RN-BSN Classes?

Nursing Students ADN/BSN

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When you are a RN with a ADN and you go back for the BSN, are your classes MOSTLY 'fluff' electives with a little management classes thrown in there? are you learning any new NURSING information... i compared(on paper) my Community College ASN program with a University BSN program and the difference seemed to be 30 or so more electives, more math, more chem, and like 2 nursing management classes.......

so im just wondering how did yall transition to ADN RN to BSN RN go

thanks for any help

(background, im confused to rather stick it out in a 4 yr program and be 'marketable' that a 2 yr RN. but i would love to get in field sooner)

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

I'm a big fan of working and making money so the ADN route at community college really suited me. Getting my RN was the bones and framework but my BSN was the icing on the cake. I didn't think the courses were difficult or crucial but I do think I honed my craft.

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Did you do your RN-BSN online or in class?:confused:

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Having a BSN in this area does not give you a edge. In fact graduating for the CC here does - because it has a great reputation. But I know every area is different. I plan on letting my job pay for my BSN. They have a university come in and you go once/week for 18 months. I believe still need to get your statistics, nutrition, history and a language in addition to that - which you can get at your CC.

Good luck whatever you decide.

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Ok that helps....just stick it out at CC and let whatever hospital i work in help me towards my BSN.....

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Did you do your RN-BSN online or in class?:confused:

OMG its SO MANY ONLINE programs...if i go that route, i hope i pick the rightone :confused:

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Rayne hi, I am currently taking the BSN online to give me employability since I am not yet an employed RN. I work 100% online, they credited nearly all of my nursing college credits and I have already taken 5 core BSN classes, & sociology. I have only 3 core BSN classes and statistics to go. I wouldn't say it was fluff but in comparison to AS-N I have found my niche in research and a lot of APA formal writing. Nearly any exams. The grades are by points given for 3 to 4 papers per course, and 4-6 class discussion posts. It requires time on the computer, but with even one course every 8 weeks it fits with working. The cost for on-line private BSN programs is $575.00 per unit. The only good thing about being a new unemployed grad is that I get government finanical aide and grants to get by. I hope this helps.

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Whoa! so you are a RN and can't find a job! what area are you in? thats concerning!

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rayne 215 wrote, 'Whoa! so you are a RN and can't find a job! what area are you in? thats concerning!'

I live in the San Francisco Bay area but I know from my classmate all over the country this is the norm. Most hospitals have cut new grad programs, and the openings are usually for student graduates who have precepted in that hospital. With the nursing shortage, cutbacks, and increase numbers of graduating nursing students it only get worse. I stay positive with my education and I am saving to take either Critical care certification or Emergency room nursing certification. I have already taken ACLS, and scheduled for PALS my goal is to get as much education as posible and certifications along with my BSN. Have you heard of the Magnet status- is an accreditation for hospitals for increasing the % of higher educated nurses from AS to BSN and masters. Many of the California hospitals are going this route. We also have a more difficult time gettin in here in the Bay area of northern California because the starting pay is $47.-52./hr. I have also checked in many hospitals across the country- in fact it would be great to have a National Licensure to ease in working in other states. I was hired for a camp nursing job for 10 weeks in Pennsylvania so http://img.an-file.info/smilies/nurse.gif so I see opportunities are there.http://img.an-file.info/smilies/yeah.gif

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Cardiology, Geriatrics.

kamiworm, are you doing your BSN through Chamberlain? I start my online RN-BSN at Chamberlain on 4/26. How tough are the instructors on grading papers with regards to APA style? Do they focus more on citing, or the whole APA manual (got the book already, not a fun read)? I've always been a really good writer, so I'm not too worried. Do they expect APA style in the discussion posts, as well?

None of the teaching/research hospitals in Chicago seem to hire ADNs anymore. I graduated with an ADN in 2006, and I had no trouble getting a job at a pediatric teaching/research hospital, but I left to take care of my mom, and now, without a BSN, I can't even get an interview. I'm happy to get the BSN, though. I want to go to grad school to become an NP and go into research, so it's necessary for me, anyway.

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Whoa! so you are a RN and can't find a job! what area are you in? thats concerning!

Depends on the area. We still have new grad openings here. Although after the May grads, who knows??? I graduated in December and so far everyone in my class (ADN) that wanted a job, has one. Go to the graduate nurse forum..there are many people there looking for jobs still after a year of graduating. It should give you an idea of what areas are hiring and what areas are not. I would also look at your local facilities and see what they are hiring (RN or BSNs). That will give you a little more of an idea of what to pursue.

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AnaCatRN, I am a Chamberlain Student. Good luck I have enjoyed it so far. They have a fabulous way of starting you out with the fundamentals and moving you forward from class to class. If you are starting with Health Assessments NR294 this class is very challenging with papers on patient scenarios (like case studies) and Journal article reviews (like book reports). I wouldn't worry too much about learning the format. First the Professors are very helpful and the great thing about web classes is the 24 hour ability to post, secondly you can purchase programs such as APA PERRLA for about $30.00 that does all of the difficult part of formatting and citing APA. This program is for PC only, I have a MAC so I use ScholarWord OSX. When I started I had 3 classes and still got all A's, very unlike my C's & B's in ASnursing school. But I would recommend 2 classes max. classes per 8 weeks, or even 1 class per 8 weeks is still 6-8 units of PT credits per semester.

Each class has a variety of Nurses from new grad to seasoned nurses with 15+ years of experience. Everyone is helpful and since you already like to network and post on this site- it is very similar, except that you usually will back up you opinions and experiences with an evidence-based journal or book. So again, good luck!!

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