicle used for learning range from the latest internet-base technology to the postal service.

Benefits of Online Learning

• Flexibility: Online learning gives you an extraordinary amount of control over how, when and where you study.
• Convenience: You have the freedom to take classes online and reach your career goals from the comfort of your home 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
• Virtual Classroom: You can expect a state-of-the art e-learning virtual classroom, with all the advanced technologies.
• Quality Faculty: You will learn from experienced professionals with advanced degrees who are experts in their field. The online faculty has to go through an extensive training program which prepares them to teach effectively online. They bring their experience and knowledge to the classroom and prepare you for the real world.
• Quality Higher Education: The online degree programs provide the same quality education that is found in the traditional college degree programs. These online degree programs are specifically designed to meet the needs of students and the needs of today’s fast growing industries.

With over 4 million registered and counting, it cannot be denied that online colleges are a hit among today’s technology influenced students. No longer is quality education available to those selected few who have to been screened and tested before they are accepted into traditional institutions. With online colleges, once you have met the pre-requisite educational requirements and have the funds available to pay your tuition, the only thing that separates you from your degree is the time and effort needed to invested to complete the course successfully.


With a growth pattern of 30% per annum, there must be several benefits associated with online colleges that attract students. These include:

Access from anywhere

Students can access their course work material from any location where they can access the internet. This availability has proven popular with students who travel regularly but do not want to miss their classes. Parents can study and take care of children without skipping a beat.

Student-centered teaching

This approach acknowledges the fact that students learn in their own way. As a result, students can establish their own learning style without affecting the pace and mechanisms employed by other students.

Available anytime

Course work of online colleges is available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Students can access course material and repeat lectures, discussions and explanations at any time they desire. Therefore, if the miss any explanation there is no need to worry, as they know it is readily available.

Unlimited Student Interaction

The online college environment has successfully brought together many students of varying background. Students can communicate with each other through the various social networks available. As a result, students get the chance of widening their international perspective on various issues and learn about different cultures.

Knowledgeable Professors

Only qualified professors are chosen to give lectures at online colleges. Online colleges have realized that the methods used in online teaching are different from those of traditional institutions. As a result, the approach of online professors facilitates quick learning through simple explanations that go straight to the point. They also utilize the latest technology that facilitates online learning.

No Intimidation

In traditional institutions, many students are intimidated by the presence of other students. This intimidation may be due to disparities I learning abilities, race of financial status. However, online colleges offer a level playing field for students. This anonymity allows students the time to think though their contributions before adding them to the classroom chat room environment.

Industry Friendly Course Work

Most online college’s curriculum is designed with the assistance of major industry players. This allows them to stick to the issues that are most important to employers. As a result, employers quickly snap up graduates of online colleges, as they are fully aware of their capabilities.

Diversity of Courses

Due to the non-existence of borders in the online education environment, the amount and types of courses available from online colleges are endless. Students are only required to meet the financial and educational pre-requisites to be enrolled into online courses.