For those a BSN or MSN acquired online, did you face discrimination when job hunting

[Bruce_Wayne, ASN, RN]

If you got your BSN or MSN from a school that's mostly known for online teaching, like Western Governor's University for example, did the fact that your school was online come up or looked at in a negative light?

Any other input? Anybody here in a position to hire people, what do you think about online BSN or MSN degrees?

[jossjjojo]

No, no issues what so ever. Just checked for accreditation.

[BCRNA]

No discrimination from nurses. As long as the program is accredited. Nurses know online programs in nursing are very good. Most DNP programs right now are completely on-line. And PhD programs are mostly online.

The only negative comments I have heard about online programs is from physicians, like "How good could the education be, it's from an online program." Though I think most of that is sour grapes from the extreme amount of time they spent in school and residency.

The people who would have a negative view of it won't be the ones hiring.

[Wishinonastar, BSN]

I took a few online classes for a school nurse certificate and transferred a couple into my graduate degree program. They were very rigorous and comparable to the classes I took on campus. I think this is becoming more acceptable as a way to continue your education as people are so busy and nursing especially invoves shift work, etc. that makes it difficult to go back to school.

That being said, I would be careful about what school I went to for these classes- the ones I took were from very reputable schools (University of Maryland, Colorado State University, etc.). If at all possible choose a school that offers both online and on-campus. If I were hiring it would make a difference to me what school you went to. Experience would make more of a difference, but I would definitely consider your school. Even with nursing schools there is a difference in reputation. A degree is not something to take lightly.

[Fixit]

I agree that if you must get the degree online got to a school that also has a brick and mortar school. I do believe there is discrimination against people with online nursing degrees. IMO The shake and bake online nursing programs don't compare to going to classes at a University or good College. I always look at the school when hiring.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

I did both an ADN to BSN and then MSN with University of Phoenix - no problems whatsoever. I also did two post-MSN programs and again, no problems whatsoever.

And....the physicians I work for don't have a clue about my education - they care for the end resut.

[rntim49]

I agree that if you must get the degree online got to a school that also has a brick and mortar school. I do believe there is discrimination against people with online nursing degrees. IMO The shake and bake online nursing programs don't compare to going to classes at a University or good College. I always look at the school when hiring.

this reply just verifys there are people out there with closed minds along with admitting hiring discrimination . My advanced degree was well worth all the work I completed for 2 years while working also and I have only recieved praise for my achievements from employers. My shake and bake university "as the above poster put it" has only helped in getting me recent job offers.

[linearthinker, DNP, RN]

Go to the very best school that will take you, period. It doesn't matter if it is on-line or on the ground, so long as the school has a strong reputation.

[jossjjojo]

I agree that if you must get the degree online got to a school that also has a brick and mortar school. I do believe there is discrimination against people with online nursing degrees. IMO The shake and bake online nursing programs don't compare to going to classes at a University or good College. I always look at the school when hiring.

Wow, that's sad. You're missing out on some wonderful nurses. It's not the brick and mortar that's important it's what goes into the students head and is retained. I worked hard for my online degree. I didn't find it any easier than going to class. Online school is certainly not a shake and bake education.

And....the physicians I work for don't have a clue about my education - they care for the end resut.

That's been my experience too. Just 3 times last week I was told that they appreciated my professionalism. I didn't learn that in school, that's just me. Can't get that out of brick and mortar.

[mcdonald03]

I agree with the comments above. Most of my RN-BSN classes through the University of Wisconsin - Green Bay have been online and they are not easy. If anything, some of the classes are harder than in class, especially 4 credit classes! Accreditation is the important factor!

[Wishinonastar, BSN]

I agree that the very best school that will take you that you can manage to attend is always the best bet. It is very tempting to look for "easy" or "quick" ways to do things, but depending on your circumstances you would be surprised at what you can do when you try. As they told me at Penn State- "Nothing worth having is ever easy". So much depends on individual circumstances and access to schools. In my area there are numerous schools, in fact we are saturated with schools, so choosing was not very easy. Some people are not so lucky, though the value of a degree is much less in an area such as mine where colleges are everywhere. I think an online degree would not be very meaningful here, but I suppose it depends on the major and how many people with that degree are in the employment pool.

[hiddencatRN, BSN, RN]

this reply just verifys there are people out there with closed minds along with admitting hiring discrimination .

Discrimination is being used way lightly in this thread. It reminds me of the threads where grads with low GPAs felt "discriminated" against because employers wanted a higher GPA and where new grads felt "discriminated" against because everyone wants experience now.

In the hiring process, the employer wants to get the best candidate for them based on their criteria. Selection is not the same as illegal discrimination. If some employers don't value an online degree as much as a brick and mortar degree, that's something to consider when choosing a school, especially in a tight economy where employers have a sea of applicants to select from.