11 March 2008

Online Nursing Degree Program - A Degree Without Any Fuss

Online Nursing Degree Articles : Online Nursing Degree Program - A Degree Without Any Fuss by Ekta Jain

By now you must have heard of online nursing degree program. If you are thinking about becoming a registered, an online nursing degree program is the best choice. You can pursue a nursing degree from a regular college, but most probably you would have to either cut down on your working hours or leave the job completely.

Regular colleges require you to sit in classrooms for hours. On top of this you would have to spend hours commuting to and from college. With regular college your lifestyle will be geared around your education. With online nursing education you get to earn a good quality nursing degree without disturbing your present lifestyle. Furthermore, online nursing continuing education is cheaper than one from a regular college.

Online Classes When you pursue your online college nursing degree, you would be attending classes online. Instructors post their lectures online. You can access the lecture 24x7. You can post your queries on the message board. The instructor is available online during set hours. There are other means of communicating with the instructor- email, by phone, and teleconferencing. You complete and submit your assignments online.

An online nursing degree program will be of great help if you are thinking about becoming a RN. In order to earn an RN license you need to clear the NCLEX examination. Only those who have a Diploma, Associate Degree in Nursing, or a Bachelor Degree in Nursing are qualified to appear for the NCLEX examination. The license is granted by the respective state's Board of Nursing. It is easier for a working LPN to become a RN through an online nursing degree program. After you become a licensed RN, you need to continuously upgrade your education to keep your license current. Online nursing continuing education programs are designed for this purpose only.

There are number of financial aid options available to those aspiring to become a RN. There is a financial aid center at most online nursing colleges. You can contact them to find out what kind of financial aid is available. Federal aid is also available.

In order to find out about financial aid you need to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). After you fill it out you will get a Student Aid Report stating what you are eligible for. There are numerous scholarships available that students can qualify for. There are many public and private financial institutions that provide student loans. Study all your options and decide which one will suit you.

The demand for nurses is only going to increase in the future. More and more nurses are going to be involved in direct patient care. This means that nurses need to specialize in a field of their choice. Online nursing degree program facilitates this.

About the Author
Nursing degree info is an online information bank for people who wish to make successful career in nursing. Go for Online Nursing Degree Program for better career opportunities.

Source: http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=713590

09 March 2008

Online MBA in Healthcare

Master of Business Administration in Healthcare

Program Overview

The healthcare industry is experiencing dramatic growth and change, requiring leaders who possess both an appreciation of this industry's unique challenges and best practices, and also a comprehensive business education.

American Sentinel's MBA-Healthcare is the best of both worlds - a state-of-the-art MBA program at its core, supplemented by a special focus on health care. We designed this program to prepare graduates for senior managerial positions in healthcare capable of integrating ideas from different disciplines and industry best practices to the unique challenges of health care.

The MBA - Healthcare program courses are open for enrollment once a month.

Program Objectives

The objectives of the online MBA - Healthcare program are to:

  • Develop management skills tailored to the unique challenges in the healthcare industry.
  • Review the sources of competitive advantage and alternative financing mechanisms relevant to healthcare organizations.
  • Explore the applications of information systems to improve decision making speed and effectiveness.
  • Appreciate the legal, regulatory, and ethical challenges characteristic of the healthcare industry.
  • Acquire the interpersonal skills required to manage the performance of health professionals in diverse organizational environments.
  • Through the Strategic Capstone Project course, conduct research and apply lessons learned to the healthcare industry.
  • Develop the insights required to integrate multiple functional perspectives and different professional perspectives to create innovative solutions to complex problems.

Delivery Method: Structured Independent Study

Source: For more information in Online Nursing Degree, MBA in Healthcare, American Sentinel University, please visit http://www.americansentinel.edu/Programs/MBAH/index.php

Online MSN Program - American Sentinel University

Program Overview

The online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program is designed for working professionals who seek to develop their skills and gain the advantage resulting from a comprehensive high-quality graduate program. The purpose of the MSN program is to prepare leaders, managers, and administrators who facilitate achievement of optimal health in the dynamic healthcare system. The program prepares students for a career as nursing administrators. This role involves management of resources, interdisciplinary collaboration, and application of technology, information systems, knowledge, and critical thinking.

The MSN program courses are open for enrollment once a month.

Program Objectives

Graduates of the online program are expected to be able to:
  • Utilize theoretical knowledge to guide advanced practice nursing.
  • Collaborate in research activities and utilize knowledge gained from research in advanced practice nursing.
  • Evaluate health policies and economics related to the delivery of healthcare.
  • Assume roles as leaders and collaborators with other professionals and communities in planning, providing, and evaluating healthcare.

Delivery Method: Structured Independent Study

Source: For more information in Online Nursing Degree, American Sentinel University, please visit http://www.americansentinel.edu/Programs/MSN/index.php

03 March 2008

Online RN to B.Sc. Nursing - American Sentinel University

RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing at American Sentinel University

Program Overview & Prerequisites

The RN to Bachelor of Science degree completion (RN-BSN) program, based on the Colorado Nursing Articulation Model, is intended for registered nurses who desire career mobility and professional development.

Registered Nurses with credentials from a hospital school of nursing or with an Associate Degree from a community college are eligible to enroll in American Sentinel's RN-BSN degree completion program.

The Colorado Articulation Model is a statewide agreement which permits registered nurses who are graduates of community colleges and diploma programs to enter the BSN completion option without taking tests to verify prior knowledge. Students will be awarded 30 semester hours based on their current RN license, allowing them to take just 30 more credits to complete the program.

RNs who graduated within the last 3 years are eligible to enroll with no work experience or testing required. RNs enrolling after more than 3 years from graduation need to have 1,000 hrs of nursing work experience or must complete an RN Refresher Course before enrolling.

The RN-BSN completion program courses are open for enrollment twice a month.

Program Objectives

Upon completion of the RN to BS in Nursing Program, students will be able to:

  • Integrate methods of research and scholarship in making and prioritizing diagnoses, and in planning, implementing, and evaluating care of individuals, groups, and communities.
  • Assess health and incorporate principles and methods of health promotion and health education in nursing care of individuals, families, groups, and communities.
  • Express a fundamental understanding of the problems of contemporary health and illness.
  • Directly provide and manage competent care for individuals, families, and groups who have simple to complex health care needs.
  • Integrate professional values and role behaviors.
  • Collaborate with other groups in shaping health policies that affect both individual and community health.

Clinical Experience

American Sentinel University's clinical requirement is designed to enhance and expand the students' skills and knowledge so that they are better prepared to achieve their professional career goals.

In the RN to BSN Completion program, students are required to complete two practica - one emphasizing Community Health and the other emphasizing Leadership and Management. American Sentinel will prepare students for the clinical experiences with theory courses in Community Health Nursing and Leadership and Management. The theory courses are then followed by one three-credit practicum course in each discipline that offers the opportunity to put learning into practice.

Community Health practicum hours are accomplished in an agency that provides population based nursing. The primary assignment for this course is the completion of a community assessment and program plan.

The practicum for Leadership and Management may be accomplished at a health care agency of the student's choice. The primary assignment for this course is the completion of a project that helps an organization keep up with the fast pace of change in health care today.

In each practicum, American Sentinel faculty assists students in identifying local agencies that provide appropriate preceptors and clinical experiences.

Source: http://www.americansentinel.edu/Programs/RNBSN/index.php

Online Nursing Degree at American Sentinel University

Associate of Science in Health Information Management (Medical Coding & Billing) at American Sentinel University

Program Overview

The Associate of Science Degree in Health Information Management (Medical Coding & Billing) is intended to build the skills that students need to get a quick start in the profession of medical coding, and prepare them for positions such as Medical Coding Specialist, Medical Records Technician and other similar roles within the Health Information Management field. The program is also designed to prepare students for the Certified Coding Associate exam, which enables them to earn a widely recognized industry certification (AHIMA).

The AS in Health Information Management (Medical Coding & Billing) program courses are open for enrollment twice a month.

Program Objectives

Upon completion of the AS in Health Information Management (Medical Coding & Billing) program, students will:

  • Be prepared to take a national accreditation exam.
  • Express a fundamental understanding of the functioning of healthcare facilities such as hospitals, community and home health agencies, and extended care settings.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in computer usage including an ability to utilize healthcare-related coding and billing software.
  • Recognize medical terms and abbreviations that are commonly used in health information management systems.
  • Identify the constraints and guidelines that HIPAA places on healthcare systems.

Source: For more information, please visit American Sentinel University http://www.americansentinel.edu/Programs/ASHIM/index.php