Continuing Education - Is It Worth the Investment?

There are many factors students consider when going back to school. Affordability is often on top of their list. Many try to determine the risk V. reward. Is a $30,000 master's degree worth it? Will I get a promotion or land a better job? It is recommended to look at where you are in your career, where you want to be, and how many more years you will be in the workforce. We will give you a couple of examples and help you decide what the individual should do.

John Smith is 35 years old, married with two children. He is currently working as a team leader for Nike. John has a bachelor's degree from University of Phoenix and he is considering going back to school for an MBA in Project Management. Nike is a very large company and they are constantly hiring and offering their employees advancement opportunities. Taking all of this into consideration, an advanced degree should certainly benefit John. He has about 30 years left in his career and has a lot of growth potential in his current company. An MBA could help him move into a more managerial or director type role.

Mary Moore has a little bit of a different situation. She is 52 years old and COO of Unique Printers. It is a smaller company and she reports directly to the President. She is looking at multiple programs online. She is considering investing $42,000 for her Master's in Human Resources. Mary has been working 35 years now and wants to retire at the age of 60. Due to her circumstances, we would probably not recommend Mary to continue her education at this time. There is little to no room for advancement and she will only be working another eight years.

As you can see, everyone thinking about going back to school has a different situation. Some are harder than others. Again, it goes back to the risk V. reward. One thing that may sway your decision is if your employer will help fund your education. In the previous example, if the President was willing to pay Mary's tuition then she would really have to think it over. It would be very tough to turn town a free education. Employers do this often to show how they are investing in their employees. They hope the employee grows in their role and stays committed to their company. The only drawback is if the employee decides to leave for a better opportunity.

Why You Need Nursing Continuing Education Courses and Certification

Nursing education courses could land you a job that is as recession proof as any job could be in today's economy. That's because the healthcare industry is the largest industry in the United States and it's still growing faster than any other industry, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). BLS, the government agency that collects and analyzes employment statistics for the country, expects that healthcare will be the biggest job creator through at least 2016. Among all healthcare occupations registered nurses will be in most demand.

Because these jobs require specialized training you will need to take courses to qualify for the career you want. You will probably need some type of license or certification. To get a job as an R.N., for example, you will need a diploma, an associate's degree, a bachelor's degree, or a master's degree in nursing. Diploma programs take two or three years to complete. Numerous colleges, universities, nursing schools, and private schools offer associate degree programs, which also take two or three years to complete.

You can become an R.N. without having a bachelor's degree. Graduates of diploma and associate's degree programs often go on to study for their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), however, because many jobs, including teaching, research, and administration, require at least a BSN. R.N.s with associate's degrees may earn their BSN through RN-to-BSN completion programs, an increasing number of which are offered online. Nurses typically take continuing education courses while they work. In fact, many hospitals reimburse tuition for their employees who are studying for their BSN.

To gain a license a student must graduate from an approved nursing program and pass a licensing exam. Registered nurses must also become licensed in the state in which they work. Licensing requirements vary by state. License renewal requires nursing continuing education courses, which help nurses learn new skills and keep up-to-date in their profession.

Several important nursing specialties require registered nurses to gain national certification and/or state or national approval, which requires study beyond the BSN. These include clinical nursing, forensic nursing, nursing case management, legal nursing consulting, stress management, nurse-midwifery, and nurse practitioner.

As with most professions, higher nursing education usually translates into higher salaries. According to BLS the median starting salary for registered nurses with their BSN is over ,000. With ten or more years of experience, the median salary is over ,000. Salaries vary considerably by location (highest in California) and specialization (highest for nurse anesthetists with master's degrees).

In addition to rising salaries and job security, nurses can expect good benefit packages that typically include paid vacations and sick leave, tuition reimbursement, and pension plans. Because of the ongoing shortage of nurses, many hospitals offer recruitment incentives such as signing bonuses, relocation and housing assistance, and day care.

Due to medical advances and an aging population the demand for skilled nurses will continue to increase over the foreseeable future, providing nurses with opportunities for well-paid, rewarding, and secure careers.

Online Nursing Continuing Education Courses and Certification

Online nursing courses and programs have many advantages over campus-based programs. With flexible schedules and ongoing start times, online education caters to busy people who have jobs and family or other responsibilities.

As an online student you can study whenever you want and get the same quality education as classroom students while enjoying the comfort and convenience of your home or office. Online nursing programs that have clinical requirements even allow students to satisfy those requirements in their own communities. Program may even give you credit for prior coursework, military service, or work experience.

In quality online nursing continuing education courses the faculty not only teach the courses, they also provide one-to-one mentoring of the students. Online chat rooms give students the opportunity to discuss course content. Online resource boards and online healthcare-related resource centers facilitate research and study. Online study affords students as rich a learning experience as does classroom study.

Choosing a Program

When choosing a school for nursing continuing education courses look for schools that provide the education you need for the career you want. Give preference to programs that prepare you for certification and/or licensing as needed for your work. Make sure your school of choice is accredited. Ask potential employers if they will accept training from that program.

You may qualify for financial aid (loans, grants, and/or scholarships). Schools may offer financial aid themselves, or you may apply for aid from external sources. Ask the schools you are considering if they know of any financial aid for their courses. Go to government agencies, professional associations, and nurses' or healthcare workers' unions to ask about financial aid options.

Nursing Specialties

Once you have your bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) you can continue your studies to earn national certification in nursing specialties. These specialties include holistic healthcare practice, legal nurse consultant, forensic nursing, nurse practitioner, nurse anesthetist, nursing case management, stress management, and many others.

Nursing Salaries

The shortage of nurses in the United States means that nurses, especially registered nurses, are in very high demand. Your salary will depend on your education and experience, your area of nursing, the employer, and the location of the employer.

Registered nurses average about ,000 more per year than licensed practical nurses. Even among registered nurses salaries vary. Critical care and operating room nurses, for example, usually earn more than medicine/surgery or emergency room nurseries.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in 2007 California had the highest median salary for registered nurses (,550), followed Massachusetts (,940), Hawaii (,220), New Jersey (,900), and Maryland (,480). If you become certified in a nursing specialty your salary will average nearly ,000 more per year than a nurse who is not certified in a nursing specialty. BLS expects that the need for nurses will continue to grow over the next five years, at least.

Nursing continuing education can help you reach your professional goals by preparing and certifying you for higher level nursing work.