Can You Get a Nursing Degree Online? (And Should You?)

If you’re thinking about nursing school, you’re probably curious about what your options are. Say you live in a rural area — do you have to move to get a degree? If you live far from the nearest nursing school, or you’re interested in a school that’s far away, a remote education could be appealing. But can you get a nursing degree online? The short answer is yes, but the longer answer is, it depends.

In a post-COVID world, students are able to get their degrees while staying in pajamas. Over 600 schools in the U.S. offer online bachelor’s of science in nursing (BSN) programs today — that number includes bridge programs for nurses with associate degrees in nursing (ADNs), as well as graduate programs.

As online learning has expanded, employers are more open than they were a decade ago and most have favorable views of degrees earned online.

Before we dig into the question of whether you should pursue an online nursing degree, it’s important to understand the levels of nursing degrees that are out there:

• Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN): A two-year degree program that prepares students to take the NCLEX exam to become an RN, typically offered by community colleges
• Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (BSN): A four-year degree program that includes leadership, critical thinking skills, and preparation for licensure as an RN
• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN): A graduate-level degree that prepares a nurse for leadership, advanced practice, or education
• Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP): A terminal degree for clinical practice, focusing on advanced nursing and leadership
• Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD): A research-focused degree that prepares nurses for work in academic, research, or policy development

Note that the first two types of programs on this list are entry-level nursing education — they prepare you to begin caring for patients and working in the clinical setting. In some cases, nurses with previous degrees may skip to the master’s level in a direct-entry program, but this is less common. 

Can You Get a Nursing Degree Online? What to Know About Entry-Level Programs

Getting your first nursing degree online might be appealing for the convenience, but there are some factors you’ll want to consider before making your decision.

Academic Rigor

You’ve probably heard it before — nursing school is hard. No matter which entry nursing program you choose to pursue, ADN vs. BSN, it’ll probably feel like you’re drinking from a firehose while you’re in it. Nursing school is a challenging time for many students, requiring intense dedication and academic stamina.

As nursing students transitioned into online learning during the pandemic, many experienced high levels of anxiety. Nursing school is challenging in person, and depending on your learning style, it could be even more challenging online.

What’s more, some scholars report that online nursing educational programs can have weak evaluation systems, and researchers have stressed the need for more clear standards and accountability. Not all programs are alike.

On the other hand, nursing school shouldn’t be easy. Being a nurse is a big responsibility, and the rigors of nursing school are meant to prepare you to have patients’ lives in your hands. Before choosing an online nursing school, be sure to review their NCLEX pass rates. This is a good measure of how well a school is preparing its students for licensure and practice.

Clinical and Lab Placements

Every state requires a certain amount of clinical hours during your education to take the RN licensure exam. Accredited entry-level nursing schools include these real-world experiences so that you can learn what it’s like to perform real assessments and care for patients in different settings.

If you do choose to attend an online nursing school, you may need to find your own clinical placements, which can be a challenge. If your school finds them for you, you may be the only student there. One of the benefits of being in nursing school in person is the solidarity you get from being in clinicals with other students — you can learn alongside and support one another.

Alongside clinicals, nursing schools also have lab hours and simulation for you to learn and practice skills before taking them to the real world. Online programs might use virtual labs, which can be challenging in their own right. Before applying to an online nursing degree program, be sure you understand how and where you’ll be getting these experiences, and how they line up with your learning style.

Accreditation

As you’re discerning whether to go to nursing school in person or online, be sure to research schools’ accreditation. Well-educated nurses are essential for community health, so states and the federal government require degree programs to meet specific standards. Unfortunately, there are online nursing schools that are not accredited or appear to have full-fledged programs, but give you a useless certificate rather than a diploma.

Be sure the schools you’re applying for are accredited by one or both of these organizations before applying:

• The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) offers accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
• The National League of Nursing (NLN) offers accreditation by the Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (CNEA).

So, can you get a nursing degree online? Yes, but proceed with caution. There are many great online ADN and BSN programs out there, but it’s up to you to do your due diligence to evaluate them. Many students love the flexibility and independence of online learning. And if you don’t live close to any in-person nursing schools, remote classes can help you access an education you’d have to move for otherwise.

Can You Get a Nursing Degree Online? What to Know About Post-Graduate Programs

Remote learning is common in later-stage nursing degrees — online ADN-to-BSN bridge programs, MSNs, DNPs, and PhDs make it easier for practicing nurses to go back to school. Students in these programs are typically more experienced and independent, and programs are often structured to accommodate part-time or full-time work.

For example, ADN-to-BSN bridge programs might be completely online, flexible, and won’t have a clinical component. These are great for nurses who are looking to increase their earning potential with a degree, but want to keep working while doing so.

Academic degrees, such as an MSN focused on education, or a PhD, may not require patient-facing hours, but will likely have a project or experience requirement. Advanced clinical degrees, such as an MSN or DNP with a focus in family medicine, will still require clinical hours to qualify for board certification. Nurses getting these degrees typically have a few years of experience, and feel more comfortable attending clinicals independently.

Comparing Benefits and Drawbacks of Online Nursing Degrees

Thinking about getting your nursing degree online? Here are some of the benefits of remote learning:

• Comparable education: Research has shown that online learning can be just as effective as traditional classroom setups.
• Cost-effective: Online degree programs can be cheaper than traditional degrees.
• Flexibility: Online programs offer flexibility for students to manage coursework around personal commitments, and you won’t have to commute to class.
• Self-paced: Some programs allow students to progress at their own pace, catering to individual learning styles.

On the other hand, remote learning isn’t for everyone, and not all programs are created equal. Here are some of the potential faults of online nursing degrees:

• Fewer interactions: Reduced face-to-face interaction with peers and instructors can be isolating. On the other hand, some schools implement an online community component to address this need.
• Tech dependence: Programs rely on stable internet and technology access, which may be a barrier for some students.
• Hands-on experience: Depending on your nursing degree, you may still need to find your clinical placements and attend them independently.

Make Time for School by Setting Your Own Work Schedule

With your current work schedule, can you get a nursing degree online? When you’re in control of when and where you work, the choice is up to you. IntelyCare lets you have the best of both worlds. Sign up for nursing job notifications to learn about opportunities in your area and specialty.