Online Nursing Program Accreditation
When choosing an online nursing program, the single most important thing you need to do is ensure that the program you pick is accredited. Especially with online programs, accreditation is necessary to ensure that the program you enroll in will actually meet all the requirements you need in order to graduate and pass any licensing exams you will need.
Without accreditation, there is no standard that the program has to meet, which means that the education you receive could be subpar and equally as troublesome, not actually give you what you need to pass an exam at the end. Additionally, if you will be using financial aid to attend school, you might not be able to use your entire financial aid package unless you attend an accredited school, so its very important.
Youll want to look for schools that have at least one of the following accreditations, depending on the specialty youre choosing:
Overall, if you are interested in pursuing any aspect of nursing, from your RN all the way up to your DNP, know that a large majority of your nursing degree can be completed totally online. And depending on what degree you pick, the entire program can be done 100% online.
Nursing school has never been easier to complete online, and this nation needs nurses more than ever, so get started today by reaching out to an accredited school to see what type of online nursing programs they offer.
What Are The Education Requirements
An RN has a few different options when considering an NP career, but the main thing to remember is that either an MSN Nurse Practitioner or a DNP Nurse Practitioner degree will need to be obtained. The following programs are offered specifically with the registered nurse in mind:
ADN to MSN Nurse Practitioner
This program, sometimes referred to as an RN-BSN to MSN, is for the ADN-educated RN who wants to become a nurse practitioner. The advantage of this type of program is that most of them allow the student to receive both a BSN and an MSN degree so that they dont have to take each program separately. Once the BSN portion of the program has been completed, some schools require students to declare which specialty niche theyd like to enter for the MSN Nurse Practitioner section of the degree. Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner, Emergency Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, and Neonatal Nurse Practitioner are just a few of the specialties available. Depending on whether the student opts for part-time or full-time study, this program can be completed in 2-4 years.
Vanderbilt University offers an ASN/ADN to MSN program where students can choose from the following NP specialties: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP, Emergency NP, Neonatal NP, Family NP, Pediatric NP, Psychiatric Mental Health NP, and Womens Health NP.
BSN to MSN Nurse Practitioner
BSN to DNP Nurse Practitioner
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What To Expect From Online Nurse Practitioner Programs
A family nurse practitioner is a type of nurse that provides specialized care for a variety of patients. Some nurse practitioners provide care for people of all ages, but in some cases they may specialize in a specific age group or demographic, such as the elderly or youth.
When enrolling in classes, youll have the opportunity to choose a variety of specialties, but overall you will be trained in the basics of nursing and healthcare while studying subjects like pharmacology, biology, and anatomy.
In online FNP programs, youll also take classes that are specific to the concentration. Course may include primary care topics, advanced health assessments, health promotion, and other subjects that make you a top-quality care giver.
Family nurse practitioners see patients for many different reasons. They might meet with patients who are experiencing mild illness, or they may deal with people who have serious conditions. They could be meeting with patients for simple routine exams or providing advice and support to help maintain a healthy lifestyle. These are all important for wellness, which is why online FNP programs include vast curriculum that covers a wide variety of needed skill-sets.
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How We Ranked The Best Online Nursing Schools In Alabama
To rank the best online RN to BSN programs in Alabama, TopRNtoBSN editors researched all nursing schools in the state, focusing on those offering fully online or hybrid BSN programs. From there, we ranked programs according to three crucial factors: Cost, Reputation, and Employment. Data were drawn from IPEDS, Niche, and College Scorecard. With these three points in mind, busy working nurses can be assured that their investment will be worth their time and money, and provide a real return in their career.
Financial Aid Opportunities For Nursing Students In Alabama
Salary trends are extremely positive for nurses in Alabama and throughout the nation. Remember, however, that becoming a fully-licensed RN requires at least a diploma or associate degree from a fully-accredited university. And college at any level can be expensive.
Fortunately, financial aid resources can help you graduate nursing school with less or even no debt. These include nursing scholarships and grants, assistantships and fellowships, the GI Bill for active military and veterans, and employer tuition assistance. Most common of all are student loans, particularly those available from the federal government. The federal government is also a great source for nursing student loan repayment opportunities. Another great source for scholarships and loans for Alabama graduate nursing students is the Alabama Board of Nursing itself.
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Needed: Nurses In Alabama
Everywhere nursing faculty is a primary requirement, without them there is little chance to make headway on the nursing shortage, but RNs, LPNs and advanced practice nurses of all specialties are invited. A number of large state universities offer both campus-based as well as online nursing degrees. This way they reach out to a larger audience and quite possibly secure a new front-line of nurses for hospitals in the state.
Alabama resident students: choose between in-state online nursing degree programs or a wide range of programs offered at a distance. This is the true beauty of online learning. Which degree should you pursue? Associates, Bachelors and Masters degrees are all available online and in a dizzying array of specialties. Don’t limit yourself. Nurses with a mere two years of distance education may land hot jobs at very good hospitals and clinics.
Jodie Smith 21 Usa College Of Nursing Leadership Award Recipient
I have always wanted to have a career where I could help people. What better way than through nursing? Im currently a nurse at Ashfield Healthcare. I received my associate degree nine years ago and practiced as a nurse for eight years before starting the RN to BSN online degree program at USA College of Nursing.
The RN to BSN program was perfect for where I was in my life because of its convenience. Since the program is completely online, I was able to go to school year-round and still hold a full-time job, have a family, and even go on vacation while completing my coursework. I really appreciated the flexibility of the program. You didnt have to sit in class anywhere and could listen to the lectures onlineeven at the beach!
My teachers were amazing and my advisor in the program walked me through everything, even when I emailed her at all hours of the night. With the online format, we could still have discussions with our classmates and bounce ideas off each other. It was eye-opening to learn about different areas of nursing through the firsthand experiences of other nurses.
The RN to BSN program broadens your horizons and opens up a wealth of opportunities in the nursing field, including management, administration, teaching, and research. I would recommend it 100% to anyone seeking to earn a BSN.
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Anderson College Of Nursing And Health Professions
As a leader in the education of nurses since 1973, the Anderson College of Nursing and Health Professions at the University of North Alabama is fully approved by the Alabama State Board of Nursing and accredited. Ranked in the top 10 most up-and-coming nursing programs in the south, UNA is a prestigious nursing school in Alabama preparing you to care and healone patient interaction at a time.
With a diverse student body and seasoned faculty, University of North Alabamas on-campus and online healthcare programs offer flexible course schedules, competitive pricing, and a highly reputable education that fits your life. Even better? UNA offers several scholarships to nursing students including the New Start Scholarship for new online nursing program students and the Nurse Faculty Loan Program for MSN graduate students interested in becoming nursing faculty.
Spotlight Online Rn To Np Programs
Loyola University New Orleans
New Orleans, Louisiana
RNs can earn an MSN with a Family Nurse Practitioner concentration online from Loyola University. Full-time students can expect to graduate in two years. At the conclusion of the program, graduates will have the opportunity to become certified as an FNP. Other features include:
- 48 credit hours, including 720 practicum clock hours, are required
- Program is fully accredited
Medical University of South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina
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Welcome To The Ccn Undergraduate Program
The Capstone College of Nursing is known, throughout the State of Alabama and the Southeast, for providing an outstanding BSN education. We offer a traditional BSN pathway as well as an RN to BSN pathway. Our graduates possess the knowledge and skills essential for lifelong learning within a rapidly changing health care system ensuring our graduates are prepared to study at a graduate level. The Capstone College of Nursing is committed to the provision of excellent nursing education at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. The Colleges commitment is demonstrated by an undergraduate and graduate curriculum that is responsive to the ever-changing health care system. I hope you will take advantage of the incredible opportunity you have to study with faculty and staff who care about your success and are committed to student-centered learning.
Nursing Graduate Testimonials For The Online Rn To Bsn Degree Program
Graduates of USA College of Nursings RN to BSN online degree program are enthusiastic about the quality and convenience of the program, the support they receive from professors and advisors, and the opportunities it affords them to pursue their passion in nursing. Here are two testimonials from a current student and recent graduate.
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Emily Fields Current Student
I have loved taking care of people ever since I acted as a caretaker for my grandfather when I was only eight years old. My long-term goal is to become a mental health nurse practitioner and spend my career tackling the urgent issues in mental health that our world faces.
The RN to BSN program at USA College of Nursing has brought me one step closer to my goal. Its a degree from a nursing program thats widely recognized as one of the best in the South, and its incredibly flexible for nurses who are working while completing the degree.
Nursing programs are challenging even when youre not working full-time. For those in the RN to BSN program, the instructors and advisors go above and beyond to support and accommodate you. They understand the 12-hour shifts that come part and parcel with nursingand they also understand that life happens. With this program, it has always been let us know what you need and let us know what youre struggling with. The program has worked with my schedule to help me succeed.
The RN to BSN program has instilled in me leadership skills and inspired me with mentors. Ive been able to learn about how to be a nurse manager and hone my management capabilities. The BSN degree will make you a more well-rounded nurse and open the doors to a variety of opportunities in the field, including leadership positions.
How To Choose The Right Nursing Program
With all of these options available, how do you decide on the best one for you? Everyones situation will be a little different, but getting some variables down on paper and then ranking their importance to you helps. With this completed, you can weigh each school against your most important factors. This makes the clear winners an easy choice. These are the variables youll want to consider:
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Annual Graduate Student Background Checks And Drug Screening
Students accepted to the graduate nursing programs are required to have an annual background screen and drug screen.
Students accepted to the graduate nursing programs are required to pass a background screen and have a negative drug screen.
The College of Nursing must certify to clinical agencies where students practice that each student has had an acceptable background screen and negative drug screen.
The background screen and drug testing screen will be conducted by a qualified agency using established methods and procedures. Confidentiality of the student will be protected. All costs associated with screenings are the responsibility of the student.
Initial acceptance to graduate nursing courses will be withdrawn for students who have a positive drug screen.
A student who has a positive drug screen while taking graduate nursing courses will follow the CCN Substance Abuse Policy/Drug/Alcohol Testing Policy. Any readmission consideration will be based on the CCN Substance Abuse Policy/Drug/Alcohol Testing Policy.
Initial acceptance to graduate nursing courses will be withdrawn for students who have been convicted of or have pending a charge that would not be acceptable for clinical practice.
A student whose acceptance to graduate nursing courses is withdrawn or is dismissed from the College of Nursing due to findings from a background screen will be considered for readmission on a case by case basis depending upon the situation.
The University Of Alabama
Cost per credit hour: $440
There are currently three tracks offered including Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and Dual Psychiatric Mental Health and Family Nurse Practitioner.
The programs are available 100% online, with clinical sites chosen by you and two on-campus sessions that have to be completed over the course of the study.
Currently, only residents of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia are eligible for the Nurse Practitioner concentrations.
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Who Is Eligible To Apply For Rn Mobility
Students who meet the following criteria are eligible to apply for promotion into the RNto BSN program:
- Successful completion of all lower division coursework
- A minimum GPA of 2.5 on lower division coursework
- A minimum GPA of 2.0 in science courses
- Graduation from an ACEN accredited associates degree program or from a diploma nursing program
- Unencumbered RN license or eligibility for licensure in the state where clinical requirements will be completed.
Master Of Science In Nursing
JSU’s Master of Science in Nursing degree is offered in three concentrations and can be completed 100% online!
The MSN in Population Health Nursing is designed to prepare advanced population health nurses to address the needs of your community and beyond in the 21st Century.
The MSN in Nursing Education prepares advanced community health nurses to teach in schools and colleges of nursing or clinical agencies and hospitals.
Today’s healthcare organizations need to be ready for anything. The MSN in Emergency Management offers advanced knowledge and skills in emergency preparedness, planning and management from the nurse coordinator perspective.
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University Of North Alabama
When you look for the best nursing schools in Alabama, the University of North Alabama in Florence offers an innovative online degree program. This program is approved by the Alabama Board of Nursing. Additionally, the UNA online RN to BSN program is designed around the needs of working nurses who may have complex or challenging work hours. By providing a fully online program, the school allows students to work on their courses when they are available. It gives you greater flexibility to maintain your career goals while improving your level of education.
The University of North Alabama stands apart from other Alabama nursing schools by providing high-quality education from enthusiastic faculty members. Faculty support during the program helps students focus on long-term plans for their careers. It also allows students to maintain their current position by giving them flexible options for their studies. The University of North Alabama is approved by the states board of nursing. In addition, it has CCNE accreditation to help you feel confident in the quality of your education.
Format: Online
Why Become A Nurse In Alabama
At 87.5% the average NCLEX-RN pass rate for nursing schools in Alabama is above the national average of 86.6%.
Alabama is also a Nurse Licensure Compact state, which means that once you graduate from a nursing program in Alabama, you can apply for a multistate license. Multistate licenses are valid in all 39 participating states.
The state is experimenting with a nursing apprenticeship model, matching community college students with hospital work opportunities. This innovation gives students in participating nursing programs in Alabama valuable experience and a head start on job networking and building relationships with potential employers.
Alabama is full of history, natural beauty, and delicious southern food. In addition to a low cost of living, the state is within driving distance to many beaches. It’s also close to New Orleans and northern Florida, giving you a variety of popular leisure options.
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Master Of Science In Nursing/family Nurse Practitioner South College
The RN-MSN program is a blended degree that combines online/hybrid classes with clinical practicum experiences for working adult students. From critical thinking and analytical abilities to interpersonal communication and more, students will improve their healthcare professional skills. Students may tailor their nursing diploma program to help them achieve their professional goals. Faculty bring real-world expertise to the virtual classroom, preparing students for careers as FNPs, primary care nurse practitioners, or nurse practitioners.
Make the most of working and learning simultaneously with the flexible benefits offered by South College. This program will take you one step closer to nursing leadership with an online degree.