The Best Online BSN Degrees

Despite ongoing shortages, there’s promising news in the nursing industry. To combat high nurse-to-patient ratios, the Health Resources and Services Administration announced $100 million in funding to train nurses and increase faculty at nursing schools. Legislators have also allocated funds to address nursing issues at the state level.

Given the increasing demand, now is a great time to pursue the nursing profession. See what the best online nursing degrees have to offer in terms of coursework and career outcomes.

Source: AACN

Read Our Methodology

Accreditation has numerous benefits for your academic and professional life. The two major programmatic accrediting agencies for nursing schools are the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

By attending an accredited nursing school, you can have assurance that your education meets strict industry standards. Institutional accreditation also provides the same validation for online colleges and brick-and-mortar schools. You must attend an accredited college to receive federal financial aid and qualify for graduate school.

Each state sets the standards to take the NCLEX-RN. To receive licensure, you must attend an approved nursing school, though some unaccredited schools may meet the criteria for the national exam. Still, employers nearly always prefer candidates from accredited programs.

Expect variations in coursework among colleges. Many of the best online BSN programs adhere to core competencies outlined by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). Nursing coursework explores informatics, nursing practice knowledge, professionalism, and person-centered care. Other common courses include:

You can expect to pay a yearly average of $14,465 in tuition and fees for a healthcare bachelor’s degree, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Degrees costs vary significantly based on key factors. For instance, attending a private college instead of a public university often costs more.

Regarding private four-year colleges, for-profit schools charged an annual average of $14,301 in annual tuition and fees in 2020-2021, while students at private nonprofit schools paid $28,445. Public institutions charged $12,394 in this period.

Attending college outside of your state can also increase tuition costs. However, many of the best online BSN programs offer flat-rate tuition, allowing out-of-state learners to pay in-state tuition rates.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), RNs in the bottom 10% of the profession earn roughly $61,250 per year, or $29.46 per hour.

With more experience and a higher degree, you can typically earn more. For example, RNs make a median annual salary of $81,220. The top 10% of RNs take home a median pay of $129,400 or more each year.

Your industry also significantly affects your salary. RNs employed by pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing companies make an annual mean wage of $110,270, while home healthcare services make a mean annual earning of $82,920.

Decide on the degree you’d like to pursue. An associate in nursing degree (ADN) takes only two years, while a BSN requires at least four years. Both degrees qualify you to sit for the NCLEX-RN. However, many employers and the AACN recommend that nurses earn a minimum of a BSN, and a higher degree usually comes with a better salary.

Your decision likely depends on your career goals. Research common requirements by employers in the industries you’d like to enter.

Compare nursing schools by checking for accreditation. Make sure the nursing program has been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education-recognized accrediting agency such as the ACEN or CCNE. This status ensures that the nursing school has been appropriately vetted and will prepare you for the rigors of nursing. Graduate schools typically seek applicants from accredited undergraduate programs and institutions.

The program you choose depends on your academic background. For instance, if you already have a diploma or ADN, you can opt for an RN-to-BSN degree and graduate in 1-2 years while studying full time instead of four years.

Lastly, compare program costs, financial aid opportunities, and format options like on campus, online, and hybrid delivery.

The best online nursing bachelor’s programs use virtual lectures and discussions to teach safe, effective nursing skills. Courses help you build cultural competency, critical thinking, and the leadership skills needed for a nursing career.

In-person labs and clinical rotations provide up to 700 work experience hours under the supervision of a licensed nurse. These hours build your patient-centered practice and help you to qualify for licensure. Additionally, placement sites can help you network.

About 45 days before you graduate from nursing school, you can sit for the NCLEX-RN exam. States require a passing score to receive RN licensure.

This computer-adaptive exam gets harder or easier as it progresses through its 70-135 questions. You’ll receive up to five hours to complete the exam, which costs $200. NCLEX questions test your ability to think critically to provide safe and effective nursing care, manage patients and coordinate care, and reduce risks.

Each state regulates its own RN licensure standards and penalties, including practicum hour requirements. Still, most states share common general requirements to become a licensed RN, including:

RN licenses require renewal every 1-2 years. Specific requirements and procedures depend on the state. Generally, the RN renewal process requires paying a fee and completing a specific number of continuing education hours. Acceptable credits vary by state. For example, webinars and online courses offered through professional organizations may qualify for continuing education credit.

RN-to-BSN programs offer licensed nurses an accelerated pathway to bachelor’s degrees. An applicant needs a diploma or ADN to enroll in this accelerated program. With full-time enrollment, an RN-to-BSN program can take as little as 12 months.

The ideal online BSN program aligns with your career goals, budget, and schedule. To see if a BSN program fits your needs, consider retention, graduation, and NCLEX pass rates. Schools with solid resources and career and academic support services usually have high graduation rates.

Regardless of the mode of study, an accredited BSN meets high quality standards. Online learning has become increasingly popular and respected by employers in all industries. By 2021, about 61% of students nationwide enrolled in at least one distance learning course.

To complete an online BSN degree, you must possess the ability to study independently and commit to hard work, especially when completing asynchronous lessons. The fast-paced curriculum likely includes complex coursework and clinicals, as well.