Does it matter what school you get your online RN-BSN from?

klone, MSN, RN · Dec 14, 2014

You should look for regional accreditation as well. And non-profit schools tend to have a better overall reputation than for-profit schools.

RunBabyRN · Dec 14, 2014

The reputations of schools vary, so it's smart to ask nurses in the area about the impression of nurses from School X. I know there's one here that floor nurses would complain about. The students never sought out new experiences, they'd abandon their patients without saying anything because it was time for lunch, when I'd try to rope them in on a learning experience, I'd get a blank stare or just zero interest or response, and I'd always hear nurses complaining about their students while they were there. I think there would have been mutiny had the manager hired from there!

Beyond that, it's not like law or business where alma mater counts for a lot.

mandy13086 · Dec 15, 2014

I don't think the online BSN school matters as much..but I do see a difference in the type of students from various ADN colleges. I graduated from a community college that has a great reputation in my area & now that I'm the RN & being given students to teach during my work day, i notice the difference. Some of the costly private/tech schools just don't push these students to learn, I guess, because they do disappear on me. When I'm given a student for the day, it means i have an extra pair of hands..and I enjoy teaching them so I look for student opportunities. It is more than upsetting when i have accepted to take on a student & then they disappear into the cafeteria or somewhere else because they don't want to learn. Certain schools, for some reason, seem to be more prone to those. But..once the RN degree has been obtained and the online BSN classes have begun, I don't think it matters...as long as you're a good, competent nurse.

HazelLPN, LPN · Dec 15, 2014

The hospital from which I retired from would not accept any online BSNs for jobs that required a BSN.

firstinfamily, RN · Dec 16, 2014

I was always told for my BSN to make sure it was accredited with National League of Nursing (NLN) this might make a difference for your Masters whenever you choose to pursue it. I think it is ridiculous if an institution does not honor on-line degrees, everyone knows the education is just as good, if not better, than the brick and mortar schools. They need to get with it, this is the 21st century and learning has evolved!!! It was a great experience for me when I got my MSN on-line and I really learned a lot, plus it was great to communicate with nurses from all over the country!! Good Luck!

Dyoshirn · Dec 16, 2014

The hospital from which I retired from would not accept any online BSNs for jobs that required a BSN.

Wow, thats intersting... What hospital was this??

clarabow · Dec 16, 2014

Wow, thats intersting... What hospital was this??

Also, how would they know its an online program? Many universities offer both online and traditional options nowadays.

klone, MSN, RN · Dec 16, 2014

I was always told for my BSN to make sure it was accredited with National League of Nursing (NLN) this might make a difference for your Masters whenever you choose to pursue it. I think it is ridiculous if an institution does not honor on-line degrees, everyone knows the education is just as good, if not better, than the brick and mortar schools. They need to get with it, this is the 21st century and learning has evolved!!!

NLNAC changed their name to ACEN. So that and CCNE are the two national accrediting agencies. I completely agree with your sentiment that this is the 21st century and it's ridiculous that any facility would refuse to recognize it simply due to its online status.