The number of job opportunities open to registered nurses (RNs) with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is significantly higher than those available for workers with only an RN, especially for high-level, competitive nursing positions. As you work in the field, you can still find time in your schedule to complete your studies and earn a BSN degree.
Accredited online nursing programs such as The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) RN to BSN hold accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or a similar organization. Plus, the online model lets you meet every educational requirement from home. The freedom you have in this program is just one benefit of taking classes online.
1. More Opportunities and Access
Regardless of where you live, you probably don’t have access to as many opportunities as you can find online. Programs like UTA’s affordable online RN to BSN give you the chance to earn your degree from an accredited and reputable college without disrupting your life. Increasing access to nursing education programs for nurses in underserved areas is essential to achieving health equity, an important component of advancing the profession and the healthcare system. In addition, with online programs, you might find specialized courses that aren’t available in your area — courses that can help you pursue your unique career aspirations.
2. Flexibility and Freedom
The freedom and flexibility of online classes appeal to those with busy lives and schedules. Though professors might ask students to take part in discussions and post assignments by a certain date or time, you can work on those projects in your spare time from anywhere with an internet connection. Even if you work the second or third shift and come home in the middle of the night or first thing in the morning, you can still get your work in on time.
3. Affordability and Funding Opportunities
Many schools offer basic BSN programs that cover general knowledge and give you experience in multiple fields. Yet campus-based class schedules are set and can detract from work opportunities for nurses. As mentioned above, accredited online programs allow nurses to continue working full time while earning their degrees. This means that working nurses in online programs can also continue earning a full-time salary, avoiding the substantial loss of income and the other opportunity costs associated with full-time campus-based programs.
Plus, the opportunity to get scholarships and loans is a crucial consideration for prospective nursing when choosing a school. With accredited RN to BSN online programs, you can qualify for a wider variety of funding opportunities than you can if you attend a program that is not accredited. Employers may also offer employees tuition assistance or loan repayment incentives, but many employers require or prefer that employees attend accredited programs.
4. Students Can Learn From Others
Accredited RN to BSN online programs enable students to learn from the experiences of others. With campus-based classes, you’ll share a room with people who work and live in the same area. With online classes, you can hear about cases from cities, towns and rural areas across the country and find out what other nurses do in the field. You may even learn more about the administration at different hospitals and clinics, helping you explore and understand what doctors expect of nurses working in various fields.
Online nursing programs offer more opportunities for those looking to obtain a BSN degree. The benefits of accredited RN to BSN online programs include improved access to quality education, the freedom and flexibility that online programs offer, increased funding opportunities and, importantly, the reputable educational credential that employers respect and expect. Many students also appreciate that these programs let them talk with and learn from those living in other cities and study topics outside their chosen fields of expertise.
Learn more about UTA’s online RN to BSN Program.
