So, if a man wanted to become a nurse...

[rebel100]

Getting In:

Actually ALL the pre-reqs are available online one way or another. You don't need an AS/AA to get into nursing school (though it may help in some circumstances). The requirements vary from school to school, sometimes wildly. But there are some courses that are pretty consistent.

Anatomy and Physiology 1 and 2
Human Growth and Development
Microbiology (often Biology is a Micro pre-req)
Algebra (sometimes intermediate is enough, sometimes College Algebra is preferred)
Nutrition (usually)
English (Maybe)
There may be one or two other courses dependent on the program

What you need are the pre-reqs done that meet the requirements for the school you are looking at. Not necessarily any degree. In fact becoming an RN at the CC level is typically an AS program.

All of the above can be done via distance your local CC is a great first choice, New Mexico Junior College has all of it online, and Straighterline (I think) has all of it....be sure your school accepts Straighterline before going that route. You can CLEP/DSST the Math, English, and Human Growth and Development (again be sure your school will accept this).

With the above completed you can get into a program....though program availability varies greatly. The CC in Orlando is always full and always has an extensive wait list, spots in the program are very competitive. They will accept CLEP, but they will also disqualify you from consideration if you took your A&P online. Go just out of town and the Nursing programs at other CC's are much easier to get into. Supply and Demand at work.

Once your in:
I don't know of any program that does RN fully online. There are a few transition programs that work as you mention (coursework online and clinical's). But I don't know anywhere that takes you from square one all the way to RN that way. Typically you need to already be an LPN, RT, or Paramedic to do the transition.

Note that in some areas competition is so tough for spots in RN school that occasionally students go through an LPN or Medic program with the intent of then getting into the much easier to enter transition programs...becoming an RN is not as easy as it might seem.