Is this possible?

My mother (who is an RN, PhD) mentioned what I think is a nutty idea but I promised I would look into it.

I am starting the process of nursing school. My state (MA) does not recognize any online nursing schools. She mentioned going through schooling in another state that might recognize an online education - or part with some small residency requirement - and then transferring the degree back to my home state.

Crazy? This can't be possible.
If you aren't an RN then you have to have clinicals. It cannot be done exclusively online.

Just to make sure I understand you right, you want to get your degree for your RN completely online? Am I understanding correctly that you don't already have your RN, and aren't trying to do an RN-BSN? I can't speak to whether or not that is actually possible, but here's what I will say: I just can't fathom getting a nursing degree online with no clinical experience. Being a new grad with a rather large number of clinical hours from school has been hard enough, I can't imagine doing it without the "experience" I had from clinical hours in school.

Are you able to move (do you have spouse/kids?)? Why not stay at a dorm and do your RN schooling?

Quote from zipzip314Just to make sure I understand you right, you want to get your degree for your RN completely online? Am I understanding correctly that you don't already have your RN, and aren't trying to do an RN-BSN? I can't speak to whether or not that is actually possible, but here's what I will say: I just can't fathom getting a nursing degree online with no clinical experience. Being a new grad with a rather large number of clinical hours from school has been hard enough, I can't imagine doing it without the "experience" I had from clinical hours in school.

Quote from NurseOnAMotorcycleAre you able to move (do you have spouse/kids?)? Why not stay at a dorm and do your RN schooling?

Quote from zipzip314Just to make sure I understand you right, you want to get your degree for your RN completely online? Am I understanding correctly that you don't already have your RN, and aren't trying to do an RN-BSN? I can't speak to whether or not that is actually possible, but here's what I will say: I just can't fathom getting a nursing degree online with no clinical experience. Being a new grad with a rather large number of clinical hours from school has been hard enough, I can't imagine doing it without the "experience" I had from clinical hours in school.

I HAVE heard of an online ADN program that will allow the student to pass the clinical component by taking practical exams (hands-on tests of clinical skills, observed by an instructor). I thought this a poor method of earning a degree in nursing, myself, but it is an option out there.However, and it's a BIG "however", this degree is NOT accepted everywhere when it comes to continuing one's education (or, as you found out, getting licensure in any particular State).You cannot "transfer" a degree from one State to another....you can only transfer credits from one school to another. You must have a degree from an approved institution in order to sit for NCLEX in your home State. If you think you can just sit for NCLEX in another State that DOES allow a program like I mentioned to be acceptable for entry to the Exam, you will find that to be a big mistake. Just ask the umpteen-hundred RNs who received licensing in California when they did not have a degree in professional nursing.....they used a loophole allowing LPNs to "challenge" the RN exam and thereby obtain a CA RN nursing license. So what's the problem? It's only good in California!

There are schools like excelsior that have something like that. The problem is not every state accepts them. Better really research this before wasting effort and money. Just apply to a school in your state and if I were you then I would go straight for the BSN. Many places are requiring it any way. Nothing can replace good old fashioned hard work.

Short answer: No, it's not possible in MA. I am sure they have tumbled to the idea that some people will try this dodge, and the BoN will still recognize it for the dodge it is. Just because someplace might grant you a license based on NCLEX and an education in another state does not obligate any other state to grant you a license by reciprocity/endorsement. MA is also not a Compact state. If you really want to be a real nurse, an RN, then get a real education, no matter where you live.

Yup. Thanks for all the messages. Like I said, I did not think this would fly but as a dutiful daughter I promised I'd check.

IF- and this is a big IF- you find such a program, are able to pass NCLEX and obtain licensure in another state, and the MA BoN accepts your application for licensure by endorsement you will never find a job in Massachusetts with that educational background. I'd bet money on it. There are hardly any jobs for new grads here, period, and almost all the hospitals demand a BSN.

Love when people comment on Excelsior and don't have their facts straight. To be clear, I did not get my initial nursing school from them but having gone there for BSN I have a little more accurate information. First of all, there are no restrictions on Excelsior graduates in Massachusetts. The problem is that you must have some kind of clinical background such as LPN, RT or Paramedic (EMT-P, not EMT-B). Some States require additional clinical hours be documented beyond existing clinical experience and the link below lists the States that have additional requirements. At this time only California absolutely rejects Excelsior graduates licensed after 2003. Excelsior College | State Board RequirementsWestern Governors University (WGU) does have a pre-licensure nursing program that is largely online but it does require clinicals. Let me preface that I'm not going to spout off on WGU as I know little about their program but I understand you can go into their program with no previous clinical experience and graduate ready for your NCLEX. The problem is that only a few States have clinical sites; Texas, Utah, Indiana, Florida and Southern California. So that will not work for a resident of Massachusetts.BSN with RN License | Online RN Degree | Online Nursing SchoolIn my 20+ years of nursing I have never heard of an exclusive online initial entry RN program. As a previous poster mentioned, the NE area is challenging for new grad jobs, the advantage is going to go to graduates of well-known BSN programs.