University of St. Mary (Kansas) online RN-BSN program

[Mudhen]

I am having a very good experience at the University of St. Mary online RN to BSN program. The classes are small (about 20 students) and the course work is pertinent. They have a 24/7 help line for almost any kind of help you might need. The research librarians are very helpful as is tech support. My professor is very good and very accessible. I have her email address and her cell phone number in case I need to contact her urgently. For non-urgent matters she generally writes back within 24-48 hours. I have gotten to know her -- we are in week 7 of an 8 week course -- and I look forward to taking pathophysiology with her in the fall term II.

USM has 6 start dates per year and each term is 8 weeks long. The courses are accelerated, but manageable. 2 courses per term is considered full time enrollment, but you don't have to take 2 classes. In my Nursing as a Profession course we have assignments due each Thursday and Sunday by midnight CST. Next semester I am taking Mission in Healthcare (Christian perspectives on caring, etc) and Biology for Today (a lot of info on genetics, etc). I am not Christian, and so far I have felt comfortable and not pressured in any way.

I had thought about taking classes at UTA but decided from reading reviews on this site that I did not want to go there because students could not even gain access to their professors. UTA is cheaper than USM, but in this case I think you get what you pay for. USM is $1230 per 3 credit course, so not cheap but a very good education. I have even been in contact with the head of the RN-BSN program who is helping me waive a class. Everyone there has been very helpful.

The woman I spoke with is ***** and she can tell you all of the details if you are interested in the program. Just call the USM online RN to BSN program (in Kansas -- apparently there are a few USM's out there) and ask for ***** *******. I am very happy with the program so far. I researched at least a dozen schools before settling on this one. Glad to be in a great program and heading toward my BSN!

[Mudhen]

Hi Brenda,

I hope you had a good semester! I am just finishing pathophysiology and I have to say I really wish the course would never end! Instead of trying to memorize facts and detailed pathophysiology by itself, each week we write about case studies that are very interesting and require synthesis of knowledge from the textbook and other sources, coupled with critical thinking skills. It is a very smart way to teach pathophysiology because as you are answering the case study questions you end up reading huge portions of the textbook with a great interest in understanding it and applying it to your "patient." I love it! I feel like Agatha Christie solving a new mystery each week when I start a new case study.

The professor is excellent and very responsive to student needs. We are using a web site that many students in class were unfamiliar with, and at first I had a lot of trouble creating discussion presentations using pictures, videos, audios and text. The prof was great. She helped all of us learn to use the web site and now I think everyone really enjoys making presentations using multimedia. The textbook is also fantastic - well written and very detailed.

Overall, I am really enjoying the learning environment at Univ of St. Mary and am looking forward to statistics next semeseter. I'm a bit nervous about taking a math course since it's been a while, but I contacted the prof and he was super nice. He sent me the syllabus and gave me the name of the textbook so I could buy it ahead of time. He also gave me tips to help prepare for class - ie - become familiar with Excel beforehand and brush up on algebra. I haven't really had time to do much to prepare, but I did buy books on how to use Excel and on algebra and statistics so I think that even if I have questions I will have enough reference books to look at, plus he seems very amenable to students contacting him with questions. When I first contacted him I got an email reply within 5 minutes!

Keep me posted on your progress and hopefully one day we will have a class together!

Mudhen

[BeehRN]

Hi Mudhen! Checking in to see how classes are going?! Been super busy myself but about to start a new semester next week! Hope all is well:)

[stepbystep12, BSN, DNP]

How long does their RN - BSN take? is it self paced?

[BeehRN]

It just depends on how many other non nursing classes you may need to take as well as how many courses you take per semester. The semesters are only 8 weeks so they are pretty fast paced.

[backpew5]

I am a student in the USM RN-BSN program. I am having a WONDERFUL experience with the USM. The professors are very helpful if you let them know you are having issues or do not understand something. At 49 years old, I have found this format of learning very doable. I have taken 5 classes which were labor intensive with working and having a family but when I am disciplined with my schedule I can get everything done. I have 6 classes to go and then I should be done.

[aykife]

I am also a student of USM. I wondering if one can take some classes online from sites like www.study.com and have the credits transferred to USM to complete the requirement for the RN to BSN program. What alternatives are available.

[IfLifeGivesYouLemons, CRNA]

I went to University of Saint Mary's as well and now I am moving on to grad school. I felt that the professors where supportive and it was worth the money. Very easy to navigate the online environment. Good luck to everyone!