Guide to Accredited Online Nursing Programs
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Are you looking to pursue nursing education and employment but do not have the time to attend on-campus classes? Online nursing degrees feature the same coursework and clinical requirements as in-person programs, only with more flexibility and accessibility.
If you plan to work as a registered nurse (RN), you’ll need a minimum of an associate degree in nursing (ADN). Many well-known schools offer accredited online nursing programs at the associate level, which can provide a relatively quick way to enter the profession.
Explore details on online nursing programs in this in-depth guide, including details on delivery methods, clinical requirements, career pathways, and salary data.
How Do Online Nursing Programs Work?
Online nursing degrees typically use the same coursework as their on-campus equivalents, but online instead of in-person. Instructors can teach the class synchronously or asynchronously.
Synchronous delivery is more similar to the in-person experience, with real-time lectures and set class times, while asynchronous learning allows you to watch lectures on your own time and meet assignment deadlines according to dates outlined on the syllabus.
Clinical requirements for online nursing programs vary by degree level, but almost always require in-person attendance. Some schools assist with local placements, while others make students locate their own healthcare facilities to complete clinical requirements.
Nondegree Pathways in Nursing
You can pursue several roles in nursing with just a certificate or diploma, including certified nursing assistant (CNA) and licensed practical nurse (LPN) positions. After working as a CNA or LPN, you can also consider bridge programs to earn an associate degree and qualify for RN roles.
Certified Nursing Assistant
$39,530
Median Annual Wage (2024)
4%
Projected Growth (2023-33)
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Certified nursing assistant (CNA) programs teach fundamental nursing concepts for people looking to work in roles that support RNs. Coursework covers introductory nursing concepts, such as taking patient vital signs, aiding in bathing and feeding, managing infections, and using basic medical equipment.
Enrollees learn basic physiology and anatomy, along with helpful methods for communicating with patients. According to the Red Cross, CNA programs may take 4-12 weeks to complete, though some may extend to six months.
Schools may deliver online programs for CNAs in a fully online or hybrid format, which blends virtual and in-person classwork. Regardless of the learning method, CNA programs feature clinical learning requirements, though the number of hours required can vary by state. CNAs must pass state exams to earn this credential.
Licensed Practical Nurse
$62,340
Median Annual Wage (2024)
3%
Projected Growth (2023-33)
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Licensed practical nurses (LPNs), known in Texas and California as licensed vocational nurses (LVNs), provide essential nursing care under the supervision of RNs, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and physicians. They monitor vital signs, administer medications, assist with daily living activities, and contribute to patient care plans.
LPNs have a broader scope of practice than CNAs. As such, LPN programs cover subjects like nursing fundamentals, basic pharmacology, and human anatomy.
LPN programs typically take one year to complete, though some programs may take longer to complete They may offer coursework through online or hybrid learning, though clinicals are almost exclusively delivered through in-person learning.
After completing an LPN program, prospective LPNs must pass the NCLEX-PN exam and apply for state licensure. Nurse aides and assistants can consider CNA-to-LPN bridge programs to transition into these higher-responsibility roles.
Types of Accredited Online Nursing Degrees
As you search for online nursing degrees, make sure to focus on accredited online nursing programs. Schools offer these degrees at every level, from associate to doctoral programs. Explore these options in the following sections.
Associate Degree in Nursing
ADN programs are the minimum education requirement for RN licensure and generally require two years of full-time enrollment, though accelerated pathways and experience may shorten this timeline.
The curriculum in an ADN degree goes beyond courses covered in CNA and LPN programs, though classwork still covers nursing fundamentals. Typical subjects include lifespan development, health assessments, anatomy, physiology, and microbiology.
Many schools offer ADN programs through online nursing programs, though they likely require in-person attendance for clinical experiences. After completing clinicals and earning an ADN, you can pursue an RN license by passing the NCLEX-RN exam and applying for state licensure.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) programs typically take four years to complete and prepare graduates for various nursing roles, including as RNs. A BSN is also an educational requirement for graduate nursing degrees.
BSN programs offer a more in-depth education than associate-level nursing degrees, along with increased clinical hours. Like ADNs, however, they explore subjects like human anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and health assessments, along with leadership and nursing research.
LPNs can also pursue a bachelor’s degree through an LPN-to-BSN bridge program, which can significantly shorten the typical four-year timeline. RNs, whether they possess an ADN or a BSN, can also specialize their work by becoming certified in specific areas, typically by exam.
Types of RNs
While this is not an exhaustive list, here are some examples of RN specialities where you can gain a national certification:
- Critical Care Nurse: Also commonly known as “ICU nurses,” these RNs assist patients with life-threatening injuries or illnesses by administering medications, ordering tests, and checking vital signs.
- Forensic Nurse: Forensic nurses treat people affected by violence, domestic abuse, and human trafficking. Along with assisting patients by handling standard nursing duties, they may appear in court as experts, document injuries, and communicate with law enforcement.
- Mental Health Nurse: These nurses assist patients with mental health challenges by providing education to them and their families, offering crisis intervention, and collaborating with care teams. Patients may be children or adults.
- Pediatric Nurse: Pediatric nurses treat child patients. They may work in private practices to help with physical exams or sick visits. Pediatric nurses can also work in hospitals to take vital signs and monitor younger patients.
Master of Science in Nursing
Master of science in nursing (MSN) degrees prepare graduates for advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) roles such as nurse practitioner (NP), clinical nurse specialist (CNS), and nurse midwife.
Online MSN programs typically take 2-3 years to complete, depending on the specialty and clinical requirements. Hybrid options may also be available, but students complete in-person clinicals regardless of the course delivery method.
Coursework in an MSN program is more in-depth than a bachelor’s degree, typically covering subjects like advanced pathophysiology and pharmacology, health policy, health assessment across the lifespan, and evidence-based practice (EBP).
In addition to relevant clinical experience, APRN positions require candidates to pass a national certification exam.
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Doctor of nursing practice (DNP) programs confer terminal degrees in the field and may take 2-6 years to complete, based on the curriculum and clinical requirements.
Students can qualify for a DNP program — some available online degrees — with a master’s degree in nursing, though some schools may accept applicants with a bachelor’s degree. A DNP can qualify graduates for various APRN positions, such as nurse anesthetist. Current nurse anesthetists can practice with just an MSN degree, but new nurse anesthetists must have a DNP or a doctor of nurse anesthesia practice (DNAP).
DNP programs typically integrate research projects throughout the curriculum and culminate with an in-person residency. Coursework covers advanced nursing topics like health policy, leadership in healthcare settings, and biostatistics. Programs may offer concentrations that align with specific advanced nursing careers, like pediatric nurse practitioner and family nurse practitioner.
Types of APRNs
- Clinical Nurse Specialist: ACNS diagnoses and treats patients, along with managing their long-term conditions. They can specialize their work to care for specific populations, such as babies, children, and adults. Depending on their state, they may work independently or under physician supervision.
- Nurse Anesthetist: These healthcare professionals administer anesthesia throughout the surgery process to keep patients free of pain amid minor and invasive procedures. They also observe and manage patients’ vital signs during this process.
- Nurse Midwife: A nurse midwife’s work extends beyond the birthing and delivery process to cover care from adolescence through menopause. In addition to providing preventative screenings and delivering diagnoses, they assist pregnant patients with appointments leading up to birth and provide assistance postpartum.
- Nurse Practitioner: An NP works as an advanced care nurse to provide patient care, often with a similar scope of practice as physicians — depending on the state. They can specialize their work with specific populations or conditions to work as a women’s health NP, a psychiatric-mental health NP, or a family NP.
Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing
Like a DNP, a Ph.D. in nursing is a terminal degree for the subject. However, while DNP degrees focus more on direct patient care, Ph.D. programs take a research-focused approach to the field, allowing enrollees to contribute to the future of nursing through scholarship.
Universities may offer Ph.D. degrees in nursing as online nursing programs, which typically take around three or more years to complete, depending on dissertation requirements. Curricula may be similar to DNP programs, but the coursework differs by focusing more on research and analysis. Classes may include quantitative and qualitative research, nursing theory, and philosophy of science.
Graduates can pursue work as leaders in healthcare and scientific research. Along with compiling their research, they may present their findings at conferences and in scholarly publications.
How Much Can You Make With an Online Nursing Degree?
| Job | Median Annual Wage (2024) | Projected Growth (2023-33) |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse (including Clinical Nurse Specialist) | $93,600 | 6% |
| Nurse Midwife | $128,790 | 7% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $129,210 | 46% |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $223,210 | 10% |
| Postsecondary Teacher, Nursing | $79,940 | 18% |
With an online nursing degree, you can pursue careers that deliver strong salaries and receive encouraging employment projections. RNs, for example, have a minimum education requirement of an ADN and earn a median annual wage of nearly $94,000.
Though NPs do not have the highest median annual wage in the table above, these professionals still earn a median six-figure salary and have a staggering 46% projected growth rate for 2023-2033 from the BLS, outpacing the national projected growth for all occupations by more than 10 times.
Location plays a significant role in earning potential — as of 2024, NPs in California, the highest-earning state, earned a median salary over $60,000 higher than NPs in Alabama, the lowest-earning state.
How Important Is Accreditation for Online Nursing Schools?
Accreditation is especially important for online nursing degrees. Your nursing program is a major step in qualifying for a nursing license. If your program is unaccredited, you may be unable to apply for licensure.
An online degree will be just as respected as a traditional degree, so long as it’s from an accredited nursing program.
Here are the main programmatic accreditors for nursing and related programs:
- Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA)
- Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME)
FAQ About Accredited Online Nursing Programs
Yes, many reputable schools offer online nursing degrees. As you research available providers, prioritize nursing degrees with institutional and programmatic accreditation. Accredited online nursing programs meet strict industry standards and ensure that you can qualify for professional roles in the field.
