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Do Online Nursing Degrees Hold the Same Weight as Traditional Degrees?
Herzing Staff Sep 2, 2025
The perception of online education has transformed dramatically over the past decade, and nursing programs are no exception. While some prospective students worry that earning their degree through an online nursing program might somehow diminish their credentials in the eyes of employers, the reality tells a very different story. Today's online nursing degrees are not only legitimate and credible, they're increasingly recognized as valuable pathways to advancing your nursing career.
The Growing Credibility of Online Nursing Education
Recent research demonstrates that online nursing degrees have gained significant credibility, with studies revealing that online students often develop stronger focus skills than their traditional classroom counterparts. This enhanced concentration ability can give online graduates an advantage in clinical settings where attention to detail is paramount.
The healthcare industry has embraced this shift, with employers holding increasingly favorable views of online degrees—particularly for licensed nurses pursuing advanced credentials like BSN or MSN degrees. The key factor isn't whether you earned your degree online or on campus; it's the quality and accreditation of the institution that matters most.
What Makes an Online Nursing Program Legitimate?
Not all online nursing programs are created equal, and understanding the hallmarks of a credible program is crucial for your career success. The most important factor is proper accreditation from recognized bodies like the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
Accredited online nursing programs maintain the same rigorous standards as traditional programs, including mandatory hands-on clinical experience and practicum components. These in-person requirements ensure that graduates develop the practical skills essential for safe, effective patient care—regardless of how they completed their coursework.
The Structure and Benefits of Online Nursing Programs
Today's online nursing programs offer comprehensive pathways from pre-licensure ASN degrees through doctoral-level DNP programs. The structure typically combines online coursework with required in-person clinical laboratories and fieldwork, providing students with both theoretical knowledge and practical experience.
This hybrid approach offers several advantages for nursing students. The flexibility of online coursework allows working nurses to advance their education without leaving their current positions, while the integration of clinical components ensures they meet all licensure requirements and gain essential hands-on experience.
Employer Recognition and Career Outcomes
The importance of choosing an accredited institution cannot be overstated when it comes to employer recognition. Legitimate online nursing programs from properly accredited schools carry the same weight as traditional degrees in the job market. Healthcare employers understand that the quality of education, not the delivery method, determines a graduate's preparedness for professional practice.
When evaluating candidates, employers focus on factors like clinical performance, professional competencies and the reputation of the degree-granting institution. Graduates from accredited nursing programs, whether online or traditional, are eligible for the same licensure examinations and career opportunities.
Choosing the Right Online Nursing Program
As online nursing education continues to evolve, students have access to diverse program options that combine academic rigor with practical convenience. The key is selecting a program that maintains proper accreditation, requires clinical experience and has a strong reputation within the healthcare community.
Whether you're beginning your nursing career or seeking to advance with an MSN or higher degree, online programs can provide the same quality education and professional preparation as traditional campus-based programs. The growing acceptance and recognition of online nursing degrees by employers reflects the healthcare industry's understanding that skilled, knowledgeable nurses can emerge from any accredited program, regardless of how they completed their studies.
The question isn't whether employers recognize online nursing degrees as credible and legitimate. Today, the answer is a resounding yes, provided you choose an accredited program from a reputable institution that maintains the same high standards expected in nursing education
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BLS pay estimates calculate the median annual wage for various occupations. Per the BLS the median wage for an occupation is: "The wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount, and half earned less. Median wage data are from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey." Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook 2024. BLS median wage estimates do not represent entry-level wages and/or salaries. Multiple factors, including prior experience, age, geographic market in which you want to work, and degree level and field, will affect career outcomes, including starting salary and earnings as an experienced employee. Herzing neither represents that its graduates will earn the median salaries calculated by BLS for a particular job nor guarantees that graduation from its program will result in a job, promotion, particular wage or salary, or other career growth.
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