Online BSN Programs: Your Guide to Top Degrees

How They Work: Online BSN Degree Profiles

Earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is the gold standard for aspiring registered nurses (RNs) who want to work in hospitals or other clinical settings. While a BSN is not required to become an RN, attending a four-year nursing program will make you a more competitive candidate and help you demand higher pay. According to nursingworld.org, BSN holders reported an average 2023 salary that’s $17k higher than RNs holding a two-year Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN).

While it’s possible to earn your ADN before entering into a BSN bridge program, some students are eager to earn their BSN straight away. In that case, an online BSN program is a great option. While no BSN program is offered 100% online due to clinical training requirements, many begin with pre-licensure curriculum that is completely online for the first two years. The second two years then cover the core nursing curriculum, which is delivered through online and in-person clinical rotations in a nearby location.

To better outline the differences between online and hybrid BSN programs, we’ve spotlighted three of today’s most universal and versatile online BSN programs offered today by quality, curriculum, and availability.

Explore Online BSN Programs in Popular States and Cities

Standard Online BSN Courses and Clinical Components

Regardless of which BSN program you choose, many cover similar curricula RNs are expected to know when taking their NCLEX-RN exam. Below are a few of the common courses you’ll see among online BSN programs.

Community and Population Health

This course surveys the range of long-term and immediate health concerns in communities on local, regional, and global levels. Students develop the ability to identify and analyze specific health issues in these communities and among vulnerable populations and to apply appropriate nursing and public health measures to resolve those issues.

Health Information Management and Technology

An exploration of the information tools and technologies used today to support safe nursing practice and improve patient outcomes. Topics covered include standardized terminology, communication technologies, information systems, patient portals, data integrity and mining, and clinical decision support tools. Also included is an examination of legal and ethical issues related to information technology use in modern nursing practice.

Leadership and Management

Introduction to leadership and management theory and its applications to current nursing practice. Students are taught to employ the knowledge and skills gained in the course to improve the coordination of patient care to improve patient outcomes, communication and collaboration between team members, and change management.

Research and Evidence-Based Nursing Practice

This course gives students an overview of the scientific and clinical inquiry processes and research methodologies nurses employ to make informed clinical decisions that positively impact patient care. Students are taught to assess appropriate analytic approaches and methods to identify, analyze, and apply the best available evidence to develop potential solutions and innovations in their professional practice.

Clinical Training

To meet state-mandated nurse licensure requirements, all pre-RN licensure programs include a stated number of clinical hours that are completed in person by the student at approved nursing practice facilities. Additionally, some RN to BSN programs include capstone projects that may require in-person clinical participation, typically at the student’s current place of employment. The purpose of these clinical experiences is to provide students with a real-world, hands-on environment in which to perform and improve important nursing competencies.

Answers to Common BSN Student Questions

What are the different types of online BSN nursing programs?

Online BSN programs come in all shapes and sizes, and each have varying admissions requirements, curricula, and options for accommodating students’ educational needs and professional goals. In addition to the standard BSN program we’ve covered in detail, three are three additional BSN program types to consider.

• Accelerated Online BSN Programs
  Accelerated BSN programs are for students with no prior nursing experience, but who either hold a previously earned bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing major or have completed a substantial number of college-level courses that can be applied to the BSN program. There are lots of accelerated BSN programs available, and many feature academic coursework that’s fully or partially online. As with standard BSN programs, however, all accelerated BSN programs include substantial in-person clinical hour requirements.
• Direct-Entry Online BSN Programs
  Direct-entry programs are for ambitious students who want to hit the ground running as soon as they start college. Typically tailored for recent high school graduates, direct-entry programs allow students to enroll directly into a school’s nursing program and immediately start taking nursing coursework. This is different from traditional BSN programs which typically require students to take at least 2 years of general education courses and submit a separate application to the nursing school.
• Online RN to BSN ProgramsRN to BSN programs are, as titled, designed for licensed RNs without bachelor’s degrees who want to earn their BSN in a quick and convenient format. Online RN to BSN programs are abundant and popular, and many can be completed entirely online. These programs award their students credits for having their RN license, thus cutting down substantially on the total credit hours (and program lengths) typically required for earning a bachelor’s degree.
• Online LPN to BSN Programs
  LPN to BSN programs are for currently licensed LPNs and LVNs who are seeking their BSN degree while obtaining the coursework and clinical practice hours required to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam and become licensed registered nurses. LPN to BSN programs are relatively common in both online and on-campus formats. All LPN to BSN students are required to complete substantial in-person clinical experiences.

Is an online BSN worth it?

The answer to this question depends entirely on your career goals and existing nursing experience (if any). If you can attend a full-time, four-year BSN program, then it is considered the gold standard by many employers. If time or money are an issue, your best bet may be to earn an LPN or ADN degree first, so you can begin working while earning your BSN. Regardless, RNs with BSNs demand higher pay and better positions than RNs with an ADN.

How fast can I get my BSN?

Many students wonder how long nursing school will take. For a traditional BSN program, the fastest you’ll be able to get your degree is around three years, assuming you study full-time without breaks. Of course, if you already hold an LPN or ADN, then your timeline could vary between 1-3 years based on your previous education and program timeline.

What’s the pay difference between an RN and a BSN?

A practicing RN holds either an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) or a BSN. Both educational paths lead towards RN licensure; however, an ADN requires two years of education vs. the four it takes to earn a BSN. As a result, some hospitals and other healthcare organizations only consider applicants with a BSN to ensure a certain amount of education and clinical experience. BSN graduates can often command higher salaries and better jobs than ADN holders, as a BSN requires additional education and experience.

Is it better to have a BSN or MSN?

Whether a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or BSN is “better” depends entirely on your career goals. Most BSN holders become RNs, which commands a median salary of $86,070. Meanwhile, MSN holders are qualified for positions as nurse midwives, nurse anesthetists, and nurse practitioners, which offer a higher median salary of $129,480. While higher pay is always a good thing, more education means you may have more student debt to pay off after earning an MSN.

How Much Does a BSN Cost? Breaking Down Tuition & Fees

Program tuition is just one piece of the puzzle when considering the overall cost of an online BSN program. Many schools have additional fees for distance learning, registration, books, etc. Additionally, you may not be able to work while pursuing your BSN or be required to complete unpaid clinical hours, both of which will affect your ability to pay for your education. With an online program, you may need to pay to travel for required clinical hours or in-person requirements, in which case you should budget for travel, accommodation, and food. Below, we give some further insight into BSN programs and their potential costs.

Financial Aid Options for Your Online BSN Degree

Scholarships & Grants

Scholarships and grants are the most attractive financial aid options for nurses because they do not have to be paid back. There are many great scholarship and grant opportunities specifically for nursing students, offered primarily by professional nursing organizations, nursing schools, and degree programs. Be sure to contact your school’s financial aid office to find out about scholarship and grant programs you may qualify for.

Student Loans

Student loans are the most common form of financial aid for college students, including online BSN students. Student loans can be obtained through a number of lenders, but the most common source is the federal government. Student loan forgiveness is also an option to consider for nurses, as civil servants often qualify to have some or all of their debt forgiven.

Other Options

Additional sources for funding your college studies include loan repayment programs (like those available through the Health Resources & Service Administration), work-study programs (like the Federal Work-Study program), and employer tuition assistance. And for veterans, the GI Bill offers great education benefits.

Ranking Today’s Best Online BSN Programs

At this point, you have a general idea of what to look for when searching for an online or hybrid BSN program. The next piece of the puzzle is choosing a program that best suits your career goals, busy schedule, study style, and budget. To help your search, check out the top-caliber programs ranked below. The selections are based on a range of important elements, such as accreditation, affordability, curriculum, convenience and flexibility, and quality of student support services. These programs present some of your best options for getting your BSN.

Registered Nurse Credentials for BSN Grads

Once you’ve earned your BSN, there are a few more hoops to jump through before you can begin working as an RN in a clinical setting. Once you have earned these credentials, you must follow state guidelines for maintaining an active and current RN license.

NCLEX-RN — National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)

The National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) is a standardized test that nursing graduates must pass to become licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN). The exam consists of eight categories:

• Management of Care
• Basic Care and Comfort
• Health Promotion and Maintenance
• Psychosocial Integrity
• Physiological Adaptation
• Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
• Reduction of Risk Potential
• Safety and Infection Control

BSN program curricula are carefully designed to cover each of these areas. By the time you graduate from your BSN program, you should feel prepared to pass the NCLEX-RN.

RN State Licensure

In addition to passing the NCLEX-RN, some states have additional licensing requirements graduates must pass before they can work as a practicing RN. At minimum, most states require passing a criminal background check. Some states are also part of the Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC), which allows RNs to work in participating states once you become licensed in one. This is a great option for people who want to become travel nurses and gain experience in various locations and clinical settings.

Salary & Career Outlook for BSN Registered Nurses