Online Nursing Schools

According to the U.S. Bureau of Health Professions, the
United States will need more than 1.7 million nurses by the
year 2020 and just 635,000 are expected to be available.
The National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses found that
there is currently a shortage of registered nurses.
Nursing is a growing career and online nursing programs
make it easier than ever to get the necessary training.

Early Show contributor Rachel Lewis found that more than
seventy-five percent of colleges now offer online degree
programs. Nursing programs requires students to learn from
educational materials as well as through training in the
field. The non-clinical part of the nursing course is
taken online. Since it would be impossible to complete the
clinical requirements over the Internet, clinical training
is generally held at a medical facility close to the
student's residence.

Nurses are licensed through the Board of Nursing in the
state where they live. Each state determines the
requirements for nurses to practice within that state. The
criteria the boards use is based on the Model Nursing
Practice Act, the Uniform Core Licensure Requirements and
the Model Nursing Administrative Rules created by the NCSNB
(National Council of State Nursing Boards). Nurses must
renew their licenses periodically and continuing education
is required in some states for renewal. Nursing schools
online make it easier for busy, working nurses to fulfill
continuing education requirements.

There are a few different types of nursing degrees to
choose from including Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN),
Registered Nurse (RN) and Advanced Practice Nurse (APN).
An APN can specialize as a nurse practitioner (NP),
certified nurse specialist (CNS), certified registered
nurse anesthesiologist (CRNA) or certified nurse midwife.
Students attending traditional schools would take eighteen
to twenty-four months study to complete the LPN program,
two to four years study to complete the RN program and a
doctorate degree with additional certifications (possible
six to eight years of study) to complete the APN program.

Online nursing schools offers students some flexibility
regarding course completion time. Online courses usually
take six to eight weeks to complete. Some schools requires
students to follow a traditional calendar, while others
allow students to accelerate or slow their pace according
to their personal preference.

Nurses can work in many environments, such as hospitals,
clinics, private practices, schools and health facilities,
to name just a few. The United States Bureau of Labor
Statistics revealed that the average income for a
registered nurse as of 2005 was nearly $57,000. Online
nursing programs offer students the opportunity to study
for one of the most rapidly growing professions in the
United States today.

SUMMARY: Online nursing schools offers students some
flexibility regarding course completion time. Nurses can
work in many environments, such as hospitals, clinics,
private practices, schools and health facilities, to name
just a few. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics
revealed that the average income for a registered nurse as
of 2005 was nearly $57,000. Online nursing programs offer
students the opportunity to study for one of the most
rapidly growing professions in the United States today.


----------------------------------------------------
Rose M. is the editor of
http://www.distance-learning-college-guide.com where you
find answers, information and advice on distance learning
colleges, accredited online degrees and online courses. See
more related information at
http://www.distance-learning-college-guide.com/online-nursin
g-programs.html

Online Paralegal Courses

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, Office of
Employment Projections predicts a growth of over 33 percent
in the legal assistant profession during the first decade
of 2000. The median annual salary for full-time paralegals
and legal assistants as of May, 2004 was $39,130. Online
paralegal programs make it simple to learn the necessary
skills for employment in this growing, lucrative profession.

Paralegals assist lawyers in the delivery of legal services
by performing a wide variety of tasks such as research,
drafting formal documents, preparing for real estate
closings, preparing for court hearings and gathering
information from pertinent parties. Paralegals are
prohibited from giving legal advice, which can only be
given by an attorney. However, through formal education
and field experience, paralegals gain enough knowledge and
expertise to handle legal matters under the supervision of
an attorney. Much like attorneys, many offices bill hourly
for the work performed on a file by a paralegal, only at a
lower rate.

Over 1,000 schools offer formal paralegal programs and more
than 600 different paralegal programs exist. About 260
paralegal programs are approved by the American Bar
Association (ABA), the governing association for attorneys.
Although ABA approval is not necessary, graduation from
such courses may enhance possible employment opportunities
for the student. Requirements for admission to paralegal
online schools is as varied as the number of courses
currently available and may include a high school diploma,
bachelor's degree or completion of a standardized test.
Online paralegal courses enable students to get experience
in a legal environment while learning essential skills to
progress in their field.

Online paralegal programs include 2-year associate's degree
programs, 4-year bachelor's degree programs and certificate
programs, usually geared for students with a degree that
want to specialize in paralegal studies. A few
universities even offer master's degree programs in areas
such as paralegal studies, legal studies and legal
administration. Online paralegal programs can be completed
in as little as six months or can take up to four years,
depending on the course of education the student chooses.
Online paralegal courses are offered through written
coursework, reading assignments, email, online chats and
virtual lectures.

Seven out of ten paralegals are employed by law firms and
the rest work for government agencies and corporate legal
departments, with a small number offering their services on
a freelance basis to attorney and agencies. The United
States Department of Labor states that the largest
employers of paralegals within the Federal Government are
the U.S. Department of Justice, the Social Security
Administration and the Department of Treasury. The agency
that offers certification and ethical guidelines to
paralegals is the National Association of Legal Assistants,
along with the National Federation for Paralegal
Associations.

Paralegal online schools are a great way for students to
learn while they earn in a prestigious, challenging
profession.

SUMMARY: Online paralegal programs include 2-year
associate's degree programs, 4-year bachelor's degree
programs and certificate programs, usually geared for
students with a degree that want to specialize in paralegal
studies. A few universities even offer master's degree
programs in areas such as paralegal studies, legal studies
and legal administration. Online paralegal programs can be
completed in as little as six months or can take up to four
years, depending on the course of education the student
chooses. The median annual salary for full-time paralegals
and legal assistants as of May, 2004 was $39,130.


----------------------------------------------------
Rose M. is the editor of
http://www.distance-learning-college-guide.com where you
find answers, information and advice on distance learning
colleges, accredited online degrees and online courses. See
more related information on
http://www.distance-learning-college-guide.com/online-parale
gal-courses.html