Can You Become a Nurse Online?
Published on: April 19, 2023 | 10 minutes read
By: Alice Bourget
Thanks to advancements in communication and education technology, there are more ways than ever to attend school and earn a nursing degree. More disciplines are now embracing distance learning. Even practice-oriented fields, such as nursing, may have options to obtain certain certifications online.
Can you become a registered nurse (RN) online? While many aspects of nursing education can now be completed online, in-person training is usually necessary. After all, nursing is a hands-on job. That’s why hybrid formats are the ideal solution, such as the CCNE-accredited nursing programs at Alliant University. Online coursework is combined with supervised, in-person clinical training. This approach provides students with a convenient educational experience without sacrificing quality.
If nursing is your dream profession and studying on your own time is your preference, becoming a nurse online may be an excellent option.
Key Takeaways
- Many universities now offer hybrid nursing programs that move the majority of reading, assignments, and examinations online.
- Online nursing programs can provide the same level of quality education as in-person options—with added flexibility and convenience.
- Not all online nursing degrees are the same; look for accredited programs that help arrange clinical placements.
Can You Become a Nurse Online?
It is possible to complete at least most of a nursing degree without physically attending college. Aspiring nurses can earn a nursing diploma virtually, making it easier to begin exploring how to become an RN through flexible learning pathways.
Becoming a nurse online is a fantastic opportunity to pursue education with more flexibility. An online nursing school allows individuals to balance their studies with other responsibilities such as work and family commitments.
What Parts of Nursing Education Can Be Completed Online
Students can fulfill several key requirements of their nursing degree online, including:
- Nursing theory coursework – Many of the self-guided portions of a college course, such as reading textbooks and studying for tests, do not require students to be in the same room. These foundational lessons can also help students understand how to study for the NCLEX effectively over time.
- Lectures – Online RN programs often have real-time lectures and Q&A sessions that offer direct interaction with instructors and fellow students.
- Assignments and exams – RN program instructors use various forms of assessment, including quizzes, assignments, and practical demonstrations, to evaluate a nursing student’s understanding and provide feedback.
- Student collaboration – Peer interaction is an important part of studying and understanding nursing. Fortunately, schools that offer online nursing degrees typically have online learning platforms that facilitate group discussions, nursing research, and collaborative learning among students.
- Virtual simulations – Modern technology has transformed some of the more hands-on parts of nursing school into online experiences. Aspiring RNs can practice decision-making and flex their new knowledge in virtual healthcare environments.
What Must Be Completed In Person
Healthcare is a highly regulated profession—and for good reason—so there are some parts of your schooling that cannot be completed online. These include:
- Clinical training – New nurses learn valuable skills and become pillars of the community through on-the-job training in local healthcare settings. Virtual simulations can stand in for some parts of clinical nursing training, but there is no substitute for the real thing.
- Patient care practice – While telehealth may be the future of medicine, most patient-nurse interactions still happen face-to-face. As such, students must learn how to diagnose and evaluate patients in person to prepare for various nursing roles.
- Licensing exams (NCLEX) – The National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) is the final step in becoming a registered nurse. For reasons of security and academic integrity, this test is rarely offered online, though that may change.
Hybrid Nursing Programs
Because some elements of nursing require in-person participation, a fully online nursing course is unlikely to exist. Hybrid nursing programs are the next best thing.
In a hybrid program, any learning and examinations that can be done online are completed virtually. Meanwhile, the mandatory in-person components are scheduled well in advance, giving students enough time to organize their lives outside of school.
The nursing programs at Alliant University use a hybrid approach to merge convenience with quality education. Students with busy family lives and careers can still work toward a nursing degree on their own time.
How to Become a Nurse Online
Earning an online degree in nursing is possible. But how do you do it? And where should you start?
Below are the four steps to become a nurse with an online education.
Step 1: Finish High School or Pass Your GED
Generally, becoming a registered nurse requires a postsecondary degree. However, before you can begin at an accredited nursing college, you will likely need to finish high school.
If you are already in the postsecondary stage of life but do not have your high school diploma, earning your GED online is solid preparation for earning your nursing degree.
Online GED tests are available in both English and Spanish and cover four different areas of study:[1]
- Mathematical Reasoning
- Reasoning Through Language Arts
- Science
- Social Studies
Age restrictions, pricing, and testing requirements vary by state. Check the specific rules for your area.
After passing the tests and obtaining your diploma, your next step is to enroll in a nursing degree program.
Step 2: Choose Your Nursing Career Pathway
Depending on your timeline, goals, and financial situation, there are two ways to work toward a nursing career. Both paths may be available online.
Option #1: Get an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
One option for aspiring nurses is an ADN program. ADN programs teach the basics of the field and allow students to sit for their NCLEX-RN exams upon graduation.
Many associate degree programs can take around two years. Whether online or in-person, an ADN program usually involves:[2]
- Finishing assigned course prerequisites, such as readings and video modules, that cover the essentials of theory and nursing practice
- Attending lectures and expanding on theoretical nursing topics
- Completing in-person clinical sessions where students practice patient care skills under the supervision of professors or trained observers
Option #2: Get a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Rather than pursuing an ADN, many nurses may choose a Bachelor of Science in Nursing
program (BSN), which can take a similar amount of time to complete as an ADN. Having a Bachelor of Science (BS) may also make switching careers or obtaining further education easier in the future.
While ADNs may be defined by their compulsory in-person clinical hours, BSNs do not always follow the same formula. BSN structures can differ from ADNs in several ways:
- A BSN can be completed entirely online without any in-person clinical hours if you are already a registered nurse.
- Many online BSN programs have a competitive waiting list, and some can take four years to complete
State nursing boards often have formal requirements for completed clinical hours before you can apply to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam.
Step 3: Obtain Your Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) – Optional
If you already have an ADN or BSN degree, this step may be optional, though it could help you achieve your personal or occupational goals.
However, if you have a bachelor’s degree in a field other than Nursing, earning your MSN through a “Direct Entry” program, like the one at Alliant, can be a quicker entry point into the field. An MSN can take two to three years.
Like BSNs, MSNs can be mostly completed online. These online programs can be popular with practicing RNs who already possess licenses and want to improve their chances of advancing their careers.
Step 4: Take The NCLEX-RN
The NCLEX-RN exam is administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) to ensure consistency in knowledge and practice amongst nurses across America.[3] It is the final task between an aspiring nurse and their RN license.
As mentioned, there is no online option for the NCLEX. All exams are administered exclusively at the NCSBN’s trusted testing locations, run by its partner Pearson.[4]
The NCLEX-RN can cover a broad range of nursing knowledge that students may learn during their ADN, BSN, or MSN programs, and can test students on their:[5]
- Ability to apply learned theoretical knowledge in actual healthcare scenarios by recognizing medical cues in patients and administering the proper treatment.
- Fundamentals of patient care principles, such as how to show respect for patients and respond empathetically to their conditions.
- Clinical judgment is often tested by receiving difficult medical scenarios and being asked to plot the best plan of action.
This is a small selection of what the NCLEX-RN exam may include. The test can be challenging and takes up to five hours to complete.
For that reason, it is important to enroll in an educational program that will adequately prepare you for the test.
Choosing an Online Nursing Program
With countless online nursing programs available, finding the right one means knowing what key qualities to look for.
Accreditation
Accreditation is an official recognition by a third-party organization. For nursing programs, the typical accreditor is the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), which is accredited by the Commission on Higher Education Accreditation. The nursing programs at Alliant are CCNE-accredited as well.
When an online nursing program is accredited, you can rest assured that the education offered is of the highest standard.
Additionally, make sure that your university of choice has state board approval. To take the NCLEX, you must have studied at an approved school, so verifying state board approval is essential. Alliant’s nursing programs are fully approved by the Arizona State Board of Nursing.
NCLEX Preparation
Passing the NCLEX-RN exam is what permits you to work legally as a nurse. So, try to prioritize online programs that focus on NCLEX preparation in addition to high-quality learning and experiences. The programs at Alliant prioritize helping you study for and pass the NCLEX. In fact, the first Master of Science in Nursing–Direct Entry cohort, which graduated in December 2025, achieved a 100% first-time NCLEX pass rate.[6]
Clinical Placement Support
Lastly, look for schools that help arrange high-value clinical placements—ideally in hospitals or practices you hope to work at in the future.
As you search for online nursing programs, note any that have local healthcare partnerships. Where you do your clinical training can impact your post-graduation prospects, so placement is important.
Prepare for the NCLEX-RN Exam with Alliant University
For a reputable institution with a hybrid approach to earning your nursing degree, choose Alliant University. We offer convenient non-clinical courses entirely online, along with in-person clinical experiences. Each program is designed to prepare you for the NCLEX-RN.
The BSN and MSN-DE programs can both fulfill the NCLEX’s practice requirements and help you formulate an understanding of the exam’s complex content. At Alliant, we provide a solid theoretical foundation in nursing and satisfy the NCLEX-RN prerequisites through convenient online courses.
Whether you are a graduating college senior, an adult learner seeking a career change, or a professional holding another bachelor’s degree, you can find a nursing program that fits your unique goals at Alliant University.
Contact our admissions office today to see which program is right for you.
Sources:
[1] “Test Subjects.” GED. Accessed March 31, 2026. https://www.ged.com/about-test/test-subjects.html.
[2] Guzzetti, Jessica. “Online Nursing Degree Programs & Schools.” RegisteredNursing.org, March 20, 2026. https://www.registerednursing.org/online-nursing-programs/.
[3] “About.” NCLEX. Accessed March 31, 2026. https://www.nclex.com/About.page.
[4] “Exam Day.” NCLEX. Accessed March 31, 2026. https://www.nclex.com/exam-day.page.
[5] “NCLEX-RN® Test Plan: Effective April 2026.” NCLEX. Accessed March 31, 2026. https://www.nclex.com/files/2026_RN_Test%2applies0Plan_English-F.pdf.
[6]“Report 1 – Number and Percent Passing of First-Time Candidates Educated in NRB Jurisdictions.” Arizona Board of Nursing. https://azbn.gov/sites/default/files/RN-NCLEX-Quarterly-Report-2026.pdf. Accessed May 6, 2026.