A Guide to Online Degrees for Working Nurses
Today more than ever, nurses are pursuing advanced degrees online—and for good reasons!
Online nursing programs are more convenient and affordable than campus learning, especially for working nurses. An advanced degree can significantly expand your job opportunities, marketability, and salary potential. It can also make it possible to transition into leadership positions, where you can make an even greater impact on health care.
Finding a degree program that fits your needs can be intimidating, especially if it’s been a while since you were last in school. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know as you consider pursuing an advanced nursing degree online.
Advantages of Advanced Nursing Degrees
There are many advantages to continuing your nursing education – for both your life and your career.
Competitive Advantage
Nurses with advanced degrees have a clear advantage in the workplace. Studies show that nurses with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) have fewer medication errors, more positive patient outcomes, and lower mortality rates. Many employers only consider BSN-trained nurses. Some hospitals are even moving toward making BSN degrees mandatory. And many are required to employ a certain number of nurses with advanced degrees in order to earn “Magnet Status” – the gold standard of quality nursing – awarded by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
More Career Options
Nurses with advanced degrees are valued for their critical thinking and case management skills, and they have more job opportunities because they can practice in more diverse settings. BSNs also enjoy more autonomy, such as making decisions about preventive, post-operative, and home health care. They can even specialize in a particular area of interest – critical care, rehabilitation, women’s health, or diabetes, for instance. Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) specialty tracks are even more in-depth, allowing nurses to become experts in their field. An MSN helps nurses transition into leadership roles, where they can make an even greater impact on health care.
Increased Earning Potential
While salary is influenced by many factors, including experience, location, and specialization, getting an advanced degree in nursing helps you earn more. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median average registered nurse salary was $81,220 in May 2022.* The lowest 10 percent earned less than $61,250, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $129,400.
While these figures do not differentiate between RNs and nurses with advanced degrees, Payscale.com reports (as of March 2024) that the average yearly salary for nurses with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) is $77,000, while nurses with a BSN earn an average of $97,000, and those with an MSN average $103,000.**
Flexibility for a Balanced Life
Pursuing an advanced degree while working as a nurse can be challenging. However, online degrees offer the ability to pursue education on your own terms. Learn at home, at a coffee shop, or in the break room at work—on your own schedule, weekdays, or weekends, from anywhere you can get online. Pursuing an advanced degree doesn’t have to upset your home or work life; it can complement it.
Average Salary for Nurses by Degree: ADN $77,000 BSN $97,000 MSN $103,000
*U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook
**Payscale.com, Compensation Research. (visited March 2024)
Types of Online Programs for Working Nurses
There are various types of online programs for nurses currently in the workforce, but two of the most useful are the Bachelor of Science in Nursing and the Master of Science in Nursing degrees.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN)
Advancing from an ADN or Registered Nurse (RN) to a BSN provides an opportunity for nurses to pursue more diverse and advanced positions. A BSN deepens your knowledge and approach to care while preparing you for more specialized roles and leadership positions.
Online RN to BSN programs usually can be completed within two years. To apply, you must have an ADN or RN diploma or a bachelor’s in another field. As an added benefit, some programs allow you to use your existing job as the required clinical experience. Learn more about the RN to BSN program at the UNH College of Professional Studies.
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
This advanced credential allows nurses to further advance their careers by honing specialized knowledge in areas such as pediatrics, orthopedics, oncology, mental health, and more. An MSN helps nurses gain more autonomy on the job, leverage better hours, and influence policies and care practices.
MSN programs generally require a BSN degree and RN license to apply, and usually take up to two years to complete. While a small number of programs allow ADN nurses to apply, it can be very difficult to complete an MSN without the experience gained from a BSN. Learn more about the MSN Health Care Leadership at the UNH College of Professional Studies.
Behind the Scenes in an Online Classroom
Before pursuing an online education, it’s important to know what to expect:
Online Orientation
Most online classes begin with an orientation (usually a video). You’ll likely be introduced to the online classroom interface and directed to important resources, like the online bookstore and library. Orientation is important for every student, but especially important for students who have never taken online courses before, as well as those who have been out of college for a while.
Accessing Lectures
With online learning, instead of gathering in a physical room for lectures, you’ll log into an online classroom to access recorded lectures, notes, and readings. You will watch or read these resources on your own schedule, but your instructor will also be there via email or video chat, should you have any questions or difficulty with the material.
Assignments and Testing
In the online classroom, you’ll have many of the same assignments you would have in a traditional classroom – papers, readings, responses, and more. The biggest difference is that you will upload your finished assignments, complete quizzes through an online portal, and take on more responsibility for remembering deadlines, since your instructor will not be there, in person, to remind you.
Engaging with the Class
Engaging with classmates is an important part of any education. In the online environment, you’ll interact through discussion boards, messaging, or live video. Some instructors might even create a Facebook group for the class. Discussions usually will revolve around readings.
How to Succeed as an Online Student
The online classroom offers many benefits to working nurses, from convenience to affordability, but it does come with unique challenges. If it’s been a while since you were last in school, you’ll need to reacclimate yourself to life as a student, reimplement good study habits, and learn to navigate an online interface. You might feel a bit lost at first but remember: Your past experiences as a student are 100 percent transferrable to online learning, even if it initially feels unfamiliar.
Here are some steps to take to prepare for your online education:
1. Get Off to a Good Start
At the beginning of each course, carefully read the syllabus and explore your online classroom interface. Make sure you understand where to find class resources, how to submit assignments, and how to get in touch with your instructor, should questions arise.
2. Check Your Deadlines
One of the main challenges of the online classroom is managing your time and deadlines. Since you won’t be meeting with your instructor in person, they won’t be able to remind you about upcoming due dates. That makes it vital for you to stay on top of your various deadlines, from assignments, to class discussions, and more.
3. Keep a Schedule
As a nurse, you’re used to having a busy schedule and balancing your family, career, and social life. Taking online classes makes it more important than ever to stay organized. Buy a personal planner where you can write down key deadlines and block off time for completing classwork. Or, if you prefer, use an online planner or calendar app. Whatever medium you choose, be sure to update it and reference it regularly.
4. Check for Course Announcements Daily
Over the course of the semester, your instructor will make important announcements on your course homepage – assignment instructions or changes to deadlines, for instance. Missing these announcements can result in missed assignments and hurt your grade. Be sure to check your course page frequently for updates to ensure you never miss vital information.
5. Reach Out When You Need Help
Online classes may be conducted remotely, but you’re not alone! If you find yourself struggling or falling behind, reach out to your instructor and classmates. They’re there to help you, and the sooner you ask for help, the sooner you’ll get back on track.
Paying for Your Online Nursing Degree
Pursuing an advanced nursing degree is an investment in the future, but how can you afford another degree?
Go Online!
Online degrees have many benefits, but one of the biggest is affordability. You can avoid the extra fees associated with room, board, and student activities, and there’s no cost to commute. Class materials, such as textbooks, are sometimes even available as Open Educational Resources. In other words, that course content is free!
Look into Employee Tuition Reimbursement Programs
Because hospitals want more staff members to pursue advanced degrees, many offer tuition reimbursement programs. While you will likely need to cover upfront tuition costs, reimbursement could save you thousands of dollars. Be sure to reach out to your employer’s human resources department to see if tuition reimbursement is available.
Set up a Payment Plan
Many colleges offer tuition payment plans, which break costs into three or four payments per term. This allows you to spread out the financial burden rather than tackling it all in a single lump sum. This is especially helpful if you must wait for tuition reimbursements from your employer at the end of each term.
Apply for Financial Aid
Federal aid is available to students of any age. Fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to see if you’re eligible for any loans. And don’t forget to look into nursing grants and scholarships offered by colleges, health care organizations, federal agencies, and nonprofits.
Your Next Steps
Now that you know more about the advantages of pursuing an advanced nursing degree online, it’s time to take a few steps toward making these credentials a reality.
Start With Research
To find the right online program, it’s important to do some research. Look for features like regional accreditation, CCNE accreditation, rolling admissions, and multiple terms. It is also crucial to make sure your top choices are authorized in your home state. Each state has laws governing whether out-of-state colleges can offer online programs to state residents.
Pass the NCLEX-RN®
If you apply to an RN to BSN or master’s program, you are often required to show you passed the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). This is the standardized exam used by state boards of nursing to determine whether a candidate is prepared for entry-level nursing practice.
Prepare to Apply
In addition to meeting the general requirements for a degree program, you may be required to submit an active RN license (issued by the state in which you practice), a personal statement or essay, references, and a resume. Collect these materials early, and be sure to apply to multiple programs, to keep your options open.
Request Your Transcripts
For RN to BSN programs: You will have to provide proof of an associate degree in nursing from a regionally accredited college or university, or a nursing diploma from a school of nursing or teaching hospital.
For master’s programs:
You must provide undergraduate transcripts. Contact your previous college, university or nursing school to have transcripts sent wherever you apply.
Prepare Financial Aid and Payments
Remember to complete your FAFSA to see what federal loans are available, and sign up for a payment plan to spread costs throughout the term. After that, be sure to make your first tuition payment on time.
Cost Savings Tip
• When searching for an MSN, find out how many credits you will need to earn your degree, and calculate the overall cost.
• A high-quality, 30-credit program will cost less than a comparable program that requires more credits.
About Nursing Programs at UNH College of Professional Studies
The UNH College of Professional Studies offers working nurses the chance to advance their careers through RN to BSN and MSN degrees. Our programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and are among the most affordable options for nurses in New England.
RN to BSN
With growing demands placed on the health care system, nurses are being called upon to make more complex decisions than ever before, and a BSN is quickly becoming a requirement for employment in many health care facilities. Our RN to BSN program prepares you to meet the nursing demands of the future. Eligible applicants must have an associate’s degree. You may transfer up to 90 of your previously-earned college credits to fulfill your non-nursing requirements. New Hampshire community college graduates are eligible for a scholarship when admitted to our RN to BSN Pathway program.
MSN Health Care Leadership
Acquire skills to transition into advanced positions where you can advocate for policy changes; implement quality improvement initiatives; and make informed decisions that drive positive health outcomes. Learn to lead interprofessional teams, ethically manage information and technology, oversee the budgeting and financial reporting unique to health care organizations, and more. Emerge understanding the complex challenges facing health care today, with tools to make a meaningful difference.
The UNH Advantage
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Top-Ranked University
As part of the University System of New Hampshire, the UNH College of Professional Studies has been a leader in online education for nearly 20 years. Our bachelor’s programs are consistently among the top-ranked in New Hampshire by U.S. News & World Report.
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Exclusively Focused on Adult Students
We’re exclusively focused on providing adult students with supportive, high-quality programs in high-demand fields. Designed for working professionals, our online programs offer full- and part-time options. Enjoy the flexibility of working on your own schedule – even while balancing family life and working a full-time job.
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Affordable, Accredited, and 100% Online
We are a public, nonprofit university that’s regionally accredited by New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).Our online programs are among the most affordable in New Hampshire.
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Master’s Degree Designed With Employers
Representatives from major New Hampshire health care employers – including Dartmouth Health, Frisbie Memorial Hospital, and Catholic Medical Center – provided guidance to help develop our MSN Health Care Leadership program. As a workforce partner, we offer special tuition discounts to employer affiliates. Learn about our employer partnerships
• Scholarships for Community
College Grads
New Hampshire’s community college graduates are eligible for a scholarship when they’re admitted to our RN to BSN Pathway program.
855-472-4255 | cps.unh.edu/online