Choice among on-line RN-BSN programs

mtsteelhorse · Feb 13, 2011

Great feedback. I have also just found the University of Southern Alabama. They have MSN program for ADN with a BA/BS in a non-nursing field. Apparently you're awarded the BSN and finally the MSN within your area of interest. They have Family Psychiatric NP program. Lots to think about. Their tuition was fairly reasonable but not as cheap as OU. I'll have to see what works out best. Keep me posted!

chuckster, ADN, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Feb 14, 2011

One other thing about the MSN for 2nd degree nurses - some places may still require the BSN. In other words, they do not recognize the MSN as an acceptable entry-level credential for non-BSN RNs. Thankfully, this seems to be fairly limited - I'm only aware of this for some branches of the Armed Forces (the Navy specifically, the Army recognizes the MSN - not sure of the other branches) and perhaps the VA (their credential rules are unclear but seem to require a BSN for any entry-level nursing position - for RNs with experience, any degree, including the ADN, seems to be OK). I've heard that some hospital chains also follow this practice but don't know for sure. My big worry is that with the present oversupply of nurses, more institutions are going to adopt this - just as many have already done by refusing to consider ADN-RNs for new postions. In any event, since it's not very much extra work to also get the BSN, I'm not going to take any chances.

I'll check out the Southern Alabama program. By the way, Cleveland State and Univ of MD-Baltimore are 2 other reasonably well-know schools with RN-BSN programs. Both were too expensive for me to consider them however.

BluegrassRN · Feb 15, 2011

I go to Fort Hays State University. It, too, is an extension of a brick and mortar classroom, and they have been doing distance learning for their RN to BSN program long before the internet was around.

Pros: From a reputable state university, well known (in my area, anyway). Super cheap tuition ($171/credit hour). Take as long as you wish to finish the program: take one class a semester for five classes a semester, whatever works for you.

Cons: It's not the most rigorous of programs, in my opinion. Theory heavy. On line learning is boring, I think.

Any program worth its salt will require the basics of a bachelor's degree: chemistry, stats, foreign language, other liberal arts classes. That's what makes it a bachelor's degree. I'm surprised there are programs in existence that provide a BSN without actually requiring their students to take any liberal arts classes.

mtsteelhorse · Feb 15, 2011

Bluegrass RN thanks for your comments. No, there aren't any BSN programs without the liberal arts requirement. That is a big part of any bachelors degree. What Chuckster is referring to is a generous allowance for transfer credits towards a BSN thus limiting the required courses for completion. We're both hoping to secure a BSN quickly and move on to NP programs. The BSN is a stepping stone that completes a bigger educational picture. While there are RN-MSN/NP programs available most do not award a BSN along the way. I did stumble across one that does. It may be Southern Alabama Univ. I'll have to recheck that. Finances are however a factor for chuckster and myself. I can attend an in state psych NP program once I get the BSN so that will be much more affordable. The key is obtaining the BSN ASAP. I have looked ad nauseum for piece to fit this puzzle and as of right now it appears to be Ohio Univ. I think that will take somewhere around 14-16 months depending on the credits I transfer in. If anyone knows of any faster route I would pay a bit more to blast through. But I do have a budget to consider. Thanks to all for suggestions. Great forum!

chuckster, ADN, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Feb 15, 2011

BluegrassRN --

Thanks for the suggestion about Fort Hays. Their program meets my personal criteria including the all-important one on cost. I'll definitely investigate further. One question I have from a quick look at the site is about the practice requirement. As part of the admission process, the site says to:

Have your employer complete the Proof of Practice Form and submit it with your application.

Since this seems to the the only place it's mentioned, I can't tell if it's a hard requirement or simply something that's asked for if you are presently working as RN. Also not clear from a quick perusal if there's a clinical component.

As noted above, tuition is very important both for me and for mtsteelhorse - Ft Hays State is the hands-down winner on this one!

Again thanks for the suggestion.

mtsteelhorse · Feb 15, 2011

Ohio Univ. is $155/credit hour and Ft Hays is $170/credit hr so they are very close. I went to the Ft Hays website to try and determine the exact requirements but all I could find was hrs required per subject area rather than the exact courses required. Since I'm transfering with a BS and ADN I'm trying to eliminate any fluff. I have been round and round with school for 30 years so I'm trying to streamline the process in order to cut to the chase...FPMHNP goal. With 5 week courses it seems Ohio Univ may be a better route for me since I work FT. Ft Hays appears to be semesters. Is that correct? I like the idea of 1-2 classes at most at one time. Bluegrass, when you mentioned Ft Hays not being that rigourous are you referring to the ease and tedium of the program? I want easy BSN to get to my goal of grad school! Thanks again for your input.

BluegrassRN · Feb 15, 2011

There appears to be some sort of clinical component in the last semester. I'm not sure what that entails, as my last semester will be next fall. It is a semester based program.

Send in your transcripts. My advisor sent me a detailed transcript appraisal that very specifically and clearly spelled out what courses I needed to take and which ones I got credit for from my BA and my ASN.

I will look through my papers and find that info tonight, and I can give you an idea of what I had to take beyond the ASN.

chuckster, ADN, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Feb 16, 2011

i did a bit of research into the fhsu program via the website things are a bit confusing. i've cut and pasted excerpts from the website below. it looks like you need 30 credits of nursing courses, 6 of which are prerequisites for the higher level courses and must be taken before you can be formally admitted to the rn-bsn program. it also looks like you only need 1 semester of a&p but 2 semester of micro (but no other biology reqt, such as intro). there is also a notation that the stat course needs to be a "math" course, which i would take to mean that business statistics is not be acceptable. two of the nursing classes require a "lab", which i would take to be a clinical. it will take some time on the phone with fhsu to sort things out.

assuming that you had all of the prereqs, and needed only the nursing classes, your total tuition would be something just over $5,100. added to that would be about $500 - $750 in various fees. while this is reasonable, i think that most folks will need at least a couple of other courses (such as that additional semester of micro), plus possibly stat (if they will not accept business stat courses) and maybe an additional chem. all told, you are probably back to about where ut-a and ou are in terms of cost.

non-nursing prerequisites (credits reqd):

english comp 1 (3)

english comp 2 (3)

college algebra (3)

anatomy & physiology (5)

microbiology (8)

chemistry (? - not specified)

general psychology (5)

intro to sociology (3)

oral communication (3)

statistics (3)

in addition, 12 credits each in humanities and social/behavioral science plus 3 in interdisciplinary studies are required. i'd expect that the microbio reqt (8 credits) translates into 2 courses. this is probably the same the for the 5 psych credits.

nursing prerequsites (credits reqd):

nurs 207 pathophysiology i (2)

nurs 280 foundations of nursing (3)

nurs 294 nursing transition (1)

rn-bsn courses

"these nursing courses may be taken prior to admission to the nursing program but must be completed prior to the final semester."

nurs 207 pathophysiology i (2) note: also appears in the nursing prereqs above

nurs 603 health assessment (3)

nurs 6630l health assessment - lab

nurs 320 health care ethics (1)

nurs 321 health care legal aspects (1)

"these courses can only be taken after admission to the nursing program."

nurs 294 nursing transition (1) note: also appears under nursing preqs above

nurs 307 pathophysiology ii (2)

nurs 280 foundations of nursing (3)

nurs 322 nursing inquiry (2)

nurs 612 nursing concepts (4)

nurs 632 population-focused care (3)

nurs 491 systems/policy/cost (3)

nurs 631 integration (3)

nurs 631l internship / lab (3)

"advanced standing credit for the associate degree in nursing will be given the final semester at fhsu. a $25 fee per course will be accessed for transcribing these courses to the fhsu transcript." these courses are:

nurs 104l nursing fundamentals

nurs 290 math calculations for drug administration

nurs 310l skills lab

nurs 311l practicum

nurs 330/330l older adult & family

nurs 332l population focused practicum

nurs 340 pharmacology

nurs 422/422l child & family

nurs 420/420l young adult & family

nurs 430/430l middle adult & family

mtsteelhorse · Feb 16, 2011

It all gets to be a bit confusing. Until one gets in writing exactly what transfers it is unclear as to what one needs for completion. I called Chamberlain yesterday and it's really straight forward but oh so expensive! Indiana Wesleyan was very clear also but again more $$$. I contacted the NP program I want to apply to and they assured me as long as a program is accredited and assigns letter grades ( not pass/fail) it makes no difference where I obtain the BSN. So with that said I want the quickest route toward that end. It's been almost impossible to get feedback about Ohio University's program which makes me very apprehensive. Yet the more advertised, expensive schools have lots of reviews. I'd almost pay more just to get through it quickly and know it won't take 60 hrs/week in terms of a time committment to complete. Thanks for letting me "think" through this on this most supportive forum. Any feedback about OU?? Anyone???

BluegrassRN · Feb 16, 2011

OK, chuckster, you did my work for me.

I already had a BA in another field, and as well I had planned on getting my BSN through a university, so between those two areas of study, I had all the prereqs. So I basically just had to take the RN-BSN courses.

Regarding micro, on the requirements page, by micro it states 5/8 credit hours. They accepted my 5 hour course.

It's a stepping stone. While the courses do involve some effort, I would not call it academically rigorous, by any means. Very heavy on the theory, which is not my cup of tea. I did enjoy my patho classes, but once again, I felt they could have had more depth and rigor to them.

txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN · Feb 17, 2011

have you looked into texas tech....it is 2 semesters but they count the summer as one semester . i started in june of 2010 and my grad date was december 13,2010 . it cost me right around $7500 plus books ....might be worth checking into

it all gets to be a bit confusing. until one gets in writing exactly what transfers it is unclear as to what one needs for completion. i called chamberlain yesterday and it's really straight forward but oh so expensive! indiana wesleyan was very clear also but again more $$$. i contacted the np program i want to apply to and they assured me as long as a program is accredited and assigns letter grades ( not pass/fail) it makes no difference where i obtain the bsn. so with that said i want the quickest route toward that end. it's been almost impossible to get feedback about ohio university's program which makes me very apprehensive. yet the more advertised, expensive schools have lots of reviews. i'd almost pay more just to get through it quickly and know it won't take 60 hrs/week in terms of a time committment to complete. thanks for letting me "think" through this on this most supportive forum. any feedback about ou?? anyone???

inProgress · Feb 17, 2011

There are tons of all-online RN-to-BSN programs that have no pre-reqs or co-reqs except for the fact you have to have an RN license in good standing. My research has found that most of them cost two to three times as much as traditional classroom programs. I don't know if its the flexibility of time you are looking for but I think it might be worth it for you to reconcider an in-class program.

Good Luck!