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The 10 Best Online Nursing Master’s Degree Programs (MSN)

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The top ten online Master’s in Nursing degree programs come from schools that have strong reputations and offer high quality education for distance learning students. Graduates of these schools have a high placement rate. However, it is important that students who opt for online MSN programs exert the same effort and possess the same passion as those who are in on-campus programs.

An online Master’s in nursing degree should not be considered a second rate education. In fact, many schools offering these programs have been recognized by reputable ranking authorities for their high quality curriculum and excellent instructors.

Recommended Online MSN Programs

  1. Capella University – MSN – General Nursing
  2. Kaplan University – MS in Nursing
  3. Walden University – Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) – RN Track

1. George Washington University

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The 10 States With The Biggest Nursing Shortages

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The United States is experiencing an escalating nursing shortage. In the past nine years, the number of registered nurses (RNs) has rose, however it is not sufficient enough to meet the healthcare demands of an ever-increasing population. This is especially true of the baby boomer population, which is expected to rise nearly three times higher than the overall population. The enrollment of students in nursing universities and colleges in the United States have increased, but not nearly enough to cover the need. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) is taking into consideration the nursing shortage and securing the assistance of policy makers, schools and corresponding organizations to try to churn out an increased number of nurses. In the United States, there are a few states where the nursing shortage is much worse compared to other states.

Featured Top Ranked Nursing Programs

1. California

In the state of California, there is a staggering amount of nurse-related jobs available. There is an estimated dire need of over 290,000 RN, 64,000 Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and 83,000 CNAs. Former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, addressed the dire nursing shortage in 2005 by announcing the California Nurse Education Initiative. The Initiative provides $90 million over a five-year period via a public-private partnership to help decrease the nursing shortage.
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A Nursing Scholarship Guide

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Many organizations offer nursing scholarships for students who are interested in pursuing a career in the field of nursing. Here are 25 scholarships to get you started:

1. US Government Nursing Scholarship Program

The U.S. Government sponsors the program for those who are enrolled in a professional diploma, graduate, bachelors or associate nursing degree program at an accredited nursing school located in a U.S. state or territory. The scholarship pays the tuition, fees, textbooks, other expenses that include uniforms and clinical supplies/instruments and a monthly stipend which varies.

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2. Nursing Education Scholarship

TravelNursing.org sponsors the scholarship for the eligible candidates who are enrolled in a medical program or want to pursue their further education in the fields of medicine and nursing. An annual scholarship of $1,000 will be awarded to the selected recipient.

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3. Cherokee A Nurse I Am Scholarship Program

Cherokee Uniforms sponsors the ‘A Nurse I Am Scholarship’ Program to provide scholarships worth of $2,000 each to ten eligible student nurses to defray the costs of their nursing education. The recipients are selected based on the essays written by them in response to the film, “A Nurse I Am”, which is an inspirational nurses’ film.

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4. Medical Professionals of Tomorrow Scholarship

US Medical Supplies, an online retailer of mobility aids and medical supplies sponsors Medical Professionals of Tomorrow Scholarship, which rewards an amount of $5,000 to one eligible student every year. To be eligible for the scholarship, the applicants must be enrolled at an accredited school or college for full-time in a program related to the medical field such as nursing, physical therapist, radiologist etc.

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5. NBNA Scholarship Program

The National Black Nurses Association, Inc. (NBNA) sponsors various scholarships every year to enable nurses for their further education. The scholarships range from $500-$2000 and to be eligible, the applicants must be an NBNA member and a member of a local chapter, enrolled in a nursing program with at least one year of school remaining to complete.

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6. American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP ) Foundation Scholarship

The AANP Foundation sponsors several scholarships for nurse practitioners to support them for their education, practice and research. To be eligible for their scholarships, the applicant must be members of the foundation.

Some of their scholarships include AANP Foundation NP Doctoral Student Scholarship, which rewards $3000, American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Doctoral Scholarship rewards $3000, AANP Foundation NP Doctoral Student Scholarship rewards $2000, AANP Foundation NP 2011 Student Scholarship rewards $3000, etc.

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7. Virginia Elizabeth and Alma Vane Taylor Nursing Scholarship

North Carolina residents enrolled in a associate or baccalaureate nursing program at an accredited North Carolina school are eligible to apply for the scholarship. The applicants must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 and must demonstrate financial need.

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8. Association on American Indian Affairs (AAIA)’s Elizabeth and Sherman Asche Memorial Scholarships

The Association on American Indian Affairs (AAIA) sponsors Elizabeth and Sherman Asche Memorial Scholarships with an amount of $1,500 rewarded to each graduate and undergraduate student who is pursuing a degree related to public health or science.

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9. American Indian Nurse Scholarship Award

The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America (NSCDA) sponsors the scholarship to encourage nursing students of American Indian descent. A $1,000 scholarship is rewarded to the recipient for each semester based upon the recipient’s academic performance.

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10. BECA, Inc. Edna R. Anthony Memorial Scholarship

BECA, Inc. sponsors this $500 scholarship annually for three eligible nursing students. To be eligible for the scholarship, the applicants must be high school seniors maintaining a GPA of 2.5 and interested in attending a historically Black University or College with a major in the fields of nursing/healthcare, journalism or criminal justice.

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11. Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses (AORN)’s Academic Scholarships

The AORN foundation sponsors scholarships for those who want to pursue their degree in perioperative nursing and for the registered nurses who want to continue their education by pursuing a bachelor’s, masters or doctoral degree in perioperative nursing.

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12. Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation Scholarships

The Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation sponsors scholarships to medical students who want to pursue their career in allied health care professions that include physical therapists, nurses enrolled in a minimum 2-year program, respiratory therapists and occupational therapists.

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13. Neuroscience Nursing Foundation (NNF)’s Scholarships

NNF provides Research grants worth up to $10,000 to an eligible neuroscience nurse and four research grants worth up to $2,500 each to help nurses in the field of neurosciences. North American neuro-nurses are eligible to apply for the grants.

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14. Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) Foundation Scholarships and Grants

ONS sponsors several scholarships to support Oncology nurses worldwide. The Nursing Society offers annual doctoral scholarships worth $3,000 and $5,000 and master’s degree scholarships worth $3,000 each for registered nurses and bachelor’s scholarships worth $2,000 each to those who are pursuing a degree in nursing. All the applicants must be committed to oncology nursing.

Doctoral Scholarships
Master’s Degree Scholarships
Bachelor’s Degree Scholarships

15. American School Health Association (ASHA) Scholarship

ASHA offers three annual scholarships worth $1,000 each to those eligible students who are specializing in school nursing, pediatric/adolescent medicine or dentistry or school health education.

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16. The Cynthia E. Morgan Memorial Scholarship Fund

A $1,000 scholarship will be rewarded to an eligible college student who is currently enrolled or planning to enroll at an accredited Maryland post-secondary school/college/university or medical training school in a medical-related program, which can be nursing, bioengineering etc.

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17. Charlotte McGuire Scholarship Program

The Charlotte McGuire Scholarship Program offers academic scholarships to support members of the American Holistic Nurses’ Association (AHNA) nurses who are interested in pursuing their graduate, undergraduate or other nursing programs related to holistic nursing.

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18. Colon Furr Memorial Nursing Scholarship

A $600 scholarship will be rewarded to a selected resident of North Carolina who is enrolled in a Licensed Practical Nurse program for one year or in a two, three or four year program, which leads to Registered Nurse Certification.

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19. Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) Academic Scholarships

The foundation offers several scholarships to nurses who are members of the Emergency Nurses Association. To be eligible for their scholarships, the applicants must be attending an AACN, NLN or CCNE accredited school maintaining a GPA of 3.0.

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20. Gallagher Koster Health Careers Scholarship Program

The Gallagher Koster Health Careers Scholarship Program was established with the intent to provide financial aid to undergraduate students who want to pursue a career in health-related fields.

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21. Heartland Foundation’s Bill and Mary Russell Health Care Scholarship Fund

The Heartland Foundation provides scholarships for those who want to pursue their career in nursing or a health-care related field, which includes patient or clinical care. To be eligible for the scholarship, applicants must be enrolled in an approved nursing or health care related program, residing within the foundation’s service region.

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22. The Blanco Foundation, Inc. Scholarship

The Blanco Foundation offers financial assistance to graduating high school seniors who want to pursue a career in the field of nursing or education. The scholarship can be renewed every year based on the recipient’s academic performance.

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23. Elizabeth J. Davis Scholarship

The Elizabeth J. Davis Scholarship assists any Vermont resident who is enrolled at any accredited college (in state or out of state) in a health-care program related to nursing (RN and LPN), occupational therapy, physical therapy etc., and who plan to work in Vermont upon successful completion of the program. The scholarship amount ranges from $1,000 to $3,000.

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24. March of Dimes Perinatal Nursing Graduate Scholarships

March of Dimes offers several $5000 scholarships to support registered nurses who are enrolled in graduate programs related to maternal-child nursing.

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25. WOCN Society Scholarship Program

The WOCN Society scholarships are awarded to eligible candidates who are committed to work within the wound, ostomy and continence-nursing field. The applicants must be enrolled in their WOCN-accredited Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing Education Program (WOCNEP) to be eligible for their scholarships.

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A Student Loan Guide For Aspiring Nurses

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There are many grants available for nursing students, but the cost of an education is very high, especially when a student needs to cover living expenses as well as educational expenses. Fortunately the Federal Government recognizes the need for more nurses and has several programs to support nursing education. In order to receive financial aid from the Federal Government, you must complete your FAFSA online at FAFSA.gov. Complete this application as early as possible after January 1. If you haven’t filed your taxes yet, you can amend your application later. The following is a list of available Federal, State and Private Loans.

Stafford Loans, Including Discounted Stafford Loans For Nursing Students

The Stafford Loan is a Federal Loan available to all students attending college at least half time. For undergraduate dependent students a maximum loan of $31,000 total is available for all four years of school and $57,500 total is available for independent students. Graduate students may obtain a maximum of $20,500 per year and a maximum total of $138,000. Discounted Stafford loans are often a part of state based student loan programs. Ask your financial aid representative which options are available in your state.

Perkins Loans

Students with a great financial need may be eligible for the Federal Perkins Loan, which has a 5% interest rate. This is much lower than the 6.8% Stafford rate. There is limited availability for this highly in demand loan, so apply as early as possible. Your financial aid department should notify you about your eligibility shortly after admission. The highest amount for undergraduates is $4,000 per year and a maximum total of $20,000. Graduate students can borrow up to $6,000 a year or $40,000 total.

Federal Nursing Student Loans

As with Perkins, this program is only available to those with financial need. The interest rate is %5 and the maximum that can be borrowed is $4,000 per year.

State Loans

If you are attending an in-state institution, you may be eligible for additional tuition assistance. Each state has its own programs. The financial aid department at your school should be able to point you in the right direction.

Federal Loan Repayment

Most Federal Educational Loans can be consolidated and currently there are income based repayment programs which can help you repay your loans at an affordable rate if you are experiencing financial difficulty. In some cases the Federal Government has loan forgiveness programs, which involve working in high need “Public Service” locations. When the requirements for these programs are met, a student has the possibility of eliminating a great deal of student debt. However, these programs are only applicable for Federal Loans.

Federal Plus Loans

Federal Plus Loans will cover the cost of attendance (tuition+living expenses) for both graduate and undergraduate students. There is, however, a credit requirement. While your credit score is not very important, you must have paid your bills on time. Not everyone qualifies for this loan. For dependent undergraduates, one parent must sign to accept loan responsibility.

Private Loans

These loans generally have higher interest rates than federal loans and can cover financial obligations unmet by federal and state loans and grants. Many private institutions offer these loans. You can check with your school’s financial aid department to see who they recommend. These banks are common private student loan lending institutions:Citibank, Wells Fargo and Bank of America.

Federal Nursing Education Loan Repayment Programs

This is a selective Federal Government program implemented to relieve the critical shortage of nurses by providing tuition assistance to nurses working in a Critical Shortage Facilities as well as nurse faculty. Participants receive 60% of their total qualifying nursing education loan balance in return for a two year commitment. Those willing to serve one additional year will be compensated with an additional 25 percent of their total qualifying nursing education loan balance. During this period of time, participants continue to receive their negotiated salary and benefits. Eligible applicants must be nurses with accredited degrees and licenses who are either employed full time at a non-profit Critical Shortage Facility or employed as a member of a nursing faculty. The applicant must also be either a US citizen or legal resident of the US. Preference is given to those with financial need. Applications are only accepted once annually, so please pay attention to requirements and deadlines.

Local loan forgiveness and cancellation programs are available in many states including Minnesota, Kansas, Iowa, New York, Arizona, Massachusetts, Florida, California, New Mexico and others. Look for your local state information to find out what’s available and which facilities are approved for this program.

How To Choose A Nursing Program

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There are many factors that all aspiring nurses should consider when choosing a program to obtain a degree. They should be able to understand these factors in order to come up with the smartest decision. Everyone should bear in mind that education is a big investment. With this, future nurses should only enroll in programs that will provide the highest quality of education at a price they can afford.

Type of Nursing Degree Programs

Future nurses should ensure that they choose a school that offers their preferred degree. They can go for a four-year bachelor’s degree or a two-year associate degree. Some schools may not offer all nursing programs. With this, prospective students should verify the available nursing programs offered by prospective schools.

Accreditation

Only schools accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and the National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission should be considered. These organizations are responsible for checking and reviewing academic policies, curriculum and instructors. They ensure that they adhere to high standards and keep up with the latest developments in the nursing industry.

Scheduling

Scheduling is essential to consider when choosing a nursing program. This is particularly true for working students. Many nursing schools offer online classes that allow students to study at their own pace. These schools provide people the opportunity to study without compromising their work.

Curriculum

Becoming a nurse requires both theoretical and practical skills. With this, it is important that the school’s curriculum will develop both of these areas. Students who opt for online programs should ensure that the curriculum will allow them to be exposed to real-life settings that require them to apply their education. Some schools may provide credit for job experience in the healthcare industry.

School and Program Reputation

It is a smart idea to check the background of prospective schools. The Internet is the best place to find information about whether a school has a history of student complaints. They may also ask students who are currently enrolled in the program.

Student Nursing Opportunities

Many reliable nursing schools offer students opportunities to take part in community activities. This is a great chance for student nurses to get involved. They may be allowed to volunteer in family caregiving, disaster planning, first aid, immunization, health education and other leadership and support services. These opportunities help them grow professionally and personally. Most importantly, these experiences are great resume builders.

Job Placement and Career Services

A reputable nursing program will guide students from the first day they enter class until they leave for job hunting. It is important that future nurses opt for schools that offer students assistance and career development. These schools help the students prepare for internships and job placement. They should prepare students physically and mentally for job hunting after graduation. The program should offer students career services such as resume writing, interview skills, portfolio assistance, job search strategies and interview tips and skills.

Location

It is best that nursing students go to schools that are close to where they live. They may also relocate if they wish to. However, it is a smart idea to enroll in schools that are not difficult to get to. With this, students can spend more time studying or working rather than traveling.

Advantages of Taking Classes Online

Many nursing students quit school because of time constraints. Most of them are working students. With this, it is a wise choice to choose nursing programs that offer both on-campus and online classes. Doing so will allow them to easily keep up with their hectic schedules. Online classes are more convenient and the schedules are flexible. Online nursing programs are often best for working students as they can study during their free time. They can study wherever they like and at any time. However, these online programs should have online student support. The courses should be similar to those offered by on-campus programs.

NCLEX Passing Rates

Graduates of nursing programs can only practice their profession legally after they pass the NCLEX exam. With this, they should be able to attend nursing programs that help them qualify for and pass the exam. The school’s NCLEX exam pass rates will determine the effectiveness of the teaching methods and curriculum utilized.