Opinions on online degrees

[beatrice1]

Just wanted to hear other peoples opinions/thoughts or experience with online degrees.

I am a RN with a Associates Degree and want to continue my education and get my bachelors degree. I am working full time 3-11. I am torn between returning to my state college or do online classes, as some of my co-workers are going this route.

Are on line degrees accepted (respected) my most employers now? Do you feel you are getting a good nursing education this way? Is there anything I should look out for? Just any advice that will help me with this decision.

Thanks for any input

Bea

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

These days, most traditional schools have incorporated distance learning options into their RN-BSN programs. So, you can usually take most of your didactic classes online. There's also a good chance that any Face-to-face classes are likely to be scheduled in a way that meets their (working) student population needs. So... the best option is to go this route rather than opting for a commercial (investor owned) "quickie" program.

The end result will be a degree (from that solid and well-known state school) you can proudly hang on the wall - & it won't indicate whether you got your degree from a classroom-based program or online.

[JustMeRN]

I chose a 100% online rn-bsn program and start next month. The school is accredited with a good reputation. IMO the schools accreditation status and repupation are more important than their location. I will be very proud of my degree and hang it on my wall just as proudly as a degree from a local community college.

[dudette10, MSN, RN]

As HouTx said, many long-standing brick and mortar schools now offer an online option for RN to BSN. Just do your research and choose carefully.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Are on line degrees accepted (respected) my most employers now?

Several of my employers and managers had earned online nursing degrees, including:

1. Former CNO (online MSN)

2. Another former CNO (online BSN)

3. Director of nursing (distance based ASN from Excelsior College)

4. Former director of nursing education (online BSN and MSN)

Do you feel you are getting a good nursing education this way? Is there anything I should look out for? Just any advice that will help me with this decision.

It depends on what you want out of your nursing education. I simply wanted to earn a fully accredited BSN credential quickly, affordably, and flexibly.

At the minimum, ensure the online nursing program is accredited by CCNE or ACEN. In addition, ensure the school from which you plan to earn the degree is regionally accredited.

Generally speaking, online nursing degrees from nonprofit schools (e.g. University of Texas at Arlington, Indiana State University, Drexel University, Sacred Heart University) will be more reputable than a degree from an investor-owned school of questionable repute (e.g. University of Phoenix, Kaplan University, ITT Technical Institute).

[applesxoranges, BSN, RN]

Well, for my BSN I went to Ohio University. Every manager I have talked to has praised the school in allowing their nurses to get their bachelors done. They recommend it to all nurses who have an associate. However, OU has limited the states they take students recently and I don't know if they have expanded it yet.