Nursing students go online to avoid waiting lists

Some students prefer online education to traditional nursing programs

Nursing students are being put on waiting lists or turned away altogether at educational institutions across the country. It has nothing to with their academic records, there are simply not enough qualified teachers to handle the load.

Some students are not waiting, though. Instead of hoping that there will be enough room next year, some have turned to online colleges to continue their pursuit of a degree in nursing. In addition to avoiding the waiting lists, students who engage in online studies may find more flexible schedules and lower prices.

Administrators from nursing schools have also begun to take notice, and many colleges that only offered face-to-face instruction have now begun online only and hybrid programs.

This may come as welcome news to hospitals and other healthcare organizations who are strained due to a lack of qualified registered nurses.

Faculty shortages are the main factor in the crisis facing the nursing industry, but even that is alleviated to some degree by online programs. Since online instruction requires less in student-teacher interaction, a relatively small teaching staff can teach as many students as some larger departments from traditional schools.