BSN Online vs On Campus

Nurses Career Support

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I graduated with my ADN last September and now I'm looking for a program to start my BSN. I'm working full time now, I have two kids, I'm busy as heck and I honestly don't have time to attend classes on campus. I'm a really independent learner and I prefer online courses anyway. Does it make a difference to potential employers if I earned my BSN online instead of on campus? Obviously I would make sure that any school I choose was accredited and well known, but I don't wanna waste money on a degree if I'll just end up getting passed over for someone with the exact same degree who earned it on campus.

Beware of degree mills otherwise it's the same from what I understand.

Specializes in Pediatrics, Critical Care.

I think it really depends on where you want to work/which setting you want to work in. Some hospitals are very strict about hiring BSNs that graduated from certain programs with a required amount of clinical and simulation hours (for example, many magnet hospitals). I'd just look into the application requirements of where you'd like to work and go from there to see if an online program would be suitable for you.

From what I understand it depends on location and demand. Some places will have direct connections with hospitals and institutions for direct hire if students go through their program via classroom or hybrid online. Other places will offer an online degree providing that students are actively working.

While researching different programs I found many that can meet different needs and specialties. I also try to talk with admissions first before continuing the application process. Good luck.

Try to find a halfway decent school that offers both and nobody will likely know the difference. Just don't bring it up. I've never seen it be an issue, tbh.

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