While becoming a nurse online is not possible solely through online coursework, there are many advantages to incorporating online coursework into a nursing education. Online coursework has many benefits, including increased flexibility. A nursing track with online learning can help you meet your goals without compromising quality.
In today’s educational environment, students often manage many priorities, and online learning offers the opportunity to make maintaining various commitments possible. While becoming a nurse online may be appealing for many students, hands-on, experiential learning contributes to a well-rounded nursing education. Mercer University’s Second Degree Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) track takes 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 and allows students to earn a BSN degree in as few as 12 months.
Through this approach Mercer’s ABSN track is designed to provide students with the convenience and accessibility of online nursing coursework and equip students with valuable in-person learning experiences. Below, we will explore how online learning works, how an ABSN track could be the best option for your nursing education, and ways you can succeed as a student with online-based coursework.
Can You Get a Nursing Degree Online?
Overall, the path to completing a comprehensive nursing education program, earning a BSN degree, or becoming a nurse 100% online is not an option. Online nursing coursework is growing within nursing education, but as many benefits as it has, online learning cannot replace the knowledge and experience gained from in-person labs and clinical rotations. Due to state and national board requirements, accredited BSN tracks do not operate 100% online.
However, you can take nursing classes online. Online coursework allows blended ABSN tracks like Mercer’s to offer the convenience and accessibility of online learning while maintaining standards of excellence. Mercer’s College of Nursing is the longest-established nursing school in the state of Georgia and consistently earns high national rankings.
If enrolled in a nursing track that includes online coursework, such as Mercer’s ABSN track, you must attend on-campus nursing labs and commute to healthcare facilities in the Metro Atlanta area for clinical rotations.
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How Online Nursing Courses Work
How does online nursing school work if a nursing program is not 100% online? In Mercer’s Accelerated BSN track you will engage in a 12-month, three-semester nursing curriculum comprised of three elements:
- Online nursing lectures and coursework, able to be completed on a flexible basis (while meeting deadlines)
- In-person skills and simulation labs, taken alongside fellow members of your cohort and supervised by experienced professors, clinicians, and advanced practice experts
- Clinical rotations at top healthcare facilities in the Metro Atlanta area, guided by expert clinicians across a variety of practice specialties
Nursing labs and clinical rotations are vital to gaining the in-person experience and knowledge necessary to practice on real patients as a nurse. Nursing lectures and coursework provide foundational knowledge that will be essential to learning and understanding more advanced concepts.
Why Choose a Nursing Track with Online Coursework?
There are many advantages to choosing a nursing track that incorporates online learning. In these nursing tracks, students complete coursework and participate in class discussions through an e-learning platform.
In Mercer’s accelerated BSN track, you can access previous course material and lessons at any point, helping improve retention and deepen your understanding of core nursing concepts. You will also be supported throughout the track and can easily communicate with faculty via phone, email, or office hours. You will also connect with your cohort through online discussion boards and in person through nursing labs and clinicals.
When delivered online, nursing coursework within programs like Mercer’s ABSN track can carry several other advantages, explored below.
Coursework to Suit a Variety of Learning Styles
Each nursing student will learn differently, and their preferred method of learning may vary from a traditional classroom environment. To accommodate diverse learning styles while delivering a rigorous nursing education, different units and assignments have been designed with various learning styles in mind.
Mercer ABSN students will work through material delivered with an emphasis on visual, aural, tactile, and social learning styles. This diverse approach means you can engage with the material in different ways, with instructors and fellow cohort members available to discuss or study material together for an optimal learning experience.
Flexibility to Form Your Study Schedule
Beyond catering to a variety of learning styles, taking nursing courses online is also an opportunity to shape your personal study schedule around the times and places that work best for you.
All students must meet course deadlines for assignments; however, you have the opportunity to ensure you are working at an optimal time for comprehension and productivity, unlike traditional, in-person coursework. While you will attend labs and clinicals in person, the flexibility offered through online learning can make it easier to succeed in a challenging Accelerated BSN track.
How Do I Choose an Online Nursing Track?
When reviewing online nursing tracks, the single most important element is to ensure that the program is accredited and approved by your state board of nursing, like Mercer’s ABSN track. Attending an accredited school may also provide an opportunity to apply for federal financial aid, and earning a degree from an accredited school prepares you to take the NCLEX-RN exam and pursue licensure.
You should also consider the following as you review nursing degree options with online-based coursework:
- 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 such as academic success coaches available?
- Are the school’s online courses tailored to suit visual, aural, tactile, and social learning styles?
- Does the online coursework provide opportunities to connect with your cohort?
- What is the school’s average NCLEX pass rate?
Mercer University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and our accelerated BSN 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.
How Can I Succeed in Online Nursing Coursework?
Online learning offers flexibility to accommodate different learning styles, making it easier to succeed in nursing courses delivered online. Taking advantage of these benefits, as well as the resources available to you as a Mercer ABSN student can help you on your journey to earning your BSN degree.
Firstly, and perhaps most importantly, your instructors and fellow cohort members are available for questions and collaboration. Mercer’s instructors remain highly available and are invested in your success. Your fellow cohort members are looking for support just like you. Connect with them to learn more and get more out of your accelerated nursing education.
Organization is key for success in an accelerated BSN track. The increased flexibility offered through online learning means fewer opportunities to be reminded in person about assignments, tests, and deadlines. Mercer’s ABSN track delivers online courses asynchronously, meaning you can view lectures and complete assignments on your own time (within required course deadlines). Whether in a physical planner or via electronic means, entering deadlines and keeping them updated is beneficial.
Establishing a routine will help you remain organized and on top of assignments. Scheduling blocks of time throughout the week to finish coursework, complete textbook readings, and study for exams is important. The good news is that with the flexibility of online-based coursework, you can block out practically a time of the day or night that works best for you to study and work on assignments.
The Accelerated BSN track covers a large amount of material in an accelerated timeframe, so maintaining personal systems of organization will be key for your success. Through your hard work, collaboration, and support from Mercer, you can earn your BSN degree and enter a new career in as few as 12 months.
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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 tackle Mercer’s ABSN track with online nursing coursework, in-person labs, and clinical rotations — speak with an enrollment counselor today.
An enrollment counselor will review your academic history and qualifications to help you determine the best course of action toward earning a nursing degree. With nurses needed now more than ever, there has never been a better time to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree online and enter this exciting, rewarding field.
