Obtaining your RN to BSN degree online through a bridge program is becoming an increasingly popular option for nurses who want to continue their busy career while attending school. Below are reviews of the top completely online schools and by clicking the “Click Here” button next to the school you are interested in you can receive enrollment and financial aid information from the schools themselves:
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University of Phoenix – The University of Phoenix has a fully accredited RN to BSN program that provides students with a bachelors in nursing through a fully online program that allows RN’s to get their BSN while still working. Phoenix’s programs are well known for being affordable and flexible to the needs of its students.
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Kaplan University – Kaplan University’s RN to BSN program is fully accredited and is specially designed to be affordable, flexible and to be completed online without having to step into a classroom so that individuals don’t have to put their careers on hold.
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The College Network – The College Network has developed one of the leading fully online RN to BSN curriculum that provides students with an Associates Degree in Nursing from one of their fully accredited partner schools. These programs are designed to be affordable and to allow students to never have to enter a classroom.
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South University – As one of the nation’s leading nursing colleges, South University’s fully accredited online RN to BSN program is designed for existing RNs that want to further their nursing careers by becoming a BSN at an affordable price.
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Colorado Technical University Online – Colorado Technical University’s RN to BSN degree completion program is one of the nation’s best schools with programs specially designed for working RN’s looking to advance their nursing careers by taking classes that are affordable and flexible.
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Grand Canyon University – For RN’s looking to further their careers by getting their BSN, Grand Canyon is a fully accredited online school that offers a RN to BSN program that is both affordable and flexible which gives students the knowledge and skills necessary to complete their degree..
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Keiser University – Keiser University offers a RN to BSN program that is fully accredited and can be done completely online. Keiser’s programs are affordable and designed with the working student in mind so that the classes are flexible to the needs of the student.
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Walden University – Walden University is one of the nation’s leading nursing colleges, and their online RN to BSN program is designed only for existing RNs who want to elevate their career to the next level by becoming a BSN.
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Drexel University – Drexel University has a reputation for being one of the nation’s leading online nursing schools, and their online RN to BSN program is designed specifically for existing RNs that want an affordable option that will elevate their career to the next level by becoming a BSN.
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American Sentinel University – American Sentinel University is one of the top online nursing colleges that has a fully accredited online RN to BSN program specifically designed to allow RN’s to advance their careers by getting a BSN at a price that is affordable.
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RN to BSN Online Degrees : Information and Advice
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- RN to BSN Online Degrees
- Online RN to BSN
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- RN to BSN Online Degrees
- RN to BSN Online Degrees
- RN to BSN Degrees Online
Types of Degrees for RN to BSN Online Degrees
RN to Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN): Nurses with a diploma looking to gain more education and more opportunities will want to look into obtaining a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing. Benefits include higher pay, more open doors, and better care for patients. There is even talk of some states requiring a BSN for nurses.
Fast Track RN to BSN : Generally identical to the above, this degree is built for those who want to complete it in as little as three semesters. Many of the courses are offered as distance or online learning and have little to no clinical training.
ADN to BSN (ASN to BSN Online Degree): Associate’s Degree Nurses take this program to acquire their BSN. The program generally requires two years of core classes, a year of exam credits, and another year of upper level courses.
Requirements for RN to BSN
Like any Bachelor’s of Science, it is a four year degree. Nurses who already have a diploma or Associate’s Degree can obtain a BSN in as little as a year, with summer courses. The BSN usually requires approximately 120-130 credit hours, with exams and may require clinical training depending on the schools requirements or the training the nursing student already has.
On graduation from an accredited program, nurses in all 50 states are required to take and pass the NCLEX-RN or National Council Licensure Examination-Registered Nurse. It is generally given on a computer, takes six hours to complete, and is a test of the student’s range of nursing knowledge.
Optional certifications include the NNAAP, with over 200,000 paper and practical examinations administered annually, and the MACE, a medication aide certification examination administered to those who want to become certified medication aides.
Do the Following Before Choosing an Online RN to BSN School
Make sure it is an accredited school or program by visiting a site such as the AACN-CCNE or NLNAC. The CCNE currently has loads of approved programs searchable by state and the site tells you when the school was accredited and when it expires. The NLNAC list approved BSN and other nursing programs by state, and there are even options for schools in Guam, Puerto Rico, Scotland, and the Virgin Islands.
The cost for a BSN varies from school to school, but it can fall anywhere between $300 to $500 per semester hour. All schools have some sort of financial aid program, and some employers even assist RN’s wit payment for their BSN or tuition reimbursement. Sites such as MinorityNurse also offer information on obtaining scholarships for nurses.
Schools That Offer Online RN to BSN Degrees
University of Phoenix: RN to BSN
This program requires 41 nursing credits and six credits of elective requirement in addition to typical BS requirements. Courses include professional nursing practice, health and chronic disease, epidemiology, and more.
Walden University: BS in Nursing
This program requires 180 total quarter credits, with 45 required to be taken on campus. Current nurses with an active license can transfer up to 50 credits for this degree.
Chamberlain College of Nursing: Fast Track RN to BSN Online Degree
This school offers its classes in eight week online sessions, with no onsite clinical requirements. They also have options for transfer credits, tuition reimbursement, and financial aid.
University of Texas at Austin: ADN-BSN Program
Those who scored well on their classes while earning an Associate’s degree may be able to transfer a significant number of hours for their BSN. This particular program also offers classes that can even transfer to a graduate degree.
Salary for Nurses with a BSN
The largest occupants in the health care field, registered nurse held more than 2.5 million jobs in 2006. Most of those jobs were held in hospitals with the rest working in doctor’s offices, healthcare centers, and related areas.
The highest paid nurse with a BSN was the Clinical Nurse Manager with a salary of $73,562 in June of 2009 according to payscale.com. The lowest paid was an RN with $54,807. Other fields include Director of Nursing, Nursing Manager, Nurse Case Manager, ER Nurse, and Charge Nurse.
According to a study done in 2006 in the state of California, nurses with a BSN earned $5,000 a year more than those who had an ADN. In a 2007 earnings survey done by RN, they found that nurses with a BSN received a salary boost of $0.50 to $3.20 per hour, which translates to an average of $2,808 a year. Nurses with a BSN are also more likely to move into a specialty area such as the ICU, ED, or the OR.
Useful Links for Online RN to BSN
- American Association of Colleges of Nursing: Visit here before choosing a nursing school to see if it is accredited. There is even a career center, professional nursing network, and more.
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National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission: Another accreditation site, you can also view all the programs that have been approved by visiting this site. They even have a quarterly publication that you can receive a complimentary subscription to.
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing: The NCSBN provides regulatory excellence in nursing for public protection. It is a great site for those who have questions about the NCLEX or other nursing exams.
- Study Guide Zone: Those who are required take the NCLEX-RN can stop at this site for a ton of resources. Free tools include a study guide, three sets of practice questions, and you can get links to other helpful sites.
- American Nurses Association: A comprehensive nursing site, there are resources for student nurses, certification, and the latest news. There is also the option to join the ANA and you can get more information with a click.
- Nurse.com: Stop here for the latest in nursing news, jobs, continuing education, and community. You can read the free online magazine, search through their over 10,000 job openings, or get resources by area.