Understand what obtaining an online associate degree in nursing entails. While classes will be taken online, the nursing degree program will also require clinical work that must be completed at a health care facility. A student must be prepared to do both online and in-person training to complete an associate degree in nursing.
Research schools that offer online associate degrees in nursing. Colleges such as Excelsior College, Goodwin College and Keiser University offer such programs. A comprehensive list of online nursing schools can be found at AllNursingSchools.com.
Compare the differences in admissions, learning and examination requirements at the nursing schools that you are interested in. Determine which school best fits your needs, skills and abilities. Additionally, research the reputation of your chosen schools in the marketplace. A degree from a college that is considered phony or is not well-respected might not be the best option for an online nursing degree.
Compile a list of your medical-related experiences and knowledge. To be granted entrance into an online nursing degree program, you might need to prove your medical knowledge or take tests to show that you have prior medical or nursing-related experience. Many online nursing degrees require you to have prior experience in the medical field, since you will not be learning in a classroom setting.
Apply to the nursing schools of your choice. Be prepared to fill out numerous applications that require information about your medical experience. Proving your medical abilities might not be the only necessary task; in some cases, you must be accepted into a college itself before being accepted into the nursing program. For some schools, you must also take pre-admission testing. In the case of Goodwin College, you are required to take and pass the National League of Nursing RN pre-admission test before being allowed into the nursing program.
Familiarize yourself with the requirements of the online nursing schools in which you have been accepted. For example, Excelsior College requires each student to take eight examinations, a multi-part clinical assessment and a Clinical Performance in Nursing Examination (CPNE). If you have been accepted into multiple schools, select the school which best fits your educational needs and desires.
Prepare to take the NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination) toward the end of your nursing program. Like with traditional nursing programs, an online associate degree in nursing requires that you take the NCLEX to prove that you are able to work as an entry-level nurse.