The US Department of Education states that in the year 2020, the nursing shortage will be 800,000 positions. Affordable online nursing degree education programs may be on way of addressing this issue.

Many diploma RNs, or associate degree prepared RNs would like to advance his or her degee, but are unable because of geographic location, tuition costs, or family and work obligations. Flexible and affordable bachelor's or master's programs that are available twenty-four hours a day online are becoming a more suitable and acceptable educational option.

With the cost of a traditional campus-based nursing degree program running up to $10,000 or more a year, an online program that averages $5,000 a year becomes more and more attractive. A bachelor degree prepared nurses's salary averages $60,000 a year, and a masters degree prepared nurse even more.

Most online nursing degree programs accept RNs who have at least a 2.5 scholastic average in his or her diploma or associates degee proram and hold a current RN license. Course work is then done at the student's convenience at home, online. Professors are available for questions and support through email. Internship experiences can be arranged locally for the student.

Many nursing organizations are pushing for entry level nurses to have a bachelors degree in nursing. A transitional RN to BSN, or RN to MSN online program is a fairly "painless" way for the diploma or associates degree prepared nurse to earn the degee they want.