ANA & AACN Online Nursing Programs
Not all schools offer Online Nursing Programs, but many do. When searching for online nursing programs, it’s important to check whether that school is a member of the AACN (American Association of Colleges of Nursing). For instance, while researching for PhD in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), I found a lot of websites list schools that are not members. When applying for jobs, more than your grades count. Employers look critically at the schools you attended when considering your application. It is recommended that you check our list or go directly to the AACN before applying to a school.
In addition to searching out AACN member universities and nursing schools, there is a cheaper and faster way to earn your nursing degree online, and that is through a special program endorsed by the ANA. The ANA American Nurses Association has also partnered with The College Network™ and put together a list of online nursing programs, promoting an alternate to the traditional higher education. By utilizing the Comprehensive Learning Module program, you can study most of the needed college material away from the classroom, i.e. virtually anywhere where you have a computer and access to the Internet. They have devised Comprehensive Learning Modules™, for all of your online nursing classes. Once you have completed the modules, you will be prepared to take a specifically designed college equivalency exam. The exams must be taken at an authorized testing center, such as CLEP®, DSST®, and Excelsior College® Examination.
Online nursing credits earned will be recognized at the following ANA affiliated partner nursing schools:
- Regis University
- Indiana State University
- Cornell University
- Boston University
- The George Washington University
- Bellevue University
- Saint Joseph’s University
While other schools may also recognize credits earned through the ANA partner schools, it’s best to check before enrolling, especially if you plan on transferring any credits. If this is the case, also check with the school to find out the maximum transfer credits they will accept. Some schools are very particular and do not accept more than 6-9 transfer credits from other schools. In other instances, some schools will accept almost an unlimited number of transfer credits. Therefore, please check before you apply.
In most instances, credits earned through The College Network™ should be recognized by most schools. Besides saving you time by committing to one of their nursing online programs, chances are that you can potentially save up to 50% or even more when going through this fast track, accelerated nursing programs online.
Written by Brenne Meirowitz, BA, MA, MS
©2011 Brenne Meirowitz & Online Nursing Programs, PhD in Nursing, & DNP Programs. All Rights Reserved.
