Directory of Online RN to BSN Programs
(found programs from 253 schools)

Lorry Schoenly, PhD, RN is a nurse writer and educator with over 25 years of experience. She has been certified in five different clinical specialties including critical care and emergency nursing. Starting as an associate degree registered nurse, she continued her schooling in traditional and distance-learning settings to obtain a BSN, MSN, and PhD in nursing while working full-time and raising a family. Lorry teaches nursing in a variety of settings including webinars and online nursing courses.

If you are an RN with recent and solid clinical experience, an online RN to BSN program is a very good option. You will have more flexibility in your class schedule and you will receive insights and discussion from a larger geographic area. RN to BSN programs build on your prior education and experience by opening your professional nursing perspective. They focus on integrating nursing theory, concepts and research with your practical background.

Do your homework, though, and be sure online education is a good fit for your personality and life situation. Thoughtfully consider your personal learning style. Nurses who do well in the online environment are organized and self-directed. Self-scheduling and the ability to meet personal deadlines are important attributes for online success.

Some nurses feel a need for the added structure of the classroom environment. Deadlines imposed by an instructor for which you are accountable during face-to-face classroom sessions seem more real to these individuals. It is motivating to have a class date and to interact both verbally and physically in a geographic location. In addition, the local nurse community networking can be a positive experience. My graduate education over the course of several years in a classroom format forged close personal relationships with other area nurse leaders that expanded my career options right where I was living.

Lorry Schoenly, PhD, RN is a nurse writer and educator with over 25 years of experience. She has been certified in five different clinical specialties including critical care and emergency nursing. Starting as an associate degree registered nurse, she continued her schooling in traditional and distance-learning settings to obtain a BSN, MSN, and PhD in nursing while working full-time and raising a family. Lorry teaches nursing in a variety of settings including webinars and online nursing courses.

One of the challenges of an online nursing program can be locating an effective clinical preceptor experience. Each online school has specific requirements for the precepted portion of the program so first obtain these requirements from your school. Once you have discussed the requirements and options with your faculty advisor, you can begin researching sites within driving distance.

Create a list of the local clinical facilities that meet your school’s requirements and research each organization to locate the person in charge of clinical education. This information may be found on their website or you may need to call and ask for their name. Smaller organizations may have a nurse manager who is in charge of orienting new staff. Larger facilities will have education departments with several nurse educators. Generally speaking, you are more likely to have success with a larger facility as they will have more staff and resources.

A good way to locate a clinical preceptor, if the school allows it, is to find an excellent role model within the facility in which you are currently working. You may know someone who works on a different unit or could ask for advice from the education staff. Facilities are often willing to make accommodations, especially if you agree to continue working there after licensed.

Whatever avenue you take, be sure to make the most of your precepted experience. There is great value in learning from an experienced peer. You are investing your time (and tuition) in the experience. Reap the many benefits of your efforts and those of the nurse willing to be a part of your education.