If you are considering pursuing a Bachelor of Science in nursing, it is important to know your options.  First, you have to know where you stand.  There are two types of people who pursue this type of degree, those who are starting fresh and have no prior nursing certification, and those who already a certified RN.  The degree can be pursued singly, or it can build on a previous certification.  The category you fit in will make a difference regardless of whether you choose a traditional program, or a nurse BSN online degree.

This difference in programs has mostly to do with the time it takes to complete.  For someone with no previous nursing education, this is a four year program.  For an RN, the program can be much shorter as it builds on skills that were taught during the RN certification process.   Therefore, this type of degree program can usually be completed in as little as two years, or in some cases even just a few months.  Since there are now nurse BSN online degree options, there is no need for someone who is already working in the field to stop working in order to attend school.

The online programs work for everyone, but they may be especially useful to someone who has already been working as a nurse, and needs the flexibility offered by a nurse BSN online degree program to be able to keep working.  While it is true most such programs can be completed very quickly, often it takes longer for those who are working and going to school at the same time.  For this reason, most programs do not place limits on the amount of time a student is allowed to take to complete the program, as long as progress is being made.

The nurse BSN online degree programs offer several benefits that are not found in tradition programs.  These include flexibility of course, as well as reduced costs.  While tuition may not differ that much, the reduced child care, gas, and other commuting costs all make the online learning endeavor a more frugal choice.  Be aware, however, that there are fraudulent programs online that do not offer credible, accredited degrees.  If you are duped by one of these, you will have wasted your money and your time in pursuing a useless degree.

The best way to spot a non-legitimate nurse BSN online degree program is to check them out with independent sources.  See where they stand with the Better Business Bureau, and discuss them with established professionals in the field.  Ask questions about how they feel about hiring graduates from the school.  You may find their programs are not very well respected.  Try to find an exam pass rate for graduates, as well as a hire rate.  If this information is not readily available and certifiable, it is very likely a red flag.  There are enough credible programs out there that there is no reason to mess around with a scam if you do your research first.