RUNNING HEAD: EFFECTIVENESS OF ONLINE BSN PROGRAMS EFFECTIVENESS OF ONLINE BSN PROGRAMS 12 Title of Paper: EFFECTIVENESS OF ONLINE BSN PROGRAMS Student Name: DIEUVINA FRANCOIS University Course ID—Course Name Module/Week x, Assignment x Instructor Name Date Effectiveness of Online BSN Programs Online BSN programs are certainly a popular choice for lots of people who aspire to be in the nursing profession. An online BSN program offers students an alternative to finishing their nursing degree because its courses are provided entirely online. Even though the specific courses often vary by program common BSN requirements online include pediatric nursing, nursing fundamentals, mental health nursing and legal issues, and ethics in nursing (Seiler, 2018). There are a lot of people out there who would wish to learn and be a part of a program, but due to their lack of an accessible institute offering nursing they end up not going through the course. With this being said, BSN programs have helped a wide range of people to access learning due to its availability. There are those that argue that online BSN is not the best choice and does not produce competent nurses. This is supported by the fact that it is very easy for the student undertaking the program to cheat, as there is no physical supervision. It is argued that a student can graduate from the program without having participated in the course themselves. This paper poses the question, is it effective for one to go through an online BSN program? .it evaluates the cons and pros that are associated with going through the program (Breen & Jones, 2017). The paper evaluates the effectiveness of online BSN programs. Literature Review BSN completion programs are among the easiest nursing courses programs that one can take online. The end result of the study leads to a degree and not a certificate or a new license and as a result it does not fall under the regulation of state board of nursing. The course has a few clinical hours that need to be completed, and since the nurse is already an RN, the will have completed them working under their own license. At times, a preceptor is required. RN and BSN programs are most suitable for long distances (Shuster, Birkholz, & Petri, 2017). They have helped a lot of people since the AACN and the ANA have been encouraging a lot of people to finish their BSNs. Nurses who will heed this call will find themselves with plethora of choices. Some may be close to where they are while others will be across the nation. For new students, they might opt to attend the traditional way since they want to experience the full campus life including internship opportunities as well as student clubs. There are nurses that work in institutions that has partnership with a certain school, and the employer might pay for his/her expenses after they complete the program (Stephens, 2019). For many working nurses, online is the most convenient option. Both public an.

1. RUNNING HEAD: EFFECTIVENESS OF ONLINE BSN
PROGRAMS
EFFECTIVENESS OF ONLINE BSN PROGRAMS 12
Title of Paper: EFFECTIVENESS OF ONLINE BSN
PROGRAMS
Student Name: DIEUVINA FRANCOIS
University
Course ID—Course Name
Module/Week x, Assignment x
Instructor Name
Date
Effectiveness of Online BSN Programs
Online BSN programs are certainly a popular choice for
lots of people who aspire to be in the nursing profession. An
online BSN program offers students an alternative to finishing
their nursing degree because its courses are provided entirely
online. Even though the specific courses often vary by program
common BSN requirements online include pediatric nursing,

2. nursing fundamentals, mental health nursing and legal issues,
and ethics in nursing (Seiler, 2018).
There are a lot of people out there who would wish to learn
and be a part of a program, but due to their lack of an accessible
institute offering nursing they end up not going through the
course. With this being said, BSN programs have helped a wide
range of people to access learning due to its availability. There
are those that argue that online BSN is not the best choice and
does not produce competent nurses. This is supported by the
fact that it is very easy for the student undertaking the program
to cheat, as there is no physical supervision. It is argued that a
student can graduate from the program without having
participated in the course themselves. This paper poses the
question, is it effective for one to go through an online BSN
program? .it evaluates the cons and pros that are associated with
going through the program (Breen & Jones, 2017). The paper
evaluates the effectiveness of online BSN programs.
Literature Review
BSN completion programs are among the easiest nursing
courses programs that one can take online. The end result of the
study leads to a degree and not a certificate or a new license and
as a result it does not fall under the regulation of state board of
nursing. The course has a few clinical hours that need to be
completed, and since the nurse is already an RN, the will have
completed them working under their own license. At times, a
preceptor is required. RN and BSN programs are most suitable
for long distances (Shuster, Birkholz, & Petri, 2017). They have
helped a lot of people since the AACN and the ANA have been
encouraging a lot of people to finish their BSNs. Nurses who
will heed this call will find themselves with plethora of choices.
Some may be close to where they are while others will be across
the nation. For new students, they might opt to attend the
traditional way since they want to experience the full campus
life including internship opportunities as well as student clubs.
There are nurses that work in institutions that has partnership
with a certain school, and the employer might pay for his/her

3. expenses after they complete the program (Stephens, 2019).
For many working nurses, online is the most convenient
option. Both public and private institutions offer distance
courses. A nurse is supposed to make sure that the program is
accredited and has a good reputation, but she should feel like
online is any less authentic. Online should however be noted
that it does not only mean self-paced. Some programs include
asynchronous, as well as asynchronous learning. This to mean
that a nurse can convene at particular times for online
discussions as well as other activities. Even for a student who
has difficulties in self-pacing can still benefit from long
distance learning, but the student will still be required to choose
a program which they fit. In case a nurse does not feel like a
traditional class is the best choice for them, then they can often
find a nearby program that can accommodate nontraditional
scheduling, for example an evening schedule or a day or two a
week schedule (Stewart, Pope, & Hansen, 2020).
Online as well as traditional is not always an either or
decision. There are programs that are offered hybrid. Most
coursework is completed at a distance, but the student will be
needed to come to the campus for an occasional intensive. There
are other courses of study that do not require clinical hours. As
a BSN completion student, you may not be needed to set foot in
the institution other than where you work. There are other
programs that have one or more classes that include a practicum
(Shuster, Birkholz, & Petri, 2019). For instance, a student may
be required to spend time in a public service agency while they
are studying public health, this is meant to familiarize
themselves with how thing are at the ground they will be
working in. this can be advantageous especially if a nurse plans
on working in a similar setting after they graduate. Platicum
work can be completed in a student’s locality. Some programs
are carried on online entirely (Keavney, 2018). There may be
culminating project that involves a combination of both work
service and travel.
Methods

4. The BSN educated RN may work in the same roles as those
of associated degree educated RN plus a few more. Many big
teaching hospital will hire BSN educated RNs only.
The Direct entry or Accelerated BSN program is intended for
those students that hold a Bachelor’s degree in another major.
The Accelerated BSN focuses on nursing classes and nursing
prerequisites only (Shuster, Birkholz, & Petri, 2019). These are
inclusive of physiology and anatomy and other sciences. The
top four things to look for in a nursing school are;
Convenience. For one to be able to go to school and arrive in
time is very crucial, his is because punctuality is one of the
things that most institution is strict about. Their intention is to
instill a sense of professionalism as well as responsibility in
their students (Seiler, 2018).
Affordability. Since nursing school offer financial aid,
scholarships, and grants, it helps a lot of student who cannot
afford to pay cash for school. This is usually very helpful in
helping the students to acquire money to attend.
Requirements for BSN degree vary from one university o
another. They include both general education requirements for
them to complete prerequisites before the nursing school
admission requirements. Traditional BSN programs to take
about 4 years for it to get completed. This is inclusive of all
non-nursing prerequisite classes as well as nursing prerequisites
and nursing classes. With these being excluded, the course
would take about 2 years. Clinical hours are also included in
this period. Some of the school will require one to attend eight
hundred clinical hours so as to graduate from this program. It is
a good idea for a nurse who wants to complete his/her BSN
program to enroll as fast as they can since the united states
government said that by the end of 2020 they will only be
employing nurses that ate BSN educated. This could mean an
added advantage of opportunities for people who have
completed their BSN programs. On the other hand it is due to
how competent and good reputation that follows BSN nurses
wherever they go. It is said that according to research, BSN

5. nurses have been associated with good performance as well as
lowered mortality rate when they are working in institutions to
take care of patients (Breen & Jones, 2017). This might be the
factor that spears the government to want every nurse to go
through this process.
Results
There are advantages as well as setbacks that face one
when they are pursuing online programs. Pursuing a BSN degree
requires one to sacrifice themselves a great deal, it requires
time, determination as well as financial determination. There is
a number of different programs that a nurse can choose from.
They differ in duration, teaching formats and cost. Before
enrolling in a BSN program, it is very important that one
researches the program they want to undertake as well as the
expectations to meet. Through the internet, there has been an
introduction of more online programs that offer students
flexibility from wherever or whenever they wish. It is
convenient but also varies from one student to another (Shuster,
Birkholz, & Petri, 2017). It might not be suitable for everyone.
Some of the advantages of taking an online learning is
that;
Students who are working professionals or are parents or
caretakers most often need the flexibility and the convenience
that is afforded to students by the online education. This is for
people who are juggling competing priorities, online education
gives them an opportunity to pursue a BSN as part of their lives.
Online BSN will give the students the liberty of finishing up
their assignments on their own time while enjoying a little more
freedom on their schedules (Keavney, 2018).
Online education is also advantageous in that it’s inclusive
if nature. For those students who could not be able to pursue the
program have now online programs as an option. In many cases,
online education has become the only hope for student who are
living in rural areas that do not have a centralized nursing
program, complete with live instructors and classrooms. Online
education has made it possible for many nursing students from

6. all over the world. One reason why some working nurses choose
to continue their courses through the online program is because
they do not have the luxury of attending full time classes (Wolf
& Hoerst, 2016). BSN programs enable nurses who are already
working to go on with their studies without halting their
careers.
However, there are some negatives to having online BSN
programs. So before enrolling for the program, it is crucial to
consider ones working style as well as their personality. Online
students ought to be self-starters, internally motivated and
independent for this option to work. A student who requires
forma instruction, mentorship of a live instructor or structure
will struggle in online classes. Another consideration that one
needs to put into consideration is that they will be unable to
interact with other nursing students. They will have few
opportunities of interaction with the nursing students, these are
relationships that would have helped them to synthesize and
maybe look for job opportunities together (Stewart, Pope, &
Hansen, 2020).
When it comes to quality, online education and live in
person instruction are at par. It however depends on so many
factors, inclusive of the school and instructors themselves.
Generally speaking, a nursing student can receive quality
education from both programs (Song, 2019). Students that are
naturally detail oriented, organized, and know how to keep track
of due dates and balancing academics can work at home and feel
obligated to do well with the unstructured online format.
Student hat have a problem remembering due dates and need
accountability tend to struggle. Students who like to be
surrounded by a community of other students that they can form
groups with and help each other with questions will most
probably prefer the live instruction. Extroverted students will
feel like the online program restricts a lot and is an enclosed
form while introverted students will find the online program
good since it offers the option to study on their own (Holley,
2017). Before pumping money into an online program it is

7. important for one to consider their personality as well as their
learning style.
BSN programs are almost everywhere now, both in public
and private sector and also in nonprofit institutions throughout
the United States. It is the responsibility of a nurse to choose
where you want to pursue this next step in professional
development. It is a wise decision to set up informational
interviews with other students that have gone through the online
program and live instructor to find out what both experiences
are like. A BSN program will equip one with academic learning
as well as practical tools that one needs to forge on with ones
career with confidence (Wolf & Hoerst, 2016).
Discussion
There are some advantages to pursing an online BSN.
Especially those who have gone through an online program,
regardless of which program they took;
A BSN holder is likely to make more money than other RNs.
This can be reflected by the amount of time it takes to complete
the program as compared to other RN related courses. BSN
takes 4 years to complete (Stewart, Pope, & Hansen, 2020).
When one is a BSN holder, there are some opportunities that
open up for them that weren’t available to them before the
completion of this course. Having a bachelor’s degree is very
essential for one to be admitted to most graduate nursing
programs. The four highest paying nursing jobs are in the BSN
bracket. This means they require one to have a BSN. It is
important to put in mind that if someone needs to get out of the
basic clinical care they need BSN (Breen & Jones, 2017). Most
nurses do not wish to stay in the clinical care and would prefer
to move into administration or teaching. This can only be
possible if one holds a BSN or higher degree.
When one is undertaking a BSN curriculum, they are taught
more than just clinical skills. As a BSN holder, one will have
learnt a lot more including critical thinking, communication and
leadership skills. These are essential skills that one will require
if they plan to move into a higher paying job or taking up more

8. responsibilities. The AACN recognizes BSN as the minimum
requirement for a professional nursing practice (Shuster,
Birkholz, & Petri, 2017).
Through research it is evident that BSN holders offer
better patient care. The American association of Colleges of
Nursing (AACN) has collected extensive research that shows
that higher education makes a major difference in clinical
outcomes, this includes lower mortality rates as well as lower
failure to rescue rates. Through this research it reveals that BSN
holders make good diagnoses and have high proficiency (Seiler,
2018).
Being a BSN holder are more legible for a lot more posted
nursing jobs. According to a study done recently, 187, 000
nurse job posts over three months had the following educational
requirements; bachelor’s degree had 37%. Through the study we
also learn that BSN holder’s salary was 10, 000 dollars higher
than the rest (Song, 2019).
Having a BSN may be a requirement in the future. The
institute of Medicine (IOM) published a recent study of nursing
profession. It was recommended that BSN holders to be
increased from fifty percent to eighty percent by the end of
2020. Nurses that have not had their BSN degree are being
encouraged to do so within the first five years of earning a
diploma or associates degree (Keavney, 2018).
By attaining a BSN degree one gets connected to higher
professional advancements.by having a BSN it will open ones
career to fascinating specialties in pediatric, oncology, diabetes,
surgery, psychiatry, gynecology and many more (Song, 2019).
Conclusion
It is important to appreciate the efforts that have been made to
make sure that there is a way to use the online program to target
a bigger group of nurses who aspire to pursue their BSN. His
will be helpful especially in people in rural areas and places
that they cannot access a traditional live instruction classes
(Breen & Jones, 2017). The effectiveness of an online class will
be determined by the personality, structure and study routines

9. of a nurse. It might not be appropriate for everyone but at the
same time it might work the same as for a person who was
attending the class in person. It is important to note that there
are some added advantages that are enjoyed by a BSN holder.
There have been researches that prove that nurses that hold BSN
degree are more competent in their work and as a result they are
more preferred to work in a hospital or patients care center than
all the other nurses. It is important to note that there has been a
publication by the IOM that states that a nurse should at least
hold a BSN degree by 2020. It would be far to say that whether
someone has gone through an online or a live instruction class,
they are both equally trained to take care of patients as well as
handling of nursing matters (Holley, 2017). This paper has
discussed of the effectiveness of an online BSN program.

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