Confused evaluating RN to BSN online programs

Published

Specializes in CVICU.

OK, so the range of requirements, coursework, and price-tags from one program to the next has my head spinning! :confused: :confused: :confused: Chamberlain has such an excellent reputation, and with only 14 courses required for any RN it seems so straightforward...but the price-tag is staggering (about $23K)! :eek: On the swing end of things you have ultra-cheap schools that make you take general eds from now to forever; everything a working RN dreads taking; Amer Gov't, Amer History, all the humanities, Chem with a lab, Statistics, MORE English, etc.) before you can even take the upper level nursing core. Isn't there a program somewhere in-between that awards you some general-eds for just being an RN like Chamberlain does without the exorbitant price-tag? I know you guys have scoured these programs as I am now doing, so please pass along what you've learned! I need a program that will let me go part-time too! Thank you much!!! :nurse:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

This is exactly why I made a spreadsheet! :D Too many programs to count. Chamberlain is pricey, no doubt -- I chose it because I had decent reimbursement from my employer (about $9K of my total, which was like $18K or something). Luckily I had 206 credits when I started Chamberlain, so that helped -- I only had to do 10 classes, and one of them was only to fulfill the requirement that I take 32 credits with them to graduate.

This one was my second runner-up: Online RN to BSN Completion Program: A Professional Program in Nursing - University of Wisconsin, Green Bay

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CVICU.

Oh, interesting. I live in Wisconsin. For some reason I can't remember I ruled them out. I'll have to look back and re-consider. I think it's because, like so many programs, I'll have to do a lot of generals before the upper division nursing core. Is your spreadsheet new-ish? I would sure like to take a look at it! Thanks for posting. :-)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

My spreadsheet is bordering on old-ish! LOL. I researched programs in 2008, so the tuition is out of date. But at least you'll have plenty of links! :)

RN-BSN_Programs.pdf

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Trauma Surgical ICU.

Thanks for the info.. I am in the process of doing the same thing. I am looking for the program that is the best priced, little to no CE requirements before starting the upper level nursing classes and accreditation. It is a hard choice.. I also found info about Jacksonville U.. They will allow some or most of your credits from your ADN to be transferred as well as giving 30 credit hours for being a RN already.. The GPA requirement is 2.5.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Don't forget to check out the programs that might be offered at universities in your home state. Just because the college in your city does not offer an online program does not mean that there are no other options in your state. There are nearly 700 accredited RN-BSN programs (http://www.aacn.nche.edu/IDS/pdf/RNBSN.pdf), and there may be several in your state that will work for you.

For example, in my state of Virginia there are two online RN-BSN programs (where total tuition will likely be under $10K for the degree, a third that offers classes at over a dozen of hopitals regularly, and another which can be completed in 12 months with classes on campus no more than 3 days a month).

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
Don't forget to check out the programs that might be offered at universities in your home state. Just because the college in your city does not offer an online program does not mean that there are no other options in your state.

Very true -- that's why there is a Virginia program on my RN-BSN list. :D Can't beat in-state tuition!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CVICU.

Thanks for posting spreadsheet!

I don't know why there are not more programs to choose from that have lower in-state tuition in WI. I'm still looking though. I have about 4K I can spend a year through work, with a capstone of about 12K for any single degree. Ideally I'd like to finish a BSN without too much cash out of pocket and no loans.

I appreciate everybody's continued feedback and ideas.

:nurse:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

University of Wyoming was one of the least expensive of all the programs I examined. Can't remember why I ruled them out ... might be that they wanted students to have a year of experience before starting the program? Can't recall. Anyway ...

UW: RN/BSN Completion

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CVICU.

I'm glad you directed me back to UW Green Bay, and it is back on my list. Actually, it appears they have combined the UW system into a single online program called BSN@Home (for Wisconsinites), and BSN-LINK for out of state-ers. I'm still troubled that the in-state tuition is as high as the out-of-state tuition for many other programs. Still, I like the short list of general eds, no statistics, and no chem-lab. I have not yet ruled out Slippery Rock, because it looks similar to the Chamberlain format, but less expensive. I think the reason I dismissed UOW is because the website was clumsy and not informative enough (That's just me!). even though they are cheap. Thank you all for posting.

:nurse:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CVICU.

Have just discovered that although the University of WI schools are grouping the RN to BSN's together under the titles I posted above they each still have separate requirements in their general ed requirements, such as one may require foreign language where the other does not, etc., so each should be evaluated separately.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion