These special nursing degrees are also often called "second degree BSN programs" because they only admit students who already hold a
bachelor's degree with a formal major in some area other than nursing.
These second degree programs are perfect for career changers like you who want to build upon their first bachelor's degree to earn a second accelerated BSN degree that will qualify them to take the RN exam at completion.
Online nursing programs impose strict admission requirements. Most accredited online BSN programs require a valid RN license in the state where the applicant lives before admission.
What you'd like to know is if there are any accelerated online BSN degree programs that admit students who do not yet hold RN designations.
That question is complicated. Below are some of the career factors you'll need to consider.
Nursing education includes two components: theory (textbook) learning and hands-on work in a hospital setting. The latter is referred to as clinical training.
If you already hold an RN license, colleges assume you have completed both the required foundation lab courses, such as chemistry, and the required clinical hours.
A local supervised clinical setting is required for all online degrees in nursing. Most RNs are already employed in a local healthcare facility. This means they can complete advanced courses online while continuing to work. Their work setting becomes the “supervised clinical” setting for the online BSN degree.
You can use online education to make a nursing career change. But first you will need to spend a few months to a year completing clinical experience and foundational science (lab) courses in a residential or campus setting.
The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh's School of Nursing, for example, offers an
accelerated online BSN for individuals who hold a bachelor's degree in an area other than nursing. This program is designed to allow online students to earn a second degree—a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN)—in just 12 months.
To enter the Wisconsin program, you must already hold a bachelor's degree as well as a CNA (certified nursing assistant) certification. This is to ensure you have completed hands-on clinicals and labs in a supervised setting. Completing the CNA provides exposure to the healthcare field and ensures an understanding of basic nursing concepts.
To earn a CNA, you must complete both a clinical component and pass your state’s CNA exam.
Even with a CNA, the Wisconsin program—like all distance learning nursing degrees—requires BSN students to visit campus for three one-week “boot camps.” These sessions are designed to demonstrate advanced clinical skills.
