Best Online Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Bachelor of science in nursing programs prepare students for licensure and help them stand out from nursing candidates who only have associate degrees. Registered nurses (RNs) care for patients, conduct health screenings, and promote wellness in their communities. Bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degrees meet the requirements for RN licensure and careers like pediatric nurse, acute care nurse, oncology nurse, and public health nurse.

Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data projects that in 2022-2032, employment for RNs will continue to grow faster than average than other jobs at a 6% growth rate. RNs earn above-average salaries, with the median RN salary exceeding $81,220 per year. Many employers prefer to hire nurses with bachelor of nursing degrees, making education a valuable investment for prospective nurses.

Our list ranks the best online BSN programs to help aspiring nurses find the right one for their career goals. This article explores online bachelor of nursing degrees, popular nursing careers, and the RN licensure process.

An online BSN program offers a flexible route to an RN license and nursing careers. Online nursing enrollees complete coursework requirements through a virtual learning platform. Depending on the program, degree-seekers may also need to join live meetings or watch recorded lectures. Many online nursing programs offer flexible schedules to help healthcare workers balance their studies with work.

In addition to online coursework, distance learners complete clinical requirements in their local areas. For example, enrollees often have clinical rotations at local hospitals, working under the supervision of approved preceptors. The blend of classroom and practical learning builds the skills required for RN jobs.

Earning a BS in nursing online is a great option for busy professionals, RNs seeking bachelor’s degrees, and students who don’t have access to nursing programs locally.

A diploma of nursing – also called an RN diploma – is typically awarded after an apprentice-like program at a hospital. However, these programs are relatively rare and getting rarer. It is more common for nurses to earn associate or bachelor’s degrees.

Technically, a bachelor of nursing is a degree only available in Canada. In the United States, what some people call a “bachelor of nursing” is usually shorthand for a bachelor of science in nursing degree – one of the most common pathways for prospective registered nurses.

Both an RN diploma and a bachelor of science in nursing degree prepare graduates to take the NCLEX-RN exam and apply for licensure as a registered nurse.

With many available online BSN nursing programs, prospective nurses may struggle to narrow down their options. Evaluating programs based on accreditation status, specialization options, and placement records can help applicants identify the program that best aligns with their personal and professional goals.

During a bachelor of nursing degree, majors study community health nursing, health assessment, and evidence-based practice. These courses strengthen patient care and nursing practice skills. In addition to core nursing classes, undergraduates complete general education requirements and clinical practicums to prepare for nursing licensure. Exact curricula vary, but a few common courses are explained below.

Nurses enrolled in online BSN programs complete clinical requirements as part of their training. Practicums, labs, and simulations help build the practical experience nurses need to enter the workforce.

Some requirements, such as simulations, can operate in an online format. Other clinicals must take place in person. For these clinical hours, nursing students usually work at local sites, such as hospitals or community health clinics.

Nursing programs work with students to arrange and approve clinical practicums and preceptors. Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) can often complete their clinical requirements in their current workplaces. Learners with no prior nursing training must arrange practicum locations with their programs.

Each RN needs a license to practice, and each state sets its own licensure processes and requirements. While the exact process varies, every state requires nurses to pass the NCLEX-RN exam and complete accredited nurse training programs.

Many BSN programs incorporate the NCLEX-RN in their curricula, often including the exam as part of graduation requirements. The test evaluates nurses on care management, risk reduction, infection control, and basic care skills. After passing the exam, nurses can apply for RN licenses. Some states also require a background check or additional certifications, such as CPR, basic life support, or advanced cardiac life support training.

In addition to an RN license, nurses can earn certificates to demonstrate specialized skills. For example, the American Nurses Credentialing Center offers board certifications in areas such as ambulatory care nursing, cardiac vascular nursing, informatics nursing, and pain management nursing. Other organizations, such as the American Association of Critical Care Nurses, also offer specialty certifications.

Certification candidates need an active RN license and a minimum number of hours of clinical practice in the relevant specialty area. Maintaining certification requires continuing education coursework. Typically, the certification remains valid for five years.

A bachelor’s degree meets the requirements for RN licensure and employment in a variety of specialties, including pediatrics, critical care, and oncology. Across specialties, RNs benefit from strong job growth projections with a median pay of $81,220 per year — a significant increase over the earning potential of LPNs and LVNs.

Earning a bachelor’s degree also qualifies nurses for master’s programs in nursing. Graduates can pursue employment as advanced practice registered nurses, nurse educators, and nurse administrators.