Best Online Prelicensure Nursing Programs

If you’re looking for stability, good pay, and the ability to improve people’s lives, an online nursing program may be worth the cost. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that registered nurses have a growth outlook of nearly 10% from now until 2030, and the bureau expects there to be almost 200,000 job openings over the course of the decade. Thus, nurses are in high demand, and the job outlook is strong, which isn’t going to change anytime soon.

Those seeking the shortest-possible nursing program can become licensed practical nurses (LPNs) or certified nursing assistants (CNAs). CNA programs take anywhere between 4 and 12 weeks to finish, and after the program is complete, CNAs can help registered nurses (RNs) with daily patient care. On the other hand, LPN programs can take up to a year to finish, and when the program is complete, LPNs will be licensed nurses, unlike CNAs.

Registered nurses need a range of hard and soft skills to succeed in their profession. The nature of skills needed will differ based on the healthcare setting you’d like to work in. For example, the skills needed to work in a primary care setting will differ from those required to work in an emergency room.

No matter where you end up working, however, the following soft skills will always be required as a nurse:

• Excellent communication skills
• Critical thinking and problem-solving
• Empathy for patients
• Physical stamina
• Leadership
• Teamwork

We’ve listed communication first because it is considered to be among the most important skills a nurse could have. Nurses are responsible for improving health outcomes, collaborating with doctors, explaining directions to patients, fostering relationships with patients and coworkers, and making patients feel calm and cared for.

Most nurses will also need the following hard skills:

• Medication management
• IV lines and infusions
• Patient safety
• Infection control
• Electronic medical records
• Technological skills
• Patient assessment
• CPR and BLS

The classes you take in your nursing program will depend on how far you plan to take your education. In general, prelicensure nursing programs online involve a number of math, chemistry, biology, psychology, and physiology classes, and students may choose electives in their areas of interest — such as geriatrics, pediatrics, and oncology. Biology classes are among some of the most important in a nursing program, covering anatomy, epidemiology, and more.

Here are some common classes you can expect to take in a bachelor of science in nursing program:

• Microbiology
• Pharmacology
• Clinical theory
• Intro to psychology
• Physiology
• Fundamentals of nursing
• Population health
• Ethics
• Pathophysiology
• Math
• Sociology

The BLS estimates that, despite the varying cost of nursing degrees, students tend to spend between $38,000 and $73,000 on a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. This does not account for the NCLEX-RN, state licensing, books, scrubs, supplies, a laptop, or travel for in-person practicum. Some online programs also charge distance learning fees. If you don’t want to spend that much, you can pursue an associate’s in nursing, which only takes two years to complete. Just keep in mind if you go this route that most states require RNs to have a four-year degree.

Registered nurses have a median annual wage of $77,600 as of May 2021. This figure may look very different depending on where you live and work, your area of expertise, your level of education, and the number of years of experience you have. Those with a BSN can qualify for higher-paying leadership positions and make more than nurses with only a two-year degree, for example. A nurse with a master’s degree can make even more; RNs with a master’s degree have a median salary of more than $117,000.

States like New York, California, and Hawaii pay nurses more due to the higher cost of living in these areas. The more affordable states to live in, like South Dakota, Alabama, and Mississippi, tend to pay less.

If you’ve found that the nursing program is not your niche but would still like to work in healthcare, here are some similar careers you can pursue:

• Dental hygiene
• Social work
• Physician’s assistant
• Midwife
• Medical sonography
• Cardiovascular technician
• EMT/paramedic

The road to becoming a nurse involves many steps and requires patience. Here’s what you’ll need to do to become a licensed nurse:

1. Define your educational and career goals

Do you have the time and money to dedicate to a four-year degree? If so, think about what area of healthcare is most interesting to you and what kind of specialty you’d like to pursue. Do some research on the requirements for the nursing career you’d like to enter into so you have a more defined path to follow in your education.

2. Compare prelicensure nursing programs online

Take the time to look into a handful of prelicensure nursing programs online that appeal to you. Each will have its own pricing structure, course requirements, flexibility, student resources, etc. You’ll know which is right for you based on which meets your unique needs.

3. Enroll in the program and complete your degree

Whether you pursue an ADN or BSN, you’ll develop important skills and knowledge surrounding patient care and general health. You can also expect a clinical component of the program in which you apply your textbook knowledge to real-life scenarios with living people.

4. Study for and pass the NCLEX

Students wanting to become licensed RNs will have to pass the exam in addition to completing their degree. The test will take 2-3 hours to complete and will require a $200 fee. It will evaluate your knowledge application and ability to think on your feet to make smart judgments in the nursing field. Those who do not pass the test can retake it after 45 days. NCLEX questions will include material from four categories:

• Physiological integrity
• Psychosocial integrity
• Safe and effective care environment
• Health promotion and maintenance

5. Apply for state licensure

Every state has individual requirements for licensure. However, most states share the following requirements in common:

• A background check
• A nursing diploma from an accredited institution
• A passing score on the NCLEX
• Proof of citizenship
• Program transcripts
• Application and licensing fees

6. License renewal

Licenses remain in effect for a certain number of years, depending on where you live. Once your license is about to expire, you’ll need to renew it through continuing education courses, certification, or other specific classes to keep your knowledge up to date with current best practices and technology.