Choosing a nursing program requires an investment of both time and money that can shape a student’s educational path and their career in healthcare. Since not all university programs are the same, it helps to know what to look for when choosing a nursing program. The following are some of the biggest deciding factors:

Accreditation

Students should look for programs that are accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE*). These accreditations mean that the programs are academically recognized and can prepare graduates for nursing licensure. Nonaccredited universities are essentially invalid and aren’t worth consideration, no matter how inexpensive they are or how short their degree timeline is.

Nursing Specialities

Although registered nurses are largely considered the standard for nursing in the healthcare field, there are several RN specialties and subspecialties to consider. Nurses can work in family healthcare, pediatrics or adult-gerontology primary care. Different programs will offer various specialties for students to choose from, and students should research programs that offer education in areas they’d like to focus on. There are also several different healthcare settings nurses can choose from. Ideally, students have a good idea of the type of healthcare and the setting they’d ultimately like to pursue. Knowing these intended career specifics will dictate the educational path when choosing a nursing program. 

Program Length and Schedule

Depending on the nursing program selected, the timeline for completion may be as short as 18 months or as long as four years. Accelerated programs that pack a lot of coursework into a short amount of time might not be feasible for individuals who need to maintain employment or keep up with personal obligations outside of school. Conversely, long programs may pose issues for students who aren’t sure where they will be in the next year or two. Whatever nursing program a student chooses, they should be certain they have the time to commit to it. Otherwise, they’ll be wasting tuition on a partial education. Fortunately, there is much more flexibility with an online degree than on-campus education, making scheduling much easier for those with personal obligations and employment they need to maintain.

The Benefits of an On-Campus Degree

When online courses were first made available, students who decided to take that route rather than attend brick-and-mortar campuses were essentially engaging in a sort of guided self-education. Online teachers would post a syllabus of study materials, grade term papers that were faxed or emailed in and then administer difficult open-book tests. In those early years, attending classes in person instead of over the internet meant engaging in a more traditional college experience and interaction with professors and other students. For this reason, the only programs available at first were those in which student interaction and hands-on training were less important. While accounting or software development programs were easily accessible over the internet in 2005, a DNP degree program would have been available only on campus at that time because of the wide scope of DNP practical applications. Recent studies suggest that the primary benefits of on-campus learning include students enjoying personal connections, in-person learning involving Q&A sessions and group discussions, networking with other future professionals in similar fields of study, improved student-faculty relationships and opportunities for practical applications. Other benefits of on-campus education may include fewer technical requirements and hurdles, such as owning an adequate computer, easier credit transfers to other schools and fewer financial aid difficulties.

The Benefits of an Online Degree

For online education, commonplace technological advancements blur all of those previously insurmountable lines when it comes to an online degree vs. an on-campus degree. Attending classes over the internet and, in some cases, through smartphones and tablets is no longer the isolating, detached method of learning it once was. Advanced technology and increased internet speeds have made the online learning environment seamless and efficient.

Flexibility and Access

Flexible time schedules, 24/7 access to course materials and recorded lectures, a pool of potential students unlimited by geography, multimedia and social channels of communication and more up-to-date study materials are just a few reasons to favor an online program.

Utilizing Advanced Technology

Online programs now benefit from improved internet speeds and functionality along with better hardware, more device options than just desktops and laptops and social networks that are already deeply entrenched in the lives of potential students.

Remote Assistance and Guidance

Even preceptors are now able to remotely assist the students assigned to them. According to Xi Vivien Wu in “A Systematic Review of Online Learning Programs for Nurse Preceptors,” in Nurse Education Today, online learning is an effective way for preceptors “to integrate theory into practice, teach clinical skills, assess clinical competency, and enhance problem-solving skills.” 

A Modern Learning Environment for the Digital Age

DNP programs work especially well online because much of what DNPs do involves administrative and financial functions as well as an interprofessional collaboration rather than one-on-one patient interactions. Courses such as Healthcare Policy and Finance, Healthcare Information Systems, Ethical Leadership in Complex Organizations and Program Analysis are the types of classes that tend to translate nicely into online coursework.

A DNP Degree on Par with Conventional Programs

Students considering an online degree vs. an on-campus degree may want assurance that their credentials will impress future employers. While early online diplomas were viewed with a bit of skepticism, hospitals now consider them on par with conventional programs. An added bonus for employers is that employees who are pursuing their degrees online have more flexibility to continue working while they further their nursing education.