The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 122,300 registered nurses working in Ohio as of May 2010. The Buckeye State is home to more than 11.5 million people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau 2010 figures. The main population centers of Cincinnati, Columbus and Cleveland are home to nearly half of its residents.

As the gateway from the Northeast to the Midwest, Ohio has developed a vibrant and diverse population. The state offers a variety of settings from the Appalachian plateaus in the south to the Huron-Erie lake plains in the north.

Career outlook for graduates of Ohio nursing schools online

The BLS indicates that employment of registered nurses should increase between 2008 and 2018, and nurses with advanced practice specialties will see especially high demand. A bachelor's or master's degree in nursing might be the right choice to prepare for specialized nursing careers.

The mean annual wages reported by the BLS show that nursing compensation rose in Ohio from 2009 to 2010:

1. Registered nurses: from $59,740 in 2009 to $60,590 in 2010
2. Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses: from $39,910 in 2009 to $40,300 in 2010

In comparison, the mean yearly salary for all occupations in the state was $40,890 as of May 2010.

Campus-based and online nursing schools in Ohio

A nursing student in Ohio can take several paths to a career. An associate degree in nursing may be satisfactory for LVNs, LPNs or RNs, but a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree is often required for those who wish to advance in the field or move on to a more specialized nursing position.

As one example of the health care education opportunities in the state, Chamberlain College of Nursing has an on-campus BSN program, as well as an online RN-BSN program for working professionals who have RN credentials. Earning a degree from one of the Ohio nursing schools online can allow students to fit a continued education into their existing work and family responsibilities.