Breaking down barriers means removing anything that prevents someone from achieving their goals or pursuing their passion. These barriers can be natural or symbolic, often as stereotypes or biases.
Some of these barriers may be related to the person’s culture, gender, or socio-economic status. Others may be related to practical or financial obstacles.
Flexible Scheduling
Many students find balancing a nursing career with other life commitments challenging. ABS programs online can offer flexible scheduling options for aspiring nurses.
Some of these scheduling options include floating, PRN, and job sharing. Floating allows nurses to work across departments, while PRN positions enable nurses to be available to change patient needs on short notice. Job sharing entails two nurses sharing one full-time nursing position and benefits, granting each nurse the flexibility to choose the best shifts for their schedules.
While online ABS programs can provide great flexibility, students must be prepared to commit to the program as a full-time student. Those who cannot devote time to an online program may need help to complete rigorous classes and clinical requirements.
Asynchronous Learning
Unlike traditional nursing programs, online ABSN courses at La Salle University allow participation in classroom discussions when convenient. Whether after you’ve sent the kids to school or before you start your day, you can engage with your classmates when it fits into your schedule.
Students often do best in an accelerated BSN program when they study at their own pace, which is possible with asynchronous learning. This allows you to take control of your studying and make the most out of every hour spent on course materials.
Moreover, online courses allow you to stay in touch with your instructors and fellow cohort members throughout the program. These connections may also help you find a study group, which can be an effective tool for maximizing your study time. You can study with peers experiencing your challenges and support each other to overcome them. This peer-led study approach has increased your retention and success in a nursing program.
Hybrid Learning
When students can attend class in person, they can receive feedback from their professors and stay engaged with the material. They can also ask questions when they don’t understand something.
On the other hand, online learning is more isolating, and it can be challenging to keep motivated without regular in-person interactions with peers. However, if they can structure their online learning around their schedules, they can learn at their own pace and avoid missing out on vital information.
Some online and hybrid nursing programs offer both in-person and virtual learning sessions. For example, they may hold in-person classes some days of the week and online sessions on other days (as many K-12 schools did during the pandemic). This gives students various ways to participate in class and helps them develop their digital skills. It also reduces the time required to graduate, providing a faster route for career changers to their new profession.
A Better Work-Life Balance
Studying when and where works best for students is a significant benefit. While traditional classrooms can be distracting and crowded, online nursing students have the freedom to work on their assignments in a comfortable and quiet environment. They also can listen to lectures or participate in discussion forums after the kids go to bed, early in the morning before they head off to work, or on a lunch break between shifts at the hospital.
Breaking down barriers requires understanding and learning from others’ experiences, respecting differences, and working collaboratively. Nurses who understand the social determinants of health (SDOH) can use their education and empathy to address these community barriers.
For those interested in a career in nursing, an accelerated BSN program may be a good fit. Those with a minimum of 60 college credits and a non-nursing bachelor’s degree can enroll in a hybrid online ABSN program that combines virtual coursework with skills and simulation labs, in-person exams, and clinical rotations at local hospitals to graduate prepared for the nursing profession.
