RN-BSN...where are you doing yours with

Nursing Students Excelsior

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Specializes in internal medicine, telemetry, medsurg.

I was considering going to a local college for my RN to BSN, but with a family and work, I'm thinking to continue with an online program which allows self paced. So my question to those who are pursuing their BSN, which college are you with, estimate total costs, and how do you like it? Thanks and best of luck to everyone pursuing their dreams!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, LTACH, LTC, Home Health.

I'm going through Excelsior College. I got my ASN through them. The cost will vary depending on how many credits you transfer in and the time in which you enroll. I believe some of the fees increase yearly but if you go to their website, they provide a form that you can use to determine your final cost based on the credits/courses/exams that you need to take. Other than the writing requirement, I have truly loved my experience with EC!

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Specializes in internal medicine, telemetry, medsurg.

Thanks Lyndaa, I recently graduated from excelsior with my ASN, so will check out their BSN. Are the exams also currently $305 each like the ASN or is it higher.

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Specializes in Nurse Scientist-Research.

Nursemami4:

The exams are also $305 each but they are slowly eliminating the exams. I believe the only BSN nursing exams left are Community-based Nursing & Research in Nursing. They are leaning towards 8-15 week online courses now.

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Specializes in internal medicine, telemetry, medsurg.
Nursemami4:

The exams are also $305 each but they are slowly eliminating the exams. I believe the only BSN nursing exams left are Community-based Nursing & Research in Nursing. They are leaning towards 8-15 week online courses now.

Thanks, so with the courses being 8-15 wks, how many courses would they allow us to take at the same time? Is this on the site so I can review? Also, do most masters programs take excelsiors bsn students usually. I was hoping to go into our states online nurse practitioner program later on. Haven't called the college to ask these questions yet. I wanted to research a little to help make decisions. I did enjoy the flexibility of excelsior so that was an option.

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Specializes in Nurse Scientist-Research.

Nursemami4:

I really don't have any solid answers for your further questions. I've heard (read) of others on this site going on to graduate programs and NP programs from Excelsior. Excelsior offers MSN options, but I don't believe those are the appropriate programs if you are going on to NP. I know that I have taken as many as 3 online courses at a time in Excelsior. I don't really know how anyone would take more if they were working. One issue I've heard of with Excelsior and graduate programs is that one needs to consider how the University you are considering figures GPAs for courses that are pass/fail and if there are a lot of those on your transcript. Excelsior's exams do give a letter grade, but many EC students take advantage of their generous credit by exam from DSST, CLEP and other such organizations (I know I did). Some universities will count a course with a grade of "pass" as a "C" for GPA purposes and that can be bad in a competitive program.

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Specializes in internal medicine, telemetry, medsurg.

Thanks for that info. I did check out the bsn info in excelsior last night and have been talking with a few friends with a bsn for opinions and experiences. I don't know if I like not getting letter grades especially if I do plan of furthering my degree to an NP. I will have to call an advisor at the university I plan on attending for the NP program down the road and see what they suggest. Thanks again for your reply!

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