New Online Degree Programs In Nursing

Brandman University in Orange, Calif., in March introduced undergraduate and graduate nursing degree programs for registered nurses as part of a newly established School of Nursing and Health Professions. The new degrees include a bachelors degree in nursing, masters degrees in health administration and health risk and crisis communication and a doctoral degree in nursing practice. An adult education institution, Brandman University was founded as Chapman University 50 years ago and was recently renamed. As part of the nursing school coursework, students participate in online lectures, social networking and more, the Brandman University announcement noted. Clinical practice sessions are held in a state-of-the-art simulation center where three-dimensional virtual reality complements standardized patient work.

Capella University: A new doctor of nursing practice degree at Capella University is designed to prepare students for leadership positions, an announcement from the institution noted. The doctoral degree is intended for working nurses, and it takes less time to complete than a PhD degree program would, the announcement suggested. With Capella University, an online institution, students work toward their degrees online. Their degree options in nursing at Capella University also include a distance bachelor degree in nursing, a masters degree in nursing with nurse educator specialization, and an RN-to-BSN bachelors degree completion specialization.

Concordia University, which has locations throughout the United States, has made several nursing degree additions. In addition to Concordia University Portland, Ore., which in June announced that it was expanding its nursing college degrees program for freshmen, Concordia University Irvine, Calif., has announced a new "second degree" accelerated bachelors degree in nursing. The accelerated degree is for students who have already obtained bachelors degrees in other disciplines and who want to change their careers, according to the institution's website. Concordia University Austin, Texas, meanwhile announced that its new bachelors degree in nursing was approved by the Texas Board of Nursing, a News 8 Austin report noted.

Registered nurses and others interested in enrolling in bachelors degree programs and higher in nursing can find scholarships for accredited college degree programs available through colleges and universities. Private scholarships also are often available through non-profit associations, professional organizations and more. In addition to online scholarship searches available through fastweb, scholarships.com and others, students can refer to scholarship searches offered by the US Department of Education, the US Department of Labor and the non-profit College Board. Some scholarship providers require that students first complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid, which is available online.