Online Nursing Education: Your Complete Guide to Flexible Nursing Programs

Is it possible to receive an online nursing education? While many degree programs can be offered entirely online, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program cannot. Nursing is a hands-on career, and students must be able to develop these skills in person; however, a nursing program can be partially online.

Felician University’s Hybrid Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program combines online courses with hands-on labs and clinicals so students can experience the best of both worlds. By housing nursing coursework on an interactive e-learning platform, students can take advantage of online learning’s flexibility while gaining valuable hands-on experiences on an accelerated timeline.

What Is an Online Nursing Education?

An online nursing education combines online coursework with hands-on, in-person experiences. There are several types of online nursing degree programs. Some confer an associate or bachelor’s degree and take two to four years to complete, while others are accelerated and can be completed in much less time.

Felician University’s online nursing program is a hybrid accelerated BSN program that can be completed in as few as 16 months, where online education is just one curriculum component. During these online courses, you’ll gain foundational knowledge on topics such as pharmacology, pathology and preventative care.

You will then apply that knowledge to clinical situations during nursing labs and clinical rotations. This three-pronged approach to nursing education ensures that you reap the benefits of online and in-person nursing programs.

How Do Online Nursing Programs Work?

Traditional nursing programs hold in-person classes that teach core nursing concepts, whereas online nursing programs teach the same knowledge via an e-learning platform. Despite the constraints of online learning, students will still receive instructor support and guidance along the way and have the chance to interact with their cohort through discussion boards.

Online programs require greater independence and accountability because you’ll need to keep yourself on track to meet assigned deadlines. Many students thrive in this environment and enjoy the ability to work through the e-learning material in their own way.

In-Person Learning Experiences

In-person learning experiences accompany online coursework in Felician’s Hybrid ABSN program. These include nursing labs and clinical rotations.

Labs are held at our ABSN learning site in New Jersey and can be divided into skills labs and simulation labs. Skills labs teach you how to perform technical tasks, such as:

• Administering IV medications
• Caring for wounds
• Checking vitals
• Performing patient interviews

During simulation labs, you’ll apply the skills and knowledge you’ve learned to simulated patient scenarios. You’ll work in a small group with peers under faculty guidance to care for high-fidelity patient manikins in a variety of clinical situations, ranging from cardiac arrest to allergic reactions.

The final piece of in-person learning is clinical rotations. During clinicals, you’ll work with peers under the guidance of a registered nurse, learning how to care for patients in the real-world clinical environment. You’ll gradually start performing more tasks and taking on greater responsibility as you progress through the ABSN program. Clinicals take place in a variety of settings, including:

• Community health centers
• Inpatient hospital units
• Mental health clinics
• Outpatient clinics

Benefits of Online Nursing Programs

Now that you know what online nursing education is and how it works, here are a few benefits to earning a BSN through such a program:

Increased Chances of Acceptance

Traditional nursing programs generally use in-person, classroom-based learning for the nursing coursework. This model limits the number of students who can enroll in a program because of classroom space constraints and faculty availability.

You’ll likely have a better chance of acceptance into nursing programs that incorporate online learning because these programs can accept more students. Without the space limitation during lectures, it’s possible to have larger class sizes.

Programs that incorporate online learning also typically offer multiple start dates a year, providing greater flexibility in choosing when to start. Felician’s hybrid ABSN offers start dates in the Spring, Summer and Fall.

Additionally, online classes minimize faculty availability issues because students complete the nursing coursework primarily online. This frees the instructors to focus on teaching in-person lab and clinical experiences.

Accessibility and Flexibility

Another advantage of online nursing education is that it provides a less rigid, more flexible study schedule. Your online courses will have set deadlines and exam dates, but within those timelines, you have a great deal of flexibility day to day. You can adjust your study schedule to what works for you and choose where to study.

Interactive RN School Online

Another reason Felician Hybrid ABSN students enjoy online nursing coursework is that the e-learning platform is interactive and engaging. For students who prefer a variety of study modalities, such as reading, watching videos, creating flashcards, completing practice questions and engaging in online discussions, online learning can be ideal.

Students who prefer a lecture-based environment can enroll in our On-Ground ABSN program, where they participate in in-person, instructor-led presentations. However, many students prefer the increased independence offered through online courses, making our Hybrid ABSN program a great fit.

Instructor and Peer Support

Even though the Hybrid ABSN program uses online nursing coursework, you will still have plenty of interaction with peers and instructors. Your instructors are dedicated to your success and are happy to help you whenever needed. Whether you ask a question via email or set up a time to meet and discuss your questions in person, your instructors are easy to access.

Additionally, you will work closely with peers throughout the program. You can interact with classmates through online discussion boards and during nursing labs and clinical rotations. You can also form study groups with the friends you meet in the program.

Choosing the Right Online RN Programs

Whether you choose an online program or on-ground, enrolling in nursing school is a big decision. To help you find the right online program, consider the following criteria:

• Accreditation: Ensure that the program is regionally accredited and approved by the state board of nursing. The Felician hybrid and on-ground programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and approved by the New Jersey State Board of Nursing.
• Location: Even though classes are held online, you will still need to commute to the learning site for nursing labs and local healthcare facilities for clinicals.
• Curriculum: In-person experiences are just as essential as the quality of online coursework. Carefully review each program’s curriculum, considering whether state-of-the-art nursing labs are included, as well as the number of clinical hours and clinical partnerships.
• NCLEX-RN Exam Preparation: The end goal of any nursing program is to pass the NCLEX and become a licensed nurse. In Felician’s ABSN program, coursework, simulation experiences and assessments are all tailored to prepare students for the NCLEX.

Start Your Nursing Journey at Felician

Whether you prefer an online nursing education or an in-person, lecture-based environment, Felician University can help you take the first steps toward becoming a nurse. The hybrid and on-ground ABSN programs are designed to fully prepare students to take the NCLEX and become skilled and confident RNs.

Regardless of your course delivery option, you can earn a BSN in as few as 16 months in Felician’s ABSN program. Contact our admissions counselors today to learn how you can start your nursing journey with Felician University.