I am SERIOUSLY considering going back to school for RN to BSN or MSN. I have NO idea how to go about choosing a program though. Obviously, it will be based in part on which specialty I want (still mulling that one over). But my big concerns are 1) Are online programs legitimate and respected by hiring nurse managers 2) Which ones are the best?? How does one even go about deciding which to choose?
I'm looking for opinions on "well-known" programs as well such as Kaplan, Chamberlain, UWM's BSN@Home, Colorado Technical University, University of Phoenix, etc.... I'm not opposed to some more "obscure" options either, but I need to find a way to verify quality/ranking, etc. (More concerned about quality and accreditation than ranking, but ranking doesn't hurt either).
I'm also looking for opinions regarding programs that have NO clinical requirement. I don't really know if I trust the sound of that, but I'm already working full time and have a family....
I don't need an "Ivy League" education but I want a high quality program that is respected and known for being good. I've done research all over the internet and most of what I come up with are the websites that schools pay for advertisements on. I don't trust ANY of those sites at all. Are there sites out there that don't allow schools to pay for advertising? Even the U.S. News Best Colleges Lists allow paid advertisements now! Disappointing!!
I have NO idea how I will be able to handle working three 12s a week and having two kids and a husband while attending a rigorous program, but I think it is time that I do it.
Any feedback is greatly appreciated! Classes are starting in a couple of weeks here, so I doubt I'll make it in time for the upcoming semester, but maybe the one after that.
Specializes in Emergency Department, Pediatrics, Home Health.
"If you are planning to continue past your BSN, I recommend NOT doing the BSN online. Some of my ADN online credits were not accepted in my BSN state college program so I had to re-take those classes. I can only imagine trying to transfer online BSN credits to a local college MSN program, it wouldn't be pretty!"
I did my ADN at a comm college and my RN-BSN online at a state university. I then got my MSN. I had zero trouble transferring any credits I needed from previous degrees. My MSN was mostly online. Private teaching university/hospital where I work. No trouble whatsoever.
Mistake me if I am wrong, but I think maybe she was referring to accreditation? I would just be weary if the school was not accredited. That would be the main thing I would look for in determining whether the credits are going to transfer or not.
Texas Tech university is working for me. Completely online, and cheap. 2 semesters/ 6 months to complete. It costs
Hello RNmage, I know it has been so long please did you have any previous prerequisites prior to enrolling in texas tech RN-BSN for it to take only 2 semesters?
LubbDubb77, BSN, RN
118 Posts
Mistake me if I am wrong, but I think maybe she was referring to accreditation? I would just be weary if the school was not accredited. That would be the main thing I would look for in determining whether the credits are going to transfer or not.