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Nursing Degree By Distance In Southern Africa - An Innovative Necessity
Getting a nursing degree by distance in Southern Africa is a necessity based on the unique situation in South Africa. The HIV/AIDS crisis in which 10% of the people who populate this region, yet comprise only 1% of the world’s population, has had a staggering impact on the ratio of nurses to patients. The AIDS pandemic has decimated and will continue to decimate the ranks of nurses and doctors for years to come. A job is indeed risky business in this area of the world.Distance learning, by nature, is usually a great option, a wonderful luxury. However, due to the vast, sprawling size of South Africa and its rural areas with few resources, as well as run-down medical facilities with antiquated or broken equipment, getting a nursing degree by distance in Southern Africa is a unique and essential way to stave off the continuing nursing crisis that threatens
to overwhelm this country.The disparity between the private and public sectors in South Africa has also affected those who wish to pursue a nursing degree, whether it be a two year nursing degree, bachelor degree in nursing, or graduate nursing degree. This is due to the fact that a disproportionate amount of money, resources, and training are available in the private sector but not in the public sector. As a result, many nurses complain of greater workloads with associated increase in stress and very little to no support from upper management. Many nurses choose to leave nursing, pursue a different job, or continue distance learning in the hopes of some day leaving for a better paying job/working environment in a different country.For those dedicated nurses who stay committed to helping patients despite terrible working conditions, garnering a nursing degree by distance in Southern Africa is getting easier to do since the government has recognized the nursing shortage crisis and is taking creative measures to staunch the exodus of nurses from South Africa. Online nursing training is a creative way for nurses to stay current with healthcare technology and gain educational opportunities that were once cost prohibitive in terms of time and money. Nursing degree programs that were once out of reach to all but the wealthy, are now abundantly available, thanks to communication technologies that exist today.*****Mary Ruff-King is a healthcare professional who loves to write about nursing programs, especially online nursing degrees. For further information on nursing degrees by distance and online nursing programs please visit http://www.nursingmasterycenter.com
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