A growing demand for nurses across the country has led to more schools adding degree programs in this field of study. In an effort to make these opportunities more accessible, many academic institutions are offering the programs through online education, which provides students with a chance to earn the degree at their own pace.
For example, the College of Health Professions at Western Governors University in Utah will now offer a web-based bachelors degree in nursing prelicensure. By completing this degree, individuals will be equipped with the skills needed in order to enroll in a nursing school.
The school launched this new web-based educational opportunity to give nontraditional students a chance to advance their education in this field. In fact, the launching of this program marks the first online degree nationwide that provides students with the initial skills to become registered nurses.
Robert Mendenhall, president of the school, stated that "both our state and the country face a critical shortage of qualified nurses in the next decade, and this program offers a way to make a quality nursing education more accessible."
The school is already accepting applications for the program, and classes are set to begin this fall.
During the next eight years, the employment of registered nurses is projected to grow by 22 percent, and the demand will create approximately 581,500 new jobs, the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
