[WDWpixieRN]

I will be graduating in May with my ADN. I am looking ahead to starting a BSN program in the future.

I am beginning the process of interviewing for jobs so as yet, don't know where I will be working or the shifts involved.

I have been considering Maryville's program but also had someone mention UMSL's online program.

Anyone have experiences/advice/suggestions for a local program based on the above?!?! I am actually considering waiting to start my BSN until after the first of next year in order to give me some time to get through my orientation and to gain some comfort on the job.

Thanks!!

[BeccaznRN]

You know I'm going to sing my praises for UMSL!

I checked out the RN-BSN curriculum on their website, and with a few exceptions here and there it looks like most of those classes are ones I took in my program. They would be very easy to take online, in my opinion. The only thing I would wonder about is the health assessment course, which had a lab component, and the community health nursing course, which had a clinical component. I'm not sure how different the RN-BSN program is when it comes to labs and clinical hours.

You are very smart to wait awhile before starting school again. I wanted to start a MSN program immediately after I graduated (well almost immediately, in the fall 2007 semester) and after I started working I was so overwhelmed that I couldn't believe that I had even thought that I would be able to do school on top of that, even part-time. Plus you'll end up having to do plenty of things outside of regular working hours such as unit-based education, ACLS certification, whatever your unit requires.
Good luck! And hey, it's almost May 2008!

[WDWpixieRN]

Thanks Becca!!

Yes, it's good you feel good enough to recommend your program!!

One of my friend's parents are pushing her to start immediately on her BSN and so she's asking me to join her. Fortunately, I don't have that pressure and honestly don't think it's a wise idea for her to start so soon either.

We have an app't @ Maryville and since I have my bachelor's from there, figure I can transfer things such as statistics that I took there in to the program, but the thought of being committed to classroom time again in the near future makes me a little nuts.

I'll get in touch with UMSL in the near future (AFTER graduation! ) and see what I can find out. As I mentioned above, another RN touted UMSL's online program as the way to go.

It IS almost May '08, isn't it <gulp!>!!

Thanks for your input!