Are You Comparing Online BSN Programs?
Now that you have your Associate's degree or Diploma, it's time to advance your career by earning your Bachelor's degree. This is a big step, so you want to make the right choice. Get the answers to the following questions in order to make an informed decision:

Is the University accredited?
Regional accreditation is the highest level of accreditation a college or university can obtain and is recognized throughout the United States. This means that your degree and courses are recognized by other regionally accredited schools. This is especially important if you are considering pursuing your Master's degree. Examples of regional accrediting bodies include the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. Jacksonville University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Is the nursing school accredited?
Accreditation of a nursing school is a voluntary endeavor, but it ensures the quality and commitment of its educational program in the proper training of nurses. Schools want to be accredited for three reasons: 1) So students are entitled to Federal Financial Aid 2) So graduates are qualified to attend other accredited schools to pursue advanced studies and 3) So graduates gain a competitive edge in the job market, as some employers prefer to hire practitioners with degrees from accredited institutions.

Jacksonville University's School of Nursing is a member of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). There are two voluntary accrediting bodies for nursing schools recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Commission on Higher Education Accreditation. They are the National League of Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

CCNE offers accreditation for nursing schools that offer only upper level nursing degrees, i.e. Bachelor's and Master's degrees. CCNE has become the premier accrediting agency, aligning itself with premier nursing schools. The percentage of CCNE-accredited Bachelor degree programs is 67% percent, and for CCNE-accredited Master's degree programs, it is 84 percent. Upper level schools generally align themselves with CCNE.

Is the University a ground-based school, or is it a network of satellite locations?
Many online programs are businesses with classrooms in office parks. Jacksonville University is a ground-based university overlooking St. Johns River in Jacksonville, FL. The professors who teach JU's online degree program are usually the same professors who teach on campus. You are invited to visit the University at any time and to participate in the graduation ceremony.

What are the lectures like? Can I watch a video?
Most university programs are purely reading and taking tests. JU's online degree program is the ONLY online RN to BSN program to offer you streaming video and audio lectures, along with textbooks, study guides and CDs! View and review as many times as needed for an advanced learning experience. Check out the online demo on this website to see the advantage JU nursing students have over other nursing students.

How do I take tests? Do I have to go to a testing center?
Some online nursing programs require you to take proctored exams at testing centers, which involves traveling to testing centers and paying fees. With Jacksonville University, you take all your tests and complete assignments online at your home or office. There are no proctored exams, no testing fees and no travel. The one exception is during your capstone courses where you will meet with your practice project preceptor to complete a test to verify your understanding of essential nursing concepts. JU's program requirements are designed to work around the busy adult learner's schedule!

Do you offer online courses that satisfy my laboratory requirements?
For some online programs, basic science courses have a laboratory component that may not be offered by the school, and you may have to travel to a testing center. With Jacksonville University, your class and laboratory work are completed entirely online. Any materials you may need, such as a microscope or lab slides, are included with your materials fee and are shipped directly to your home.

Can I complete all my courses with your online program?
Some online programs do not offer all the necessary courses online to earn a BSN and require finding a local campus to attend and to earn transfer credits. With Jacksonville University, every course necessary to earn your BSN is available online. Depending on your individualized progression plan, you may even take courses online via the University Alliance Online's other universities - a seamless transition in terms of both educational work and applying earned credits.

What are the fees over and above the tuition and textbooks?
Many institutions charge not only tuition costs but also a host of assorted fees that may include application, transcript evaluation, library privileges, graduation and more. Plus, tuition may seem low at first, but then they hit you with extra expenses when you matriculate. At Jacksonville University you pay a one-time $35 application fee. Each session, a credit hour costs $390,* with most courses equaling 3 credits. Materials (textbooks, study guide and CDs) are approximately $225 - $250 per course, plus shipping and handling. There are no hidden fees.

How can I contact my professors and classmates?
A worthy University program will give you several options for contacting your professors and classmates and will keep you informed about the University. As a JU student, there are many ways to ask questions and to stay in touch. There are message boards, chat sessions, email addresses and virtual office hours to allow quick contact with instructors and classmates - with quick replies! Plus, thanks to a non-threatening online environment, many students report that they have gotten far more involved in class discussions as online students than they ever did as traditional students.

At JU, you will be assigned a Jacksonville University Academic Advisor who will review your transcripts and guide you in your course selections. You will also have a University Alliance Student Services representative who will help you register for classes and work with you until you graduate. This representative will give you important notices and check to see how you are doing each session. No other online RN to BSN degree program offers you this level of personal service.

What are the practice project requirements?
This is a very important question. Determine your obligations by asking the following:

• Do I have to travel to another city? If so, for how long?
• Are there additional travel costs, or is travel included in my tuition costs?
• Can I select a preceptor I already know?
• Can I fulfill the requirements with my own employer?
• Are there additional fees?
• How many hours are required?

With NUR 451, you select a population within a community, assess the population and identify an intervention. Appropriate settings could include your employer, wellness center, occupational health settings, schools, HIV clinics, blood mobiles, elder care buses and churches. In the assessment portion, you work 50 hours with a preceptor during the 8-week session. Your professor will approve both the preceptor and the clinical setting you select. The preceptor will be an RN with a Bachelor's degree or higher. In this class you will also attend a community meeting and volunteer with a local agency.

NUR 461 is the capstone course where you select a project that demonstrates your mastery of the program outcomes at a baccalaureate level. Again you will work with a local preceptor, at a location of your choice, for 15 hours per week for 8 weeks, totaling 120 hours. Project examples have included administrative practice, clinical practice and entrepreneurial practice.

Are there mandatory login times?
Some online programs require you to login 5 out of 7 days each week. Jacksonville University's online RN to BSN program has no set login times - you simply need to complete your weekly assignments by midnight every Sunday. You even have the ability to work ahead! Plus, while your professor will schedule virtual office hours, if you happen to miss their scheduled session, you can easily view the discussion later via the message board.

*Tuition and other fees are subject to change.