There are dozens of RN to BSN online programs. Many colleges and universities have begun offering their students the option of doing all or some of their work from home via the Internet.
Generally speaking, registered nurses earn more when they have a bachelor’s degree and they have more job opportunities. In some cases, a bachelor’s degree is required to hold a specific nursing position. For example, to become a nurse practitioner, you must first earn a bachelor’s degree.
Many nurses want to get the additional education, but balancing work and home responsibilities is difficult enough. Trying to make time for traditional classroom education is nearly impossible. The same is true in any career. That’s why distance learning has become so popular.
Online RN to BSN programs are relatively new. People have been earning other kinds of degrees via the Internet since the 1990s. Overall, there were over a million college-level distance learning students in 1997. Today, there are over three million.
The challenges faced by colleges that wanted to offer off-site nursing programs were several. Much of what nurses do is hands-on. Making arrangements for nurses to complete their clinical hours was the biggest hurdle.
Finally, most of the kinks have been ironed out. The hurdles have been overcome. Universities have made arrangements with local hospitals for students to complete their clinical hours, usually on their own time. In some cases, the nurses can complete them where they work. That makes things very easy.
There are certain things to look for before you sign up for a program. Checking for accreditation is most important.
In order for your bachelor’s degree to be recognized by hospitals and other employers, the school you attend most be accredited. The program should be accredited by the general agencies recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the US Department of Education.
Online RN to BSN programs should also be accredited by the National League of Nursing Accrediting Commissions, abbreviated NLNAC and/or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education or the CCNE. The better courses are accredited by both organizations.
Some of the things you should consider are the same as those that are important for any distance learning student. Things like the number of years the program has been offered and having access to instructors are important.
A brand new program may still have some quirks. You might not need to talk to an instructor on a frequent basis, but someone should be available when you need help. Technical support should always be available.
RN to BSN online programs are no more costly than traditional classes. The money and time you invest will be worth it, in the long run.
