Online RN to BSN Program (2023)

FAQs

Are RN to BSN online programs hard? ›

Yes, RN to BSN programs are challenging for many students. But some programs, like ours at Cambridge College of Healthcare & Technology and Cambridge Institute of Allied Health, are specifically built to help students overcome the challenges associated with higher learning in the medical field.

How Hard Is It To Get Into An RN-to-BSN Program? Although admission to some nursing schools is competitive, it is not as difficult to get into an RN-to-BSN program. The fact that you've already completed many credits for your associate degree and have some clinical experience makes you a good candidate for admission.

A Wide Range of Career Options

A student who has completed their BSN program online has a wide range of career opportunities. An online BSN program enables a person who is working currently to maintain their job in order to help them gain valuable experience to increase their employment prospects.

The short answer is an emphatic yes! It is possible to get a nursing degree online. You can earn a variety of nursing degrees online from Ohio State, ranging from a Bachelor of Science in Nursing to a Doctor of Nursing Practice.

With an MSN Degree Comes Deeper Understanding

The reason is simple: MSN programs better prepare students to become RNs by offering a more rigorous curriculum — often covering advanced topics BSN programs only touch on.

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist Salary. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists earn a median salary of $195,610 per year according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, making it the top paying nursing specialty.

University of North Florida

The University of North Florida has an online RN to BSN that students can finish in as little as 12 months. This is about the shortest time students could complete an RN to BSN program.

Why do hospitals prefer BSN nurses? ›

Many hospitals favor hiring nurses with a BSN because they can reach the IOM's recommendation without losing ADNs who are close to retirement age. If hospitals do hire nurses with an associate degree, they may require them to complete a BSN program within two to five years.

A BSN degree is a bachelor's degree, typically a four-year program, that is a step higher than an ADN degree. Registered nurses with this degree not only go to school longer, but they also gain a more in-depth education compared to those with an ADN degree.

According to a recent study, 71% of employers say that an online nursing degree is acceptable when recruiting nurses. Employers assess nursing prospective employees based on more than just where – and in what format – they earned their degree, as with any other application process.

You're headed for a great career, one that's rewarding, challenging, and always exciting. But nursing school is notoriously difficult. Most nursing programs require high GPAs and impressive scores in math, chemistry, biology, psychology, and other demanding subjects.

So, while earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is difficult, it's an attainable goal — and it can be done in as few as 16 months. At Felician University, we are well-versed in helping students overcome a rigorous nursing curriculum and graduate as practice-ready nurses.

According to the experts, degrees earned from accredited online schools are taken just as seriously as degrees earned at brick-and-mortar institutions. Although, it's also important to remember that hiring managers look at other aspects of your job application or resume before extending an offer.

According to a survey conducted by CareerBuilder.com, 83 percent of executives say that “an online degree is as credible as one earned through a traditional campus-based program.”

Online programs are absolutely worth it, depending on the student's circumstances. Contrary to popular belief, online programs are not easier than on-campus programs. Online programs aren't necessarily more affordable, but they can be.

RN vs BSN: Education Requirements

Despite the two different categories of education level for a registered nurse, both are required to pass the NCLEX exam in order to become a licensed nurse.

What is the pay difference between RN and BSN? ›

What Pays More RN or BSN? A BSN will earn more than an RN. According to Payscale, someone with a BSN degree earns $32.41 hourly on average. In comparison, an RN with an ADN makes $29.83 on average per hour.

In the United States overall, the average registered nurse salary is $82,750 and the median (50th percentile) is $77,600. California, with RN salaries averaging $124,000, is the highest-paying state for nurses as of May 2021 (according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics).

The highest-paying states by median NP salary are California ($151,830), Hawaii ($111,070), Oregon ($99,410), Alaska ($99,910), and Washington ($96,980). The lowest-paying states are South Dakota ($60,540), Alabama ($61,920), Mississippi ($63,130), Iowa ($64,990), and Arkansas ($65,810).

What type of RN is most in demand? All RNs are in demand more than other occupations. The BLS projects 6% job growth for all RNs between 2021 and2031, compared to 5% job growth for all occupations. Some specialties that are in especially high demand are neonatal nursing, surgical nursing, and critical care nursing.

California tops the list with an estimated 44,500 deficit in registered nurses, nearly three times the deficit in the next shortest state. Texas, New Jersey, and South Carolina will lack more than 10,000 RNs; Alaska, Georgia, and South Dakota will each be short several thousand.

#1 Connecticut

Leading our list, Connecticut is one of the six New England states (Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut) with an examination process that is internationally friendly.

There are no age limitations for the NCLEX exam but the candidate must apply only after graduating from a nursing school. The registration fees for the NCLEX exam are within the range of $200 -$400(14,887 – 29774 depending on the candidate's country.

What is the lowest RN degree? ›

An ADN is a 2-year degree and is the minimum amount of education required to obtain a license to work as an RN, other than an RN diploma (See next section). Most RN's begin their careers working at the bedside performing direct patient care.

Capella University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

An Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) is the minimum degree requirement for becoming a registered nurse (RN), the most common nursing profession. As an RN, you'll have the credentials necessary to qualify for most nursing jobs that involve providing critical patient care and assisting physicians.

Nursing Student Statistics

From certificate programs to advanced nursing degrees like a master of science in nursing (MSN), education is a critical step in every nursing career path. 65.2% of RNs have earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, while 1.4% have earned a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree.

Several research studies have associated BSN nurses to better patients outcomes than ADN nurses (Aiken, Clark & Cheung, 2003).

Over the past two decades, a substantial body of research in the U.S. and abroad has documented that hospitals with a higher proportion of registered nurses with a bachelor's degree in nursing (BSN) experience significantly fewer deaths, have shorter hospital stays and fewer readmissions, and have lower Medicare ...

For many years, the American Association of Colleges of Nurses has been considering phasing out ADN programs completely in favor of BSN programs, but as of now, that is nowhere near happening for certain, so any future nurses do have the ability to choose between an ADN or BSN program.

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing found that 69% of students attending a graduate-level program took out federal student loans. The median level of nursing student loan debt at the completion of the program ranged from $40,000-$54,900.

Is the NCLEX Hard? Whether or not the NCLEX is hard for you can vary based on factors such as how prepared you are for the exam. According to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCBSN), just over 82 percent of candidates passed the NCLEX-RN exam on the first try in 2022.

What would be one good reason to pursue an online BSN? ›

Your Education, Your Future, Your Freedom

You may never want to, and that's wonderful. But earning a BSN online degree will only increase your qualifications for your current job, improve your patients' experiences, and help you adapt to today's challenging health care environment.

According to the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), 92 percent of employers view online degrees from brick-and-mortar schools as favorable, while only 42 percent would consider a candidate with an online degree from a university that operates solely online, despite any accreditation.

They are fast-paced and cover a great deal of information quickly. Because of this time restriction, some individuals find the RN to BSN program challenging. However, the courses and material within the program are in line with other nursing programs and will evoke similar difficulties as others.

For eligible students who hold a non-nursing bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, an accelerated BSN program like Northeastern University's Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program can help you earn your nursing degree from a top-ranking university in as few as 16 months.

Most programs require at least a 2.5 GPA or higher. Some set their limit at a 3.0 GPA. This is important to find out during the research phase of your accelerated nursing program search. So, what if you already have a bachelor's degree or non-nursing college credits, but your GPA isn't high enough?

The percentage of U.S.-educated candidates taking the National Council Licensure Examination for registered nurses (NCLEX-RN) for the first time and passing fell from 88.2% in 2019opens in a new tab or window to 82.5% in 2021opens in a new tab or window, while the pass rate for all candidates (including internationally ...

Nursing requires more dedication than many other careers. However, it's one of the most rewarding jobs you can have. Nursing school is notoriously difficult—and it's not for everyone. Graduate school is challenging as well.

You're headed for a great career, one that's rewarding, challenging, and always exciting. But nursing school is notoriously difficult. Most nursing programs require high GPAs and impressive scores in math, chemistry, biology, psychology, and other demanding subjects.

Nursing schools are highly selective, and their admissions process is just as rigorous as any medical school. Nursing is a rewarding, well-paying and coveted career, with plenty of opportunities for growth and continuing education, so the competition for applicants is high.

Which state is the hardest to become a nurse? ›

The salary difference between RN vs BSN degrees is that those who hold a BSN degree are likely to make more than RN's who only have their associates degree. A BSN degree is favored over just an associates degree for many entry-level nursing jobs, therefore a BSN has more opportunities to make more money.

Average GPA: 3.53

(Most schools use a weighted GPA out of 4.0, though some report an unweighted GPA. With a GPA of 3.53, Research College of Nursing requires you to be around average in your high school class. You'll need a mix of A's and B's, and very few C's.

The most recurrent themes regarding the reasons behind BSN drop-out were: understanding that they were not suited to be nurses, perception of missing/lack of psychological, physical and practical resources needed to successfully cope with both nursing school and the nursing profession, inconsistencies between the image ...