do employers look down upon those who earned their bsn online?

I was wondering if employers hire those who earn their bachelor's degree online? I was looking at University of Texas Arlington BSN online program( I didnt even know online bsn exist) and I was thinking about applying even though I live in TN. Have any of you ever earned your bsn online? Did an employer( hospital, clinic, major corporation, etc) view you differently? Any advice would be greatly appreciated
I am still a pre-nursing student, so I can only offer limited insight. That being said I dont think all online-BSN programs are created equal, based on the idea that not all online programs are equal.I think you are making a great move with going the UT route since it is a truely established school (and there is reason to believe that your degree wont say online anywhere on it, so your employer of tomorrow may never even know).All that being said I am a bit biased towards State Schools and well known not-for-profit private schools for BSN programs as I see the nursing profession continuing along this competitive trend and since an RN is an RN is an RN I see potential employers not only hiring based on education level but percieved prestige.

When you obtain a degree online they don't put an asterisk next to it like a disputed sports stat. So, there is no way anyone will know, unless you tell them or the school has no 'brick and mortar' presence. That being said, like someone already posted, not all online programs are the same. If the school has a good reputation for its traditional nursing program, odds are that the online one will be good as well.

I hope not....I start my RN-BSN progam full time this summer through liberty university online http://www.luonline.com/index.cfm?PID=14373. It is one of the top rated online schools in the nation from what I gather, and testify that their grads go on to bigger and better things in the field of nursing...... I think many RNs continue their education online due to the fact many people can't stop everything to go back to school. Nearly every school has some form of online degree completion programs to meet the needs of the RN. As I looked at graduate schools for moving onto DNP after my BSN is complete, the requirement is to have a degree from a CCNE or NLN accreditation. Liberty University Online RN-BSN and MSN program is CCNE accredited. Some graduate schools require on over the other so planned ahead and research where you would get you graduate training completed. It is at the Graduate level for Advanced Practice Nursing where you will learn your "new" skills in the clinical arena. I look forward to hearing from those who are finished with their online degree completion programs, and putting it to use in the real world. Thanks for posting this question.

Hi, I had the same questions before deciding on an online program. I don't think employers will have any problems with an online degree providing it is from a reputable, CCNE accredited institution. I am presently enrolled in the RN to BSN through UTA, it's a great program. Even though it is online, there is nothing lacking in their program. Get ready to work. I don't think I worked this hard in nursing school! You will receive the same diploma as someone who physically attended the school. UTA has a great reputation, I say go for it!

Quote from NPinWCHWhen you obtain a degree online they don't put an asterisk next to it like a disputed sports stat. So, there is no way anyone will know, unless you tell them or the school has no 'brick and mortar' presence. That being said, like someone already posted, not all online programs are the same. If the school has a good reputation for its traditional nursing program, odds are that the online one will be good as well.

do employers look down upon those who earned their bsn online?

Quote from chucksterThat's a good question. I'm inclined is to think that many, possibly most employers are relatively indifferent with respect to the where the BSN may have been earned. In some cases - UT-A being one example - it is not possible for the employer to easily determine how the degree was earned (the UT-A program, like many traditional, brick & mortar, non-profit colleges, offers the same program and degree via both the traditional classroom and on-line routes). In addition, not all on-line programs are created equal. While all legitimate nursing programs would have CCNE accreditation, not all have the same academic accreditation. Many on-line schools are nationally accredited byt the DECT but do not have regional accreditation via organizations like Middle States, Western or New England Associations of Colleges and Schools. Since regionally accredited higher education institutions are predominantly academically oriented while the nationally accredited schools are predominantly for-profit and offer vocational, career or technical programs, it would not surprise me if employers gave preference to graduates of institutions with regional accreditation. It's also worth keeping in mind that degrees from institutions with only national accreditation are sometimes a problem if you decide to pursue a graduate degree.It would be interesting to hear from some nurse managers who actually do hiring on this.

Great points from PP's. The primary differences (between schools) are not based upon instructional methods... but on the type of faculty they attract. Commercial schools (for profit, investor owned) hire faculty as contractors - most are paid on a piece-work basis - based on the number of classes they 'teach'. Class materials are provided to them, they do not have a voice in curriculum design or class content. On the other hand, traditional schools attract career faculty who participate in the educational process. They conduct research, design curricula and view their work as a career rather than a temp or part-time job. Diplomas may not contain asterisks, but hiring managers know a lot about the school - from public record information (NCLEX, accreditation, etc) as well as personal experience with the grads that they and their colleagues have hired.

Quote from HouTxGreat points from PP's. The primary differences (between schools) are not based upon instructional methods... but on the type of faculty they attract. Commercial schools (for profit, investor owned) hire faculty as contractors - most are paid on a piece-work basis - based on the number of classes they 'teach'. Class materials are provided to them, they do not have a voice in curriculum design or class content. On the other hand, traditional schools attract career faculty who participate in the educational process. They conduct research, design curricula and view their work as a career rather than a temp or part-time job. Diplomas may not contain asterisks, but hiring managers know a lot about the school - from public record information (NCLEX, accreditation, etc) as well as personal experience with the grads that they and their colleagues have hired.

Quote from TheCareerStudentI agree regional accreditation is VERY important!

Quote from RN47Hi, I had the same questions before deciding on an online program. I don't think employers will have any problems with an online degree providing it is from a reputable, CCNE accredited institution. I am presently enrolled in the RN to BSN through UTA, it's a great program. Even though it is online, there is nothing lacking in their program. Get ready to work. I don't think I worked this hard in nursing school! You will receive the same diploma as someone who physically attended the school. UTA has a great reputation, I say go for it!

No clinical. They figure that we are RN's, already have done clinical, are taking care of patients, so no clinical necessary. There is the Capstone Course which is the last course completed, which you will need a "mentor" to sign off on. Can be done in your current practice/setting. Course description - Synthesis of theories and concepts for professional nursing practice. Focuses on evolution and transition of professional nursing practice in diverse settings within a context of emerging societal issues and trends. The student will pick one of three areas (management, clinical or education) of interest for concentrated study.