Although career prospects for nursing professionals is expected to grow greatly in the coming years, individuals who have enhanced their education at a campus-based or online school may be able to avoid grunt work and land a position in their desired specialization.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job opportunities for registered nurses (RNs) are expected to increase by 22 percent over the next eight years. While an associates degree may enable recent graduates to enter this fast-growing industry, individuals who have completed a four-year degree program are likely to have better career prospects.

Consequently, many campus-based and online colleges are creating convenient degree programs that can enable students to work while they pursue higher education.

For example, one online school recently announced that it is adding a bachelors degree program for current and prospective nurses to its offerings. Enrollees are required to hold an associates degree in nursing and have an active nursing license (RN).

Coursework for this and similar programs will address subjects such as the science of evidence-based practice, scholarship and trends in healthcare as well as community health.