Easiest and Toughest Classes In UT Arlington RN-BSN Program

mendu · Apr 16, 2012

i am currently enrolled in rn to bsn loyola university on line program. it is one year, ft, but after being almost done(08/12) i must say it was worth the time and changes it required from me to accomplish my goals. i do work ft weekends and one day a week as visiting nurse and have 3 kids but my classes are all on line and this allow me to do self-study wheneverand wherever i can manage. first semester was kind of review as i took community health, rn to bsn bridge course, family health, and community lab course for which we had to complete community assessment. the courses are 7weeks long each and build as 2 courses per first 7 week and then another 2 next 7 weeks. second semester, i am done with leadership and statistics and i am taking research and physical assessment; then i have to take nursing ethic and course for medical ethic. i would definitely recommend to look up online courses and see which one would fit your schedule. it is doable to work and do classes but requires commitment and focus on a final goal.

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Apr 18, 2012

NUR 3425 (Holistic Health Assessment) has been the toughest one to date, not so much for the content as for the fact that they've crammed a lot of topics and detail into each of the weekly assessment assignments. That's one class that I'd recommend you take alone.

Just1nRN · Apr 20, 2012

NUR 3425 (Holistic Health Assessment) has been the toughest one to date, not so much for the content as for the fact that they've crammed a lot of topics and detail into each of the weekly assessment assignments. That's one class that I'd recommend you take alone.

I am currently enrolled in Health Assessment. The quizzes are extremely easy (I went ahead and took all 5 of them to get them over with, even though we're on week 2). The only difficult part seems that the subjective/objective data weekly assignments are like care plans when it comes to grading. The coach is very nit-picky taking off big points for minor things. Like not stating the patient has 10 fingers. Anyway...

So far, I've taken Professional Nursing A/B, Older Adults, Health Promotion, and Medical Terminology as an elective. I used my nursing certification (PCCN) as my second elective.

I am coming up on Research, Management, Vulnerable Populations, and Capstone.

I have doubled up throughout the program and haven't encounted a problem yet.

Do you mind ranking the classes that you've taken from easiest to hardest?

CoCStudentNurse · Apr 22, 2012

I am looking to double up on nursing classes while in the RN-BSN program. I realize that it might be wiser to take certain classes alone and not double up. This thread is for everyone enrolled in the RN-BSN program to discuss which classes are the most/least difficult.

I definitely agree with the others saying that Holistic Health Assessment Across the Lifespan is by far the toughest. The weekly assignments are worth quite a lot and big points taken off for little mistakes. I've taken Technical Writing, Prof. Nursing A&B, Legacy of the Family and Statistics (A's in all of them). With Health Assessment, I'd be happy with a B at this point. haha, I have 2 weeks to go, we'll see what happens. Make sure that when you get to Health Assessment, you pay A LOT of attention to the grading rubrics along with the document with common mistakes made on assignments. I think I've finally figured out the grading system so I can avoid those big markdowns. Really frustrating ...

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Apr 22, 2012

It's the volume of what is covered in each assessment that is the most time-consuming and annoying. I've found that keeping the textbook/lab guide open and assessing or asking every little thing on the assigned pages helps a lot and ensures I don't miss anything. I start on Sundays and have it wrapped up by Tuesdays, so I can write them all up on Wednesdays. Luckily my subject for the assessments is a very patient patient. So far I haven't been dinged too much...but let me see how this past assignment goes.

RNTriathlete · Apr 25, 2012

I am trying to figure out what classes I can double up on as well. I have taken a few of the pre-reqs: technical writing, art, and Texas Govt. Right now I am in Am Lit and U.S. Govt. For Nursing I have take Prof Nursing A&B and Health Assesment. I agree with everything written above about Health Assessment! I found it very time consuming. Not hard, but tedious! Has anyone taken Research? If so, which other class would you recommend I double up with it? My choices are: Cooperative Nursing Work (the elective), Holistic Care of Older Adult,or Care of Vulnerable Populations. I appreciate any input!

nursedaddy123 · Apr 27, 2012

Hey Meriwhen, I am also taking the class now. I am having a hard time with it. I will definitely try to start early as you say. I follow the book and lab manual verbatim. That Common Errors Sheet seems to be my downfall. Sometimes while following the book there are additional items that need to be addressed from that Common Errors Sheet even though it isn't specified on the rubric on the assignment itself. The points are so little in the beginning but everything adds up. My main worry is the last week where the bulk of the points reside. If I continue getting points deducted from these small assignments, I can't imagine how bad it will be then.

koolestkat · Jun 7, 2012

I'm just registering for the RN-BSN program. I'm dropping my classes at University of Wisconsin, as the price is about 1/2. What kind of support are you getting from UTA? Do you feel like this was a good fit for you? I apprieciate the advise.

registeredin06 · Jul 19, 2012

I am going on my third week....started with Tech Comm. and Prof. Nurs A. I am also taking a prereq thru a community college to save cost.

I am getting the hang of it now, but I think the layout of the online classes is rediculous. Blackboard is not so bad, but Epic is awful. In comparison to the online course through the community college, it is pitiful. Very difficult to navigate, delayed responses from instructors (up to 3-4 days), and unclear instructions for assignments. I have been making all A's, and now that I realize I am on the right path, it is less stressful. But, initially I had no idea what was expected or how to do it.

Tech Comm at least offers sample assignments---which is very helpful considering you never get to make contact with an instructor or other students for guidance. I also think the material is dull and repetitive, but that's just me.

However, I have a feeling most RN-BSN online programs are the same and this one is definitely the cheapest I could find...now I know why! :) Good luck to everyone! I do not regret UTA and would recommend it, it's just not that much fun.

To sum it up: material is boring, but easy. The courses difficult to navigate and understand at first. Support? very little, if any.

chewy83 · Jul 20, 2012

I am trying to decide if i want to apply to UTA, but i will have to take history 2, 2 government classes and technical writing. How difficult was the technical writing class? Is the amount of work required so far for you doable with working? Thank!!

ScarletFire · Jul 20, 2012

Hello everyone,

I'm getting ready to start at UTA online next month, so I wanted to join this group. I've never posted on this site before, so pardon me if I don't get it right.

Sounds like we all should stick together to help one another as we go through the program since it doesn't seem like there is much support from the school, which is too bad. I appreciate all of the posts I've read so far. I just received my course map today, so I'm trying to decide what to take. I'm thinking Prof Nursing A/B along with one of those gov classes which it seems WE ALL have to take unless you are from TX. I'm from CA. Would love to meet up w/ others in my position so we can help each other along the way.