Nursing Degree Program Comparison: Online vs. Campus
Feb 19, 2015 | 11:00 am
As you search for a campus nursing degree, did you know that online options also exist that could save you the time of commuting and sitting through class? Of course, certain classes and degree programs cannot be completed online due to the need for labs and supervised clinical experience, but don’t forget to check the comparison list below when looking—some campus nursing degree programs and classes have online equivalents worth noting.
Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) – Not an Online Program
This two-year nursing degree is also called the Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN), and it has served as a great starting point for many nurses training to become RNs. This is strictly a campus nursing degree due to the shorter study time and need for supervised hands-on experience.
One of the keys to finding the right campus nursing degree on the associate level is to ensure that upon graduation you will qualify to sit for the NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination), which enables you to work as a Registered Nurse.
Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (BSN) – Some Online Options
The Institute of Medicine called for 80 percent of nurses to hold a bachelor’s degree by 2020, and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) recognizes this degree level as the minimum educational requirement for what they consider professional-level nursing practice. When looking at bachelor-level campus nursing degrees and online programs, ensure that the programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)—a national accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education.
While undergrads pursing a BSN will usually seek out a campus nursing degree for more supervised clinical experience and lab training, there are BSN online options for special circumstances. Here are a few to consider:
•BSN Completion Program – Registered Nurses who hold a hospital diploma or associate degree can bridge their current education into a bachelor’s degree with RN to BSN programs, many of which exist online. Walden University , for example, has a CCNE-accredited online degree program designed by nurses that provides evidence-based practices.
•LPN/LVN to BSN – Licensed Practical Nurses or Licensed Vocational Nurses who already have their initial training can bridge their current education to a bachelor’s degree, and many of these programs can be completed online. Indiana State University , for example, enables licensed LPNs and LVNs to transfer applicable credit and complete a bachelor’s degree through a combination of courses offered by Ivy Tech Community College and ISU.
•Accelerated BSN – Second-degree students who hold a non-nursing bachelor’s degree can bridge into a BSN with accelerated programs, some of which can be found online. The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, for example, offers theory courses online and clinical rotations in the student’s home community, supervised by College Nursing clinical faculty.
Master’s Degree – Online and Campus Nursing Degree Programs
The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) usually takes two extra years of coursework after the completion of a BSN. Currently more than 300 accredited master’s degree nursing programs exist, notes the AACN, and some of them can be found online.
Capella University’s Department of Nursing, for example, offers a CCNE-accredited MSN degree program with the flexibility to choose one of three emphases: diabetes nursing, nurse educator or nursing leadership and administration.
Whether you choose a campus nursing degree or accredited online program, earning the education you need to succeed in nursing is essential. While the nurse benefits from more experience, higher pay and greater flexibility with learning options, the ultimate winner is the patient.