Top 25 Best Online RN to BSN Programs

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The best online RN to BSN programs prepare nurses with advanced skills to meet the growing needs of the US population and advance their careers. The health care system in the US is in serious need of nurses. That’s been the story for a long time, but there still simply aren’t enough nurses to meet the needs of the largest generation of Americans ever. Who will care for Baby Boomers, who are reaching their golden years? And what about the second-largest generation, Millennials, who are reaching adulthood and all the responsibilities for professional life and parenthood?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates growth of 8% for RN nursing and warns that, while there is still a notable nursing shortage. Competition is still increasing and a bachelor’s degree is becoming the minimum requirement. Even aside from the higher skills and knowledge, the BSN is a financial advantage. Statistically, BSNs make higher salaries, have greater career opportunities, and can also advance more easily.

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Getting a bachelor’s of science in nursing or BSN can help nurses seek out leadership roles at clinical and health care organizations. A bachelor’s in nursing online provides flexibility for students holding full-time jobs or juggling work and family life. To complete a BSN online nursing degree, RNs usually have to complete an in-person practicum and clinical hours. This is in addition to the academic requirements for their nursing bachelor online program. With a BSN online nursing degree, students can typically work at sites within their own community to complete their clinical hours.

Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Online RN to BSN Degree Programs

Value Colleges editors are focused on school of nursing programs that will have a real, positive impact on graduates’ lives and careers. That’s why we feature only accredited, reputable institutions. Online programs are ranked according to factors including school of nursing tuition cost, student satisfaction, reputation, and potential salary, using data from IPEDS and Niche. These are the best RN to BSN programs in the US.

1. University of Utah

The University of Utah’s school of nursing offers an RN to BSN degree program that is among Utah’s best RN to BSN online programs. Students have three start dates each year and have the option of a four or a three-semester program. All coursework for this RN to BSN degree program is offered asynchronously, with built-in deadlines integrated into classes. The University of Utah’s RN to BSN degree program can be completed by busy working learners. Although there are on-campus orientations, these are optional for online students.

The University of Utah (U of U) is a space-grant institution of higher education that was established in 1850. The school’s campus and online platform are home to more than 32,550 undergraduate and graduate students each year. 

Highlight: The University of Utah was chartered more than nearly five decades before Utah attained statehood.

Online RN to BSN Program: RN to BSN

2. University of Illinois at Chicago

The University of Illinois at Chicago offers an RN to BSN degree program that is ranked as one of Chicago’s best RN to BSN programs. The school of nursing at the University of Illinois has an online RN to BSN degree that is accredited by the CCNE. Students complete ten nursing classes – all online. This course, which can be completed in about a year (taking 2 classes per 8-week term), includes concepts in professional nursing, nursing informatics, nursing research and statistical methods for evidence-based practice, caring theory, and nursing health promotion, to name a few.

The University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) was established in 1982 and now operates two campuses in the Windy City. The school’s dual campuses are home to early 34,000 students each year. 

Highlight: The University of Illinois Chicago is recognized as both a Hispanic and Public Asian Serving school.

Online RN to BSN Program: RN to BSN

3. Indiana University

Indiana State University’s School of Nursing Program offers two of Indiana’s best RN to BSN degree programs with its RN to BSN program or its LPN to BSN degree programs – both available online. ISU’s online BSN completion programs are accredited by ACEN. Students are required to complete 33 academic hours in classes like community health nursing, research for nursing, comprehensive health assessment for nurses, reflective nursing practice, health care informatics, and professional nursing synthesis, to name a few. 

Indiana State University (ISU) was established as a state normal school for teachers in the mid-1860s. The school’s urban campus in north Terre Haute covers more than a couple hundred acres and serves more than 12,050 undergraduate and graduate students. 

Highlight: The university is organized into six schools/colleges that offer programming options in education, arts/sciences, professional/graduate studies, technology, business, and health & human services.

Online Programs: RN to BSN or LPN to BSN

4. Arizona State University

Arizona State University’s School of Nursing is Edson College of Nursing & Health Innovation and it offers one of the state’s best RN to BSN programs that require degree candidates to complete 39 undergraduate semester units to graduate. Coursework for Arizona State University’s RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program includes nursing management in health care, public and global health in nursing, the art of nursing, and promotion across the life span, to name a few.

Arizona State University (ASU) was founded in the 13th Arizona territory as a state-run normal school and is now one of the largest public institutions of higher education in the nation in terms of enrollment. The university’s online and on-campus student enrollment now nears approximately 150,000 students each year. 

Highlight: Arizona State University maintains four primary campuses in and around the greater Phoenix metro area – which run independently.

Online RN to BSN Program: RN to BSN

5. The Ohio State University

The School of Nursing at The Ohio State University offers an RN to BSN degree program that is ranked fourth among the best online RN to BSN programs in the country. Most students enrolled in Ohio State University’s RN to BSN degree program can select from a 12 or a 15-month completion plan of study. Classes for Ohio State University’s CCNE-accredited BSN completion program for Registered Nurses include cultural competence in Health Care, concepts in community health nursing, and evolving concepts in leadership and management, among others.

The Ohio State University (OSU) is a sea, space, and land-grant school that was established in 1870 under the Morrill Act. It is also Ohio’s flagship university and consistently recognized as one of the nation’s public ivies. 

Highlight: Ohio’s governor, Ruther B Hayes, championed the establishment of this agriculture/manufacturing school before becoming the 19th president in 1877.

Online RN to BSN Program: RN to BSN 

6. University of Massachusetts-Amherst

The University of Massachusetts offers an RN to BS degree program that is considered among the best online BS programs in New England and beyond. Degree candidates enrolled in Elaine Marieb School of Nursing’s RN to BS completion degree program can complete the coursework in a year studying full-time or two years part-time. This CCNE-accredited BS completion degree program includes 30-semester units in classes that include nursing research, cultural diversity in health and illness, and nursing care of families, to name a few.

The University of Massachusetts (UMass Amherst) was founded as an agricultural college in the mid-1860s. The Amherst campus is home to 30,650 undergraduate and graduate students, which makes it the largest of all campuses within the University of Massachusetts system. 

Highlight: Amherst’s alumni include Olympic gold medalist, a poet laureate, and a Gates Scholar, to name a few.

Online RN to BSN Program:RN to BS

7. West Virginia University

West Virginia University’s School of Nursing offers an RN to BSN degree program that can be completed 100% online through asynchronous classes. West Virginia University’s School best online RN to BSN programs are CCNE-accredited and require the completion of 28-semester credits. Par-time students with existing undifferentiated nursing credits enrolled in West Virginia University’s BSN completion program can complete this degree in six semesters, with full-timers finishing in three semesters. Classes for the School of Nursing at West Virginia University’s RN to BSN degree include health assessment, pharmacology, and perspectives in caring, among others.

West Virginia University (WVU) is a land grant school having been established as an agricultural college in 1867. West Virginia University maintains multiple campuses throughout the state with outreach centers in each of the state’s 55 counties. 

Highlight: The school serves approximately 30,000 students offering more than 350 programs through the university’s fourteen colleges/schools.

Online RN to BSN Program: RN to BSN

8. University of Arkansas

The School of Nursing at the University of Arkansas offers an RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) post-licensure completion program that can be completed 100% online, with start dates throughout the year. US News ranks the University of Arkansas’s BSN completion program for RNs among the best online RN to BSN programs in the nation. In addition, degree candidates must complete a total of 75 clinical hours in the student’s area of interest to graduate from the University of Arkansas’s CCNE-accredited RN to BSN degree.

The University of Arkansas (UA) is a space and land grant school that was established as an industrial university in 1871. The University of Arkansas’s Fayetteville campus is now the largest institution of higher education that is home to more than 27,350 undergraduate and graduate students as the state’s flagship school. 

Highlight: The University of Arkansas is well-known for its programs in the area of architecture, agriculture (including agricultural law), and Middle Eastern Studies, to name a few.

Online RN to BSN Program: Online RN to BSN

9. Pennsylvania State World Campus

Pennsylvania State World Campus offers an RN to BSN degree program that is ranked among Pennsylvania’s best online RN to BSN programs with CCNE-accreditation. PSWC’s School of Nursing BSN completion program also offers an accelerated path of study, compressed into terms of 7.5 weeks. Degree candidates enrolled in Pennsylvania State World Campus’s RN to BSN degree can enhance their learning by earning a specialized certificate while completing the program, such as Nursing Management, Nursing Forensics, or Nursing Informatics.

Pennsylvania State World Campus was established in the late 1990s as the online platform of Penn State. The university’s distance education programs serve about 14,550 students each year. The diploma offered by PSWC is the same earned on-campus. 

Highlight: Many of the programs and degrees rank among the best (in education, engineering, business, and veteran’s programs, as noted by US News and World Report.

Online RN to BSN Program: RN to BSN

10. Florida International University

Florida International University offers an RN to BSN degree program that US News and World Report ranks among the top eight best online RN to BSN programs in the country. Classes for the School of Nursing at FIU RN to BSN degree program include adult physiological nursing, psychosocial nursing, nursing in global health care systems, and evidence-based nursing/research, plus a senior clinical practicum, to name a few. Florida International University’s BSN completion program is CCNE-accredited. Florida International University’s RN to BSN degree has three start dates each year – Summer, Fall, and Spring.

Florida International University (Florida Int.) was founded in the mid-1960s and is now the largest institution of higher education in the Greater Miami metropolitan region. In addition, Florida International University is a space-grant school with a student enrollment that exceeds 58,460 students each year. 

Highlight: Florida International University is recognized as the 4th largest school in the nation and the largest located in South Florida.

Online RN to BSN Program: RN to BSN

11. University of Alabama at Birmingham

The School of Nursing at the University of Alabama at Birmingham offers an RN to BSN degree program that is offered in the fall and spring terms. In addition, as one of Alabama’s best online RN to BSN programs UAB requires degree candidates to complete 30 semester hours over a three to five-semester timeframe that can be tailored to a student’s professional interests. Classes for UAB’s BSN completion program include professional nursing concepts, quality and patient safety, population health, and transitional care coordination across the lifespan, to name a few.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham was chartered in the late 1960s as a public research school after being an extension center for several decades. The Birmingham campus is home to approximately 22,450 undergraduate and graduate students. 

Highlight: The University of Alabama at Birmingham operates one of the biggest academic medical centers across the country.

Online RN to BSN Program: RN to BSN

12. American Public University System

The School of Nursing at American Public University offers an RN to BSN degree program that allows up to 82% of required bachelor’s degree requirements to be transferred, if eligible. American Public University System’s RN to BSN is CCNE-accredited and ranked among the best online RN to BSN programs in West Virginia. Classes for this BSN completion program for Registered Nurses include assessment, evaluation & clinical decision-making, clinical pharmacology, and integrated pathophysiology, to name a few.

The American Public University System was developed as a private institution of higher education in the early 1990s. APUS offers online learning exclusively with admin offices in Manassas, Virginia, and Charles Town, WV. The school serves about 46,420 students, with about 80% undergraduate students. 

Highlight: More than half the students attending classes offered by the American Public University System have previously served or are currently actively employed in the military.

Online RN to BSN Program: RN to BSN

13. University of Central Florida

The University of Central Florida’s School of Nursing offers an RN to BSN degree program that US News & World Report ranks among the best online RN to BSN programs in Florida and beyond. Students graduate from UCF’s RN to BSN degree program and reenter the workforce as a Nurse Consultant, Staff Nurse, or RN Case Manager, among others. The University of Central Florida’s post-licensure program requires thirty semester hours, which can be finished in as few as three semesters or as slow as ten semesters.

The University of Central Florida (UCF) was chartered in the early 1960s and is a member of Florida’s state university system. The school is also a space-grant higher learning institution and is located near Florida’s space coast and the Kennedy Space Center. 

Highlight: The school serves more than 71,000 undergraduate and graduate students online and on-campus, which is about 15 minutes from downtown Orlando.

Online RN to BSN Program: RN to BSN

14. Sam Houston State University

Sam Houston State University’s School of Nursing offers an RN to BSN degree program that is considered to be among the Lone Star State’s best online RN programs. This BSN completion degree program for Registered Nurses from Sam Houston State University can be completed as a full or part-time student. Classes for Sam Houston State University’s RN to BSN post-licensure program include informatics, rural health nursing, nursing genetics/genomics, older adult health management, and legal/ethical issues in Nursing, plus an RN to BSN capstone project, to name a few.

Sam Houston State University (SHSU) was developed and founded in the late 1870s as a normal institute for teacher training. The Huntsville campus and online platform serve more than 21,150 undergraduate and graduate students each year. 

Highlight: Sam Houston State University is one of the oldest schools in the Lone Star State and one of the first teacher’s training schools to the west of the Mississippi River.

Online RN to BSN Program: RN to BSN

15. University of Louisville

The University of Louisville’s School of Nursing offers an RN to BSN degree program that is considered among Kentucky’s best online RN to BSN programs with CCNE accreditation. The University of Louisville’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program offers multiple start dates throughout the year. Students may begin this RN to BSN program without an RN license but must obtain the license prior to the end of the 1st semester to continue in the program. In addition, students will complete a practicum in their local community before graduation.

The University of Louisville is a research university that was established as Jefferson Seminary in 1798. The Louisville campus and online platform are home to approximately 21,350 undergraduate and graduate students. 

Highlight: The University of Louisville holds the distinction of being one of the first schools established on the western side of the Allegheny Mountains.

Online RN to BSN Program: RN to BSN

16. University of St. Francis (IN)

The University of St. Francis offers an RN to BSN degree completion program that is considered among Kentucky’s best online RN to BSN programs available in Illinois. In addition, this post-licensure completion program is accredited by the Commission on College Nursing Education. This thirty-semester credit program includes coursework in nursing informatics, physical assessment, complementary therapies, health care & aging, nursing research, legal/ethical issues in health care, leadership & management, to name a few.

The University of St. Francis was established as a private institution of higher learning in 1920 and first operated as a normal school for teachers. This Roman Catholic university maintains multiple campuses and serves about 3,350 graduate and post-graduate students each year. 

Highlight: The University of St. Francis is organized into four colleges/schools that offer programs in arts/science, education, nursing, and business/health administration.

Online RN to BSN Program: RN to BSN

17. Drexel University

Drexel University offers an RN to BSN degree program that is among the best online RN to BSN programs in the northeast. This BSN completion degree for Registered Nurses can be completed in as few as twelve months if studying full-time. The nine classes included in this RN to BSN from Drexel University are CCNE accredited, and there are no required campus visits. Classes for Drexel’s BSN completion program include critical issues in nursing, health assessment, issues in aging & longevity, nursing research, and population health, plus a senior capstone, among others.

Drexel University (DU) was founded in the early 1890s as a private research school. The university’s urban campus in the City of Brotherly Love (and online learning platform) serves about 24,060 students each year. 

Highlight: Drexel University consistently ranks among the most innovative universities in the nation.

Online RN to BSN Program: RN to BSN

18. University of Missouri at St. Louis

The University of Missouri’s Nursing College offers an RN to BSN degree program that is considered among Missouri’s best online RN to BSN programs, according to US News and World Report. This BSN post-licensure program from the University of Missouri can be finished in as few as five semesters. CCNE accredits the University of Missouri’s RN to BSN degree program. Classes for this 30 credit hour completion program include nursing theory for population health, ethics & values in population health, health assessment, and health policy, plus a clinical component, among others.

The University of Missouri (UMSL) is a space and land-grant university that was established in 1960. The University of Missouri’s campus was once the grounds of a country club and is now home to approximately 16,450 students each year. 

Highlight: Several ranking services nationally rank many programs offered by the University of Missouri and the BSN is an accredited nursing program.

Online RN to BSN Program: RN to BSN

19. University of Texas of the Permian Basin

The University of Texas of the Permian Basin offers a CCNE-accredited RN to BSN degree program that can be completed entirely online. UTPB’s college of nursing is the best online RN to BSN program and includes a BSN completion program for RNs requires the completion of 31-semester units, including three clinical courses. The University of Texas’s RN to BSN degree program is designed for working professionals who need the flexibility to finish at their own pace. Classes for UTPB’s BSN completion degree include transcultural nursing, public health nursing, nursing research, and theories/issues in professional nursing and health care, to name a few. UT is an accredited nursing program.

UT Permian Basin is a member school of the state’s university system that was founded in 1973. The university’s campus in Odessa and online platform serves more than 7,550 undergraduate and graduate students each year. 

Highlight: The UTPB is home to a replica of Stonehenge.

Online RN to BSN Programs: RN to BSN

20. Western Illinois University

Western Illinois University’s School of Nursing offers an RN to BSN degree program that consistently ranks among Illinois’s best online RN to BSN programs. WIU’s college of nursing BSN completion program requires degree candidates to complete classes in genetics in health care, transcultural nursing, health assessment, nursing research, and pathophysiology and psychopathology, among others. 

Western Illinois University (WIU) was founded as a state normal school in the late 1890s. The campus covers more than 1,000 acres in a small-town location that serves approximately 7,500 postgraduate and undergraduate students each year. 

Highlight: Western Illinois University’s post-licensure accredited nursing program is a BSN degree program is CCNE accredited and available entirely online with a design developed to serve working nurses.

Online RN to BSN Programs: RN to BSN

21. Northern Arizona University

Northern Arizona University’s School of Nursing offers an RN to BSN degree program that has received accreditation by the CCNE – the Commission on College Nursing Education. As one of Arizona’s best online RN to BSN programs, Northern Arizona University’s college of nursing is a competency-based BSN completion degree that allows students to customize coursework to match student interests. Coursework for this Bachelor of Science degree completion program integrates professional values, ethical principles with affective caring techniques through patient-centered care.

Northern Arizona University (Northern Arizona) is a research that was established in the late 1890s as a state-run normal school before Arizona was admitted to the union as the 48th state. The small-city campus in Flagstaff serves 30,000 students each year. 

Highlight: Northern Arizona University is organized into seven colleges/schools that offer programs in arts/letters, education, engineering, natural sciences, health/human services, social sciences, and business, plus a graduate and honors college.

Online RN to BSN Programs: RN to BSN

22. Ferris State University

Ferris State University offers an RN to BSN completion degree program that is considered one of Michigan’s best online RN to BSN programs. Ferris State University’s BSN completion degree program is specifically designed for students who already hold an unencumbered Registered Nurse license. All of the college of nursing programs – undergraduate and graduate are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Classes for Ferris State University’s BSN degree include safety issues in health care, statistics in health care, transcultural nursing (with study abroad opportunities), and leadership in nursing, plus a practicum and capstone, among others.

Ferris State University (FSU) was established as an industrial school in the mid-1880s. More than 14,450 students on its main campus, 19 academic centers, and online. 

Highlight: The university is organized into eight colleges/schools that offer both two and four-year degrees.

Online RN to BSN Program: RN to BSN

23. Minot State University

Minot State University’s Nursing Department offers an RN to BSN degree program that is ranked as one of North Dakota’s most affordable and best online RN to BSN programs. This post-licensure BSN completion program from Minot State University is available entirely online and offers customizable study paths. Minot State University’s RN to BSN degree at their college of nursing is accredited by the Commission on College Nursing Education (CCNE). Classes for this baccalaureate nursing degree include transcultural health care, public health for the professional nurse, and nursing theory and research, to name a few.

Minot State University (MiSU) was founded as a normal school in 1913. Currently, Minot State University operates as a space-grant institution of higher education. With more than 2,200 students, Minot State University is recognized to be the 3rd largest university in the state. 

Highlight: Minot State University is also a member school of the North Dakota University System.

Online RN to BSN Program: RN to BSN

24. University of Cincinnati

The University of Cincinnati college of nursing offers an RN to BSN degree program that is recognized as the fastest and best online BSN program in Ohio. Students enrolled in the University of Cincinnati’s BSN completion degree program can be completed in nine months for those students studying full-time and up to five semesters for part-time students. Classes for this degree completion include gerontological nursing practice, informatics for professional nurses, and health issues for a marginalized population, plus a capstone experience, among others.

The University of Cincinnati (UC) was established in 1819 and is recognized to be the oldest school in the greater Cincinnati area. With a student body that exceeds 46,250 undergraduate and graduate students. 

Highlight: The University of Cincinnati is a member school of the state’s university system with multiple campuses in Ohio.

Online RN to BSN Program: RN to BSN

25. Georgia Southern University

Georgia Southern University’s Waters Health Professions College offers an RN to BSN degree program that is among the best online RN to BSN programs in Georgia. Georgia Southern University’s BSN completion degree for RNs is accredited by the CCNE. In addition, Georgia Southern University is recognized as one of the fastest and most affordable RN to BSN degree programs. Classes for this Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree include nutrition and health, health assessment, nursing research, critical analysis, and leadership and management, to name a few.

Georgia Southern University (GSU) is a multiple-campus space-grant school that was established in 1906. Georgia Southern University’s campuses are home to more than 26,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Highlight: Georgia Southern University offers more than 125 programs through its eight colleges/schools.

Online RN to BSN Program: RN to BSN

Why Should I Choose an Online BSN Program?

Graduates with a bachelor’s in nursing online pursue supervisory positions such as nurse manager, nurse director, or case manager. This flexible option also lays the foundation for nurses who want to pursue a specialization such as NICU, emergency nursing or surgical nursing.

Nursing bachelor online programs are typically more affordable than in-person classes since online students may have fewer fees to pay. Additionally, online students save money on books and materials, gas money and parking.

Flexibility: The Main Reason Nursing Students Choose an Online Degree Program

For working RNs who don’t want to interrupt their job, or can’t afford to take one or two years to go back to school, there is a wealth of top-tier, world-class colleges and universities offering online RN to BSN programs. Most online BSNs are “bridge” programs, meaning they close the gap between the RN and a full BSN degree. Pretty much every program will expect applicants to have already attained an RN license and earned a 2-year associate’s degree or hospital diploma before applying. Though work experience isn’t always necessary, it is often beneficial, since many programs will afford credit for time spent nursing professionally. In most programs, coursework can be done 100% online; some programs require clinical practice to be done in the university’s state, while others allow students to make arrangements for clinicals in their home area. Some programs will even allow students to use current work experience to fulfill clinical requirements. Further, some employers will even pay for their RNs to acquire a BSN degree!

How Do I Find the Best Online BSN Program?

When reviewing a list of accredited nursing schools, consider online nursing programs accredited appropriately. Note that many schools have more than one type of accreditation.

For example, CCNE accredited schools receive an evaluation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The CCNE accreditation indicates that an online nursing program has met certain quality and integrity standards at the baccalaureate, master’s or doctoral level. The commission recognizes nursing schools that adopt effective educational practices.

In addition, look for online programs accredited by the following organizations:

  • American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN)
  • Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
  • National League of Nursing (NLN)

Accredited RN to BSN online programs post their accreditation online. If you cannot find it on the school’s about or home pages, contact the school to find out more about its accreditation.

Nursing School Accreditation: What to Look For With Online BSN Programs

The best accredited RN to BSN online programs will have favorable transfer policies, minimal on-campus requirements and affordable tuition. For example, public schools are less expensive than private schools and in-state tuition is much cheaper than out-of-state tuition. However, many online schools do not charge out-of-state tuition.

For college of nursing students who have already completed some other requirements for their bachelor’s degree, choosing a school with a generous transfer policy can streamline the process.

Be Realistic – Choosing Between Part-Time and Full-Time Accredited Nursing Schools

When working their way through a list of accredited nursing schools, students should consider program length. Online nursing programs accredited by the organizations above typically take around two years to complete full time. However, flexibility is also important. Most online nursing schools allow students to attend part-time, which increases the length of the program accordingly.

Some CCNE accredited schools for a BSN have online requirements. If nursing program students want to complete all their academic work online, they should ensure that this is an option at the school they choose. Keep in mind that clinicals and practicums almost always require in-person time at local clinics, health care facilities, hospitals or other approved sites.

Is Size a Consideration When Researching Online Nursing Degree Programs?

School size at your college of nursing may seem irrelevant for an online program. However, colleges and universities often use the same instructors for online and on-campus instruction. Keep in mind that larger schools often have a wider selection of specializations within their college of nursing while smaller schools may specialize in particular areas of interest to students.

Nurses interested in research or post-graduate education should also consider schools that offer the opportunity to complete a fellowship, thesis or other options relevant to their interests.

Can I Get a Specialization in an Online Program?

There are many types of nurses, and nursing students should consider the academic and practical requirements for different types of nursing degrees. Choosing an in-demand program such as pediatric intensive care or NICU can be rewarding both personally and financially.

However, many specializations require additional education beyond the baccalaureate level. This may include certifications, licensing, and additional degrees nursing students will need to explore. For example, nurse practitioners typically complete doctoral-level coursework. It all starts with finding and completing a baccalaureate nursing degree.

Nursing Program Specialties in Demand

Here are some of the most in-demand specializations within a typical bachelor of science online program available for nursing students:

  • Neonatal Intensive Care (NICU)
  • Cardiac Nurse
  • Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
  • Geriatric Nursing
  • Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
  • Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
  • ER Nurse
  • Critical Care Nurse

How can college of nursing students choose between the different types of nurse degrees? The different types of nursing degrees may help students define their career goals. Some students are naturally drawn to working with older patients or children, for example. Other nurses may want to have their own practice, write prescriptions and see patients under their own authority. These nurses may decide to become nurse practitioners.

Exploring Different Types Specializations available at Nursing Schools

The different types of nursing degrees act as a springboard for nurses who want to expand their existing practice or refocus their careers toward nursing specialties in demand. For example, bachelor of science nursing programs can help students go on to become Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs), earning an average of $189,190 per year.

There are dozens if not hundreds of nursing specializations to choose from at your college of nursing. Currently, some of the most in-demand specializations include NICU and pediatric nurses. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 8% increase in healthcare employment through the next decade, making this a great time for nurses to expand their horizons and increase their earning potential by completing their bachelor’s degrees.

Related Nursing School Rankings:

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Aya Andrews

Editor-in-Chief

Aya Andrews is a passionate educator and mother of two, with a diverse background that has shaped her approach to teaching and learning. Born in Metro Manila, she now calls San Diego home and is proud to be a Filipino-American. Aya earned her Masters degree in Education from San Diego State University, where she focused on developing innovative teaching methods to engage and inspire students.

Prior to her work in education, Aya spent several years as a continuing education consultant for KPMG, where she honed her skills in project management and client relations. She brings this same level of professionalism and expertise to her work as an educator, where she is committed to helping each of her students achieve their full potential.

In addition to her work as an educator, Aya is a devoted mother who is passionate about creating a nurturing and supportive home environment for her children. She is an active member of her community, volunteering her time and resources to support local schools and organizations. Aya is also an avid traveler, and loves to explore new cultures and cuisines with her family.

With a deep commitment to education and a passion for helping others succeed, Aya is a true inspiration to those around her. Her dedication to her craft, her community, and her family is a testament to her unwavering commitment to excellence in all aspects of her life.

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