Can You Get a Nursing Degree Fully Online?

Whether you're a high school student planning to become a nurse or a working professional looking to advance your nursing career, you have probably heard of the various nursing degrees available. Now you're wondering: can you complete the required nursing classes online?

Many schools offer online RN to BSN, MSN, and DNP degrees. Some may also offer online associate degrees and bachelor's degrees in nursing. Most programs are online, though in-person clinical rotations may be required to graduate.

Keep reading to learn more.

Is It Possible To Earn a Nursing Degree Fully Online?

Many schools offer online degree programs for nursing students. As long as the program has received institutional accreditation and further accreditation by an organization such as the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), it can be trusted to provide a high-quality education in nursing.

Many of these online learning programs are for students who have already obtained at least an associate degree in nursing (ADN) and have passed the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) to acquire a registered nurse (RN) license.

Some of the most common types of online nursing degrees are:

• Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN)
• Master of Science in nursing (MSN)
• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

If you are not already a registered nurse, some programs will allow you to complete some or all of your coursework online. However, you may have to attend some on-campus residencies or complete hands-on clinical experience before you can pursue licensure through your state's board of nursing.

Both full-time and part-time nursing courses are available online, and financial aid is usually available for qualifying students.

Top Online Nursing Degree Programs

Let's look at the online nursing schools offering online degrees at all degree levels.

University of Central Florida

The University of Central Florida is an accredited public school offering online and in-person nursing degree programs. Online nursing programs include:

• BSN
• RN-BSN
• MSN, three concentrations available:
  • nurse educator
  • nursing leadership and management
  • nursing and health care simulation
• DNP:
  • advanced track
  • executive track
• PhD in nursing

Various nursing certification programs are also available.

University of North Florida

The University of North Florida provides a variety of top-notch accredited nursing programs. The following degrees are entirely online:

• RN to BSN program
• MSN, two concentrations available:
  • nursing education
  • nursing leadership and administration
• DNP:
  • administrative track
  • practice track
  • Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner

Western Governors University

Western Governors University is a well-known private online university providing self-paced, competency-based degree programs in various fields. This school offers the following online nursing degrees:

• BSN
• RN to BSN
• RN to MSN, three concentrations available:
  • nursing education
  • nursing informatics
• leadership and management
• MSN, five concentrations available:
  • nursing education
  • nursing informatics
  • leadership and management
  • family nurse practitioner
  • psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner

Students can also pursue a variety of online nursing certifications.

Arizona State University

Arizona State University offers some of the best online degree programs, including several in nursing and public health. Nursing programs include:

• ADN to BSN
• RN to BSN
• MSN, one concentration available:
  • nursing education
• RN to MSN, one concentration available:
  • nursing education

University of Phoenix

The University of Phoenix offers primarily online degrees for busy students. The various nursing degrees available at this school include:

• RN to BSN:
  • competency-based
  • traditional
• MSN, one concentration available:
  • nurse administration
• DNP

Keiser University

Keiser University is a private school offering a variety of online programs. Students at this school can complete online nursing degrees at the following levels:

• RN to BSN
• MSN, one concentration available:
  • family nurse practitioner
• DNP

Walden University

Walden University is a private online school offering flexible degree programs in various fields. Those hoping to pursue a nursing license or promotion can enroll in the following degree programs:

• RN to BSN
• MSN, nine concentrations available:
  • adult gerontology acute care nurse practitioner
  • adult gerontology primary care nurse practitioner
  • family nurse practitioner
  • pediatric nurse practitioner primary care
  • psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner
  • nursing education
  • nurse executive
  • nursing informatics
  • public health nursing
• DNP, six concentrations available:
  • adult gerontology acute care nurse practitioner
  • adult gerontology primary care nurse practitioner
  • family nurse practitioner
  • pediatric nurse practitioner primary care
  • psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner
  • executive leadership
• PhD in nursing, six concentrations available:
  • DNP-PhD bridge
  • nursing education
  • healthcare administration
  • interdisciplinary health
  • leadership
  • population health

Duke University

Duke University is a prestigious school offering some of its degrees online. The online degrees include the following nursing degrees:

• MSN, 11 concentrations:
  • adult gerontology acute care nurse practitioner
  • adult gerontology primary care nurse practitioner
  • family nurse practitioner
  • health informatics
  • neonatal nurse practitioner
  • nursing and healthcare leadership
  • nursing education
  • pediatric nurse practitioner - acute care
  • pediatric nurse practitioner - primary care
  • psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner
  • women's health nurse practitioner
• DNP

Excelsior University

Excelsior University is another private school offering online degrees. It offers online nursing programs at the associate, bachelor's, and master's levels. Degrees are as follows:

• AAS in nursing
• AS in nursing
• BSN
• LPN to BSN
• MSN, three concentrations available:
  • nursing education
  • nursing informatics
  • nursing administration and leadership of healthcare systems
• RN to MSN, three concentrations available:
  • nursing education
  • nursing informatics
  • nursing administration and leadership of healthcare systems

Maryville University

Maryville University offers many online programs across a range of career-focused industries. Three online nursing programs are available:

• RN to BSN
• MSN, five concentrations available:
  • adult gerontology acute care nurse practitioner
  • adult gerontology primary care nurse practitioner
  • family nurse practitioner
  • pediatric nurse practitioner
  • psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner
• BSN to DNP, five concentrations available:
  • adult gerontology acute care nurse practitioner
  • adult gerontology primary care nurse practitioner
  • family nurse practitioner
  • pediatric nurse practitioner
  • psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner