An online RN to BSN bachelor's degree program leads you to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Armed with a BSN degree you are better equipped to face managerial challenges in a hospital or a nursing home. The RN to BSN degree is open for those who have a diploma in nursing or an associate's degree in nursing.
An online RN to BSN program means that you can acquire the coveted BSN degree without having to attend a classroom course. You can divide the time between work and study and gather valuable work experience. The program is typically of around 120 credit hours and the time to complete the program will depend on whether you opt for a full-time or a part-time course. The program can be of varying durations. Some can be completed in twenty four months whereas some may take as long as four years.
Look out for a program offered by a regionally accredited school; the program too should be accredited by commissions such as the CCNE and the NLN-AC. Also look for any tie-ups that the school may have with community organizations and enterprises so that you can benefit from these. The courses vary with the school; however the basic requirements for the course remain the same. These include a diploma or an associate's degree and a minimum of 60 semester hours of the required course work. If you hold an international degree and you were born outside the US, you may have to clear TOEFL as well and achieve a designated minimum score which may vary with the schools. You should check the school's policies on transfer of credit in case you may wish to transfer credits from another course to this one.
The online RN to BSN program educates you by means of curricula made available on the internet, discussion boards, forums, and chats between you and your supervisor. You can acquire clinical experience in the city of your residence under the guidance of a preceptor who will help you through your practicum.
Jane Hodgkins recommends that you visit http://www.ondg.net/2005/12/online_bachelor.html for more information on getting an online RN to BSN.
