Can you get an RN degree online?

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I just moved to a somewhat rural area (husband in Military) that has only 2 colleges, one being a Junior College and the other one being a small public college. By the way these colleges are about 2 hours away. The Junior College has a 3 year waiting list and the other one is not accepting any applicants for another 2 years. Since my husband will be stationed in another state in 2 years, it would be a waste to put my application in and pay all the fees etc. Is there an online RN degree that is accredited and also sets you up with a local hospital so I can do all my clinicals etc? Since I already have a B.S. Degree I was going to try for an accelerated BSN degree, but the cost is very expensive and I cannot find any programs online that are affordable and trustworthy. There are no colleges where I am at that offer it and I do not want to drive 3 hours to go to a school that does. I feel like I am between a rock and a hard place. I cannot find a teaching job with my existing degree and I cannot change my career with a new one. Very frustrating.

Any information would be helpful.

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Hi, I am aware of online colleges to bridge an LPN to RN, but that is about it. Also, something to consider if you were able to find such a program would be clinicals. You might be able to find a program that offers an online RN degree, but I am pretty certain that you would still need to do clinicals onsite at a hospital and with your description of where you are currently located, it sounds like there might not be too many hospitals close by to do your clinicals.

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Specializes in Anesthesia, CTICU.

I do not believe there is a truly online route to obtain your initial ASN/BSN that would qualify you to sit for the NCLEX and become an RN.

It is a common misconception that Excelsior College offers "online" nursing degrees. EC is actually a distance learning program that allows you to self-pace the ASN nursing curriculum, which could work for someone that meets the admission requirements - namely, a license as an LPN / Paramedic / Respiratory Therapist / PA.

Initially, EC allowed admission for basic EMT (~90 hr course), but now only allow EMT-Paramedic (~1500 hr course) with higher clinical requirements.

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Specializes in ICU.

You may want to check if there are LPN/LVN programs offered at those two colleges near you. See if the waiting list is shorter or if they are accepting applications. LPN/LVN programs tend to be shorter than AA RN programs. It may open up some online options for transitioning to RN and give you some way to earn a living in the field (if you choose) while you work on your RN. Good luck!

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Thank you for the replies.

I found Virginia College that offers a LPN program that takes 18 months. Is this a good school and is that the right amount of time to get your LPN? I just wish that a college would have LPN online too.

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I know an online program would match your current living situation best, but it's highly unlikely that you'll find either an LPN or an ADN/ASN prelicensure program that is online because of the amount of lab and clinical time you'll need.

Nursing isn't just an academic education, it's also a physical skills education, so you need to be able to first perform certain skills safely in a lab environment, then you need to be able to show that you can care for patients safely.

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Specializes in Psych, LTC, Acute Care.

I am not aware of any programs like that.Sounds like your out of luck but what you could do is get an evalution from the colleges and start taking prerequisties online from the schools that are far away so that when you move, you won't have them out of the way. Most colleges prerequistes are similar. For example most colleges you need AP 1&2, psychology, college math.

If you have an idea of where your husband will be stationed. Try to look at schools in that state. You may want to look into getting your CNA (certified nursing assistant). Most school require that you have that for admission to RN programs.

Do you live in Virginia? See how far ECPI is from you. I know they have LPN and RN prgram in Virginia. Its pricey but its an option.

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Specializes in Hospice Care, Med/Surg.
Thank you for the replies.

I found Virginia College that offers a LPN program that takes 18 months. Is this a good school and is that the right amount of time to get your LPN? I just wish that a college would have LPN online too.

Hello I am a current student at Virginia College. This is my second quarter and actually my program is 15 months long. I can speak for me and for my classmates that we are very happy with our program. It has shared it's bumps and bruises because we are the newest LPN program in the State of MS, however, we are provisionally accredited and will be fully accredited once the 1st class graduates in September and passes the NCLEX-PN. We have highly qualified teachers and we are learning a lot. I would be more than happy to answer your questions as a student. :)

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Specializes in Peri-Op.

Yes There is. I did one. eLine - Electronic Learning in Nursing Education is what I used. It is not a bridge But a straight RN program. You can go adn or bsn. Adn Is from Delmar college. Bsn is from Texas a&m corpus Christi.

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Specializes in Case Manager/Administrator.

So I read your husband is military and you are looking for a nursing school. The postings are very nice just be aware of Nursing Accrediations, look for regional instead of national and make sure the nursing school is affiliated with a reputable nursing organization. The ones on line do not appear to be so, you may apply and work your bottom off for nothing as many organizations will not recognize the school you went to. I would go into the military education office and ask them. Try Excelsior College form Albany NY many military personnel have found they take credit and they are a service member affiliated organization.

On behalf of many nurses we thank you and your family for your service for our freedom. Good luck, if you do not have children it maybe wise for you to relocated for 16 months and apply to fast track nursing programs.

Good luck

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Yes There is. I did one. eLine - Electronic Learning in Nursing Education is what I used. It is not a bridge But a straight RN program. You can go adn or bsn. Adn Is from Delmar college. Bsn is from Texas a&m corpus Christi.

According to their FAQ, this appears to be currently limited to students in Texas.

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Specializes in Peri-Op.

So get a PO box in TX. Fly down for a week or two every semester for clinicals. Where there is a will there is a way.

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