Find the Right Online Nursing Program at Lamar University

Lamar University, located in Beaumont, is one of the fastest growing colleges and universities in Texas. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, and the JoAnne Gay Dishman School of Nursing’s BSN and MSN programs are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

In the online MSN program, students can focus on nursing administration or education. The RN to BSN program, also offered completely online, is perfect for experienced nurses who hold an Associate of Science in Nursing degree and would like to expand their skill sets and advancement opportunities.

The Benefits of Taking Classes Online

Working adults who are considering returning to school may feel like it is difficult or even impossible. Understandably, potential students have many questions before they enroll in a program.

• How will I attend class and finish assignments while working?
• How long does it take?
• How much does it cost?
• Will I get the same quality of education as I would in an on-campus program?

One of the main reasons people choose online programs is for the convenience. You can complete your coursework anywhere at any time. Assignments, notes, study guides, lectures and more are all available online. This saves you commuting time, and you will not need to adjust your work schedule. While school work may cut into your personal time, you will be surprised how supportive your friends and family can be. Do not be afraid to ask them for help and set boundaries.

The online nursing degree programs at Lamar University move at an accelerated pace, giving you the opportunity to improve your career quicker than many other programs. For example, you can complete the RN to BSN program in as few as 13 months. If you plan on earning a master’s degree, you can eliminate nine credit hours by completing an RN to MSN program as opposed to earning a BSN and MSN separately.

Lamar University offers the following four nursing degree programs online:

• RN to BSN.
• RN to MSN.
• MSN with a focus on Nursing Administration.
• MSN with a focus on Nursing Education.

RN to BSN Online

ADN-prepared nurses may wonder what they are going to learn in an RN to BSN program that they don’t already know. BSN bridge programs include courses that cover nursing theory, research and nursing informatics. Bachelor’s programs also offer classes in communication, leadership and social sciences, as well as the humanities, for a well-rounded education.

BSN-prepared nurses also enjoy great job opportunities. Many healthcare facilities seeking Magnet Designation are only hiring BSNs in order to accomplish the goals set forth in the Institute of Medicine’s (IOM) report, The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health.

BSN-prepared nurses typically earn more than ADNs. According to Nurse Journal, RNs with an associate degree or diploma earned $66,000 compared to those with a bachelor’s, who earned $75,000 annually.

Here are a few of the RN to BSN courses offered online at Lamar University:

• Nursing Theories in Nursing and Online Education.
• Comprehensive Holistic Health Assessment.
• Nursing Inquiry and Evidence-Based Practice.
• Nursing Practice: Care of Communities.
• Nursing Practice: Compromised Multiple Health States.
• Nursing Practice: Leadership and Management in the Healthcare System.
• Synthesis in Professional Nursing (Capstone Course [Clinical Rotation]).

Nurses with a BSN enjoy a wide range of nursing opportunities.

1. Nursing Home Staff Nurse
   These nurses typically work with the elderly, but they also work with younger adults who have special needs. They administer medication and help with feeding, bathing and other patient needs.
2. School Nurse
   School nurses provide general wellness screening as well as first aid. They also administer medication.
3. Hospice Care Nurse
   Hospice care nurses help patients during the final stages of their lives, providing dignity and compassion when they need it most.
4. Phone Triage Nurse
   Phone triage nurses are among the first healthcare providers patients contact. Patients detail symptoms, and by asking the right questions — and remaining calm — phone triage nurses advise them on next steps.
5. Home Care Nurse
   Home care nurses often provide the same care as a nurse in a nursing home. This is a growing trend as more and more patients want to stay at home. These patients may be dealing with the isolation of being housebound and the emotional stress caused by loneliness. As with all nursing positions, the rewards can be priceless.
6. Informatics Nurse
   A nurse informaticist helps interpret and communicate information and data coming in and out of healthcare settings. These nurses must have strong research, computer and nursing skills.

RN to MSN Online

An RN to MSN program is perfect for ADNs who are interested in becoming nurse administrators, educators or advanced practice nurses (APNs).

Degree candidates on the administration track can expect to take some of the following courses:

• Advanced Nursing Issues.
• Healthcare and Policy Finance.
• Financial Accounting.
• Marketing Concepts.
• Nursing Research.
• Role Development Nurse Administration.
• Health Information Systems.

Students interested in the RN to MSN track with a focus on education will complete some of the following courses while enrolled in their degree program:

• Role Development/Learning Theories.
• Curriculum Design.
• Measurement and Evaluation.
• Advanced Pharmacology.

Nurses with an MSN have a wide variety of specializations and careers to choose from.

1. MD Office Nurse Practitioner
   These nurse practitioners work in a doctor’s office under the physician’s supervision, diagnosing, assessing, prescribing medications and creating treatment plans. Nurse practitioners can specialize in areas specific to their interests and work in most types of practices.
2. Nurse Midwife
   A nurse midwife provides care for expectant mothers as well as helping during the birthing process. They often have more time to spend with their patients than OB/GYNs do, and the care does not end when the baby is born. The follow-up care they provide can be as important as prenatal care.
3. Nursing Educator
   Nurse educators work at colleges and universities, instructing and advising nursing students and recent graduates. They also help write curriculum, and they can be a part of the administration that directs the path of the nursing program itself.
4. Nurse Executive
   Nurse executives work for hospitals and other healthcare facilities beside physicians and other board members to make decisions about how to run the facility. Because most have bedside experience, they can offer solutions and guidance that other member cannot.

Lamar University provides state-of-the-art learning resources not available at every nursing school. The program offers its students net-books and electric medical record software to aid in the learning process. Distance and online learners have access to the Virtual Caring Place, which mirrors the on-campus Caring Place where students can ask questions on a one-on-one basis and check out computers with program-specific software. These resources help students integrate technology into the care they provide.

Lamar University’s RN to BSN and RN to MSN programs prepare the nurses of tomorrow for the ever-changing healthcare landscape. Nurses educated at Lamar are ready to make the changes and provide the expertise that patients need. They will fill the gaps created by nursing shortages, and those who choose to become educators will play a part in instructing those nurses.

ADN vs. BSN: Which should you choose? (n.d.). NursingLink

The Future of the Associate Degree in Nursing Program. (n.d.). NursingLicensure.org

Romero, L. (2015, October 16). 3 Academic Advantages of Online Programs. U.S. News & World Report

Robertson, T. (n.d.). The Role of a Nurse in a Nursing Home. Houston Chronicle