Best Online Nursing Programs and Degrees

Choosing the right online nursing program can be difficult because of the many degree types available. Options include licensed practical and licensed vocational nursing (LPN/LPN) diplomas, associate degrees in nursing (ADNs), bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degrees, master of science in nursing (MSN) degrees, and doctor of nursing practice (DNP) degrees.

Accelerated and bridge programs can speed up graduation time, while dual degrees can lead to varied career opportunities. Programs preparing you for direct patient care require clinical components.

This guide can help narrow your choices to identify the best schools for your learning style and career goals. Learn more about the different types of online nursing programs and our ranking of the best online nursing programs.

LPNs, referred to as LVNs in California and Texas, perform entry-level nursing duties in nursing care facilities, hospitals, physicians’ offices, and home healthcare services. Online LPN/LVN diploma programs offer one of the quickest routes into nursing.

They can also serve as a stepping stone to more advanced degrees and roles. Students learn skills like checking patients’ vital signs, inserting intravenous lines, administering first aid, and managing patient data.

Typical coursework includes fundamentals of nursing, human anatomy, medications, and disease processes. LPN/LVN learners complete an average of 500-750 in-person clinical and lab hours. Once they complete their training, graduates take the National Council Licensure Examination for LPNs/LVNS (NCLEX-PN) to qualify for their licenses.

Alternatively, certified nursing assistant programs offer a chance to experience basic entry-level nursing within a short timeframe.

Online ADN programs provide the fastest path to becoming a registered nurse (RN). ADN-holders obtain entry-level RN positions with more responsibility and higher pay than LPN/LVNs. While a BSN may be required for further career advancement in the nursing field, an ADN can provide RNs with a leg up in admission to accelerated RN or ADN-to-BSN bridge programs. Students can earn their ADNs in two years and graduates can take the NCLEX-RN exam for their licenses.

ADN coursework includes an introduction to nursing, health assessment, microbiology, and immunology. Students may also complete introductory specialty classes in surgical, pediatric, or neonatal nursing. RNs collaborate with teams of medical professionals to provide patient care, and the ADN curriculum emphasizes safety, ethical and legal practice, and care management. Distance learners complete about 500 hours of onsite clinical rotations.

Four-year online BSN programs prepare graduates to take the NCLEX-RN exam and can lead to increased opportunities, responsibilities, and wages compared to ADN programs. BSN holders can more easily pursue advanced nursing specializations and leadership positions.

Online BSN students train to become RNs who manage and implement patient treatment plans, supervise nursing teams, and educate patients and families regarding care. BSN courses cover anatomy, community nursing, informatics, leadership, pharmacology, and research and statistics. Clinical and lab hours take place onsite, even for distance learners. Graduates emerge prepared for RN positions in hospitals and clinical specialties like geriatrics, obstetrics, and neonatal care. A BSN also prepares graduates for further graduate study.

Prospective students with ADNs or an RN license may qualify to attend accelerated or bridge BSN programs.

Online accelerated BSN (ABSN) programs enable students with a non-nursing bachelor’s or graduate degree to earn a nursing degree in two years or less. The online format allows students to keep their nursing jobs while they attend virtual courses. They also complete in-person clinical hours needed to prepare for the NCLEX exam.

Core courses emphasize treating diverse populations across lifespans, building an evidence-based practice, and biomedical ethics.

To apply for the ABSN program, degree-seekers typically need a minimum of a 2.75 or 3.0 GPA. Additionally, incoming students may need a minimum grade in anatomy and physiology, organic chemistry, and microbiology.

Online MSN degrees offer an entryway to specialized nursing careers. These careers typically provide greater autonomy and, on average, pay more than RN roles. For instance, nurse practitioners (NPs) can prescribe medications in every state. In about two years, graduates can become advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) — a role that offers greater flexibility to work in specific populations.

APRNs work as certified nurse midwives, certified registered nurse anesthetists, clinical nurse specialists, and nurse practitioners. They gain certifications to work in critical care or acute care in departments focusing on family nursing, adult gerontology, pediatrics, neonatal nursing, psychiatric-mental health care, and women’s health, among others.

It commonly takes a BSN degree from an accredited nursing program, an unencumbered RN license, and at least one year of nursing experience to get admitted into an MSN program.

Degree-holders without a nursing background can pursue a fast-track path to an MSN by enrolling in an online direct-entry MSN program. This program’s curriculum emphasizes health policy and advocacy, theory, and clinical practice to prepare graduates to become APRNs in as quick as 15-24 months. Part-time students may take up to four years to complete an online direct-entry MSN degree.

MSN students prepare for APRN roles by studying specialty areas of nursing, such as family healthcare, nursing education, or nursing leadership.

Entry to traditional MSN degrees, unlike online direct-entry MSN programs, requires applicants to hold an RN license and a BSN degree. An online direct-entry MSN program gives non-nursing degree holders an entryway to take the NCLEX exam and pursue a DNP degree. Typically, the first 12 months or four semesters of this program follow a BSN curriculum, then students sit for the NCLEX-RN at the end of the first year and move on to the MSN portion.

Incoming students usually need a bachelor’s degree from an accredited school with a minimum 3.0 GPA, letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose.

Earning an online master of public health (MPH) degree can offer a flexible, affordable path to advanced education. It prepares students for in-demand careers as health educators, public health nurses, and biostatisticians. MPH programs emphasize advanced research and analysis to give students a deeper understanding of the economic, cultural, and sociopolitical complexities that influence public health policy.

Colleges also offer dual MSN/MPH programs to train clinical nurses to take leadership positions in public health.

Online MPH programs often cost less than on-campus degrees and exclude campus fees. Full-time students complete an online MPH degree in two years or 12-18 months for accelerated programs.

Admission requirements commonly include one semester of social sciences, a minimum 3.0 GPA, and a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college.

While specific course topics vary by school, many MPH programs offer courses in population dynamics and public health, environmental health, and methods in biostatistics. During their rigorous curriculum, MPH students prepare for certification opportunities, including the certified health education specialist credential or infection prevention and control certification.

The nursing field encompasses a variety of career opportunities focused on different patient populations. While nursing roles at the associate and bachelor’s levels tend to focus on more entry-level, broad opportunities, master’s level careers allow graduates to explore advanced practice options.

Master’s nursing students interested in caring for older patients may choose a specialty in adult-gerontology primary care, while nurses interested in administering anesthesia during surgeries can take a nursing anesthesia track.

With MSN degree specializations, graduates launch their careers as acute care nurse practitioners, nurse administrators, nurse educators, family nurse practitioners, and nurse midwives. To become a certified registered nurse anesthetist, a DNP is required.

Online NP programs may offer concentrations that focus on a specific patient population. Common concentrations include family nurse practitioner, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, and women’s health nurse practitioner.

The curriculum focuses on information technology and data management, advanced pharmacology, and health politics and policy. Degree-seekers with a bachelor’s degree in nursing and an RN license can typically satisfy their program requirements within two years.

Designed for nurses who want to provide care for expectant pregnant individuals, online nurse midwife programs prepare students for advanced practice nursing care. It offers courses in postpartum care, advanced health assessment, and fetal evaluation.

In addition to the required courses, nurse midwife students must complete clinical hour requirements to prepare them with hands-on experience. Graduates can pursue American Midwifery Board Certification, Neonatal Resuscitation Program Certification, and Electronic Fetal Monitoring Certification.

Online gerontology programs let RNs continue working while they study to become certified as adult-gerontology nurse practitioners. Earning specialized skills to work with older adults prepares RNs to sit for gerontological nursing board certification exams. Certification might eventually earn higher paychecks.

By studying research methods in gerontology, health and aging, social services, and theories of aging, degree-seekers build skills to help the aging population. Programs often conclude with a capstone project that integrates theory and research. It also prepares graduates to take credentialing exams administered by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners Certification Program or the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).

Working nurses with a BSN degree can complete an online FNP program to become certified family nurse practitioners. Certifications such as the ANCC family nurse practitioners board certification exam can help FNPs enhance their careers and make more money.

With courses that focus on adult care, care of the child and family, and women’s healthcare, FNP nursing students can become APRN clinicians who provide family-centered nursing care to patients across the lifespan. The curriculum teaches students how to deliver general care to infants, adolescents, adults, and older people at hospitals, community clinics, and university healthcare facilities.

Besides a BSN, admitted students usually need a minimum 3.0 GPA and at least a grade C in undergraduate statistics.

An online MSN with a concentration in diabetes nursing program equips nurse practitioners with the skills and experience to care for patients living with diabetes.

Most programs require applicants to hold a 3.0 GPA or higher, a BSN, and an unencumbered RN license. They also typically require candidates to provide a goals statement, resume, and letters of recommendation to apply.

Degree-seekers learn about advanced management of pediatric diabetes, clinical practice in diabetes care and management, and advanced clinical management of adult diabetes.

Online neonatal NP programs build the nursing skills and knowledge necessary to work with newborn babies. Students learn about neonatal disease practice, pediatric care, and health informatics.

These NP programs prepare learners for certification in areas such as women’s healthcare, neonatal care, or family nursing. Most programs require learners to complete around 40 credits of coursework along with clinical hours. Neonatal nurse practitioner programs typically require 1-2 years of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) RN experience before admission.

An online MSN in nursing education prepares degree-seekers to pursue roles at hospitals, postsecondary schools, and medical centers. Nurse educators teach and train nurses. They also help develop curriculums for nursing programs.

This degree typically requires between 36-39 credits. Some institutions offer accelerated online options, allowing learners to complete their degree between 16-18 months. Students learn about curriculum development, evaluation strategies and methods, and approaches to instruction.

Students can pursue an online nursing leadership degree to become a nurse leader. Most full-time learners can complete their degree in two years. Students who enroll part time take closer to four years.

Nursing leadership master’s programs prepare degree-seekers for careers as nurse managers, nurse executives, directors of health education programs, and directors of community health centers. The curriculum explores nursing leadership theory and practice, healthcare policy, evidence-based practice, population-based public health nursing interventions, and health disparities.

Combining concepts of technology and healthcare, online MSN in health informatics programs focus on clinical nursing skills and emerging technology. During their coursework, learners explore data management in healthcare, nursing informatics leadership, and nursing research methodologies.

Students participate in internships, allowing them to gain hands-on experience. Graduates can pursue informatics nursing certification or the certified professional in healthcare information and management systems credential.

Online MSN in acute care programs typically require between 35-50 credits of coursework, taking learners between 1-3 years to complete. Students learn about advanced practice care of adults across the lifespan, advanced health assessment and diagnostic reasoning, and advanced pharmacology.

Graduates can pursue certifications as clinical nurse specialists, adult-gerontology acute care NPs, and acute care NPs. Acute care programs typically require two years of RN experience in an intensive care unit (ICU), post-anesthesia care unit (PACU), emergency department (ED) or operating room (OR) settings prior to admission.

Nursing students can consider online dual degree programs to increase their earning potential and expand their career opportunities. Dual degrees require learners to complete more coursework than a typical program. They also include blended coursework that focuses on nursing and another field.

Courses often require degree-seekers to complete additional credit hours, exams, and assignments. They often take learners longer to complete. Popular dual degree options in nursing include an MSN/master of business administration (MBA), MSN/master of healthcare administration (MHA), MSN/master of public administration, and MSN/MPH.

Pursuing an MSN/MHA dual degree prepares learners for careers as healthcare administrators and managers. Online learners benefit from a flexible pathway. They complete the same clinical hour and internship requirements as on-campus students.

Learners who enroll in MSN/MHA programs follow a faster path to leadership roles in nursing. While students in either MSN or MHA programs complete courses focused on leadership, students in dual degree programs can apply credits from the same required course to satisfy the requirements for each degree.

Online MSN/MBA dual degree programs provide nurses with the opportunity to earn their nursing and business administration degrees at the same time. Students focus on advanced nursing and business topics, preparing them for careers as healthcare executives.

MSN/MBA online programs enable students to graduate with both degrees in under 60 credits. Earning each degree separately typically requires more than 70 credits. Courses focus on topics like health informatics, advanced health assessment, health economics, and healthcare management.

Earning an MSN/MPH dual degree prepares learners for careers in nursing and public health. Students interested in supplementing their clinical education can focus on foundational public health knowledge and advanced patient care techniques.

Full-time students usually complete their degree in 2-3 years. Credit requirements vary depending on the program, lingering between 60-90 credits. Most programs require a clinical practicum. Some allow MSN/MPH students to pursue specializations in epidemiology, health services leadership and management and global health, among others.

Online DNP programs culminate in the highest level of clinical and nonclinical education for nursing by awarding the terminal doctoral degree. Like the MSN, DNP-holders can be APRNs or other nursing specialties. Master’s level APRNs can go on to earn a doctorate. Certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) are required to hold a doctorate by 2025.

The average DNP program spans 3-6 years and teaches advanced nursing practice, evidence-based practice, informatics, interprofessional collaboration, and organizational leadership. Hands-on experiences may include clinical rotations, internships, lab simulations, and residencies.

Most programs require applicants to hold master’s degrees and national board certification in their specialties, but some may accept RNs or BSN-holders. An alternative terminal degree is a Ph.D. in nursing, which focuses more on research.

Nursing students with transfer credits from a variety of educational backgrounds may qualify for admission to online nursing bridge programs. Bridge programs leverage applicants’ previous experiences and knowledge to reduce completion time. Most bridge programs award a BSN or an MSN, but some offer healthcare professionals like paramedics a fast-track to an RN license. Nurses and nurse aides benefit from bridge programs’ goals to advance their careers and enhance their earning potential.

Online bridge programs offer flexibility and can save students money and time. Distance learners can avoid commutes, continue working while studying, and even complete clinical hours at their workplaces. Course delivery may consist of pre-recorded, asynchronous lectures or synchronous (live) online classes scheduled around working hours.

Paramedics interested in becoming a nurse can enroll in online paramedic-to-RN bridge programs. Each bridge program has unique admission requirements, curriculum components, accreditation, course topics, and program length.

While admission criteria vary depending on the institution, eligible applicants must be licensed paramedics. Some programs require applicants to hold a license, while others require a specific amount of professional experience. Full-time students typically complete their bridge program within 1.5-2 years.

The curriculum explores pharmacology, anatomy and physiology, and lifespan and human development.

LPN-to-BSN bridge programs and LPN-to-RN programs prepare licensed practical nurses to practice as registered nurses after graduation. Completing these programs equips graduates with the necessary knowledge and skills to advance their career opportunities and increase their earning potential.

During the challenging curriculum, LPN-to-BSN students target different patient populations and develop diagnostic skills and competencies.

Graduates can complete their NCLEX-RN exam to begin practicing professionally across a variety of healthcare settings, including long-term care facilities, government agencies, and health clinics.

One of the most popular bridge programs for nursing students, the RN-to-BSN option allows RN applicants with ADNs to earn their bachelor’s degree in nursing at an accelerated pace. Enrollees can build on the education from their associate program and job experience.

Because learners build upon previous knowledge, these programs are sometimes called nursing completion programs.

Upon earning their BSN, graduates can explore careers as clinical specialists, nurse administrators, and nurse educators. Some of the most common employers for BSN degree holders include hospitals, schools, and long-term care facilities.

RN-to-BSN programs typically require learners to satisfy 30 credits of coursework. Full-time students can complete their requirements in as little as 12 months.

RN-to-MSN bridge programs, much like ADN-to-MSN degrees, fast track nurses in 30-36 months to an advanced degree by combining curricula geared for bachelor’s and master’s students. The pathway to earn a BSN and an MSN separately typically takes 72-84 months —and often costs the nursing student more.

Unlike most MSN programs, incoming students only need an associate degree, an RN license, and about 1-3 years of clinical nursing experience to get admitted.

After completing undergraduate courses in health assessments, research, pharmacology, and ethics, students gain a specialty in clinical nurse leadership, adult-gerontology, or family health nursing.

Graduates can sit for NP certification exams in their nursing focus.

RNs pursuing academic, leadership, and research positions can enroll in an online RN-to-DNP bridge program to build on their knowledge in theory and research. Enrollees take courses in evidence-based practice, informatics for leadership in health and healthcare, and nursing policy.

In addition to their advanced coursework, learners must complete clinical practice hours, a culminating final project, and comprehensive exams.

These programs can take students between 3-6 years to complete, depending on their educational background and program requirements.

Students who hold a BSN and plan to pursue a DNP can consider enrolling in an online BSN-to-DNP program to quicken program completion. Doctoral programs typically require between 65-90 credits of coursework, taking learners between 3-6 years to finish.

BSN-to-DNP students can often choose an emphasis area including women’s health, psychiatric mental health, and neonatal nurse practitioner. In addition to their required coursework, doctoral students may need to complete a research project, dissertation, or thesis. Curriculum requirements are designed to meet state licensing criteria.

Page last reviewed on April 22, 2024