Delaware Nursing Colleges

Browse nursing schools below.

There are three major educational paths to registered nursing: a bachelor’s of science degree in nursing (BSN), an associate degree in Nursing (ADN), and a diploma. BSN programs, offered by colleges and universities, take about 4 years to complete. In 2002, 678 nursing programs offered degrees at the bachelor’s level. ADN programs, offered by community and junior colleges, take about 2 to 3 years to complete. About 700 RN programs in 2002 were at the ADN level. Diploma programs, administered in hospitals, last about 3 years. Only a small and declining number of programs offer diplomas. Generally, licensed graduates of any of the three types of educational programs qualify for entry-level positions as staff nurses. We have a list of nursing schools with programs available to you in Delaware below. Also please use the Nursing Career Guide as a resource if you are looking for additional information on nursing careers, training, job outlook etc.

Online Nursing Colleges

Jacksonville University
RNs with an accredited AA degree may be well on their way towards their BSN degree. Jacksonville University will award up to 32 credit hours for students with an RN license and a maximum of 64 transfer credits from other regionally accredited universities and institutions of higher learning. JU also accepts up to 32 hours through CLEP exams. Programs: RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Location: Online.

University of Phoenix Campus - Campuses Nationwide
Since 1976, University of Phoenix has been a recognized leader in adult education. Their commitment to high educational standards and exceptional student service has made them the largest private accredited university in the United States. With campuses in over 140 locations, University of Phoenix has helped thousands of working professionals achieve their academic and career goals every year. Programs Browse all Programs. Campus Locations: Find a campus near you.

Liberty University
Programs: - Arts in Religion (M.A.R.) - Business - Business (MBA) - Counseling - Divinity (M.Div.) - Doctor of Education - Doctor of Ministry (D.Min) - Ed.D – Doctor of Education - Ed.S – Education Specialist - Education (M.Ed.) - General Studies - Nursing Degree Completion Program - Ph.D. Counseling - Psychology (BS) - Religion - Theology Degree (T h.M.)
Locations: New York NY.

Kaplan University (Online)
Kaplan University helps students looking to either change or advance their careers by offering online flexibility, reduced costs, financial aid assistance, and a fast path to a degree. The instructors at Kaplan have the academic background and professional experience that allows them to pass on real-world knowledge to their students. The degree programs have a curriculum that is focused on career goals, and they feature various areas of emphasis. Programs: Accounting - Alternative Dispute Resolution - Branding and Visual Communications - Business - Business Administration/Accounting - Business Administration/Management - Business and Communications Entrepreneur - Computer Information Systems - Corrections - Criminal Justice - Database - E-Business - Elementary - Finance - Health Care Management - Information Technology - Law Enforcement - Management - Management of Information Systems - Management/Health Care Management - Multimedia and Animation - Networking - Paralegal Studies - Private Security - Programming - Sales and Marketing - Secondary - Teaching and Learning - Teaching Literacy and Language - Teaching Students With Special Needs - Teaching With Technology - Web Development - Web Optimization and Integration.

SPOTLIGHT:ONCOLOGY NURSE

Background:

Prior to 1950, the major cancer treatment method was surgery, and the role of the nurse was limited to inpatient care of the hospitalized surgical patient. As chemotherapy and radiation therapy evolved as treatment methods, nurses looked for opportunities to contribute to cancer care.

It was not until the 1970s that major advances occurred in the areas of cancer treatment and oncology nursing. The 1971 National Cancer Act provided impetus for a comprehensive program focused on reducing the incidence, morbidity, and mortality of cancer. Cancer survival rates improved, and nursing experienced a shift that expanded roles and acknowledged the importance of professionalism in nursing. The result was nursing involvement in educational programs that focused on oncology nursing as a specialty nursing area.

Over the years, oncology nursing continued to develop in response to:

Needs of individuals with cancer, at risk for developing cancer,
or surviving cancer;
National and international recognition of cancer as a major chronic health problem;
Advances in science and technology, and
Changes in perceptions of cancer within the lay and professional
publics.
These driving forces continue to require nursing practice that has a specialized focus in caring for individuals and families experiencing cancer.

Roles:

The practice of oncology nursing encompasses the roles of direct caregiver, educator, consultant, administrator, and researcher. Oncology nursing extends to all care delivery settings where clients experiencing or at risk for developing cancer receive health care, education, and counseling for cancer prevention, screening and detection.

The oncology nurse functions as a coordinator of care, collaborating with other cancer care providers and team members to provide required care as effectively as possible.

Advanced practice also may include the roles of direct caregiver, coordinator, consultant, educator, researcher and administrator.

Advanced nursing practice in oncology as a direct caregiver implies mastery of the nursing process and the ability to provide, guide, and evaluate nursing practice delivered to individuals diagnosed with cancer, their families, and the community.

As a coordinator, the oncology nurse works expertly with the multidisciplinary oncology team to achieve realistic healthcare goals for an individual or for an entire community.

In the role of consultant, oncology nurses provide expertise about oncology to colleagues, allied health personnel, and healthcare consumers, while as an educator, the oncology nurse designs and performs a variety of patient education activities.

As researcher, the oncology nurse identifies and investigates researchable problems, and evaluates and applies research findings that affect cancer care or nursing.

In their work as administrators and managers, oncology nurses create environments conducive to the optimum health of the public and to professional nursing practice.

Specialties:

The nature of oncology nursing care spans the spectrum from prevention and acute care through rehabilitative and palliative supportive care as necessary.
Because the field is so diverse, oncology nurses can focus on:

chemotherapy -- biotherapy
breast oncology -- hematology/oncology
radiation -- surgical oncology
GYN oncology -- head and neck oncology
bone marrow transplant -- cancer genetic counseling
prevention and early detection -- symptom management
palliative care
Qualifications:

In addition to basic educational preparation to function as a registered professional nurse, oncology nursing practice at the generalist level requires a cancer-specific knowledge base and demonstrated clinical expertise in cancer care beyond that acquired in a basic nursing program.

The oncology nurse actively participates in professional role development including continuing education, quality assessment and improvement, and the review and clinical application of research findings.

Advanced oncology nursing practice requires substantial theoretical knowledge in oncology nursing and the proficient use of this knowledge in providing expert care.

The basis for advanced nursing practice in oncology requires a minimum of a master’s degree.

Oncology nurses can demonstrate their competency by becoming an oncology certified nurse (OCN® ), advanced oncology certified nurse (AOCN® ) or a certified pediatric oncology nurse (CPON). For more information, contact www.oncc.org.

Also, the Oncology Nursing Society offers a Cancer Chemotherapy
Program to encourage consistency in practice among professional nurses who administer chemotherapy. The program validates that the nurse has the knowledge needed to administer chemotherapy and is valid for two years. For more information, contact eccit@ons.org.

Practice Settings:

Oncology nursing practice occurs along the continuum of care and across care delivery settings. Areas can include inpatient or outpatient settings at community hospitals or multi-hospital systems. Oncology nurses practice at National Cancer Institute-designed cancer centers or community cancer center settings. These nurses work in home health care, hospice, public health and community nursing. They develop private practices, work at physicians’ offices, teach at schools of nursing, and practice in extended care facilities. Oncology nurses also work in the pharmaceutical industry and in occupation health settings.

Salary Range:

Oncology nurses nationally earn salaries beginning at $35,000 annually with advanced practice nurses earning salaries ranging from $60,000 to $125,000.

Education:

Oncology nursing practice at the generalist levels requires basic educational preparation to function as a registered professional nurse. The basis for advanced nursing practice in oncology requires a minimum of a master’s degree.

Associations:

Oncology Nursing Society
125 Enterprise Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15275-1214
412-859-6263
FAX: 412-859-6164
e-mail: customer.service@ons.org
Web site: www.ons.org

American Society of Pain Management Nurses (ASPMN)
7794 Grow Drive
Pensacola, FL 32514
(888) 34-ASPMN
FAX: (850) 484-8762
e-mail: aspmn@puertzamc.com

Association of Nurses in AIDS Care (ANAC)
704 Stony Hill Road, Suite 106
Yardley, PA 19067
(215) 321-2371
e-mail: aidsnurses@aol.com

Association of Pediatric Oncology Nurses (APON)
4700 West Lake Avenue
Glenview, IL 60025-1485
(847) 375-4724
FAX: (847) 375-6324
e-mail: info@apon.org
Web site: www.apon.org

Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association (HPNA)
Penn Center West One, Suite 229
Pittsburgh, PA 15276
(412) 787-9301
FAX: (412) 787-9305
Web site: www.HPNA.org

International Society of Nurses in Cancer Care (ISNCC)
Greater London House
Hampstead Road
London NW1 7EJ
United Kingdom
Telephone: 011-44-171-874-0289
FAX: 011-44-171-874-0290

Society of Gynecologic Nurse Oncologists (SGNO)
6024 Welch Avenue
Fort Worth, TX 76133