Online BSN - Is it taken seriously?

Nurses General Nursing

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I am specifically posting this in the Nursing forum to get advice from actively practicing nurses, so please don't move!

I have heard some recommend online ADN-BSN programs from those "university of phoenix" type schools. This seems like a convenient option, however are BSN degrees from those schools taken seriously? Granted, it would be building on a brick and mortar ADN.

I wouldn't want to waste time and money when the time came for a degree that wasn't worth the paper it was printed on, if you know what I mean. That being said, if it is an acceptable form of BSN, it seems like a great option for the working ADN to continue their education.

What do all of you who work in the field and/or hire nurses think?

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

I completed my RN to BSN through a well known state university Old Dominion University completely online. I have had no issues at all and it was very affordable. I just did not want to physically attend any more classes. I am now in a well respected graduate program through Loyola University New orleans. I do not anticipate any issues with that either.

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Specializes in Orthopaedic Nursing; Geriatrics.

I earned my BSN from the University of Phoenix online. No one has ever even asked where it came from and my current boss was very supportive when I was taking classes and graduated. The classes are for real and so is the degree! However, I have since discovered there are cheaper schools than UOP!

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Specializes in Psych.

It's accepted where I live, but you can do much better price-wise with one of the many state schools that also offer online classes. In my case, I can get my RN-BSN for a little over 5K, whereas UOP wanted to charge me around 20K.

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

Agree with above post. State schools offer online programs too, and are far less expensive. Plus, your employers will recognize the name and not care if it was online or live.

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Nowadays most RN-BSN classes are in the online format wherever you go. Even if you sign up at your local University, it most likely will be online. I think if a BSN is your ultimate goal, research programs and pick the best and cheapest, because it doesn't really matter. A BSN is a BSN.

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A BSN is a BSN.

Um, no, it's not. The letters are the same and the piece of paper is the same, but the education sure as heck is not. Alas, the people who know this from experience will never convince the ones who like their education with fewer challenges -- and fewer genuine interpersonal relations and collaboration-- than the real thing.

Discuss with your study group and make a presentation to the class.

(see?)

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GrnTea,

Hate study groups. Moochers all.

(just hassling you ...but it's true)

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I do not feel my employer cares how you get your BSN. They strongly encourage ADN's to get their BSN and they actually support an online school and encourage RN's to attend that specific one.

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Specializes in Med Surg.
GrnTea,

Hate study groups. Moochers all.

(just hassling you ...but it's true)

So true. My LPN-ASN bridge used lots of study groups and group work. Drove me batty! I learn best when I can listen to the lecture, then be left alone somewhere quiet where I can read, review, and do homework. Group work just meant I had to spend more time studying less efficiently. My online BSN program is perfect for me. We have classes that we can attend in real time or listen to later. I've learned so much and it's from a reputable state school, so I don't see why getting my BSN online is going to hurt my career.

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

It depends on the reputation of the school -- and that can vary from place to place. I'd recommend investigate the reputation of the school -- and do a thorough investigation of its quality and price -- before making the investment.

Personally, as someone who teaches in an online BSN program, I would prefer face-to-face classes -- both as a student and as a teacher. But you can't always get what you want.

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My online BSN program was through a state university. They offer traditional and online versions of their classes. The diploma is the same. It does not state whether I graduated from the online portion or the classroom based portion. My BSN is treated the same as any other BSN.

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