Can You Become a Nurse Online? 6 Reasons to Consider an Accelerated Program
If you are considering making a career change to nursing, you are choosing to enter a position of immense public trust. According to a 2023 Gallup poll, 78% of American adults found nurses to have the highest standard of ethics and honesty of any profession.
While many choose to attend in-person nursing school, online nursing programs offer the same high-quality education with added flexibility and accessibility. With a bachelor’s degree in any other subject, you can enroll in an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) or a Master’s Entry in Nursing Practice (MENP) program, both of which focus on the skills and experiences necessary for patient care without general studies courses. Indeed, as long as you have a computer and a stable internet connection, you can tackle most of your learning from home—or your library or your favorite coffee shop. You can save on room and board as well as gas when you learn online.
Here are six important facts to know about getting an online nursing degree and becoming a registered nurse (RN).
Can You Get a Nursing Degree Online?
It is possible to get a nursing degree online. If you are thinking about changing careers and moving into nursing, you need the required education in the field. A great way to do that is to look for a program that takes into account the degree you obtained in another field of study.
Online nursing education programs that offer an ABSN do just that. In a full-time program, individuals who have a bachelor’s degree in another field can skip the general education requirements and earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) in just over a year—a fraction of the time it would take to get a four-year bachelor’s degree.
How Do Online Nursing Programs Work?
Accelerated nursing programs deliver the same quality educational experience as traditional programs. Most of the courses that you will take for an ABSN will be offered online. Lectures will be given online, and you will have an opportunity to work with your fellow students in an online format as well. This allows you to meet and collaborate with students from various parts of the country, widening your network.
Online ABSN and MENP programs are designed to challenge students with a core curriculum that covers themes such as:
- Concepts and theories of nursing
- Direct patient care
- Communities and vulnerable populations
- Health care systems and leadership
This kind of coursework gives nursing students a thorough grounding in the history, principles and ethical practice of nursing, as well as the foundations of patient care.
In addition to virtual classes, most online ABSN programs include an in-person residency component where you practice technical skills and learn how to manage patient conversations before providing real patient care in your clinicals. Ultimately, an online nursing education is as rigorous as any on-campus program.
Reasons to Consider an Accelerated Online Nursing Program
While you can become a nurse online, making the jump to a nursing career may feel intimidating. However, if you have a desire to serve others, several key reasons make pursuing a nursing career through an online nursing program an excellent decision.
1. Fill a Growing Need for Nurses
The United States will soon face a significant shortage of nurses if current standards of care are maintained. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that nearly 189,100 registered nursing positions will need to be filled each year between 2024 and 2034. Furthermore, a 2024 survey from the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) revealed that nearly 40% of nurses plan on leaving the workforce by 2029.
The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) identifies the following factors for these trends:
- Waves of retirements by experienced nurses
- An aging patient population in need of more comprehensive care
- A shortage of nursing faculty
Graduates of fast-track nursing programs provide much-needed replacements for retiring nurses. Innovative courses and clinical experiences prepare second-career nurses to care for patients with complex needs. Accelerated programs, especially those online, maximize faculty impact and prepare students for graduate degrees needed for teaching careers.
2. Expedited Paths to Nursing Careers
Educational expectations for nurses have risen from generation to generation. NCSBN’s 2024 National Nursing Workforce Survey noted that 73% of nurses have a bachelor’s degree or higher. This figure represents the highest percentage of degrees recorded by NCSBN in its annual survey.
BSN degrees require more non-nursing courses compared with technical degree options. The BLS notes that a BSN takes four years to complete because of these additional requirements. Nurses who pursue graduate degrees for leadership positions can add two more years to their educational journeys.
The time needed to complete a fast-track nursing program makes it an attractive option for second-career nurses. Accelerated nursing programs typically require less than two years of enrollment because they focus on essential nursing skills. You get a quick start to your nursing career with the help of a fast-track degree.
3. Use Previous Education and Experiences as a Platform
Multiple paths are available to professionals interested in nursing careers. According to a report released by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) in 2024, 37% of RNs held a different postsecondary degree before pursuing an RN degree.
This percentage will likely remain relatively consistent in the future as vacancies are pursued by graduates of fast-track nursing programs. Universities with accelerated programs value your previous educational achievements by eliminating requirements that are not necessary for practice. Experiences in non-nursing professions result in new perspectives on nursing during courses and clinical hours.
4. Preparation for Certification and Specialization
Nursing students put their coursework into action during hundreds of hours of clinical experiences. Experienced nurses supervise students as they learn how to care for patients of all ages. Clinical experience requirements also develop the competencies necessary for success on certification exams.
The National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) is used for licensing by all 50 states. This test can be challenging because computerized adaptive testing (CAT) presents questions based on user ability. National NCLEX passing rates by degree show the value of bachelor’s degrees with more substantial clinical requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree (91.9%)
- Associate degree (90.6%)
- Diploma (90.8%)
Clinical hours show the many areas of specialization available to RNs. You can focus on a particular age group, disorder or practice setting based on these experiences. The roles of nurse leaders and administrators also come into focus as future career options.
Fast-track nursing programs expect students to study full time to ensure immersive experiences. An intense focus on coursework and clinical hours help you get the most out of these experiences. You graduate from an accelerated nursing program as well prepared for certification exams and career choices as colleagues in traditional programs.
5. Connecting With Faculty and Advisors
Some worry that because they are not physically present, they will not have a chance to have meaningful interactions with professors and other school leaders. High-quality online nursing education avoids that problem by ensuring that faculty members offer support to students who attend classes online as well as those who attend classes on campus.
Quality online programs also have dedicated advisors who are available to answer questions and ensure that you get the support you need to be successful.
6. Getting Hands-On Nursing Experience in Clinical Rotations
Even though the primary benefit of taking nursing courses online is that you can do most of the work from a distance, some skills have to be taught in person. Clinical rotations require hands-on learning in an appropriate setting, such as a hospital or clinic. During this part of the program, students undertake actual patient care under the supervision of a preceptor who is a licensed RN, while also receiving support and guidance from faculty.
Clinical rotations will provide focused learning in such areas as health assessment, family health, community and public health nursing, coordinated with online coursework.
Getting a clinical placement can be challenging, but your online nursing program should provide critical assistance with this important aspect of your education. A clinical placement coordinator can make a huge difference in establishing your clinicals. They can handle the logistics of finding a placement in your local community, so you can concentrate on learning. Not all universities or online programs offer this valuable service, so it is something that you should look for when you evaluate nursing programs.
Is Nursing a Good Career Choice?
Health care professions are always looking for dedicated, talented people. Nurses represent the largest number of health care professionals in the United States. According to a 2022 BLS survey, nurses made up about 3,363,000 health care jobs, the largest sector in the field. The second largest, personal care aides, made up about 1,407,000 jobs.
In addition, the BLS projects that the number of positions for RNs will increase by 5% between 2024 and 2034, higher than the growth rate of the labor market as a whole.
Part of the reason that so many nurses will be needed can be explained by the economic principle of supply and demand. On the supply side, many nurses who are baby boomers are retiring and will continue to leave the profession in the years to come. As a result, the BLS projects that each year 189,100 new nursing positions will be available each year. Moreover, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce projects that 42 states will likely be in the throes of a nursing shortage by 2030.
On the demand side, baby boomers make up nearly 20% of the population as of 2024. This demographic typically needs more health care services than nurses can provide.
Employers are increasingly looking to hire nurses who have a bachelor’s degree in nursing. In addition, they are interested in job candidates who have pursued a second degree, seeing them as more dedicated to the field and possessing valuable professional experience and strong clinical skills.
Preparing for Your Nursing Career at Elmhurst University
Can you become a nurse online? The answer is a resounding yes, and a degree from a leading fast-track nursing program starts your nursing career on the right foot. Elmhurst University offers two accelerated degree paths for second-career nurses:
The 60-credit online Accelerated BSN program can be completed in as little as 16 months of full-time study. BSN candidates complete all their work online except for two on-campus residencies. Students must complete the required clinical experience hours prior to graduation.
The online MENP is the first accelerated, direct-entry MSN in the United States, with coursework online and clinical placements in your local area. MENP students complete 71 credits and prepare for registered nursing licensure and Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) certification. Additional requirements for the program include a five-day residency and at least 800 hours of clinical experience.
Find out more about how Elmhurst University can prepare you for a nursing career.
