Vital Information about BSN and MSN online Programs

[jacksonmark]

Hi,

I wanted to chime and give anyone that is looking to pursue their BSN and/or MSN some key information. First of all stay away from for-profit colleges, like Chamberlain College of Nursing (Devry, Inc), University of Pheonix, Kaplan, Grand Canyon, etc. These colleges all over charge students 10 times more than legitimate non for profit colleges. From my own research I would recommend looking into University of Texas Arlington, and Western Governors University. Also, most state schools are now offering more and more online and/or distance learning classes/programs. Most in the state of Ohio are. Hope this helps, and good luck with your future education endevours.

[tokmom, BSN, RN]

You're absolutely right! I looked into a for-profit university to do RN to BSN all online and the program was $22,000! Unfortunately, I need to do mostly online as I am working full time and need to have a self-paced program but I just thought that was outrageous!

I'm curious on what school this is. Mine is waaay less!

[Mully]

Chamberlain is fast and easy... but man is my wallet mad at me...

[tokmom, BSN, RN]

If they are Regionally accredited and have NLN or CCNE accreditation then there is no worry

i can see that there is a problem though if they arnt, as far as i know Devry and University of phoenix arnt

edit: I looked up chamberlain (devry) and they are regionally accredited as well as CCNE so that one works!

regional accreditation is important if you want to transfer to other schools to further your education (brick and mortar included).. the schools near me wont look at your transcript if it is not regionally accredited..

Looks like U of P is both CCNE and regionally accredited.

University of Phoenix is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association. For additional information, visit ncahlc.org.

Our CCNE-accredited Nursing degree programs ......

I couldn't find info on the Devry website unless I put in my email. That's not gonna happen!

[MotherRN]

I may need to check my facts again, but I thought the only catch to doing the B/M RN-BSN programs (all online) is that if you are an out of state student, the rates will take a huge hike. So, you need to find a B/M in state online program for this option. Otherwise I'd go back to ole UCF where i got my BA back in the '80's because Florida tuition rates are dirt cheap...IF you are an instate student! Otherwise, one of the many programs offered by the state universities in my current state will do nicely and also come out cheaper than Phoenix or Grand Canyon. Haven't checked Chamberlain closely, but at a glance thought it was $$$. On of the state universities around here has a mixed mode program where you come to campus twice a month. They are ranked in the top 40 nursing programs and the only one ranked in this state as far as I am aware. I might do that one because I thought maybe someone will care that I went to that program (since no one cares where I got my ADN and it hasn't opened any doors round here!)

[mind_body_soul RN]

Eastern New Mexico University is a good, cheap online RN-BSN program. They just launched their online MSN program I believe.

[pacnwRN]

I am a big supporter of Western Governors University. I will be finished with my BSN July of 2013, and have been able to do it while working, having a family, and for less than 10 grand total. My mentor is really helpful and I have had few problems, but any that I bring up she is on it and has a solution quickly and painlessly. I totally recommend it.

[deemalt, BSN, RN]

When will this knitpicking stop?

I'm so sorry, I just can't let this go..it is nitpicking. Don't mean to be picking nits with you!

[chiromed0]

Hmmm....I've researched online programs A LOT. I think Excelsior's MSN is reasonable, not sure about their tax status. Almost every legitimate University in this country is offering some type of online program, there are literally dozens if not hundreds. In a way ( a moot point) the for profit and not-for-profit schools are about the same cost. One caveat; the not-for-profit schools have already been subsidized by federal and state taxes so in effect, you or someone has already paid for part of your degree so you might as well go there instead of the other.

I chose a brick & mortar university for my MSN-NP online program, it's more expensive but at some point cutting corners saves you money but costs you credibility.

[tokmom, BSN, RN]

Hmmm....I've researched online programs A LOT. I think Excelsior's MSN is reasonable, not sure about their tax status. Almost every legitimate University in this country is offering some type of online program, there are literally dozens if not hundreds. In a way ( a moot point) the for profit and not-for-profit schools are about the same cost. One caveat; the not-for-profit schools have already been subsidized by federal and state taxes so in effect, you or someone has already paid for part of your degree so you might as well go there instead of the other. I chose a brick & mortar university for my MSN-NP online program, it's more expensive but at some point cutting corners saves you money but costs you credibility.

Having a brick and mortar connection was important to me as well, so I chose an online school that had that reputation.

[RNikkiF]

I literally JUST left the Chamberlain website. They ARE CCNE accredited, however, the cost of the RN to BSN to MSN is $55,000!!! YIKES!! I saw one post on here that someone said $22,000 was the cost (maybe it varies by state??) and that was way less than their ADN... wow!!! My ADN was somewhere around $6K plus books, uniforms, fees... (just for the RN prog... not including all of my prereqs...) wow!

Personally I am skeptical of U of P, Chamberlain, Cappella, etc... but I have been all over the internet trying to find "traditional" colleges/universities that offer online options, but am having trouble weeding through the paid advertisements of the previously mentioned schools to find the "legit" ones. (Not to say that the ones I listed definitely aren't legit, but I just don't trust them). UW Milwaukee has BSN@Home and is near where I live, so I probably will end up using that one, but I want to compare options. There are so many different specializations out there and one school can't possibly offer them all. Not only that, I want to find out more about what clinical requirements there are... I work full time, have two kids and am putting my DH through engineering school... clinicals (or at least too many of them) are simply NOT an option right now...

I know University of Alabama has online programs, my OB Instructor was getting her ANP through them online, but (at least for her program), she had to travel to Alabama (from Florida) for her finals... again... not an option for me... Anyone had any luck finding out about programs at state/local schools with online options???

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

If you are in Wisconsin, check out U of W at Green Bay -- they were my second choice, and I was impressed with them -- Online RN to BSN Completion Program: A Professional Program in Nursing - University of Wisconsin, Green Bay. But I actually ended up going with Chamberlain, and enjoyed the program immensely; however, I had tuition reimbursement on my side, because it is expensive. I was going in with 206 credits already, too, so I didn't have to do too many classes/credits.

[JillyRN]

I went through Liberty University in VA for RN-BSN. Before deciding, I stopped by a U of Phoenix campus (Honolulu), and spoke repeatedly to Chamberlain reps. I had slight resistance to these programs only because of the reputation I was told they had in regards to being for profit and not B/M. I wanted to give them a chance though because living in Hawaii and working full time, I was already limited in access to many universities. They definitely are persistant in trying to "sell" you on their programs. I felt Chamberlain was way overpriced (I was quoted at 15K even already having 120 credits). I was also very turned off after he started bad-mouthing the University I told him I had chosen. University of Phoenix would have required what seemed like an excessive amount of credits and I was told the soonest I would finish was 2 years. They both still call me frequently asking if I'd like information on other programs (MSN).

I could not have been more pleased with my experience with Liberty. Their program was very efficient with classes every 8 weeks, I was able to load up during periods I knew I could manage, and take a break when needed. I finished the program over 10 months while working full time. Their normal tuition rate is around $450/credit hour. However, for active duty servicemembers and their family members, it goes down to $250/hour with waived technology fees and a book voucher that completely covered all materials. Every single person I encountered from the school was personable and helpful. I was not bombarded with their religious affiliation and even made a number of contacts for positions across the US. When all was said and done, my total cost was around 8K.

Just a re-cap of my experiences. I agree with above posters, it all comes down to accreditation and your situation.