Capella University

leahmdavis · Oct 13, 2014

Hello everyone! I know this thread is about a year, but I am wondering how everyone enrolled RN-BSN/MSN, any specialty but especially administration/educator, is doing? I just came across Capella Univ last week, and I'm enticed by how I interpret their programs are ran. I'm currently enrolled in an online RN-BSN program in another school, and yes it would be a waste if I transferred, but I'm thinking about it. Capella's nursing programs seems to have a different type of approach (or at least that's how I interpret their advertisement).

Can anyone please share your experience in the tracks you have chosen to take. What's the workload like; the expectations, support & feedback from instructors; nature of assignments (type of things you have to turn in other than paper); are all class materials needed provided?; are you really learning in a way that you feel impacts/improves your competency?

Thank you and good luck to those who have started and working your way through (you should be proud of yourselves) and congratulations to those who are in the final stretch!

mekpicurn · Nov 16, 2014

Hello, I am a practicing Picu rn, who graduated with her ADN in 1997. I am in the process of applying to a few RN-BSN online programs. After researching several programs, Capella University is the program that I am leaning towards. According to my unofficial evaluation, I will only need to take the required nursing courses. I am interested in what the program is like, and I am interested in finding out if three courses are doable with a full schedule at home?

tmbeddow · Dec 19, 2014

I am wondering some of the same questions. Currently enrolled to start Jan 12 2015 for RN to BSN program. I was really happy that they took all my transfer credits and had an affiliation with my previous ADN program (which gives a 10% discount). Other programs I looked at where on semester credits vs quarter credits so that made a big difference for me. I couldn't see the point of repeating so many classes that I had already taken. The admission process was really easy and the counselors were helpful. Anyone have any pointers for BNS 4001?

leahmdavis · Dec 20, 2014

Congratulations tmbeddow! I applied to the RN-BSN @Capella university & would have started in 11/2014 but I decided to just go ahead and go for the MSN.I start the MSN 1/2015. I'm excited quite a bit actually.

Tree5981, ADN, BSN, MSN · Dec 21, 2014

Hello Everyone!

I am currently enrolled in the RN to BSN/MSN track. I have one more semester and I will have my BSN. Hopefully I can shed some light on this school for you and answer some of your questions.

There are no tests at all. This was the main reason I went to this school. It is all discussion questions and writing papers. Some of the classes are structured where you write papers throughout the 10 week course that are completely separate papers. Then other classes have it where each paper builds up to one final paper. It is a lot of researching and writing, but I work full time and take 2 classes at a time and it is doable.

Someone mentioned "fluff" classes and I can sort of relate to what they are saying. There are a couple of classes that seem redundant to other classes I had previously taken at Capella. Mainly the subject of cultural sensitivity and competence. I had 3 classes already where I had to talk about a specific cultural group and what diagnosis they are most prone to, the barriers they face in healthcare, and write about how a nurse would deal with this situation (ex. patient teaching, sensitivity, communication, etc.).

Besides papers, there is the occasional project. I had one class where I had to do a physical assessment on a person and have someone watch me do it, and sign off on the papers. Another project was called a "windshield survey" where you drive around and look at a specific community and write about what you see.

The great thing about this school is they give you templates to help you with your papers and projects. They ease you into writing the papers and give you links to help with proper formatting. One of the things I dislike about the school is the tech support. I felt that they weren't very helpful at times. I had a couple of instructors who I felt were never "present", but for the most part I have had great instructors throughout the program.

The biggest appeal to me for going to Capella was the fact that they transferred all my credits, and I didn't have to take extra pointless classes at the local colleges and drive there. I really didn't want to take chemistry, statistics, and other required classes. In doing so I would have had to take a bunch of extra classes to take those classes, costing me the same amount of money to go to an online school and finish within a 1 1/2 years.

Hope this info helps.

Tree

neonurse97 · Dec 22, 2014

Capella is extremely generous with transferring credits. That is the main reason I chose this school. For the person who asked about BSN 4001, just keep up with the reading materials, write good papers, discussion posts and responses. That class was interesting and pretty easy.

HOPEforRNs, ADN, BSN, MSN · Jan 28, 2015

I am taking 3 classes per quarter in the MSN - Nurse Educator track. It has been great so far. The resources are amazing! They really set you up to succeed. I was never once harassed, but had numerous individuals go above and beyond to help me make this happen. I am very happy with my choice. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

RNin10 · Feb 18, 2015

Prior to yesterday, I was leaning toward Chamberlain but I talked to Capella and I was impressed. The rep seemed very low pressure and easy going and even waived the application fee, which I did not ask for. I love that many credits will transfer that other schools have not accepted due to differences in accreditation. I am concerned that the fact that I won't have to take statistics could hurt me in the future if I chose to go somewhere else for MSN/FNP. If I go here for my bsn and like it, I may just go on with the same school. So, does anyone have any idea how this "skipping classes" may affect my future choices? Thanks!

HOPEforRNs, ADN, BSN, MSN · Feb 18, 2015

I'm starting a post-masters DNP program next year (that will include a post-masters FNP) after I finish my MSN at Capella. I am going to a highly ranked and regarded DNP program. They were happy with my choice in Capella and just said I would need to take a statistics class during my DNP program since I did not have a graduate level statistics course yet. They were not concerned at all! They even accepted my three Ps from Capella (pharm, physical assessment, and patho). The only problem is you might have to retake pharm because for many boards of nursing to get prescriptive authority, your pharm class has to be within 3 years of applying to get your prescriptive authority.

divya_carmack · Jan 15, 2016

I know this thread is over a year old but I just applied for Capellas MSN education program today and was wondering how it was going for you laurRN3 and anyone else that had an earlier post or currently at Capella in this program. Thanks

HOPEforRNs, ADN, BSN, MSN · Jan 15, 2016

I don't really have any complaints. It's a lot of work, but it's not hard to get A's. The professors have been on top of things overall. Everything has been fair and straightforward. It's affordable, CCNE accredited, regionally accredited, and will allow me to sit for the CNE exam. What else could you ask for? :) No complaints on my end! I am in my second to last quarter and doing my clinical practicum currently.

BenjaminsMom · Jul 4, 2016

I am enrolled in Capella's RN to MSN program and just finishing my first class (MSN5000). I have no complaints whatsoever! Love Capella University!! I actually am waiting to see if they will allow me to switch to the RN to BSN flexpath to start July 11th because I found out I am eligible for a grant that will cover almost the whole thing if I finish in 6 months and then I can jump back into the MSN courses at the post BSN level. I have zero regrets about my choice in Capella.