If you’re ready to earn your BSN and improve your career prospects, you should know what subjects you will study in an online bachelor’s in nursing degree program. To become a nurse, you will need an education in the science of nursing and in healthcare technology. Your studies will take place inside and outside the virtual classroom and include traditional coursework as well as hands-on learning experiences.
Science Courses
Many of the subjects you will study in an online bachelor’s in nursing degree program are part of the sciences. Aspiring nurses must complete coursework in both hard and soft sciences, according to U.S. News & World Report. Some of the science classes that often make up the core curriculum of a BSN program include experimental chemistry, anatomy and physiology, biology, psychology, behavioral science and sociology. Students in an online BSN degree program also take courses that are more narrowly focused on healthcare and nursing, such as nursing science, nursing theory and practice, health and wellness assessments, mental health nursing, public and global health in nursing and nursing leadership and management.
Technology Classes
Today’s healthcare professionals use a great deal of technology to diagnose and treat patients and to keep track of medical records and patient information. Because technology is becoming increasingly important in the field of nursing, technology courses have also become crucial in a bachelor’s of science in nursing degree program. Some of the subjects you will study in an online bachelor’s in nursing degree program focus on learning to use this technology effectively. Students often take classes such as nursing informatics, healthcare delivery systems and data management,
Clinical Experience Requirements
You can’t learn everything you need to know about caring for patients from a textbook or an online learning platform. Some of the subjects you will study in an online bachelor’s in nursing degree program require you to complete clinical experiences. Through this fieldwork, you will develop your skills by working with patients under the supervision of experienced healthcare professionals.
BSN students who are already registered nurses might not need to complete additional clinical experiences beyond the work they already do, according to U.S. News & World Report. However, for students who are earning their BSN to get started in the field of nursing, the clinical experience plays an important role in career preparation. As an online student, your school may work with you to find an opportunity a clinical setting that’s nearby and convenient for you.
Students earning their Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree take many different classes, from general education courses required of all students to core nursing courses that cover the concepts, applications, science and technology of nursing. While the exact curriculum will vary from one school to the next, the subjects you will study in an online bachelor’s in nursing degree program should prepare you for a successful nursing career.
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