Students’ Perspectives of Factors Related to Delayed Completion of Online RN-BSN Programs.

<b>Background</b>: There are multiple educational programs for individuals to become registered nurses (RNs), and the transition from an associate degree or diploma to a Bachelor of Science (BSN) degree is vital to healthcare. This study examined the factors contributing to delayed completion or withdrawal from online nursing programs from students’ perspectives.<b> </b><br><b>Method</b>: Thematic content analyses were conducted on qualitative data obtained from semi-structured interviews (<i>N</i> = 26).<b> </b><br><b>Results</b>: Complex factors contributed to delayed completion of online RN to BSN programs, including student-, institutional-, and faculty-related factors.<br><b>Conclusion</b>: This study validated and extends previous studies without delineating students in fully online programs from hybrid and face-to-face programs. Students, faculties, and institutions all have a role to play in facilitating on-time program completion. Recognizing and mitigating the barriers that delay on-time program completion is required to foster nurses to obtain a BSN degree.