do employers look down upon those who earned their bsn online?

Student4_life · Apr 1, 2011

I am still a pre-nursing student, so I can only offer limited insight. That being said I dont think all online-BSN programs are created equal, based on the idea that not all online programs are equal.

I think you are making a great move with going the UT route since it is a truely established school (and there is reason to believe that your degree wont say online anywhere on it, so your employer of tomorrow may never even know).

All that being said I am a bit biased towards State Schools and well known not-for-profit private schools for BSN programs as I see the nursing profession continuing along this competitive trend and since an RN is an RN is an RN I see potential employers not only hiring based on education level but percieved prestige.

NPinWCH · Apr 1, 2011

When you obtain a degree online they don't put an asterisk next to it like a disputed sports stat. So, there is no way anyone will know, unless you tell them or the school has no 'brick and mortar' presence.

That being said, like someone already posted, not all online programs are the same. If the school has a good reputation for its traditional nursing program, odds are that the online one will be good as well.

RLeeRN · Apr 1, 2011

I hope not....I start my RN-BSN progam full time this summer through liberty university online http://www.luonline.com/index.cfm?PID=14373. It is one of the top rated online schools in the nation from what I gather, and testify that their grads go on to bigger and better things in the field of nursing...... I think many RNs continue their education online due to the fact many people can't stop everything to go back to school. Nearly every school has some form of online degree completion programs to meet the needs of the RN. As I looked at graduate schools for moving onto DNP after my BSN is complete, the requirement is to have a degree from a CCNE or NLN accreditation. Liberty University Online RN-BSN and MSN program is CCNE accredited. Some graduate schools require on over the other so planned ahead and research where you would get you graduate training completed. It is at the Graduate level for Advanced Practice Nursing where you will learn your "new" skills in the clinical arena. I look forward to hearing from those who are finished with their online degree completion programs, and putting it to use in the real world. Thanks for posting this question.

RN47 · Apr 1, 2011

Hi, I had the same questions before deciding on an online program. I don't think employers will have any problems with an online degree providing it is from a reputable, CCNE accredited institution. I am presently enrolled in the RN to BSN through UTA, it's a great program. Even though it is online, there is nothing lacking in their program. Get ready to work. I don't think I worked this hard in nursing school! You will receive the same diploma as someone who physically attended the school. UTA has a great reputation, I say go for it!

TheCareerStudent · Apr 1, 2011

When you obtain a degree online they don't put an asterisk next to it like a disputed sports stat. So, there is no way anyone will know, unless you tell them or the school has no 'brick and mortar' presence.
That being said, like someone already posted, not all online programs are the same. If the school has a good reputation for its traditional nursing program, odds are that the online one will be good as well.

Amen, this poster touched on a good point. Your degree will not say "Online" nor will your transcripts. It is not a question asked in interviews so you should be good. But of course if it is asked, do not lie.

On another point, the concentration for my previous degree was HRM and I worked as a technical recruiter. We were taught in school that private schools are not to be discriminated against if they are accredited. They are doing the same thing as public schools, just making money while doing it. In most cases lots of money. When I got into the workforce and received resumes with unfamiliar schools I would do on-site visits, if possible, or phone interviews with the institution. Colleges enjoy this because the more they network with hiring officials the more chance that their alumni will be looked at for positions. This is part of how college career placement networking happens. They showed me syllabuses, let me sit in on classes, gave me tours, etc. So believe it or not, most EDUCATED HR professionals know all about the schools in your area whether they are online or on campus.

University of Phoenix is huge in my area, especially because we are military here. They have a campus here and they have online. Their programs are highly regarded here, but most of the HR and Management personnel in my area are educated enough to understand online programs thoroughly. However this is not the case everywhere and you will meet people with biases. Most of these people are either undereducated or out of date educated. If they did their research they would know that almost every college in the country, private or public, offers online classes and that you can do most if not all your degree online. This is where the role of companies in continuing the education of their employees and keeping them up to date is important.

The school does play a big part. Especially accreditation and how long they have been operating. Do your homework and talk with nurse recruiters and technical recruiters in your area. We are a great source for a wealth of information.

chuckster, ADN, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Apr 1, 2011

do employers look down upon those who earned their bsn online?

That's a good question.

I'm inclined is to think that many, possibly most employers are relatively indifferent with respect to the where the BSN may have been earned. In some cases - UT-A being one example - it is not possible for the employer to easily determine how the degree was earned (the UT-A program, like many traditional, brick & mortar, non-profit colleges, offers the same program and degree via both the traditional classroom and on-line routes).

In addition, not all on-line programs are created equal. While all legitimate nursing programs would have CCNE accreditation, not all have the same academic accreditation. Many on-line schools are nationally accredited byt the DECT but do not have regional accreditation via organizations like Middle States, Western or New England Associations of Colleges and Schools. Since regionally accredited higher education institutions are predominantly academically oriented while the nationally accredited schools are predominantly for-profit and offer vocational, career or technical programs, it would not surprise me if employers gave preference to graduates of institutions with regional accreditation. It's also worth keeping in mind that degrees from institutions with only national accreditation are sometimes a problem if you decide to pursue a graduate degree.

It would be interesting to hear from some nurse managers who actually do hiring on this.

TheCareerStudent · Apr 1, 2011

That's a good question.
I'm inclined is to think that many, possibly most employers are relatively indifferent with respect to the where the BSN may have been earned. In some cases - UT-A being one example - it is not possible for the employer to easily determine how the degree was earned (the UT-A program, like many traditional, brick & mortar, non-profit colleges, offers the same program and degree via both the traditional classroom and on-line routes).
In addition, not all on-line programs are created equal. While all legitimate nursing programs would have CCNE accreditation, not all have the same academic accreditation. Many on-line schools are nationally accredited byt the DECT but do not have regional accreditation via organizations like Middle States, Western or New England Associations of Colleges and Schools. Since regionally accredited higher education institutions are predominantly academically oriented while the nationally accredited schools are predominantly for-profit and offer vocational, career or technical programs, it would not surprise me if employers gave preference to graduates of institutions with regional accreditation. It's also worth keeping in mind that degrees from institutions with only national accreditation are sometimes a problem if you decide to pursue a graduate degree.
It would be interesting to hear from some nurse managers who actually do hiring on this.

I agree regional accreditation is VERY important!

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Apr 1, 2011

Great points from PP's. The primary differences (between schools) are not based upon instructional methods... but on the type of faculty they attract. Commercial schools (for profit, investor owned) hire faculty as contractors - most are paid on a piece-work basis - based on the number of classes they 'teach'. Class materials are provided to them, they do not have a voice in curriculum design or class content. On the other hand, traditional schools attract career faculty who participate in the educational process. They conduct research, design curricula and view their work as a career rather than a temp or part-time job.

Diplomas may not contain asterisks, but hiring managers know a lot about the school - from public record information (NCLEX, accreditation, etc) as well as personal experience with the grads that they and their colleagues have hired.

NPinWCH · Apr 1, 2011

Great points from PP's. The primary differences (between schools) are not based upon instructional methods... but on the type of faculty they attract. Commercial schools (for profit, investor owned) hire faculty as contractors - most are paid on a piece-work basis - based on the number of classes they 'teach'. Class materials are provided to them, they do not have a voice in curriculum design or class content. On the other hand, traditional schools attract career faculty who participate in the educational process. They conduct research, design curricula and view their work as a career rather than a temp or part-time job.
Diplomas may not contain asterisks, but hiring managers know a lot about the school - from public record information (NCLEX, accreditation, etc) as well as personal experience with the grads that they and their colleagues have hired.

You bring up good points and reputation has a lot to do with how schools are viewed whether they are online OR traditional. Also, local hiring managers know about local/in state schools, but they may not be well versed on out of state schools or smaller schools, regardless of their overall reputation. Small private colleges can have great programs, but since the school isn't well known the manager may know nothing about it.

My asterisk comment was more to schools that have both types of programs. I graduated from a well known state university. They have online and traditional MSN programs. The school itself has a good reputation. In my case, there is no way to know if I sat through class or took class online. Same school, same degree, same reputation...

RLeeRN · Apr 1, 2011

I agree regional accreditation is VERY important!

Most people know this, but I actually had a state school in SD refuse to allow me into their RN-BSN program due my ADN program not being NLNAC, even though it has been regionally accredited for over 50 years and accepted in every state university in California. The program director would not even look at the curriculum.......can you say lazy? Turned out to be a blessing anyhow, since we have moved 3 times in the last 3 years being a military family.....online is the only way for me to move forward.

mee9mee9 · Apr 1, 2011

Hi, I had the same questions before deciding on an online program. I don't think employers will have any problems with an online degree providing it is from a reputable, CCNE accredited institution. I am presently enrolled in the RN to BSN through UTA, it's a great program. Even though it is online, there is nothing lacking in their program. Get ready to work. I don't think I worked this hard in nursing school! You will receive the same diploma as someone who physically attended the school. UTA has a great reputation, I say go for it!

how do you complete clinicals in a online program. Will i have to come to Arlington to complete?