Online schools approved by PA Board

Nursing Students Online Learning

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I am thinking of continuing my education and want an affordable online program. I would appreciate feedback from nurses licensed in PA

are you talking about an RN program or an RN-bsn program?

RN to MSN would be best. thanks for this assist

Well I know is a great PA school that does an online RN-MSN, they are pricey though. Penn State and Slippery Rock are State University's that offer online RN-BSN programs. I'm strongly considering Slippery Rock- it's very affordable. I spoke to someone from there and liked what I heard about the program.

I looked at Slippery Rock as well. My concern is that the PA Board has a list of "Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing Approved Nursing Programs" posted on their website. That program/school is not listed on that site. The list does not include many schools/programs available for online learning. If you complete your degree outside of that list do they recognize your degree? When I contacted them the person I spoke to was not as helpful as I would have hoped and all she would say was to refer to the list on their website. My question for this thread is has anyone obtained a degree off that list and does the State Board of Nursing recognize it?

Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

Is that list for initial licensure, perhaps? For accreditation of my RN-to-BSN program, I looked for NLNAC and/or CCNE accreditation. I believe Slippery Rock holds NLNAC accreditation for their RN-BSN.

I agree but when I discussed this with the contact person at the Board she repeatedly referred me to the posted list on the State Board website. Did you complete a program that was not on the list? I also looked at and they have an accredited program that is accelerated and very affordable, but again not on the list. I am just wondering how important it is to stay within their recommendation and do they truely accept other accredited programs.

Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

If you already have your RN, it doesn't matter if the BON recognizes the RN-BSN program or not -- it's the program's accreditation that matters. The BON (and that list of programs) is only concerned with initial licensure -- the source of your RN. You don't do anything with the BON once you go from ADN-prepared RN to BSN-prepared RN -- it doesn't change your license. Does that make sense?

That what I was thinking but I wanted to have feedback from other nurses who have been though the education system recently. It has been a LONG time since I became licensed. I am looking to obtain my Masters in Nursing Leadership and Management. has an affordable, accelerated RN to MSN and it is ANCC accredited. I appreciate the opportunity for the discussion, I guess I need to stop thinking about it and just do it! It is a big step but they say "you can teach an old dog new tricks". :lol2:

Yeah I've never heard of an RN-BSN/MSN program needing to have the state board of nursing's seal of approval but I would make sure they have good national/ regional accreditation and look around for reviews on the program, especially if it is an online-only college. I'm planning on doing my RN-BSN online but through a traditional brick and mortar school. I can't really help you with the been-there-done-that part, just my thoughts on what I've heard from people working on their RN-BSN's now. Good luck in working toward your degree:D

Part two to my participation on the site is to put out a question regarding this program. The total cost for the program is $24,000.00 that is attractive for someone my age ( closer to 60 than 50 ):lol2:

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