Best online RN to BSN program....CHEAP?

Nursing Students Online Learning

Updated:   Published

I have been a RN for about 1 1/2 years now and am starting to look towards going back and getting my BSN. I need something online since I work full time and have children, but also something that is inexpensive. What has been your experience with getting your

BSN online? Do you have to do any clinicals and if so how does that work? Are there any programs to help financially?

Have a wonderful new year and thank you for your responses.:D

saw this on another page and it looks real good to me at $155/credit out of state!

Ohio University RN-to-BSN Academic Outreach Initiative

I am on Ohio State Universitys website and on the tuition table it says non-resident totals: 718.5 for 0-1 credit hours. What is the out reach program?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am on the same boat! I have contacted in the past three months, over 12 Institutions. I can say with 100% certainty that there is a huge problem out there with the RN-BSN online programs. From cost, transfer credits, entrance exams, having to take more extra credits (depening on where you go), credit by examination used by many universities and colleges thru excelsior, which is an added burden to students, to lack of credits earned for having your RN license, to having some colleges and unversities making a policy that the only way you can attende their online program is to "have their state RN valid license". It is insane!

Call Ohio and find out if they require you to have a valid Ohio RN license? Also find out if your own state financial aid, will carry over to another boundary (state)? Otherwise you won't receive Pell Grants, only loans and the rates????

Check out if they are violating any laws! If you have a AA and an ASN (notice the difference between a ASN and a regular Diploma or Science Degree) because you will be in for a surprise. If you have a AA from a Public School and a ASN from a Public School, ALL THE CREDITS ARE SUPPOUSE TO BE TRANSFERABLE! ALL, NOT SOME. If the particular online RN-BSN program (institution) does not want to give all the credits, you are in for another surprise, THEY ARE GOING TO TELL YOU TO TAKE EXTRA UPPER LEVEL COURSES SUCH AS Ethics, Hist, and a bunch of other courses that most of the serious ONLINE CREDITED PROGRAMS, will not require because you are a TRANSFERED STUDENT FROM A PUBLIC INSTITUTION, thus you fulfill the law required basic courses for both AA and ASN, plus your RN license!

Cost is another concer. It is crazy what private schools are doing! Is all about profit. Sometime we want to take a short cut, an easy way out and guess what, it does not happen. If you don't pay at the bigining, you will pay at the end $$$$. Careful with where you go. Look at complaints. Search for students reviews and opinions. Don't believe the online advisors, they will tell you what you want to hear! They will make it sound so good to be true, and it will be to good to be true. Research, take your time since it is a huge decision for us to take. It is our money, our time, our license and our future. DON'T THROW IT AWAY AND DON'T OBTAIN A DEGREE JUST TO HAVE ONE (BSN, MSN, PhD), make sure you choose a REPUTABLE UNIVERSITY. Even if it takes us longer, we want a reputable, low cost institution and the best place will be a PUBLIC STATE UNIVERSITY. BELIEVE IT! AS GOD IS MY WITNESS, THE SHORT CUTS OR HIGH COST INSTITUTIONS THAT DO NOT HAVE A GOOD REPUTATION, WILL ONLY HURT YOUR FUTURE GOALS. Today employers look at transcripts, where you attended and in a pervaisive way, they will not even past the smell test (screening process).

I got so tired of contacting institutions and getting the "truth", that I am now finally between a highly reputable, high cost University (University of Miami) with no extra upper level courses for me to take, no entrance exam (I still need that in writting from them), ONLY VERBAL, no excelsior examinations (to earn credits) which cost of each test is about $300, or a State Public University (Florida International University), which requires me 3 excelsior exams (in three semesters) and 2 additional upper level courses (low compare to the rest of the institutions in Florida and outside of Florida).

IF YOU GUYS HAVE A MUCH BETTER OFFER THAT COMPARES ALL THE ISSUES ABOVE MENTIONED, PLEASE LET ME KNOW. MAKE SURE IS REPUTABLE, ACCEPTS ALL THE CREDITS FROM THE LOWER DIVISION PUBLIC COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY, AND DOES NOT REQUIRE EITHER AN ENTRANCE EXAM FOR A RN-ONLINE PROGRAM, NOR 3 OR 4 EXCELSIOR EXAMS IN ORDER TO OBTAIN CREDITS REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION OF THE RN-BSN PROGRAM. The HESI entrance exams as an average, are required for Traditional Programs and Acelerated Programs. NOT REQUIRED FOR ONLINE RN-BSN, but some institutions make their own rules.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

Western Governor's University is very popular on here. They do have an entrance test to take but you do it online in your own home and it is not difficult to pass and you can take it before you are even admitted as part of your application. Tuition is a flat rate for 6 month term, you can earn credits based on passing assessments, not doing a bunch of meaningless tasks if you can prove you are competent. Many have finished their program with them in 6 months. They are nationally and regionally accredited as well.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

BTW, why is an entrance test such a big deal for you?

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

Sorry to tell you that was one of the universities I fully researched. They do not give you a GPA more than 3.0 based on a passing grade. This is a huge problem if you are planing to attend a MSN program, thus they will not accept a university with a passing system, neither is to say, a 3.0 as the maximum average of passing. Please research it and then you will see that I was right on the information provided therein. We need a GPA system in order to transfer to Grad School of Nursing in America. Please research, gather information, make phone call to other universities and find out if they will accept this nonsense of a lack of GPA system and only a flat "passing grade" with a "max of 3.0".

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Entrance exams are not a problem, you need to read the entire note and see the other examples such as , above mentioned. People just do not really research anymore the options, do not find out the truth and consequences of their actions without sound informative advise. RESEARCH, CALL, GATHER FACTS, INVESTIGATE, CROSS ANALYSIS...... CALL OTHER UNIVERSITIES TO SEE IF THEY WILL ACCEPT WGU, OR ANY OTHER UNIVERSITY GPA SYSTEM, as just one of the examples above mention. There are many issues with the RN-BSN programs. In my humble opinion, we need legislation that will stop the madness and make all RN-BSN, MSN, PhD requirements the same at all levels, throughout all States.

On another note, look at what is happening with the COMPACT STATES which are only 24 as of 2011. It is a great idea, to be able to live in one of the 24 compact states and move to another state permanently or temporary and not lose your license in your home state. I live in Florida, and they are not part of the compact states. If I go to another state that is compact or not, I will lose my Florida License. However, people that live in any of the 24 compact states including Texas, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia etc., they can cross borders without any problems. See link attached:

https://www.ncsbn.org/nlc.htm

Let us think big! Let us have a wide spectrum of thoughts! You know why Florida and the rest of the States do not want to be part of the compact state??? That's right is all about money! You get better pay and benefits in the states that are compact, they have many benefits for us - RN's. Also, the Florida Nurses Associations, should have been delighted to promote being a member of the Compact States; however, they chose not to. Until, nurses get angry about and finally understand that we have a right to be like the other 24 Compact States including key important States such as Texas, Virginia, Maryland, etc. and decide to have A UNION OF NURSES IN FLORIDA OR ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE COUNTRY, we are not going to make any progress at all. From patient ratios, to better salaries, to benefits, we are in serious trouble. Believe that!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Entrance exams are not a problem, you need to read the entire note and see the other examples such as WGU, above mentioned.

You stated that you wanted a program without an entrance exam which is why I asked why it's a problem!

I did the research and found that one does recieve a GPA with of 3.0 upon graduating. It is listed on the transcript as 3.0. Why would a GP not accept it? The only way it would be a problem is if the GP you were looking to go to requires a GPA higher than 3.0, which some definitely do. I looked at some of the programs I may consider going to for my NNP and they do accept a GPA of 3.0. That was all I needed to make a decision. FWIW, WGU also has a MSN program you could go to as well and would definitely accept their own BSN.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

However, the BSN, MSN and PhD, will lock you down to their system of "passing /fail = 3.0 max. In other words, you are pretty much locked down with them and not able to go anywhere else for that matter. I do not understand why is it so difficult for people to understand! This is my last entry regarding this matter. I have fufilled my purpose by warning everyone of what is going on. There are no short cuts! If you don't pay at the begining, you will pay at the end when the bill comes $$$$, no true GPA, and/or not a highly reputable program. That's all! Good luck to everyone and good bye......

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

however, the bsn, msn and phd, will lock you down to their system (how is that?)of "passing /fail = 3.0 max. in other words, you are pretty much locked down with them and not able to go anywhere else for that matter.

says you but do you have any proof??? it's easy to say things like this but can you back it up? if you really want to "help" people i think supplying proof would be a lot more helpful than throwing out accusations or opinions. you do get a gpa with wgu! yes, it is a 3.0 regardless if you pass the assessments and plenty of grad schools accept 3.0 for a gpa. i have done the research and it's a little irritating when you act like you know it all but can't provide any proof to back up what you say. sure, some grad schools may not accept a 3.0 and if one plans to go to that school then wgu is not the right program for them. however, if one does not plan to go on to grad school and wants a natioonally and regionally accredited bsn program where one can work at their own pace, this is one of the best options, in my opinion! also, many of the staff members of wgu and their family members are going to this school to further their education. if it was a scam, i don't believe you would see that happening. truth is, it's an affordable, accredited, not for profit school that is up and coming and they mean business. exams are proctored via web cam or at an approved testing site and there is tons of support and mentoring available. it is not a diploma mill by any means. fwiw, ca accepts them and they are one of the toughest states to satisfy. maybe it is not right for you but that does not mean it is not a good school. i am one who does research everything including whether or not my bsn from there will be accepted at the school of my choice should i decide to go on, and i could not come up with a reason to not attend this school. also, my tuition is paid for by my employer so money is not really a factor for me, and my employer does not have a problem paying for me to attend this school.

i do not understand why is it so difficult for people to understand! this is my last entry regarding this matter. i have fufilled my purpose by warning everyone of what is going on. there are no short cuts! if you don't pay at the begining, you will pay at the end when the bill comes $$$$, no true gpa, and/or not a highly reputable program. that's all! good luck to everyone and good bye......

Up Vote Up Vote ×
However, the WGU BSN, MSN and PhD, will lock you down to their system of "passing /fail = 3.0 max. In other words, you are pretty much locked down with them and not able to go anywhere else for that matter. I do not understand why is it so difficult for people to understand! This is my last entry regarding this matter. I have fufilled my purpose by warning everyone of what is going on. There are no short cuts! If you don't pay at the begining, you will pay at the end when the bill comes $$$$, no true GPA, and/or not a highly reputable program. That's all! Good luck to everyone and good bye......

Please bite your tongue when you say "and/or not a highly reputable program."

WGU has a very highly reputable nursing program. Many, MANY hospitals have a relationship with for their nursing program, and the curriculum is top notch.

I have already been in talks with four different post=Master's FNP programs. Every single one will take transfer credits from WGU, no questions asked.

I have learned more in the 3 months at WGU then in 5 with Indiana Wesleyan University.

:mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

YOU STATED:

"I have already been in talks with four different post=Master's FNP programs. Every single one will take transfer credits from , no questions asked."

CAN YOU PROVIDE US, LICENSE REGISTERED NURSES, WITH THE LIST OF POST MASTER'S FNP PROGRAMS THAT ACCEPTS ALL CREDITS FROM WGU??????

If you cannot, then you are the one that needs to bite your tongue!

If you truly want to help others, you will provide the information in this forum. Correct?????:crying2::rolleyes::)

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

Wow!! This is quite the conversation. I also did research and am currently attending . If you search for review of WGU it is made quite clear that some colleges etc. do not take the 3.0 pass/fail etc... Even though you have researched it does not mean that it will not work for other people. If you know which masters program you want to do or where you want to go then you need to call them and ask them if they take the WGU credits. Some colleges will and some will not, it is up to the person to research this. When I asked my enrollment counselor about this he was very upfront and again stated if I was concerned to call the college that I was looking at going to and ask. The correct information is that anyone interested in going to WGU needs to do their own research about whether the courses will transfer. WGU is a very good way to get you BSN and very affordable, but again it may not be right for everyone.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment