Do I need to add these things to my online application?

Basically, you can take one of two approaches with job searches now adays. Since they take so long, you can spam out as many resumes and apps as quickly as possible, or you can potientially waste an hour or so on each application. The economy is too bad, just spam the applications and move to an area of the country that is hiring if you can.

It would depend on how badly you want to work in that particular place. The nurse recruiter will get large numbers of applications. Think about what, if anything, will make you stand out. Include your transcripts only if there is something exceptional about them. Do you have all A's? A BS degree where you took many more hours than required? An outstanding job performance review from the past? A special project that you headed or directed at your workplace ? If you have them on paper, scan them in and send along with the resume. If you don't have any thing in particular that will make you stand out as an individual (i.e. if you have an average Associates degree transcript with A's and B's on it...) then don't bother. Good luck.

If the job you want is particularly something you want, I think it would be worth the effort to get those things.

Once you have them scanned and on your computer, you can attach them to each resume, making you a stand out applicant. With competition as fierce as it is, and especially if its really a job you want and not just another you're spamming in hopes of an interview, then the effort is worth it.

I've never hired a nurse before, but 'back in the day' when I was in HR, I noticed people who put more effort into their applications and would much rather interview someone who took the time to do it right and catch my eye than one of the thousand "To Whom It May Concern" cover letters.