Can you get a nursing degree entirely online?

It depends on the degree level. RN-to-BSN, MSN, and DNP programs can be completed largely online because they assume you already have clinical nursing experience. Pre-licensure programs (the ones that prepare you to become an RN for the first time) cannot be fully online—they require in-person clinical rotations, skills labs, and simulation hours that no accreditor will waive. Some pre-licensure programs offer hybrid formats with online didactic content and in-person clinical components.

Are online nursing degrees respected by employers?

Yes, as long as the program is properly accredited by CCNE or ACEN. Employers care about accreditation status, NCLEX pass rates (for pre-licensure programs), and whether the program prepared you adequately—not whether you sat in a classroom or watched lectures online. The stigma around online education has largely evaporated, especially for RN-to-BSN and graduate programs where students are already practicing nurses.

How much does an online RN-to-BSN program cost?

Online RN-to-BSN programs range from approximately $8,000 to $50,000 total, depending on the institution. Public university online programs tend to be $8,000-$20,000. Private universities range from $20,000-$50,000. Some employers offer full or partial tuition reimbursement for BSN completion. WGU and similar competency-based programs can cost under $10,000 if completed within 2-3 terms due to their flat-rate tuition model.

Online Nursing Degrees: What to Know

Online nursing programs have gone from fringe alternative to mainstream pathway, but the landscape is confusing. Some programs are fully online. Others are hybrid with clinical requirements that tie you to a specific region. Accreditation varies. Costs range from $8,000 to six figures. Here’s how to sort through it without wasting time or money on a program that doesn’t fit.

Which nursing degrees can you get online?

The key distinction is pre-licensure (you’re becoming a nurse for the first time) versus post-licensure (you’re already an RN advancing your education). The online options are very different.

Post-licensure: Mostly online

Program	Format	Duration	Online Percentage
RN-to-BSN	Mostly online	12-18 months	90-100% online
MSN (NP, Educator, Admin)	Hybrid	18-36 months	60-80% online (clinical practica required)
DNP	Hybrid	24-36 months	60-80% online (clinical practica required)
Post-master’s certificates	Hybrid	12-18 months	70-90% online
PhD in Nursing	Mostly online	36-48 months	80-100% online

RN-to-BSN is the most “online-friendly” nursing degree. You’re already a practicing RN, so there’s no clinical skills gap to fill. Most programs require a community health project or leadership practicum that can often be completed at your current workplace.

MSN and DNP programs require clinical practica—supervised practice hours in a relevant setting. These hours must be completed in person, meaning you’ll need to arrange clinical placements in your area. This is the “hybrid” part that catches some students off guard. The university provides the didactic content online, but you’re responsible for finding (or being matched with) a clinical preceptor.

Pre-licensure: Not really online

If you’re not yet an RN, a fully online path doesn’t exist. Accrediting bodies (CCNE and ACEN) require specific amounts of direct patient care clinical hours, skills lab time, and simulation hours that can’t be completed remotely.

What does exist: hybrid accelerated programs that deliver lectures and coursework online while requiring in-person clinical rotations and lab sessions. These programs often run 12-18 months for students with a prior bachelor’s degree in another field.

If you see a pre-licensure program claiming to be “100% online,” that’s a red flag. Either they’re misleading you about the clinical requirements, or they’re not properly accredited.

How do you evaluate an online program?

Not all online nursing programs are created equal. Here’s what to check before applying.

Accreditation is non-negotiable

Your program must be accredited by one of two organizations:

CCNE (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education) — accredits BSN, MSN, DNP, and post-graduate certificate programs
ACEN (Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing) — accredits all levels including practical nursing through doctoral

Why this matters: graduating from a non-accredited program can prevent you from obtaining licensure, qualifying for financial aid, or being eligible for employer tuition reimbursement. Some states won’t issue licenses to graduates of unaccredited programs, period.

NCLEX pass rates (for pre-licensure only)

If you’re in a pre-licensure program, check the program’s NCLEX pass rates. State boards of nursing publish these annually. A program with NCLEX pass rates consistently below 80% is struggling to prepare students adequately. The national average hovers around 85-88%.

Clinical placement support

For MSN and DNP programs that require clinical practica, ask specifically: does the program help you find a preceptor, or are you on your own? This is a bigger deal than it sounds. Finding a qualified preceptor willing to take students is competitive, and some students delay graduation by semesters because they can’t secure a placement.

Programs with established clinical partner networks in your region are significantly easier to complete on time.

Faculty accessibility

Online doesn’t mean disconnected. Good programs provide regular faculty interaction through virtual office hours, discussion forums, and timely feedback. Ask current students about their experience with faculty responsiveness before enrolling.

What does an online nursing program actually look like week to week?

The “online” experience varies by program, but here’s a typical week in an RN-to-BSN program.

Typical weekly workload (RN-to-BSN)

2-3 pre-recorded lectures (30-60 minutes each) on topics like evidence-based practice, nursing informatics, or community health
Required readings from textbooks and journal articles (2-4 hours)
Discussion board posts — an initial post responding to a prompt plus 2-3 replies to classmates (1-2 hours)
Written assignments — every 1-2 weeks, a paper or project (3-5 hours for a 4-6 page paper)
Group projects — periodic collaborative assignments (variable time, often frustrating logistically)

Total weekly time commitment: 12-20 hours, depending on the program and your reading speed.

Most programs are asynchronous—you complete the week’s work on your own schedule within a defined window. This is what makes online programs workable for nurses juggling 12-hour shifts. You’re not logging into a live lecture at 2 PM on Tuesday while you’re in the middle of a shift.

Typical weekly workload (MSN-NP)

MSN programs are more intensive:

Didactic content (lectures, readings): 10-15 hours/week
Clinical practicum (when in clinical semesters): 16-24 hours/week
Clinical documentation (logging hours, writing case studies): 3-5 hours/week
Exams and projects: periodic, cumulative

The clinical semesters are where the time commitment spikes. Balancing a clinical practicum with a full-time nursing job requires either reducing your work hours or having an employer that accommodates your schedule.

How much should you pay?

Cost varies dramatically, and the most expensive program isn’t necessarily the best.

Cost comparison by program type

Program Type	Low End	High End	Best Value
RN-to-BSN (public university)	$8,000	$20,000	Strong ROI if employer requires BSN
RN-to-BSN (private/for-profit)	$20,000	$50,000	Often overpriced; check outcomes
RN-to-BSN (competency-based like WGU)	$4,000	$12,000	Best for motivated self-starters
MSN-NP	$25,000	$90,000	State universities offer best balance
DNP	$30,000	$120,000	Consider ROI carefully at top end

Factors that affect true cost

Employer tuition reimbursement. Many healthcare employers reimburse $3,000-$10,000/year for continuing education. This can significantly reduce your out-of-pocket cost for an RN-to-BSN or MSN program.

Flat-rate tuition models. Schools like Western Governors University charge per term rather than per credit. If you can accelerate through coursework—transferring credits, testing out of competencies—you can complete the degree for less than the sticker price.

Clinical travel costs. For hybrid programs, budget for travel to clinical sites if your placements aren’t in your immediate area. This hidden cost catches graduate students off guard.

Lost income. If you need to reduce your work hours during clinical semesters, factor in the income reduction. This is often the largest hidden cost of graduate nursing education.

Key takeaways

RN-to-BSN is genuinely doable online; MSN and DNP are hybrid with required clinical components
Pre-licensure programs cannot be fully online—be wary of any that claim otherwise
Accreditation by CCNE or ACEN is mandatory; skip programs without it
Cost ranges from $8,000 to six figures—employer reimbursement and program format dramatically affect true cost
Clinical placement support is the hidden variable that determines whether you finish on time

If you’re exploring program options, our program finder lets you search by state, degree level, and format. For nurses considering whether to pursue a BSN, our ADN vs BSN guide breaks down the career and salary implications.