The severe shortage of nurses in the health care industry has made the nursing profession an attractive one for those looking for a high paying career that also offers a high level of psychic satisfaction. However, nursing is not for everyone; the hours can be very demanding, particularly when working in a hospital that is understaffed, and schedules can be irregular as nurses can find themselves working graveyard shifts and weekends. But if you love helping people, then nursing can be very rewarding.

An online nursing certificate program allows nurses to work as nursing aides in a hospital while studying for their diploma. These programs take two to three years to complete and qualify graduates for most entry-level positions; it will also allow them to sit for the national licensing examination for registered nurses (NCLEX-RN). The career prospects of graduates of diploma programs are limited, but if you want to enter the nursing profession quickly, then earning a diploma in nursing will allow you to do so.

If you are interested in eventually pursuing higher education, however, then you should pursue an Associate of Science in Nursing degree. Getting an Associate’s Degree also allows you to qualify as a registered nurse while serving as a stepping stone to earn a BS Nursing degree. However, there are no fully-online associate’s courses since they require substantial coursework in a laboratory or clinic; but if you have already earned your Associate’s Degree then you can complete your Bachelor’s Degree online. A higher degree will qualify you to become an advanced practice nurse, which allows you to play a more specialized role in health care provision and earn a higher salary.