Are online degrees 'legit'? Such as RN-BSN online? Is BSN really necessary? CONFUSED.

Nurses General Nursing

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I'm doing Practical Nursing at my local community college and then bridging into ADN. The reasons that I'm not doing BSN are: There's only one community college near me and it doesn't offer anything past ADN, I don't want to owe too much student loan money, and I want to start working faster and I really have no aspirations for management positions. I only want to be a travel nurse that works in the hospital arena [icu, er, med surg, picu...]

I'm thinking that if I choose to get my BSN I'll get it online through one of those online degree colleges....are those bad? Is an online nursing degree not good even if you got your ASN through community college?

Or should I go to college for my BSN at a different college after I get my ADN?

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Specializes in Utilization Management.

I think you'll find that many, many reputable 'brick and mortar' schools offer BSN programs with coursework that is completely online. Just research the colleges and universities in your state and you're bound to find several that offer online BSN programs that aren't "one of those online degree colleges."

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

Various schools are different in their requirements. And I can only go by what I know here in New Orleans. I went to an ASN (ADN) program to obtain my RN. It is my understanding that to complete the BSN through LSU (Louisiana State University) and Southeastern requires only classes that can be completed online.

An ADN-RN does the same job and has the same scope of practice as a BSN-RN. However, going with the mindset that education is a good thing, most places want a BSN, and a few hospitals require it.

Another thing to keep in mind is that every so often, there is a push by the NLN to require RN's to have a BSN and that ADN RN's be grandfathered in, with a requirement to complete a BSN within X years or revert back to an LPN. So far, it has always been shot down. I wouldn't be surprised, with the emphesis on education in nursing, to see it pass.

I personally know people that have an ADN-RN and been nurses for 20 years and are as good, or better as some MSN nurses.

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

Quick clarification...

When I say that LSU and Southeastern requires only online classes to complete the BSN, I mean that once you have an ADN RN license.

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Specializes in CVICU.

Some of the online schools are legit and considered acceptable, like University of Phoenix, but be careful because if you google for complaints, there are a TON of them. As someone else said, brick and mortar schools offer a lot of online classes for BSN's. Mine was about half and half, online and on-ground classes. My MMI will be entirely online, but from Northwestern University, which is practically Ivy League.

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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

More and more schools are discovering that classes that don't require a clinical component can just as easily offered online (and even with those that do, there are totally legit colleges that offer it and you're required to secure your own preceptor).

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Specializes in CNA at Nursing Home.

Wow, I seriously thought I had posted this question, before I looked at the username. I am in the same exact boat (LPN to ADN at community college, wanting to be travel nurse, no desire to do management, wanting BSN). I work with some ADN's who are currently going to school for their BSN's and about half are going to 100% online schools and half are going to brick and mortar schools that have online ADN to BSN degree completions. The ones who are going to 100% online schools are ok with them, but the other half LOVE the plans at the brick and mortar schools.

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Specializes in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

I initially completed my during degree in an ADN program that allowed a bridge to an RN-BSN program. The RN-BSN portion was mostly online. There were 2 "clinical rotations" that were not online. One was for community nursing and one was for leadership. It was the student's responsibility to find a clinical preceptor for both instances (the school would help you, of course). You had to log your hours and do a clinical project for both clinicals, and they were 7 weeks long each. Other than that, everything was online. I would say it was sufficient for obtaining a BSN when already an RN. There is a large focus on research and transitioning into professional practice. I thought the courses were relevant, but not difficult. My advice is that if a BSN is not feasible for you from the start, an online RN-BSN is definitely a great option. I completed mine in 2 semesters.

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Specializes in E.R., LTC, Blood Banking,Management.

I am SHOCKED that I am the first to bring this up...It's up to the Dept. Of Professional Regulations in the state that YOU practice in, whether they will accept an accredited online course!

Here in Illinois for example, online Nursing degrees are NOT acceptable!

I know someone who wasted a ton of time getting a degree that our state does not recognize!

You may take online classes through the traditional universities, but not the adds you see "Lpn to RN online now"

Or earn your BSN or MSN online...

It's up to your state...

ps, as BSN here gets you about 25cents more an hour then the ADN...

Hope this helps

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Cardiology, Geriatrics.
I am SHOCKED that I am the first to bring this up...It's up to the Dept. Of Professional Regulations in the state that YOU practice in, whether they will accept an accredited online course!

Here in Illinois for example, online Nursing degrees are NOT acceptable!

I know someone who wasted a ton of time getting a degree that our state does not recognize!

You may take online classes through the traditional universities, but not the adds you see "Lpn to RN online now"

Or earn your BSN or MSN online...

It's up to your state...

ps, as BSN here gets you about 25cents more an hour then the ADN...

Hope this helps

Your claim about Illinois not regarding online degrees as acceptable applies to pre-licensure programs only. Illinois does not care if you get your RN-BSN online if your pre-licensure ADN wasn't online.

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Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, Emergency, SAFE.
I am SHOCKED that I am the first to bring this up...It's up to the Dept. Of Professional Regulations in the state that YOU practice in, whether they will accept an accredited online course!

There are ALOT of schools that give BSN degress that do not differ from those who physically attended the school. You might want to recheck your state laws. As stated above, that most likely refers to initial RN programs (ie something like excelsior), not already licensed/registered nurses.

In any case, your own state BON can clear that up, but I doubt it given the percentage of working nurses that actively go "back" to school while working full time .

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Specializes in MED SURG/GERIATRIC ADMIN/ CORRECTIONS.

ill tell you this much....im skipping BSN and going straight to MSN/FNP....BSN pays no more money and where im from....hospitals and such would rather have a NWCC ADN nurse over an Ole Miss BSN nurse...I was told by employers its because Ole Miss BSN nurses take 6 months or longer to function on the floor vs. a NWCC ADN nurse...maybe this will help your decision...

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