Did you get your nursing Degree Online?

[LeLeeFNP]

I am in the process of enrolling in an RN to MSN for Nursing Leadership and Management. The program is very cheap (compared to other schools) and is entirely online at Western Governors University. The program is CCNE accredited....it almost seems too good to be true. The enrollment process was very easy. I have an ASN in nursing and a Bachelor's degree in Communication. I went to traditional universities for my other degrees and nothing has ever been this simple. Has anyone else out there attended an online university for your BSN or MSN? Have employers respected your degree and has it truley helped you get a job? I am beginning to get skeptical and wondering if I should just go for the traditional university, however I do not want to take the GRE, pay thousands of more dollars, go through a big hassle for the admissions process or attend classes in person. I have to work full time while attending school and I have two young children and a husband. I need something simple. Am I being unrealistic?

[Perpetual Student]

My online RN to BSN program is through a respected state univ. that offers both online and classroom courses. Granted, I haven't graduated yet, but I imagine it will make relatively little difference whether or not an educational program was online or classroom based when it comes to selecting an already experienced RN. Accreditation is obviously important.

I imagine school reputation may be a factor, too. For example, I've never heard of the school named by the OP and its name sounds, well, kinda funny to me. Perhaps it's a great program, but if I were considering applying I'd scrutinize them a bit more carefully than I would large universities that everyone's heard of. I actually just perused their website and it looks like they're legit unless they're lying re: accreditation. If I were you I'd try to talk to some current/former students. Perhaps try posting a question regarding others' experiences in the distance learning forum (under the students tab at the top of the page).

Distance education is an appropriate modality for continuing education in nursing. Sitting in a classroom for a lecture does not add anything for the average RN that can not be replicated through study at home. Some form of clinical experience is a good way to reinforce knowledge and assess competence. My BSN program actually requires more clinical hours than my traditional classroom based LPN to RN program did, amusingly enough.

[LeLeeFNP]

thanks everyone for your input, and yes I am looking for input from individuals that are already experienced nurses, going to school entirely online for their BSN or MSN.

To be honest, I had never heard of WGU either. I was actually refered by someonone on this site when i posted a thread asking for recommendations for online programs. The program is CCNE accredited, as most all of the other online programs are that I checked out. The school is also a nationally accredited university and regionally accredited in the state of Utah. You are able to get government funding and financial aid to attend like any other school, so i'm not concerned about it being legit, I'm just wondering if employers will frown upon it. Afterall, online schools are just now becoming popular within the last few years. I don't doubt that in the near future, online programs will just be the norm. Society is just going that way with new technology. But as with everything, I know it takes time for some folks to jump on the bandwagon.

I really would like more feedback from people that are currently doing online BSN or MSN programs or who have completed them and are job hunting or currently working. Hopefully this thread will attract more responses. I definately don't want to waiste more time and money on this program if I won't be able to get the job I'm looking for when I'm done. (I am doing the Nursing Leadership and Management Specialty). I also realize that my actual work experience will be a factor as well, but I want my degree to be respected too!

[LeLeeFNP]

By the way I will be doing the MSN (if I decide to go through with it), just in case anyone was wondering.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

I did both my BSN and MSN online. I did however, have 8 years of RN (ADN) experience prior to this.

No problems with either degree being online since both are from an accredited university.

I have since gone on further and again have had no problems whatsoever getting jobs, being licensed as an APN, etc...

Good luck.

[LeLeeFNP]

traumaRUS, what online university did you attend?