With the older generations aging, both into ailing medical problems and out of the workforce, the need for nurses only grows. To educate the next cohort of registered nurses, students need flexible schooling in order to earn their degrees while going to work to support their families. Whether you’re a working professional seeking to advance your career, a parent juggling family obligations, or someone looking to switch to a fulfilling healthcare profession, traditional nursing programs may not fit into your busy schedule.
Flexible nursing programs, like the ones offered at American National University, offer a solution, allowing aspiring nurses to pursue their dreams without sacrificing their current commitments. By leveraging technology and innovative teaching methods, these programs provide an alternative to the rigid schedules and location constraints of traditional classroom-based learning. At ANU, our students learn in online classrooms with virtual reality applications and externships local to the clinics and hospitals near them. Our program allows students flexibility – and this is how we help them achieve their goals.
Tailored Schedules
One of the most significant advantages of flexible nursing programs is the ability to tailor your learning schedule to fit your unique lifestyle and responsibilities. Each student has their own needs – between working, caring for family, and a general balance of life. Classes that are only at one time can make it impossible for many people to become a student. Unlike traditional nursing programs, which often require students to adhere to a rigid timetable, ANU’s nursing programs offer a variety of scheduling options to accommodate different needs.
For one ANU nursing student, Francesca Matson, explored her nursing program options and found that “every around here is during the day, and I’ve always had to keep a full time job. So I really appreciate ANU for allowing people like me to do what I need to do and pursue my future career as a nurse…evening classes have really helped me a lot.” For ANU, our traditional students have to work full time jobs and take care of children, so accommodating their needs only makes sense. We want to provide education in a way that students can gain the practical skills and knowledge needed for their nursing career without having to compromise your job or other responsibilities.
Another ANU nursing student, Jimma Hall, says that ANU is helpful to those who work or have families. “ANU is pretty awesome too. It’s really convenient, they make it convenient for people that have a life outside of school, too, so that’s really nice!”
Additionally, soon to be nursing graduate, Amanda Bailey, echoed these sentiments. She explains, “If you are trying to work and go to school, then it’s a great program for that. This is the only school that I actually found that would work with my work schedule… I hear a lot of moms say, ‘I would love to go back to school, but I have to work.’ And I go, ‘hey, listen to this school I go to!’”
Remote Learning
In an era where technology continues to transform education, remote learning opportunities have become a cornerstone of flexible nursing programs. These programs leverage online platforms and digital tools to deliver a comprehensive and interactive educational experience, enabling students to pursue their nursing degrees from anywhere they have an internet connection. At ANU, our nursing students take online classes, supported by not only virtual reality (VR) systems but through clinical externships local to them. Additionally, our nursing students will go through skills checks at our Pikeville, Kentucky campus to ensure that their skills are up to the test. This allows our students to keep that flexibility of learning within their lives – they can choose to attend online classes in the morning, afternoon, evening, or weekends to ensure that their education doesn’t impede their everyday life.
Additionally, learning remotely is cost effective. With only 119 credit hours to earn in our program, our students finish their degrees faster and save both time and money. Not only that, but their textbooks, VR equipment, and lab supplies are included in the cost of their tuition – so there’s no need to shell out pocket money for the tools they will need to succeed as we provide it to them. The financial savings associated with remote learning make nursing education more affordable and accessible to a wider range of students.
Many common questions that come from remote learning involve the community: if I attend ANU’s flexible nursing programs remotely, do I lose the opportunity to speak with others as I would in an on-campus situation. The short answer is a definite no. Despite the physical distance, remote learning fosters a sense of community and support among students. Many online nursing programs include forums, group projects, and peer-to-peer learning opportunities that encourage collaboration and networking. These online communities provide a platform for students to share experiences, seek advice, and build relationships with classmates and instructors, creating a supportive learning environment that mirrors the camaraderie found in traditional classrooms.
As Jimma Hall describes her experience, “in my class, we came in together so we’re all like one big family! We all want to see each other pass, we do not want to leave anyone behind… We come in together, we’re going out together.”
Pathways to Advanced Degrees
One of the significant advantages of flexible nursing programs is their ability to provide clear and accessible pathways to advanced degrees. These pathways enable you to build upon your initial qualifications, advance your career, and expand your knowledge and skills in the nursing field. Flexible nursing programs often offer a step-by-step progression model, allowing you to gradually advance your education without overwhelming yourself with a heavy workload. For example, after completing your associates in nursing, you can seamlessly transition to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program.
ANU offers a 100% online BSN program for our students located in Tennessee. This allows students the same flexibility offered in the online associate degree program and gives students the ability to move up in their education almost seamlessly. Our programs emphasize the importance of lifelong learning and professional development. ANU students are lifelong learners, and we hope to be there every step of the way to further their nursing skills with our flexible nursing programs.
A student in our BSN program, Kylie Jett-Brown, found ANU for her nursing dreams and says, I started reading about [ANU] and I was like, ‘it’s accredited in Tennessee… what?’ And the virtual reality – that is so cool because I can’t do clinicals five days a week and classes. I have to work full time. I [saw] half your clinicals are virtual reality and I was like, ‘no way!’” Our program is allowing her to work, be with her children, and care for her ill mother.
ANU Helps You Achieve Your Goals with Our Flexible Nursing Programs
Flexible nursing programs are designed to accommodate the diverse needs of today’s students, making it possible for anyone to pursue a rewarding career in nursing. ANU understands that our traditional students are ones that work, care for family, and have lives to live outside of being a student. ANU students have more to do than just be students, and we recognize that by providing programs to schedule around their life rather than the student forced to make accommodations for their education. Whether you are just starting your nursing journey or looking to advance your career, these programs provide the adaptability, support, and resources needed to achieve your goals. By embracing the opportunities offered by flexible nursing programs, you can pave the way for a successful and fulfilling career in nursing, all while maintaining a healthy balance between your education and other life commitments.
To learn more about our associate degree program, go to an.edu/programs/associates/nursing-associate-degree.
To learn more about our bachelor’s degree program for Tennessee residents, go to an.edu/programs/bachelors-degrees/online-bachelor-of-science-in-nursing/.
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