Online Nursing Schools in AK: Your Guide to Leading Programs
Thinking about becoming a registered nurse in Alaska? With high demand for RNs, now is a great time to start your nursing journey. Before entering the field, you’ll need a certificate or degree from an accredited nursing school. In this guide, EduMed explores top nursing programs in Alaska, breaks down the different types of nursing degrees, and helps you find the best option for your career goals.
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Inside the Different Online Nursing Programs in Alaska
Many aspiring nurses turn to online programs for their flexibility. While nursing requires hands-on experience, many schools provide hybrid options that blend online coursework with in-person clinicals and fieldwork. Fully online programs are typically designed for current RNs looking to advance their education through degrees like a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).
When exploring nursing programs in Alaska, think about your long-term career goals. Some degrees open more doors than others:
- ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing): Fastest route to becoming an RN.
- BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing): Leads to higher pay and more advancement opportunities.
- Graduate degrees (MSN or DNP): Best for current nurses seeking leadership or specialized roles.
Below, we review some of Alaska’s top nursing programs with online components. See if one of these schools has what you need to begin or advance your career.
Undergraduate Nursing Programs in AK
Undergraduate degree programs are for students who are just starting out in their nursing career. Some programs are only a semester long while others are two years in length. Through undergraduate nursing programs, you can become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA,) Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), or an RN with an associate’s or bachelor’s degree.
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
Many aspiring nurses work as CNAs before completing the education necessary to become an RN. If you’re wondering how to become a CNA, it only requires you to complete a short program at an accredited institution. The benefit of a CNA program is that you can usually start before earning a high school diploma.
Example: Bartlett Regional Hospital – Certified Nurse Aide Training Program
- Cost: ~$2,400
- Length: Nine weeks
- Mode: Hybrid
Expert Insight
Another benefit of enrolling in a CNA program as an aspiring RN is you gain familiarity with medical terms, principles of health care (e.g., infection control), and interaction with patients, nurses, and providers. This can be especially helpful as you begin the training portion of your RN program. This is how I started out my nursing career, and it helped me immensely throughout nursing school.
FIND PROGRAMS NEAR YOU:
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
LPNs provide necessary care to patients and assist RNs in a healthcare setting. If you’re considering becoming an LPN, there are programs in Alaska that provide the necessary training in just 12 months. Hybrid LPN programs provide hands-on training while also preparing you to pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN.)
Example: Alaska Pacific University – Licensed Practical Nursing
- Cost: $36,492
- Length: Two semesters
- Mode: Hybrid
Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
ADN programs are one of the possible pathways to becoming an RN in Alaska. Through an ADN or Associate of Applied Science (AAS) program, you’ll learn practical skills such as how to evaluate patients and formulate plans to provide quality care. Most ADN programs can be completed in about two years, and some even faster.
Example: Charter College – Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Nursing
- Cost: $386/credit hour
- Length: Two years
- Mode: Hybrid
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Another option for aspiring RNs to earn their license is a BSN program in Alaska. Instead of graduating with an associate’s degree, students will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Compared to ADN programs, BSN programs provide more extensive clinical experience, and with a bachelor’s degree, you’re more likely to receive a higher salary.
Example: University of Alaska Anchorage – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Cost: $282/credit hour for residents, $848/credit hour for non-residents
- Length: Four semesters
- Mode: Hybrid
Expert Insight
BSN programs include additional coursework and training in nursing leadership, public health, and other advanced topics. Clinical experience might include training in health departments and field work in the community with your professors.” This is why most leadership and public health nurse roles require a BSN for employment.
Accelerated BSN (ABSN)
Accelerated BSN programs offer students with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree the ability to earn their nursing bachelor’s in less time. These programs typically take between 12 months to two years, depending on your education and experience. After completing an ABSN program, graduates are qualified to take the NCLEX-RN exam.
Graduate Nursing Programs in Alaska
The benefit of being an RN is you don’t have to stay where you’re at for long. Many RNs choose to gain experience in the healthcare field and then move on to pursue more advanced degrees to specialize in a particular area of nursing. Some of the possible graduate and post-graduate degree paths include MSN, DNP, and PhD programs.
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Standard MSN programs, also known as BSN to MSN programs, provide advanced practice and leadership coursework for students who already hold a BSN. Through an MSN program, RNs can participate in graduate-level study and clinical experiences to prepare them for a leadership position in the nursing field.
Example: University of Alaska Anchorage – Master of Science in Nursing Science
- Cost: $513/credit hour for residents, $1,079/credit hour for non-residents
- Length: Six semesters
- Mode: Hybrid
DNP and PhD Doctoral Programs
Doctorate degrees in nursing are for RNs seeking the highest roles in the nursing profession. On the other hand, the PhD in Nursing is designed for students interested in careers in advanced research and postsecondary education. Both DNP and PhD in nursing programs are typically offered in specialized areas of practice.
Example: University of Alaska Anchorage – Doctor of Nursing Practice
- Cost: $513/credit hour for residents, $1,079/credit hour for non-residents
- Length: Three to five years
- Mode: Online
Post-Master’s Certificate Programs
Nurses with a graduate degree can expand their professional knowledge and specialize in certain areas of nursing by earning a post-graduate certificate. Post-graduate nursing certificate programs often feature online coursework and can be completed in much less time than a full master’s or doctorate program.
Example: University of Alaska Anchorage – Graduate Certificate in Nursing Education
- Cost: $513/credit hour for residents, $1,079/credit hour for non-residents
- Length: 15 credits
- Mode: Hybrid
Alaska Nursing Bridge Programs
When you already have experience in the healthcare field, you don’t have to start from scratch to pursue a new license or degree. Bridge programs offer current LPNs, RNs, and other healthcare professionals the opportunity to pursue other roles by transferring their current education to a new nursing program.
LPN to RN and LPN to BSN
LPN bridge programs provide current LPNs with a quick educational path to NCLEX-RN eligibility and qualification for RN licensure. Hybrid or online bridge programs offer a blend of in-person clinicals and online courses to prepare students for the NCLEX-RN exam. Depending on the program, graduates will either earn an ADN or BSN.
Example: Alaska Pacific University – LPN to RN Bridge Program
- Cost: $10,175/semester
- Length: 18 months
- Mode: Hybrid
RN to BSN
Current RNs with an ADN can easily earn their bachelor’s degree through an online RN to BSN program. These programs allow students to earn a bachelor’s in less time by transferring some of their current coursework to an accredited school. The total length of the program depends on the amount of previously earned college credits that can be transferred.
Example: Alaska Pacific University – RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Cost: $10,175/semester
- Length: Two years
- Mode: Hybrid
Expert Insight
Keep in mind, if you plan to transfer coursework to your BSN program, most nursing schools only allow you to transfer credits from accredited institutions. Also, make sure you have the required prerequisite courses to enter the BSN program.
RN to MSN
RN to MSN programs are specifically for RNs who don’t have a BSN degree but want a direct path to obtaining their MSN. Part-time RN to MSN bridge degree programs are a popular choice because they allow students to continue working while earning their master’s degree on the side to prepare for an advanced nursing role.
Direct-Entry MSN
Some nursing schools offer a direct-entry MSN option for students with a non-nursing bachelor’s or master’s degree and no nursing experience. These programs are for career-changers or second-degree seeking students who want to move into the healthcare field. However, there aren’t currently any direct-entry MSN programs available in Alaska.
Licensing Requirements for RNs in Alaska
Before you can become an RN in Alaska, you’ll have to complete the necessary steps and requirements to obtain your nursing license. From applying for licensure through the Alaska Board of Nursing to preparing your license for renewal, we’ve outlined the steps you’ll need to take below.
1 – Earn an Accredited Nursing Degree
The first step to gaining your RN license is enrolling in a properly accredited and state-approved RN program. Proper nursing school accreditation and state approval are necessary for you to be eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam.
You can choose a program based on factors such as flexibility, cost, and required time spent in classes. While Alaska does offer some hybrid programs, remember that you’ll have to fit in-person clinicals into your schedule to gain your license.
2 – Pass the NCLEX-RN Exam
After completing an RN program, the next step is to take the NCLEX exam. First, you’ll register and pay the fee to take the exam with Pearson VUE. Although you can register anytime during the application process, you can’t take the exam until your application has been approved by the ABN.
Once you receive your Authorization to Test (ATT), you can schedule an appointment to take your test at the Pearson center in Anchorage. Be sure to check out our beginner’s guide to the NCLEX, essential study skills guide for healthcare students, and test taking strategies guide to prepare.
3 – Apply for State Licensure
Once you meet the registered nursing licensure requirements for the state, you can begin the official license application process by submitting the following:
- Application form and fees. Submit your notarized application online or by mail. The total fee to apply is $375.
- Fingerprint card and criminal background check. You must have your fingerprints taken by a service approved by the Alaska Department of Public Safety.
- Nursing program and official transcripts. These must be sent directly from your nursing school to the ABN.
Expert Insight
Completing ABN’s requirements exactly as requested is vital to obtaining your RN license in a timely manner. This even applies when applying for RN licenses in other states, should you desire to do so in the future. Boards of Nursing must follow strict protocols to ensure they are compliant with the laws of the state. This is why everything must be submitted correctly.
4 – Maintain and Renew Licensure
Once you receive your license, it will be active for two years. In Alaska, RN licenses expire on November 30 of even-numbered years, unless you received it less than 90 days prior. To maintain your license, you’ll need to complete a refresher course, continuing education hours, or approved academic credits.
Then, you’ll send your renewal application and proof of continuing competency requirements to the ABN for approval. The full list of renewal requirements can be found on their website.
5 – Pursue Specialty Certifications (Optional)
Although it’s not required as an RN, you might choose to specialize in a certain area after gaining your license. As an RN in Alaska, you can specialize in areas such as ambulatory care or you can become a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA).
Most programs require you to take a course and pass an exam before receiving your certification, and some of these courses are offered online for working nurses.
Career & Salary Outlook for RNs in Alaska
| Area | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $82,400 | $110,690 | $137,400 |
| Anchorage, AK | $82,410 | $110,690 | $137,400 |
| Fairbanks-College, AK | $80,700 | $102,660 | $125,260 |
Source: Registered Nurses, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2024, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
| Area | Curr. Jobs | Proj. Jobs | New Jobs | Growth % | Avg. Ann. Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 3,172,500 | 3,349,900 | 177,400 | 5.60% | 193,100 |
| Alaska | 6,130 | 6,800 | 670 | 10.90% | 420 |
Source: Projections Central
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
