The purpose of this study was to examine the quality of the registered nurse to bachelor in science in nursing (RN-BSN) completion programme delivered by two-way audio-video instructional interactive television (IITV). The sample comprised 25 registered nurses enrolled in a baccalaureate completion programme at five distance-learning sites throughout rural Arizona in the USA. Student perspectives of a quality distance-learning programme were elicited both through a questionnaire and focus groups at each of the five sites. ETHNOGRAPH was used to identify a model that best explained the elements of quality distance learning. Elements emerging from the model included three major categories: learning, teaching and support for learning/teaching.