Choose the Best Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Online Program for You

Choosing an Online School for Your BSN Program

For some, choosing an online bachelor’s in nursing program may be a big decision that comes with considerable financial costs and time commitment. To help you make an informed decision, we’ll go over some common terms and requirements for online BSN programs.

On-campus vs Online BSN Programs

While the curriculum for on-campus and online BSN programs are generally the same, you can still expect some differences between the two types of programs. The former may require you to travel to campus for class. At times, you may even have to rearrange your personal schedule to accommodate the demands of in-person learning. If you’re looking for a program that grants you flexibility, an online BSN program may be a good fit.

Some BSN programs online may require you to attend scheduled classes each week—so, you’ll want to make sure you have the appropriate video conferencing software in order to participate. Others allow you to complete much of your coursework on your own time. Keep in mind, however, that some online BSN programs include an in-person clinical requirement that you’ll have to complete in order to graduate. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing confirms that nursing programs—online or on campus—must give students practice experiences to demonstrate clinical competency, whether in a traditional or virtual practice setting, so it’s worth confirming a program’s specific clinical and scheduling requirements directly with the school.

Accredited Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Programs

Before applying for a nursing license, you’ll have to pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). To be eligible, you must graduate from a nursing education program approved by your state’s nursing regulatory body—a requirement that’s separate from programmatic accreditation. According to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, whether a program must also hold national nursing accreditation (from a body like the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education) depends on the rules of the state where you plan to become licensed—it isn’t a universal NCLEX requirement. Accreditation itself doesn’t authorize a school to offer a nursing program; rather, as ACEN explains, it’s a voluntary, peer-reviewed quality review that a program pursues once it already has the required state approval.

Even where accreditation isn’t a licensure requirement, it can still matter for your career: many large healthcare employers only hire graduates of accredited programs, and some graduate nursing programs require it for admission, though policies vary—so it’s worth checking with employers or programs you’re interested in directly.

When comparing programs, it can also help to look at a school’s NCLEX pass rates. The NCSBN NCLEX Pass Rates dashboard breaks results down by educational program and by first-time versus repeat candidates, which can give you a useful data point on a specific program’s outcomes—though it’s one factor among several, not a guarantee.

Clinical Requirements for Online Bachelor’s in Nursing Programs

Many online bachelor’s in nursing programs include a clinical requirement. As the American Association of Colleges of Nursing explains, nursing programs must give students hands-on practice opportunities to demonstrate clinical competency, so some in-person clinical experience is typically part of an online BSN program even though coursework may be delivered remotely. Because students enrolled in online programs are often dispersed across a given state—or even the country—some universities may allow you to select a location to complete your clinical rotation so you can stay close to home; check with your prospective school about how it arranges placements.

General Admissions for Online Bachelor’s in Nursing Programs

Although admissions requirements vary by school, there are some materials you’ll need handy for BSN program application. If you’re interested in an RN-to-BSN program, you’ll generally need to already hold an active RN license—which itself requires having graduated from a board-approved nursing education program, per the National Council of State Boards of Nursing—along with transcripts from your prior nursing education. Meanwhile, high school students interested in earning a traditional BSN must typically submit their academic transcript and complete prerequisite coursework. Because admissions criteria differ from school to school, check your program’s unique requirements for more information.

Common Online BSN Courses

BSN programs build on associate-degree and diploma-level nursing coursework by adding a deeper treatment of the sciences, nursing research, and public and community health, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. In practice, this often means core courses in nursing theory and practice, nursing science, and more general science courses—like biochemistry, anatomy and physiology and clinical microbiology—alongside nursing-specific courses that may cover topics like ambulatory care nursing and healthy aging, among others, teaching you how to analyze data, make health assessments and deliver quality patient care. Course lists vary by school, so check a specific program’s curriculum for the exact courses it requires.

Over the course of your program, you can also expect to hone technical and soft skills through courses focused on professional leadership & communication in health care.

Potential Careers for BSN Nurses

With your bachelor’s in nursing and an RN license, you may be prepared to enter a growing field. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, registered nurses earned a median annual wage of $97,550 nationwide in May 2025—a national figure for RNs overall, not specific to BSN degree-holders.

Bachelor’s in Nursing (BSN) degree holders can pursue a number of nursing specialties—it all depends on which area and patient population sparks their interest. As the American Association of Colleges of Nursing notes, BSN preparation supports a broad range of practice settings and leadership roles. Below are a few of the potential nursing career paths BSN-prepared professionals can consider:

• Case management nurse. Similar to social work case managers, these nurses advocate for patients. They help manage care plans and serve as a resource for patients and their families. Case management nurses may work in hospice and palliative centers, outpatient clinics and cancer institutions—commonly providing holistic, comprehensive care to a range of patients, from the elderly to those who are chronically ill.
• Public health nurse. Public health nurses combine their clinical education with broad knowledge of epidemiology and populations to help the communities they serve. They may monitor large trends, like immunization levels and mortality rates, or evaluate health services offered by the government.
• Informatics nurse. The field of nursing informatics merges technology and traditional nursing practice into one. As an informatics nurse, you may use your expert knowledge of electronic health records and data analysis to improve patient care.
• Neuroscience nurse. These nurses specialize in the treatment of patients with neurological disorders, including Alzheimer’s, strokes and brain injuries. Often, neuroscience nurses work in rehabilitation centers and outpatient clinics, helping patients on the road to recovery.
• Nurse executive. Nurse executives play a key role in healthcare leadership. They help create policies, budgets and procedures, and also manage finances within health care organizations—making this a viable career path for nurses who are more interested in the policy aspect of the field instead of the clinical side.
• Emergency room (ER) nurse. ER nurses are skilled at handling high-stress situations—regularly treating patients with critical injuries and conditions. Many ER nurses go on to pursue a Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) credential, which requires an unrestricted RN license (BCEN recommends, but doesn’t require, two years of emergency-nursing experience first); the certification itself doesn’t confer permission to work in an ER, which is governed by your RN license and your employer.

Aside from preparing you for RN licensure, a BSN can be a stepping stone toward graduate study. To become an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), you’d need to complete a graduate program in a specific APRN role and patient population, per the National Council of State Boards of Nursing—not every master’s-level nursing program leads to APRN practice, since some prepare nurses for nonclinical roles such as education, leadership or informatics instead.

Certifications and Licenses

As we’ve previously discussed, you’ll need to obtain your RN license to legally practice nursing in your state. Each state has a slightly different licensure process, with varying requirements for applications and renewals. In every state, initial RN licensure requires graduating from a board-approved nursing program and passing the NCLEX exam, per the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.

After gaining experience in the field, you may wish to become certified in a particular nursing specialty. For example, the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses offers a CCRN (Pediatric) credential: nurses who primarily provide direct bedside care to critically ill pediatric patients can pursue the Direct Care pathway, which requires an unrestricted RN license and a set number of direct-care practice hours, while nurses in roles that influence pediatric critical care without primarily providing hands-on care—such as educators or case managers—may instead qualify through the Knowledge Professional pathway.

Letting your nursing license lapse or practicing without proper credentials can jeopardize your ability to work as a nurse—for example, California prohibits practicing with a delinquent or inactive RN license, and reinstating a lapsed license there requires both a fee and proof of continuing education, not payment alone. Renewal requirements, fees and continuing-education rules are set by each state board and vary, so always verify your authorization to practice and check your own board’s specific renewal requirements before your license expires.

Additional Online Nursing Programs

There are a number of different online nursing programs, as well as graduate and doctoral nursing programs. Here are a few types of programs you can pursue to obtain your BSN—and further your education afterward.

• Accelerated BSN programs online. Accelerated nursing programs are baccalaureate programs for those with a bachelor’s degree in a field other than nursing; the American Association of Colleges of Nursing reports these programs typically take 12 to 18 months to complete, including prerequisites—faster than a traditional BSN program. These types of programs are a viable option for those looking to switch careers, but there are also accelerated RN-to-BSN programs which allow you to earn a nursing degree in less time than completing an entire undergraduate program.
• RN-to-BSN bridge programs. Some nurses earn their license after completing an ADN program, but later decide to enroll in a bachelor’s degree program. For these nurses who may already have college credit, an RN-to-BSN bridge program allows them to earn a higher degree while still incorporating the nursing knowledge they’ve already gained in their careers; program length depends on prior coursework and credits, so check with individual schools for exact timelines.
• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs. To become an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), you’ll need to complete a graduate program in a specific APRN role and population focus, per the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree can prepare you for this path, though not every MSN track leads to APRN practice—some, like their traditional, on-campus counterparts, prepare graduates for non-clinical roles such as leadership, education or informatics instead. There are even RN-to-MSN programs available, if you have your nursing license but don’t have a bachelor’s degree yet.
• Post-master’s certificate. Already have a master’s degree in nursing but looking to switch specializations? A post-master’s certificate may allow you to do that. Program length and specialization eligibility vary by school, so confirm the specifics with programs you’re considering.
• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program. You can also pursue a doctoral degree online. An online DNP program may provide you with leadership expertise to make assessments about best clinical care practices and improve outcomes for patients.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree Scholarships for Nursing Students

Let’s face it—college can be expensive. If tuition costs pose an issue for you, there are a number of financial aid and nursing scholarship opportunities that can help you overcome financial barriers and achieve your educational goals. Eligible undergraduate students may qualify for federal grant aid such as the Pell Grant under Federal Student Aid’s eligibility rules, though the amount depends on your individual financial need and enrollment status. There are several other options as well, so be sure to research eligibility requirements for each program you’re considering.

Want to learn more about online BSN online programs? In this section, we dive into some common queries about online BSN programs—so, you can decide whether they’re a good fit for you.