Online/Distance Nursing Degree

Discussion in 'Nursing and medical-related degrees' started by WiscMegs18, Jun 23, 2012.

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  1. WiscMegs18

    WiscMegs18 New Member

    Hello,

    I am looking for an online program in which I could receive a nursing degree. It does not matter if the degree is an associate's or bachelor's degree. To be more specific, I do not have a RN degree yet but all necessary pre-nursing classes such as AP I and II, microbio, bio, chem, nutrition, psyc, etc. I also have Master's in Leadership Studies emphasizing in Health Admin. I currently live in Wisconsin but I am looking to move out to San Diego next summer.

    So, in addition to the degree, I guess I am looking for a program where I can start my classes online, and complete the clinical part in whichever state I am located.

    Thank you in advance for all of your help.
     
  2. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    I think Excelsior offers something you may find helpful.
     
  3. Jonathan Whatley

    Jonathan Whatley Well-Known Member

    There are almost no entry-level nursing degrees by distance learning, and hundreds and hundreds of advancement degrees for already-entered nurses).

    • Excelsior College has one such program. It's only open to individuals already licensed or equivalent in one of a short list of allied health professions provided, such as LPN/LVN or paramedic, or who have completed a certain amount of another accredited nursing school program.

    So Excelsior's entry-level nursing program requires intensive on-the-ground training at some other school and usually in some other profession, or practical nursing, to enter.

    Further, there are limitations on Excelsior's entry-level nursing degree recognition for licensure with a few state boards of nursing. There's a particularly difficult history between Excelsior and the California board of nursing.

    Now here are two extremely rare distance-learning-based, entry-level programs in nursing that do not require prior health profession training that you might want to look at closely:

    Accelerated Online Bachelor's to BSN from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. "Clinical rotations are completed in the student’s home community, guided one-on-one by nurse preceptors… Students are required to forgo all employment for the entire year… There are three campus residencies."

    Prelicensure BSN from Western Governors' University. Integrated with clinical training at set sites, currently in Southern California, Texas, Florida, Indiana or Utah.
     
  4. mcjon77

    mcjon77 Member

    You basically have 1 option. WGU has a program exactly like what you are describing. You do the coursework online and take your clinicals locally.
    BSN with RN License | Online RN Degree | Online Nursing School

    The biggest problem with WGU is that clinical training is only available in certain states (southern California, Texas, Florida, and Utah). If you are not in those states it is unlikely you will be admitted.

    Randell mentioned Excelsior, and they do have a pre-licensure RN program. However, there are two MAJOR hurdles for this.

    The first is that in order to be admitted you must have completed 50% of the clinical portion of another nursing program before, OR you must be a LPN/LVN paramedic (not just an EMT), Physician trained or licensed outside of the US, respiratory therapist, Physician or Physician Assistant (not medical assistant or nurses aid, or anything like that) licensed in the US, or a Midwife.

    Even if you meet those requirements and get through the course, the second problem pops up. Some states do not allow Excelsior students to become Licensed RN's in their state (like California). Other states require you to work in another state for 2 years before you can apply for licensure (like Illinois). Still other states require you to do a preceptorship before they will license you (like Washington state).

    Excelsior College | Program Details

    Another forum to check out for this issue is allnurses.com . They have a section of their forum dedicated to distance learning options, and their may have been some new option to come about since I last checked.
     
  5. Jonathan Whatley

    Jonathan Whatley Well-Known Member

    I've read that the California Board of Registered Nursing has opened a door somewhat and now treats Excelsior graduates on a "case-by-case basis." Blogger NicktheNurse, an Excelsior ASN graduate, reports applying to endorse his NV license into CA, being denied, writing an appeal letter, being offered a prospect of admission if he completed a BSN, doing so through the competency-based post-RN BSN from WGU in forty days, and earning his CA nursing license.

    But he also has two master's degrees, was an LVN instructor in CA for two years, was a U.S. military medic, and has been to law school. His "case-by-case basis" might not be generalizable to every other. (…Our kind of person, though!)
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 23, 2012
  6. mbaonline

    mbaonline New Member

    WiscMeg, I was just coming here to post about the UWisc Oshkosh online degree, which seems so amazing. Accelerated Online Bachelor's to BSN — College of Nursing Jonathan already mentioned it but it seems so interesting. My DD has a BA (and is completing CNA training now) and is looking at accelerated BSN or MSN programs, and while the UWisc program doesn't appeal to her, it might to others. It might work for you if you need to move part-way through the program.
     
  7. NorCal

    NorCal Active Member

    To get a BSN it usually requires that you obtain an ASN from a B&M school that offers all the lab and exturnship requirements. I would be EXTREMELY worried if you found any medical related school offered solely online.

    ASN teaches you how to be an RN, where a BSN focuses more on the managerial side of the house and how to effectively run a basic medical surgical unit. I just had this conversation with an ASN/ ED RN who is close to completing his BSN from a B&M state university, since I had no idea what is covered during a BSN.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 29, 2012
  8. mirsa

    mirsa New Member

    Here is an overview, Nursing Degrees / Education Requirements | Nurse Informations - ABC of Nursing that page shows, what kind of education is requirement, for each kind of nurse (e.g. RN CNA NP....)
     
  9. BetsyBee

    BetsyBee New Member

    I’m taking a online rn to bsn course. It’s from a college in California. The class is completely delivered online but a capstone is required. Is capstone what you are referring to? If so then yes, you can do that with the rn to bsn but I don't know about the RN. You would need to call and get your questions sorted out before you start.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 17, 2012

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