Can you become a nurse online? Although it is not possible to become a nurse entirely online, you can indeed earn an online nursing degree that offers a hybrid approach. A hybrid degree track offers online coursework paired with in-person nursing labs and clinical rotations at healthcare facilities.
It is possible to earn a nursing degree while completing online coursework, but you cannot become a registered nurse entirely online without completing in-person learning components. An online-based nursing degree path can offer more flexibility. When paired with in-person learning components, it also offers plenty of opportunities for nursing skills development.
Can you become a nurse online at Mercer University? Mercer University’s Second Degree Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) track offers a blended approach, combining online coursework with hands-on lab simulations and clinical rotations in the Atlanta, Georgia, metropolitan area. Online learning is a key component of the curriculum, enabling students to earn a BSN degree in as few as 12 months.
If you are thinking of attending nursing school, explore how online learning works and why an ABSN track could be the best option for your nursing education.
Can You Become a Nurse Online? How It Really Works
Some nursing coursework can be completed online, but becoming a nurse requires in-person clinicals and hands-on experiences. As beneficial as online nursing coursework can be, online learning cannot replace the knowledge and skills learned during in-person labs and clinical rotations. To meet state and national board requirements, accredited BSN programs combine online learning with in-person clinical and hands-on experiences that prepare students for professional nursing practice.
Mercer University’s blended ABSN track offers the flexibility of online learning alongside in-person clinical and skills training, helping students balance convenience with a high-quality nursing education. Mercer University’s College of Nursing is the longest-established nursing school in the state of Georgia and consistently earns high national rankings.
In a nursing track with online-based elements, online coursework is combined with nursing labs at a learning site, along with in-person clinical placements at nearby healthcare facilities.
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What Parts of an Online Nursing Degree Are Completed Online vs. In Person?
In a blended track such as Mercer University’s ABSN track, you will complete your nursing coursework online. You will visit the ABSN Learning Site for nursing skills and simulation labs, and you will work shifts at nearby healthcare facilities.
Take a closer look at what to expect:
- Online: Nursing lectures and coursework, completed on a flexible schedule within assigned deadlines
- In-person at Mercer’s Atlanta Learning Site: Nursing skills and simulation labs, completed alongside fellow members of your cohort and supervised by experienced professors, clinicians, and advanced practice experts
- In-person at top area healthcare facilities: Clinical rotations at top healthcare facilities in the Metro Atlanta area, guided by expert clinicians across a variety of practice specialties
Nursing coursework provides foundational knowledge that can then be applied in clinical settings. Meanwhile, nursing labs and clinical rotations are vital to gaining the skills and experience necessary to treat patients as a practicing nurse. These learning elements combine to provide a comprehensive nursing education.
Online vs. Traditional Nursing Education: Key Differences to Know
When choosing between a blended or a traditional nursing track, consider the differences in the following areas:
- Academic support: Both types of tracks may offer student support. Mercer University, for example, provides Academic Success Coaches. Unlike a traditional BSN track, however, a blended track enables students to review the learning material as many times as needed via the online learning portal.
- Curriculum delivery: An online nursing degree offers online nursing coursework paired with in-person labs and clinicals. A traditional BSN track typically only offers in-person classes.
- Graduation timeline: A traditional BSN track requires four years of full-time study. A blended ABSN can enable you to graduate much more quickly. At Mercer University, you could complete the ABSN track in as few as 12 months.
- Scheduling: With online coursework, you will have more control over your schedule. It offers more flexibility, provided you continue to meet all deadlines. In a traditional BSN track, you will have to take classes when scheduled by the instructor.
Clinical Rotations and Hands-On Training Requirements
Blended and traditional tracks do have some similarities, such as the hands-on clinical training required. In either type of track, you will learn nursing skills and apply the nursing process during skills and simulation labs. During clinical rotations, you will practice providing direct patient care under supervision. These in-person learning components are essential for becoming a nurse.
Admission Requirements, Prerequisites, and Track Eligibility
You can pursue nursing coursework online. Mercer University’s ABSN track is designed for students who already have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. You must also meet other admission requirements, including prerequisites.
Prerequisite courses are required to ensure you have the right academic foundation for nursing education. At Mercer University, we require prerequisites in areas such as microbiology and statistics. Your enrollment counselor will help you put together a plan for completing any needed prerequisites.
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Accreditation and Licensure: What to Look for in an Online Nursing Degree
When comparing online nursing tracks, look for whether the program is accredited and approved by the state board of nursing, like Mercer University’s ABSN track. Attending an accredited school is necessary for nursing licensure, and it may also provide an opportunity to apply for federal financial aid.
You should also consider the following as you review online nursing degree options:
- Are you required to attend live virtual lectures, or can you engage with lectures and complete assignments on your own time while meeting deadlines?
- Are robust student support services available, such as Academic Success Coaches?
- Does the online coursework provide opportunities to connect with your cohort?
- What is the school’s NCLEX-RN pass rate?
Mercer University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), and our ABSN track is approved by the Georgia Board of Nursing. Our Academic Success Coaches are also available to provide individualized support to our students to foster their success.
Is an Online Nursing Degree the Right Path for Your Career Goals?
An online nursing degree is a flexible way to become a nurse, but it is not necessarily the right choice for every student. A blended degree track can be a good choice for students who have already completed a non-nursing degree and who qualify for the ABSN, as traditional BSN tracks do not commonly offer online coursework.
A blended approach can also work well for students who are self-motivated and driven to succeed. You will need to hold yourself accountable to deadlines, but you will have the support of your instructors along the way, as well as personalized help from Mercer University’s Academic Success Coaches.
Lastly, online coursework can benefit students who prefer to review the material as many times as they wish. You will be able to watch lectures as many times as you wish, thanks to the digital learning platform.
Ready to Earn Your Nursing Degree?
Becoming a nurse online is possible through a combination of online coursework and in-person nursing skills labs, simulation labs, and clinical rotations. If you are ready to start Mercer University’s ABSN track and benefit from personalized support, request information today.
Your dedicated enrollment counselor will review your academic history and qualifications to help you determine the best course of action toward earning a nursing degree. If eligible, you can choose from three start dates per year and graduate in as few as 12 months after completing any needed prerequisites.