COVID-19 and nursing: How has the pandemic seen nursing courses become more popular and online learning thrive?

When it comes to looking after your health and wellness, the last 12 months have presented a real challenge. We have all had to take extra steps to stay fit during the pandemic, plus additional safety measures. It has also seen a rise in specialized care needed for people hit by COVID-19 and extra demand placed on the healthcare sector as a result.

The pandemic has also affected healthcare in terms of the number of people looking to enter it as a career. The UK, for example, has seen the number of people applying to study nursing degrees rise by one-third during the pandemic, compared to previous years. The same can be seen in the USA, where some institutions have reported a 10% to 15% rise in nursing applications due to the pandemic.

But why has this happened?

Job security and desire to help

Firstly, the global COVID-19 pandemic has awoken genuine compassion in people and made them desperate to help others. The best way to do this is to train to become a healthcare professional to impact people’s lives directly.

In times of economic uncertainty (which the pandemic has certainly brought), nursing is seen as a safe profession to enter, and it offers good job security. You also have to factor in the renewed appreciation for nursing the pandemic has delivered. People value this role more than ever now, and this draws people into the work.

Online learning has also been given a boost

To become a nurse, you have to get the proper training. While this once meant studying full-time and attending classes each day, that is not the only option now. Online learning, including the DNP nursing course, is an alternative way to get the qualifications you need to become a senior nurse. Wilkes University offers this online course and all the support you need (plus world-class learning) to succeed when studying.

But why has the pandemic given online study a lift? The primary reason has been that people study via the internet when on an online program – rather than traveling to attend classes or physically sitting in a room with other students. As this type of activity has been mainly off-limits during the pandemic, it has made online courses a popular choice.

Online courses can often be cheaper too and quicker to complete. This is a big plus if you lost your job due to COVID-19 and need to gain new, excellent value qualifications fast. For all these reasons, COVID-19 could make digital learning the new norm for many people globally.

The pandemic has helped both healthcare and online learning

There is no doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic has been terrible in its cost to life and its economic impact. It is also true to say that both nursing and online learning. In general, have seen a renewed appreciation for the vital role both play in our lives.