Nursing administration focuses on administrative and supervisory tasks. It is a culmination of strong nursing skills coupled with good organizational abilities. The discipline involves executive functions such as strategic planning, budgeting, human resources, training, objectives and goal setting for nursing departments. This function suits registered nurses best since they already possess requisite nursing skills plus experience and it makes for an ideal career progression to nursing administrators.

Nursing administration programs are usually Master’s or post-graduate degree programs spanning 2 years focusing on management aspects. The skills of experienced nurses are mostly directed towards delivery of health care and they may not possess necessary management skills. Master’s degrees in nursing administration equip them with business management skills along side their nursing expertise and experience. These programs are flexible and offered through campus and online modes. Those who complete nursing administration programs can move into roles of chief nurse executives, nursing case managers, nursing project directors, nursing school administrators, chief nursing officers, chief clinical officers, nursing directors and nursing supervisors, to name a few.

Career prospects for nursing administration are robust with 23% growth projected for registered nurses through 2016 as per Bureau of Labor Statistics. Add to that a nursing administration degree and opportunities brighten even further. Salaries are already lucrative for registered nurses and transition into executive positions in nursing administration can improve compensation packages considerably. Health service managers in fact drew median annual incomes of $76,990 in 2007 as compared to $60,010 for registered nurses.

University of Phoenix and Lincoln Technical Institute lead the premier group with flexible and quality programs followed by Kaplan University and Everest Institute that focus on teaching absorption and application of real world knowledge in professional life. South University’s programs are driven upon by student experience to help achieve educational goals.

MSN is the abbreviated form of Master of Science degree in Nursing. This post-graduate qualification is very much necessary for entry into advanced forms of nursing practice. By acquiring an MSN degree, nurses  and students are equipped with skills required for supervisory leadership, teaching and practice as nurse-practitioners [ARNPs], nurse-midwifes or nurse-anesthesiologists. The MSN program usually spans 2 years and offers flexible and convenient education for working nurses through campus and online modes. However, the online mode may incorporate a combination of campus plus distance learning plus field exposure components to make it a practical program. It is also possible to take BSN and MSN programs concurrently subject to stipulations. Nurses who wish to progress their career as ARNPs, nurse-midwifes or nurse-anesthesiologists need to complete MSN degree successfully and also meet license requirements.

Career outlook is strongly positive for nursing industry with faster than average growth of all occupations projected by US Bureau of Labor Statistics through 2016. An MSN program opens several doors with opportunities also opening up in teaching vocations as nurse educators, over and above existing employment avenues. It will also facilitate career progression as nurse-practitioners, nurse-midwifes, nurse-anesthesiologist and advanced public health nurses. Moreover, this will automatically translate to higher pay and will provide an edge over other candidates with lesser qualifications. Nurse practitioners with MSN degrees earn an average of $61,000 compared to average salary of registered nurses of about $47,000 as per National Advisory Council on Nurse Education and Practice.

University of Phoenix and Lincoln Technical Institute stand tall in the group with their flexible programs through campus and online channels. Kaplan University and Everest Institute follow suit driving their programs on absorption of real world knowledge and translating it to meaningful careers. South University also joins the group with its focus on student experience and achievement of educational goals.

LVN stands for Licensed Vocational Nurse whereas RN stands for Registered Nurse. Any LVN when asked will tell you of their dream to move into the role of RN. This makes sense since it is logical career progression for LVNs for several reasons – better pay, higher level of training and education and additional responsibilities.

RNs usually posses higher level of education, knowledge and training in discharging duties. Moreover, they supervise teams of LVNs in administering patient care. They also draw higher salaries. Importantly, they have significant standing in the job market.

Moving from LVN to RN is much easier and practical as compared to doing a full fledged BSN program. Primarily, LVNs need to meet 3 criteria to become RNs viz., acquire a Bachelor’s degree, take license exam and pass successfully and secure experience required for that role. Since LVNs are already in nursing field, bridge programs exist for them to make transition smoother, shorter and effective. These are achieved through 2 programs viz., Associate of Science [A.S] in Nursing degree and Bachelor of Science in Nursing [B.S.N] degree.

The courses cover algebra, microbiology, chemistry, anatomy, physiology, psychology, computers and statistics. Additionally, nursing courses in theory and clinical practice are also included to meet degree and licensing requirements. Post completion of LVN to RN programs, certification exams at national level can be taken and passed to get licensed as RNs.

Career outlook for Registered Nurses is quite bright with the increase in health care and the need for highly qualified professionals. Registered nurses earned 50 percent more than licensed practical nurses based on median national incomes as of 2006.

University of Phoenix and Lincoln Technical Institute are top notch academic institutions. Kaplan University and Everest Institute provide “best in class” education. South University is second to none and focuses on positive students’ experience.

If you are a Licensed Practical Nurse [LPN] and are interested in a career progression, then the next logical choice is to transition in to Registered Nurse [RN]. Roles of RN offer increased responsibility and additional duties relating to patient care; supervision of teams of LPNs, orderlies, medical assistants and nursing assistants; and increase in remuneration.

There are 3 requirements that need to be complied to become a Registered Nurse viz., a degree, license and experience. Two types of LPN to RN programs are Associate of Science [A.S] in Nursing degree and Bachelor of Science in Nursing [B.S.N] degree. The duration of the programs varies with an A.S taking around 1-2 years and B.S.N spanning around 3-4 years depending on school. These are transition programs for LPNs to bridge gap of curriculum between an LPN and RN. As a result, LPN experience is a must.

Course content of these programs revolves around algebra, microbiology, chemistry, anatomy, physiology, psychology, computers and statistics which meet general education requirements. Additionally, nursing courses in theory and clinical practice are also designed to meet degree and licensing requirements. After completing applicable LPN to RN programs, individuals can take the certification exam at the national level. On passing the exam, they can be licensed as Registered Nurses and practice accordingly.

Career outlook for Registered Nurses is quite bright with the increase in health care and the need for highly qualified professionals. Registered nurses earned 50 percent more than licensed practical nurses based on median national incomes as of 2006.

University of Phoenix and Lincoln Technical Institute provide “best in class” education backed by strong academic credentials. Kaplan University and Everest Institute are equally reputed and provide flexible programs that are customized to fit students’ schedules. South University completes the list with programs that focus on positive students’ experience.

Informatics is essentially the processing and assimilating of varied sources of information. Specializations are available in the discipline and these are usually used in conjunction with informatics as a prefix to indicate the same. Examples are nursing informatics, health care informatics, veterinary informatics, clinical informatics and public health informatics to name a few. Simply put, informatics specializations are a marriage of information systems with designated specialization.

There are several programs available in each and every specialization spanning Associate’s, Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctorate degrees. Certifications and diplomas are also available. Most programs are available through campus and online modes enabling working staff to balance work and study commitments. However, practical experience is crucial in such cases. Importantly, professionals in these disciplines not only need to be acquainted with informatics but also specific disciplines that they have chosen. A case in point is nursing informatics wherein the professional needs to be aware of nursing as well as informatics. License requirements may also apply.

Career prospects are extremely bright in informatics field since there is heavy demand throughout the world. Students who specialize in informatics usually land jobs quickly after studies and also draw higher salaries. Governmental actions also increase employment prospects. For example, Obama’s recent decision to digitalize medical records has given a push in the nursing informatics field. Salary prospects are also good depending on the field. The average salary of nursing informatics specialists was $83,675 in 2007 as per Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS).Factors impacting earnings typically include education, managerial responsibilities, experience, location and employer.

University of Phoenix and Lincoln Technical Institute lead the group offering flexible and quality programs. Kaplan University and Everest Institute offer real word practical skills through their programs. South University’s programs are focused on the student experience and in helping them achieve their educational goals.

LPN stands for Licensed Practical Nurse. Individuals interested in becoming LPNs need to possess at least a high school diploma or GED to qualify into the LPN program of approximately 1 year duration. Post completion of LPN program, they can take and pass the National Council Licensure Examination or NCLEX-PN to become LPNs.

Though the demand for LPNs is high, yet the opportunities provided by RNs or Registered Nurses career are even more attractive. To move into the role of RNs, Bachelor’s degrees in Nursing are a minimum requirement which take around 3-4 years. However, LPN to BSN programs can be completed in comparatively shorter time frames. These programs therefore allow nurses to build nursing experience while completing their BSN qualifications.

Several institutions offer LPN to BSN programs through campus and online modes. However, practical exposure is a must for either channel. Course curriculum typically covers medical ethics, anatomy and physiology, nursing management, pharmacology, research in nursing, nutrition and health, human resource management, abnormal psychology, chemistry, health care management, professional nursing and microbiology lab. Moreover BSN programs allow LPNs to choose specializations.

Career prospects are extremely bright for nurses who complete LPN to BSN programs and reflect in higher pay, responsibilities, choice of specialties and diverse career opportunities. Post LPN to BSN programs, LPNs can take and pass the appropriate licensure exams to become Registered Nurses or RNs. This is a natural career progression. Registered nurses earn a little better than 50 percent more than licensed practical nurses based on median national incomes of 2006.

University of Phoenix and Lincoln Technical Institute offer top notch programs for students followed by Kaplan University and Everest Institute providing “best in class” education. South University focuses its programs on positive student experience.

Assisted Living Facilities, residential health care facilities, patients’ homes, retirement communities and hospices are examples of long term care institutions. They focus on care for elderly and chronically ill for an extended period of time. This field is gaining more importance particularly with the steady increase of aging population in countries. Consequently, areas such as cost optimization, logistics of human resources, financial considerations of patients and insurance regulations need to be well thought out. As a result, business models are emerging that focus on carefully visualizing, planning and deploying long term care effectively in synchronizing business optimization and quality of life of patients. The demand is expected to grow stronger in this segment and hence, the need for quality professionals who can manage long term care is on the rise.

Several programs in long term care are offered by multiple institutions that span Associate’s, Bachelor’s and Doctorate degrees both online and campus based. Course content of these programs not only focuses on health care aspects but also covers crucial business management skills. For entry level positions, a Bachelor’s degree is usually sufficient though for higher roles, a Master’s degree is expected. Practical experience is integrated into these programs. Certification and license requirements apply.

Demand is expected to be robust in the long term care segment of health care. As a result, job opportunities are expected to multiply. Though most long term care facilities operate round the clock equating to long hours, yet earnings are higher than many occupations with average starting salary for managers of $57,000 annually.

University of Phoenix and Lincoln Technical Institute are premier institutions offering quality programs followed by Kaplan University and Everest Institute equally well reputed as the first two in academic excellence. South University is known for its focus on student experience and helping them achieve educational goals.

The concept of holistic nursing originated with Florence Nightingale considered by many as the first holistic nurse. Holistic nurses espouse “all nursing practice that has healing the whole person as its goal” as per American Holistic Nurses Association (AHNA).

The philosophy of holistic nursing is to treat patients in totality rather than focusing on a single symptom or disease. The mind-body connection is significant in this field. Holistic nurses treat patients on a gamut of issues in that include mental, emotional, spiritual, social, cultural, relational, contextual and environmental aspects. This discipline, earlier shadowed for a period with appearance of specialized nursing disciplines, is now re-emerging in modern times.

Several certifications are available certifying nurses as holistic nurses with the most popular program provided by the American Holistic Nurses’ Certification Corporation [AHNCC]. AHNCC offers 3 programs targeting non-degreed nurses, nurses holding Bachelor’s degrees and an advanced certification. The 3 step certification process involves an application, qualitative assessment and a quantitative examination. Several nurses also go in for complementary modalities like acupressure, meditation, music therapy and massage therapy. Normally, to practice as a holistic nurse, a Bachelor’s degree is required. Practical exposure and training are integral components of this process. Seminars, conferences and workshops can be extremely helpful too. License requirements also apply.

Career prospects are expected to be positive as patients are addressed more effectively and this translates to higher demand for holistic nurses. Holistic nurses drew median annual earnings of about $57,000 in the United States with the top end going to $75,000 a year. However, this depends largely on experience and location.

Premier institutions offering health care programs include University of Phoenix and Lincoln Technical Institute followed by Kaplan University and Everest Institute that offer equally “best in class” education. South University joins the league with an established track record of academic excellence.

The health care industry is unlike any other industry in the world today. It has its own unique set of challenges and opportunities that needs to be managed effectively through specialists in health care management. As an example, cost optimization though important, has to be implemented with foresight and care to ensure quality of patient health care. There are also legal, regulatory and ethical requirements that need to be balanced equitably.

Fortunately, there is no dearth of programs in health care management with several institutions offering diverse and customized programs students. These programs are available through both channels namely campus and online modes. Based on the type of program, the duration also varies. Currently, an MBA with health care specialization has demand in the market. Master’s in Science or MBA are usually offered by several institutions. The curriculum revolves around business fundamentals, allocation of resources, assessment of risk, financing, healthcare finance, database management, healthcare strategic management and health policy.

Career prospects are excellent as evidenced by forecasts from Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is fueled by the fact that there is a pressing need for far more effective management in health care segment. Growth, in fact, is expected to be faster than average for all occupations. A specialization in health care management or an MBA around this field can be a huge plus for aspiring managers looking for exciting and rewarding careers. MBA graduates were projected to earn median salaries of $71,280 in 2004.

Top universities offering health care management programs are University of Phoenix and Lincoln Technical Institute well known for excellent academics credentials.  Kaplan University and Everest Institute are close on their heels with unique and distinctive programs designed to be flexible and convenient to students. Completing the list is South University with programs designed to achieve a positive student experience.

Health Care Information Systems is a combination of health care and information systems. It consists of applying information technology to health care. The syllabus is similar to information technology courses with the difference being that it is primarily focused on health care. Medical record keeping systems for hospitals and research centers illustrate this point. Information systems form an integral part of health care agencies and are vital to keep them running smoothly. They ensure that information is at your finger tips at your beck and call.

Health care information systems programs are available online as well apart from the conventional campus mode, thus enhancing flexibility and promoting work–life balance wherein working staff along with students can earn additional credentials to increase career prospects in health care. The content of these programs spans aspects of network administration, security systems, computer sciences, core sciences, statistics and database administration with specialization available in fields like bioinformatics, public health and clinical informatics. Online programs can be acquired through Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctorate degrees along side diplomas and certifications. Entry level positions usually require Bachelor’s degrees whereas Doctorate degrees are useful for university teaching positions and research. The time span of these programs also varies depending on type of program. Course work is continuously available online for students to gain a practical understanding of all aspects of health care information systems.

Career prospects are good in this industry with the Bureau of Labor Standards forecasting an 18% growth through 2016. Salaries are lucrative and can go up to median annual earnings of $104,040 for an MBA program or Master’s in Engineering.

Programs are diverse and are offered by University of Phoenix and Lincoln Technical Institute offering quality education. Kaplan University and Everest Institute come with excellent academic credentials too. South University also joins the league with focus on student experience through customized programs.