The concept of distance education is not a new one, with early origins in the 1700s as correspondence courses completed through the postal system.1 In more recent times-and now as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic-there has been an upsurge in the popularity of distance learning. Online education is one form where at least 80% of the course content is delivered electronically via an online platform.1 Nursing education has followed suit with the current trend in higher education to offer flexible courses of study to prospective students. Rapid developments in technology allow students to learn wherever they are and whenever it is most convenient.
Online education differs from the traditional brick-and-mortar classroom setting in many ways. This article discusses key success strategies for those who want to pursue higher education in nursing through online modalities.
There are three main options for online learning: synchronous (logging in for live instruction at predetermined times); asynchronous (individually scheduled work with no scheduled login times); or a hybrid of both. These choices allow learners to achieve their educational goals by selecting their preferred approach.
Universities offer variety in the length and format of courses to accommodate busy students and professionals who need a flexible schedule. A recent study showed that 73% of undergraduate and 80% of graduate students had either full- or part-time employment while taking online courses.2 Additionally, 36% of students have at least one child who is under 18 living in their household.2 For adult learners, online or distance learning may be optimal while they juggle their many responsibilities outside of the classroom.
A well-educated healthcare workforce results in more positive patient outcomes, such as decreased 30-day readmission and mortality.3 Research has shown that for every 10% increase in nurses with a BSN degree, there is a 7% decrease in the likelihood of patients dying within 30 days of admission.4 The promotion of continuing higher education in the nursing profession has drastically grown over the last 2 decades. Considering that nursing is the largest healthcare profession in the US with more than 3.8 million nurses, nursing programs and institutions offer various opportunities for academic growth.5
Online learning in nursing education
The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) has been promoting the educational development of nurses, noting that this development would better address the healthcare needs of the nation.5 Employers recognize that higher education makes a difference in patient outcomes and are promoting the professional growth of their nurses through schedule accommodation and tuition reimbursement.6
To fulfill their professional responsibilities and academic endeavors, nurses are enrolling in flexible online learning programs. Undergraduate enrollment at degree-granting postsecondary institutions increased by 26% between 2000 and 2018, and the projection for 2029 is an additional increase to 17 million students.7 Equally as impressive in growth is postbaccalaureate enrollment with a 41% increase from 2000 to 2018 and an additional projected increase of 3.3% by 2029.8 Of the 20 million students enrolled in nationwide postsecondary education institutions in the fall of 2019, 17.3% were enrolled exclusively in distance education courses.7 The COVID-19 pandemic greatly increased the number of students attending online courses, with a recent study indicating a 93% increase in distance education enrollments-an increase of over 2 million students-between the fall of 2019 and 2020.9
According to a 2020 AACN survey, almost 91% of the 933 responding member schools offer some level of distance education for RN-to-BSN programs, and 56% of these programs are exclusively online.10 In 2021, nursing schools reported that 95% of 704 RN-to-BSN programs offer some level of distance education and almost 65% are exclusively online.11
Key strategies for online learning
Compared with traditional, in-person learning, online learning requires a higher degree of self-direction and resourcefulness. Both faculty and students identify self-motivation in online learning as an important factor in achieving academic success. In online classes, students must manage their own learning journey.12,13 Rather than solely being receivers in the educational process, they must be active participants who take the initiative to seek out the knowledge and skills needed to succeed.13 To successfully take the lead in one's educational journey, consider the following tips:
Set your educational goals.
Students must seek out further education to meet their personal and professional goals; these goals then give rise to motivation. A clear motivation can move students toward success. Pursuing further nursing education while balancing work, family, and personal responsibilities can be challenging. A clear understanding of one's motivation helps students overcome obstacles that will arise. Whether motivated intrinsically or extrinsically, students can leverage that motivation to push themselves forward.
Engage actively and frequently.
Attending a traditional, in-person class provides students with a set time to engage in learning. However, successful asynchronous online learning also requires engagement. One of the main predictors of success in an online class is active and frequent engagement in the course.14 Students who only access their online classroom once per week are less likely to succeed than those who log into their classes and access the course material more frequently.
Focus on areas of interest.
Many assignments in online learning provide students with the opportunity to choose their topic or area of focus. Students can then implement what they are learning into their professional nursing practice. The ability to exercise control over their learning consequently results in higher grades and improved success in online courses.15
Practice efficient time management.
The flexibility of online learning requires the same dedication and time commitment as traditional, in-person learning. Successful students are those who set aside regular time to study, engage in the online learning process, and complete all course materials and assignments.14,15 Online students who thrive are those that deliberately and purposefully plan their time.
Utilize available resources.
Students new to asynchronous online learning may feel isolated and alone in the learning process. However, all the resources available to in-person students such as faculty office hours and other campus resources are accessible to online students as well.
Higher education institutions typically have counseling resources, career services, and writing centers to assist students. Research shows that students who access such resources score up to 15% higher than those who do not.16 In addition, student performance has been shown to increase relative to the number of resources accessed.17 The more library and academic resources utilized, the better the student's performance.
Online education is an excellent option to help nurses and nursing students meet their educational and professional goals. There has been an increase in the availability of nursing programs offered online at all degree levels. To be successful, nurses must be motivated, determined, and in control of their learning. High levels of engagement, dedicated study time, and the use of university resources can all contribute to a successful experience in an online nursing program.
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