Guide to Online Nursing Programs

Nursing is the nation’s largest healthcare profession, with more than 3.8 million registered nurses (RNs) nationwide as of 2020. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), nurses’ salaries can vary from a median salary of $48,820 per year for licensed practical nurses (LPNs) to a median salary of $183,580 for nurse anesthetists.

The BLS projects 9% growth for LPNs and RNs from 2020-2030 and a 45% growth rate for nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners. An ongoing shortage of physicians should contribute to the growing demand for nurse practitioners, as should the aging baby-boom population.

There are many benefits to online nursing programs. For example, online nursing classes are usually more flexible than on-campus options. If your program is asynchronous, you can fit your classes around your work schedule. You also can save money by shopping around for the most affordable online nursing school — you’re not limited to schools in your area.

One great thing about earning your nursing degree online is that you can attend classes from anywhere. If it’s too loud in your home, you can take your laptop to the library or a coffee shop and access your courses from there. Depending on the platform your school uses, you may even be able to use your phone or a tablet to access your classes.

Most online nursing programs offer flexible scheduling. Students can log in and listen to lectures at their convenience, as long as they complete their assignments by the deadline. However, this is not always the case — some programs feature synchronous coursework. Ask each school how flexible its curriculum is before making your decision.

Being able to take classes online allows you more choices in nursing specialties. If your first-choice college doesn’t offer the specialty you’re looking for, you can try to find another online school that does offer it. You can shop around for a school that provides exactly what you’re looking for.

You also can shop around for the best price. Since you can attend an online nursing program from anywhere, you have a lot of choices when it comes time to choose a school. You are not limited to only those schools that are within driving distance. You can pick the most affordable school that offers your chosen program and specialty.

The type of nursing degree you need depends on your career goals. If you want to become a registered nurse, you’ll probably need at least an associate degree in nursing (ADN) and an RN license. However, your job prospects may be much greater with a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN).

A master of science in nursing (MSN) is required for advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) positions. However, a doctor of nursing practice (DNP) will soon be required for nurse anesthetists. Nurses working in academia may be required to have a doctorate.

Associate Degree in Nursing | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | Master of Science in Nursing | Doctor of Nursing Practice | Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing

Best for: Those who want to enter the workforce as RNs as quickly as possible.

Length of Time: 2 years

Average Annual Salary: $71,000 (as of September 2021)

A traditional ADN program takes about two years to complete and typically consists of 64-75 credits. Bridge pathways such as certified nursing assistant (CNA)-to-RN or LPN-to-RN usually take less time and require fewer credits since students have taken some training previously.

Students in an ADN program learn the skills they need to become registered nurses. The courses required for this type of program include human anatomy and physiology, healthcare ethics, general microbiology, and pharmacology for healthcare professionals.

An online RN program typically includes in-person clinical experiences such as clinical rotations, simulation labs, and skills labs. Before selecting a program, students should make sure there is a hospital or other healthcare setting near their home where they can complete clinical requirements. The typical ADN program includes about 700 clinical hours.

Best for: Those who want to increase their employment prospects as RNs and earn more money.

Length of Time: 4 years

Average Annual Salary: $87,000 (as of September 2021)

A bachelor’s degree requires about 120 credits and takes about four years of full-time study to complete. However, if you enroll in an accelerated program, you may be able to earn your BSN degree in three years by attending school year-round.

Additionally, an RN-to-BSN program grants credit for your RN license and the credits you’ve already earned in college. As a result, you’ll have fewer credits to complete and may be able to earn your BSN in just 1-2 years.

BSN students take courses such as family-centered health promotion, concepts in community and public health, health assessment, and introduction to nursing research. BSN programs often require 500-1,000 hours of clinical training.

Best for: Those who want to become APRNs or go into nursing administration or education.

Length of Time: 1.5-3 years

Average Annual Salary: $97,000 (as of September 2021)

An MSN degree typically takes about two years to complete, but some accelerated programs may allow you to earn your degree in as little as 18 months. Students who enroll in an RN-to-MSN program earn their BSN along the way to a master’s; this type of program typically takes about four years to complete.

MSN students learn more advanced nursing techniques and strategies. Typical courses include professional values, health promotion and disease prevention, evidence-based practice, and health information management systems.

An MSN degree usually consists of around 36 credits. Many programs require a practicum, which may need to be completed in person.

Best for: Those who want to become nurse anesthetists or increase their salaries as leaders in nursing.

Length of Time: 1-5 years

Average Annual Salary: $105,000 (as of September 2021)

DNP programs usually require around 33-43 credits and include at least 500 hours of clinical practice. It typically takes 1-2 years to complete a DNP program. Although DNP programs usually require a master’s degree, students who only have a BSN can enroll in a BSN-to-DNP program; these programs require around 70-90 credit hours and take 5-6 years to complete.

The DNP curriculum focuses on topics like advanced nursing specialties, evidence-based practice, and healthcare leadership. Typical courses include organizations theory and systems leadership, ethics for advanced nursing practice, and advanced healthcare policy. In addition to clinical requirements, these programs may require a capstone project.

Best for: Nurses who want to work in academia.

Length of Time: 3-5 years

Average Annual Salary: $88,000 (as of September 2021)

A Ph.D. in nursing typically requires 64-90 credits and takes 3-5 years to complete. This type of program focuses on nursing research, theory, and science. Students can develop their knowledge of nursing and learn about research methods in the field.

Typical courses include advanced statistics for the health sciences, theory development and evaluation, philosophy of nursing science and practice, qualitative methods in clinical nursing research, and quantitative methods in clinical nursing research. Most Ph.D. in nursing programs require a dissertation or a residency.

Nurses who choose to specialize often make more money. For example, nurse practitioners earned a median of $111,680 per year as of May 2020, according to the BLS. Registered nurses earned a median of $75,330. That’s a big difference for adding a specialization and an additional two years of school. Most specialties require at least a master’s degree.

Nurse anesthetists administer pain medication before, during, and after surgery. Currently, nurse anesthetists need a master’s degree and national certification, as well as state certification. However, beginning in 2025, new certified registered nurse anesthetists will need a doctoral-level education. Nurse anesthetists earned a median annual salary of $183,580 in 2020.

Nurse midwives provide healthcare to people who are pregnant. The care includes but is not limited to delivering babies. Certified nurse midwives and certified midwives get their certification through the American Midwifery Certification Board. Nurse midwives earned a median salary of $111,130 per year in 2020.

Family nurse practitioners treat patients as primary care providers. They treat illnesses and injuries, order tests, prescribe medications, and perform physical exams. There are five different certification boards that certify nurse practitioners. Once nationally certified, nurse practitioners must be certified through their state, as well. As of 2020, FNPs earned a median salary of $111,680 per year.

Nurse managers oversee other nurses, make sure patients and staff members are satisfied, maintain standards of care, and ensure a safe work environment. These managers need an active RN license and at least a bachelor’s degree. Medical and health services managers earned a median salary of $104,280 per year in 2020.

Neonatal nurses perform neonatal tests during pregnancy, test the cognitive skills of newborns, and perform professional nursing duties. Neonatal nurses need to be licensed RNs. Certification in an area like neonatal intensive care nursing, low-risk neonatal intensive care nursing, maternal newborn nursing, or inpatient obstetric nursing is optional. Neonatal nurses earned an average salary of $71,560 per year, as of September 2021, according to PayScale.

Nursing requires state licensing or certification at every level — from LPN to APRN. To become licensed, you must first complete an approved nursing program and then take a test. If you pass the test, you can apply for your license with the state’s nursing board.

To become a certified APRN, you must first have an RN license. Then, after completing an educational program with an APRN specialty, you can take a test to become nationally certified. Once you are nationally certified, you can apply for state certification or licensure.

In most states, nursing licenses must be renewed every year or two. In order to renew your license, you may need to complete a certain number of continuing education credits or practice for a minimum number of hours in the year(s) preceding the license renewal. However, these requirements vary by state. For example, in Delaware, RNs must have practiced nursing for at least 1,000 hours in the past five years or 400 hours in the past two years to renew their license.

College can be expensive, so it pays to shop around. During the 2020-2021 academic year, the average cost of in-state tuition at a four-year public college was $9,580 per year, compared to about $27,440 at an out-of-state public institution. In addition, private schools are often more expensive than public schools. Some online schools charge the same tuition rate to all students, regardless of where they live.

One thing to consider when choosing an online nursing program is whether it’s synchronous or asynchronous. Synchronous programs have set log-in times. Asynchronous programs allow you to log in whenever it is convenient for you. You’ll also want to consider whether the program is full time or part time. If you’re working, a part-time program may be better for you.

Make sure you check to see if there are any on-campus requirements for your online program. Some schools require you to come to campus for orientation or labs. If it’s too far, you might need to choose a different school.

NCLEX pass rates can provide an indication of how well a school prepares its students for this national nursing exam. If you attend a school with a high NCLEX pass rate, you might have a better chance of passing the NCLEX exam on your first try. You can download a list of NCLEX pass rates online.

Third-party accreditation boards evaluate a school’s curriculum and determine whether it meets important academic standards. If it does, they grant accreditation to that school or program. There are many types of accreditation; at the institutional level, the most important is regional accreditation. If you attend a school that is regionally accredited, your credits are more likely to transfer if you switch schools. Individual nursing programs are also accredited. To sit for licensure and certification exams, students must have attended an accredited nursing program.

Another thing to consider is what kinds of support services a school offers to its online students. Many schools offer academic advising, mentorships, tutoring, internship assistance, and career services to remote students, as well as to those who attend in person. Think about what services you might need and check to see if the school offers them.