How to pick an online BSN program??

1. I have my RN and I am looking to get my BSN but I am completely overwhelmed at how to pick an online BSN program...
   
   
   Here's the things I am looking for:
   
   ~Reasonable tuition (I have found programs as high as $17,000! Too rich for my blood!)
   
   ~No clinicals (I have been a RN for a couple years and don't need to prove myself)
   
   ~100% online
   
   ~Accredited by: CCNE or NLNAC
   
   
   Anyone have any advice? School recommendations? I really appreciate it

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2. 18 Comments

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3. 
   Apr 19, '12

   Those are my requirements too. I'm looking at University of Texas Arlington. Very affordable and 100% online.
   
   http://www.uta.edu/nursing/rn-bsn
4. 
   Apr 19, '12

   I limited my search to NLN or CCNE accredited programs. After that my top prioritys were speed, cost and the least amount of BS. Western Governors was by far the cheapest, fastest program. Some of the nurses I work with have managed to obtain their BSN through WGU in six months or even less for under $4K.
5. 
   Apr 20, '12

   Quote from 2RNornot2RN

   I have my RN and I am looking to get my BSN but I am completely overwhelmed at how to pick an online BSN program...
   
   
   Here's the things I am looking for:
   
   ~Reasonable tuition (I have found programs as high as $17,000! Too rich for my blood!)
   
   ~No clinicals (I have been a RN for a couple years and don't need to prove myself)
   
   ~100% online
   
   ~Accredited by: CCNE or NLNAC
   
   
   Anyone have any advice? School recommendations? I really appreciate it

   univ of wyoming-you might need to check tuition though-I hear they are going to start charging out of state even for an online program. so it would be either 117/credit or around 300-400/credit.
   
   good luck!
6. 
   Apr 20, '12

   I made myself a spreadsheet to compare programs back in 2008 when I was seeking a program. I drove myself nuts trying to find and choose the "perfect" RN-BSN program. I'm attaching my spreadsheet in PDF format to give you an idea of how I broke it out (note: the info is almost four years old now, tuition and links may be outdated).
   
   I ended up going with Chamberlain. The total cost was just over $17K for me at the time, but I had $9K in reimbursement from my employer over three calendar years (started in October 2008, finished June 2010) and a scholarship of $1800 from my hospital's ladies board. Cost for me was about $7K. Chamberlain is very expensive if you're doing it out of your own pocket, though.
   
   Good luck!!

   Attached Images

   • RN-BSN_Programs.pdf (13.2 KB, 305 views)
7. 
   Apr 20, '12

   Thanks for posting that Lunah. I'm at that point, researching the perfect school....mainly $$ and speediness since I'm paying out of pocket and getting older by the second.
   
   Good framework to help me decide.
8. 
   Apr 20, '12

   I am currently enrolled in Chamberlain RN to BSN. Its pricey, but so far I have had a good experience!
   
   LunahRN ~ Did you also go for your MSN? If so, was it with Chamberlain? I am thinking of just going for my MSN, but I have not heard anything about Chamberlain's MSN program? (Sorry still new to allnurses and cannot send PMs yet)
9. 
   Apr 20, '12

   CookieZRN, I'm doing my MSN with Excelsior College.
10. 
    Apr 26, '12

    Check out Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences in Orlando...Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences | Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences
    
    Great experience! I highly recommend it, definitely worth a look!
11. 
    Apr 28, '12

    I am in the same boat...Western Governors seems like a great option with flexibilty and cost...but I feel like a school such as Ohio University that also has a campus would look much better one my resume as well looking much better if I decide to persue a masters.
12. 
    Apr 28, '12

    Try the University of Missouri @ St Louis. There program is online and each semester is only like $2000
13. 
    May 16, '12

    I would love love love to go to WGU after I'm done with my ADN. However, the Master's program I want to go into requires a 3.2 in your BSN GPA. WGU is pass/fail so you finish with a 3.0 GPA. :/ major bummer for me...
14. 
    May 18, '12

    FWIW I know of two people in the unit I work with who have been accepted to CRNA programs after earning their BSN through WGU. One is in school now and one will start this month.

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