One can reasonably assume that there are certain things you just need to learn in person. Nursing seems to fall squarely in this category. The work is hands-on. Why should learning about the work be any different?
And yet, as remote learning continues to proliferate, more and more people are pursuing their nursing degrees online.
Is this beneficial? In this article, we take a look at how education technology and remote learning are better preparing nurses for their demanding careers.
Can You Complete a Nursing Degree Online?
There are aspects of a nursing degree that need to be completed in person. Nursing candidates have to complete a certain number of clinical hours before they can graduate and take the NCLEX. These rotations are done at active hospitals under the supervision of working nurses.
You can’t replicate that experience online.
Many remote education programs will collaborate with hospitals across the country. Participants can get clinical experience at a local hospital while still completing their studies online. This is a great option for people who want to remain in their community while studying at a far-away school.
In this scenario, you can learn from instructors located anywhere in the world, all from the comfort of your home.
How Education Technology and Remote Learning are Better Preparing Future Nurses
So, what’s the big sell? What makes remote learning better for future nurses? While everyone will have their own experience with e-learning, here are a few points in its favor:
- World-class instruction: Exclusively brick-and-mortar learning institutions are limited to what instructors are willing to live and work on campus. Online schools can recruit teachers from all over the world. This has the potential to connect nursing students with experts in their field.
- Flexible learning options: Nursing is a top choice for people who are pivoting into a second career. Many of these people already have obligations. Jobs. Families. Traditional learning opportunities are not optimal for them. Remote learning is flexible enough to accommodate a much wider group of people.
- Online learning (may) be more accommodating to your learning style: Classroom education has always favored people who learn best through reading and writing. Unfortunately, this represents a relatively small segment of the population. Online education materials are more adaptable. Many remote learning options include materials designed to appeal to people from all types of learning styles.
“Better,” of course, is in the eye of the beholder. Still, remote learning has many benefits that are often overlooked in a culture that prioritizes the traditional college experience. If you are looking for a flexible learning environment, online universities or remote curriculums will almost always be your best bet.
Are There Limitations to Remote Learning?
Most remote learning limitations are subjective. Some people will experience them. Others will not. If you are self-motivated and good at working independently, you will probably do very well in a remote learning environment.
If, on the other hand, you usually require a lot of structure, e-learning could be a challenge. One of the benefits of attending a traditional university is that when you get there, your job generally becomes learning.
That’s not how home-learning works. You’re surrounded at all times by your other responsibilities. Kids. Chores. Partners. Distractions. Not everyone can balance these competing interests effectively.
Other challenges include:
- Limiting networking opportunities: While “networking,” is primarily associated with the world of business, it’s something any professional can take advantage of. Nursing is a close community. RNs often bounce around from hospital to hospital. Having contacts at different hospitals can be beneficial. It helps you understand the work environment on a more personal level and also stand out during the interview process.
These opportunities are fewer in remote learning environments, but not non-existent. School e-learning environments make a point of connecting students with networking events. If you are interested in remote learning, ask the school admissions officers what they do to support graduates. Do they have any programs designed to help newly minted nurses find work?
- Lack of physical infrastructure: Brick-and-mortar universities are packed with pretty buildings. In those pretty buildings are books, computers, research papers, study groups, and professors. Resources students can take advantage of to supplement and support their education. This infrastructure is hard to replicate in the remote setting. Most online schools will connect students with digital learning materials. Database access. Even community chat groups. However, even the very best programs will struggle to replicate the comprehensive support universities can provide.
- They don’t provide the traditional college experience: College is a unique time in life. Walking the quad and bumping into friends. Late-night cappuccinos you can’t afford while you study. Bad improve groups. Dorm rooms. These are cultural experiences that many college graduates look back on fondly for the rest of their lives. They simply are not replicable at remote universities.
Are these things important? Ultimately, that’s a subjective concern. Some people thrive in remote learning environments. Others prefer to learn in person.
Other Technology That Helps Future Nurses
Not only technological developments in the field of nursing education are online. Simulation labs are good examples of opportunities that traditional universities can provide. These rooms can be adapted to replicate the conditions of a variety of different hospital scenarios. One day, the simulation lab might look like an ER. The next day, it might look like a patient’s bedroom.
The purpose of these labs is to introduce nursing students to the stress factors inherent to the job in a safe, controlled setting. These labs also help them learn what to do in situations that might not come up during their clinical rotations.
There are versions of this technology that can be used at home. Phone applications. VR programs. However, the opportunity to work with real peers in an environment that looks identical to a hospital room is hard to copy at home.
Ultimately, educational technology is constantly in flux. Generally, it moves toward improvement. If you are considering enrolling in a nursing program, there are many great ways to get your degree. Whether your interests lie in a traditional university experience or a remote learning environment, there are loads of ways to learn the trade and prepare to thrive in your first job.