Nursing programs ratings

The two types of higher education accreditation are national accreditation and regional accreditation. While national accreditation is acceptable, regional accreditation is preferred, especially if you plan to pursue a graduate nursing degree down the road at an accredited four-year college.

Both of these organizations provide specialized accreditation for schools that offers degree, certificate and diploma programs in nursing. Online college programs are now available for just about every field of study or academic discipline, nursing is no exception.

While most of your coursework can be done online, you may have to attend some campus-based research labs to obtain hands-on training. Online nursing degrees and schools allow you to complete a majority, if not all, your classroom courses online.

In most cases, a registered nurse can complete this entire degree program online, without ever stepping foot on a campus. If clinical work is required, it usually can be completed at their current job or at a nearby hospital or medical facility. Graduate degrees in nursing are also growing in popularity. The Internet provides the perfect medium for practicing nurses to add to their nursing knowledge, understanding, and skills in nursing while earning a degree.

However, some graduate degrees, especially those that focus on clinical skills, may require practicums or clinicals. Earning a degree on-campus or online from an unaccredited school can make it difficult to obtain a nursing license, pursue higher education opportunities down the road, or get a job in certain states.

View the Best Nursing Schools by Specialty. Interested in becoming a nurse? Search for nursing schools. You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you.

Highland Heights, KY. University of Kansas Lawrence, KS. Metropolitan State University St. Paul, MN. Langston University Langston, OK. University of Vermont Burlington, VT. University of Kentucky Lexington, KY. Cloud State University St. Cloud, MN. University of Memphis Memphis, TN. University of Washington Seattle, WA. University of Evansville Evansville, IN. University of Florida Gainesville, FL.

Radford University Radford, VA. University of Louisville Louisville, KY. Clemson University Clemson, SC. Washburn University Topeka, KS. Lamar University Beaumont, TX. Valparaiso University Valparaiso, IN.