Universities Providing Cheapest Online Nursing Programs

Nursing is a program that can be easily completed online. Many colleges provide 100% online nursing degrees to existing nurses that are already working in the healthcare field. Others can also complete their nursing degree online provided they complete clinical hours in an approved clinical setting. Hours are flexible since the online schools recognize the fact that many students might be working certain hours.

The good part of online nursing degrees is that they are considered as good as in-person degrees. In fact, most of the top colleges with amazing regular nursing programs also provide online programs as well. There is no difference in their regular and online programs, except that students might have to come to the campus for clinical hours. The employers also don't discriminate based on online and in-person programs. So, online nursing programs are a great option for students for a variety of reasons.

How to earn a nursing degree online?

There are many pathways that an aspiring candidate can take to become a Registered Nurse - the easiest ones being earning an Associate's degree or a Diploma in Nursing from an accredited college and then taking the NCLEX exam. The next step to further a career advancement is to earn a BSN degree, followed by an MSN degree and then possibly a DNP. Many RNs may also choose a nursing concentration to practice in their particular field.

Online options for a high-school graduate

• Enroll in a traditional BSN program from an accredited school. The usual duration is 4 years with some schools providing a fast track option for full-time students.
• Enroll in an online ADN program or a nursing diploma program through an accredited school. Usual duration is 1 to 2 years.

In either case, students have to take the NCLEX exam after completion of their program to become an RN.

Online options for an RN

• Enroll in an accredited online RN to BSN bridge program. This is the most popular route among the students. The usual duration is 18 months with some schools providing a fast-track option to complete the program in 10 months for full-time students.
• Enroll in an accredited online RN to MSN bridge program. Much like the RN to BSN program, this program enables the student to earn their BSN and MSN degrees in a single shot. The program takes around 3 years to complete for full-time students and more for part-time students. Some schools provide a fast-track option to complete the program in as little as 2 years. This is a much-preferred route by RNs who know they want to earn their MSN.

Online options for a college graduate with a degree in non-nursing field

Most online programs require the candidates to have their RN license or at least complete some basic nursing course. Although this is not a deal-breaker, most colleges prefer having students with a nursing background or else take some prerequisite courses on-campus. Transferring credits is an option if the candidate chooses to take the courses in a different school, although this has to be verified by the department before enrolling in any course.

The most affordable path to earn a nursing degree

Although a nursing career can take one of many options available, the cheapest and most affordable way is:

• Obtaining an ADN or Diploma in nursing
• Passing the NCLEX exam to become an RN
• Getting the work experience as an RN to better understand the direction and concentration one wants to focus on
• Enrolling in an online RN to BSN program, either part-time (while working as an RN), or full-time (to complete the program faster)
• Working as an RN with a BSN degree
• Enrolling in further programs if desired - MSN and/or DNP for career advancement

Benefits of online nursing degree

Unlike many other fields where online degrees are looked down upon compared to on-campus degrees, online nursing degrees don't have that disadvantage. Valued at the same educational level as their on-campus counterparts, online nursing degrees are both, comfortable and affordable. Some benefits of online nursing degrees are:

• Flexibility The biggest advantage of pursuing an online nursing degree is the flexibility in terms of time and place. Most schools provide the option to take night classes or weekend classes, enabling the students to be able to work or pursue other interests in life.
• Affordability Online nursing degrees are way cheaper, eliminating the commute cost, boarding cost, and other miscellaneous on-campus costs.
• Local clinical hours The clinical hours required by any nursing degree are quite a lot and having the option to complete those hours at a local facility is beneficial in terms of ease and future job prospects. Most students can complete their hours at their workplace allowing them to climb up the professional ladder.
• Career-friendly If the student is already working in a healthcare field, online degrees give a very good opportunity to gain work experience while gaining educational experience.
• Quality Online nursing degrees provide the same quality education as the on-campus nursing degrees.
• Family-friendly Online nursing degrees enable the student to focus on their personal life while also earning their educational degrees.

Universities providing affordable nursing programs in the nation

Northeastern State University

Northeastern State University provides RNs an opportunity to earn online BSN and MSN degrees in as less as 10 months if enrolled full-time. If working full time, the duration is generally 16 months for BSN and 2 years for MSN. Students need to complete the course 5 years after enrolment in BSN and 6 years after enrolment in MSN. An added bonus is that no GRE or any other entrance exam is needed for admission. The RN to MSN program is also available for registered nurses with bachelor's in non-nursing degree.

Program: RN to BSN
Duration: 10 months minimum
Credits: 30 credits
Tuition: $7,000 per semester

Program: RN to MSN
Duration: 10 months minimum
Credits: 32 credits
Tuition: $4,000 per semester

Middle Georgia State University

Middle Georgia State University provides on campus and fully online degrees. Their fully accredited RN to BSN program can be completed in as less as 10 moths for 30 credits.

Program: RN to BSN
Duration: 10 months
Credits: 30 credits
Tuition: $2,000 per semester

Lamar University

Located in Texas, Lamar University provides a bunch of online degrees. In nursing there are bachelor's and master's degrees available.

Program: RN to BSN
Duration: 13 months
Credits: 30 credits
Tuition: $10,000 for the entire course

Program: RN to MSN
Duration: 36 months
Credits: 58 credits
Tuition: $18,000 for the entire course

Fort Hays State University

Located in Kansas, Fort Hays State University provides online bachelor's and master's degrees in nursing. There are multitude of options for military, international and transfer students. There is financial aid available for students who need it. The minimum requirement is a 2.5 GPA and C grade in all nursing courses. This university also provides BSN to DNP as well as MSN to DNP degrees.

Program: RN to BSN
Duration: 10 months
Credits: 30 credits
Tuition: $2,500 per semester

Program: Masters in Nursing Administration
Duration: Variable
Credits: 36 credits
Tuition: around $300 per credit hour

Program: Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Duration: Variable
Credits: Variabele
Tuition: $400 per credit hour

Kennesaw State University

Kennesaw State University provides MSN in Leadership in Nursing Program which is 100% online. There are full-time and part-time options available. Program: MSN
Duration: 15 months
Credits: 40 credits
Tuition: $16,000 for the entire course

Clayton State University

Clayton College, located in Georgia, provides a traditional BSN as well as an accelerated BSN program. The MSN program has Family Nurse Practitioner concentration and is available for students with RN license and a BSN degree.

Program: Traditional BSN
Duration: 4 semester
Credits: Tuition:$170 per credit hour

Program: RN to BSN
Duration:
Credits: 120 cerdits

Program: MSN
Duration:
Credits: 47 credits
Tuition: $400 per credit hour

Alcorn State University

Alcorn State University was the first Black land grant college in the United States. It is also the second-oldest state-supported institution of higher learning in Mississippi. There are a variety of nursing graduate programs available online for nurse practitioners along with Doctor's in Nursing Practice. DNP is available for Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) as a full time program only.

Program: DNP
Duration: 5 semester
Credits: 36 credits
Tuition: $15,000 for the entire course

New Mexico State University

New Mexico State University is a public land-grant research university located in New Mexico. Master's and Doctorate programs in nursing are available online. In addition, there are graduate certificates available in the field of nurse practitioners.

Program: Master of Nursing Administration
Duration: 2 - 2.5 years
Credits: 36 credits
Tuition: $450 per credit hour

Program: DNP
Duration: 3-4 years
Credits: 43 - 50 credits
Tuition: $450 per credit hour

University of Alabama

The University of Alabama provides a bunch of nursing programs online from the very popular RN to BSN program to extensive Nurse Practitioner programs.

Program: RN to BSN
Duration: 2 years
Credits: 25 credits
Tuition: $375 per credit hour

Program: BSN
Duration: 4 years
Credits: 41 credits
Tuition: $375 per credit hour

Program: RN to MSN
Duration: 4 years
Credits: 50-56 credits
Tuition: $375 per credit hour

Georgia State University

The well-known Georgia State University provides an option to earn an online Bachelor's degree in nursing in different ways, including the traditional BSN way, fast track BSN way as well as the most popular RN to BSN way. Registered nurses can also earn their Master's in nursing directly via the RN to MSN route. Additionally, there's the option to earn a DNP to further advance the career.

Program: RN to BSN
Duration: 3 semester
Credits: 30 credits

Program: RN to MSN
Duration: 2-3 years full-time/3-4 years part-time
Credits: 48 credits

Program: DNP
Credits: 39 credits