Exclusively online BSN program ~ Smart choice for CRNA prep?

krinklesRN · Feb 24, 2005

Hello All,
I thought this might be the most appropriate place for my questions due to my goal of applying to CRNA schools after working in an ICU for a year or two after graduation from a BSN program.
I'm moving unexpectedly from Seattle to Houston and have missed most of the BSN program deadlines in the Houston area; so I'm considering enrolling in an all online BSN program. The degree is from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, and the courses are entirely online and self-paced with clincals taking place at Houston area hospitals.
In your opinion, will having a degree from an exclusivly online BSN program put me at a disadvantage to other applicants when applying to CRNA schools?
Will I be lacking in areas a traditional BSN program would have better prepared me?
Will graduating from an online program make me a less desirable new grad candidate for ICU residency programs that are competitive?
If possible, I would also like to know why you hold the opinion you do.
I have previous experience in health care (I'm a CNA and an EMT) and am confident I have the discipline to do well in an self-structured program, I just want to make sure I am making the best decision. Although ideally, I do not want to wait an additional year before applying to BSN programs, I hate to waste my time getting a degree that is only going to be a disadvantage when pursuing my ultimate career goal.
Thanks in advance for all of your thoughts and opinions, I know some of the questions are largely unanswerable, but any insight is greatly appreciated!!! :)

hi there!!

i graduated from an online BSN course (( at Bowling Green State University - in Ohio )), with clinicals near my home in Cleveland. the thing is...no where on any transcripts does it state it was an online course, and to be honest...i felt i was asked to do more...because it was an online program!

long story short...it didn't hurt me. i was accepted to the university of akron's CRNA program ((on the first try)).

best of luck!

krinklesRN

Carissa · Feb 24, 2005

Thanks so much for your response Krinkles, and congrats on getting in!!!

Any other thoughts or opinions out there? I would love to hear from those that don't think it's a good idea (so I know what I'm up against if I choose to go this route), as well as of course positive thoughts!

Thanks again, have a great day! :)

UCDSICURN · Feb 25, 2005

I would worry more about the quality of ICU experience you'll get prior to applying and attending a CRNA program. Where you completed the upper division nursing theory that does little if anything for your clinical skills or knowledge would be of little concern to me.

apaisRN, RN, CRNA · Feb 25, 2005

In my experience they care about which courses you took and how you did, but they don't care where. If your GPA is decent and you've worked in a fast-paced high acuity ICU, I doubt it will be a problem.

Carissa · Feb 26, 2005

Thanks so much for all your comments! I suppose my main concern is having a disadvantage when applying for competetive ICU positions as well as CRNA programs, which are of course also very competetive. Given that it's one of the first BSN programs I have heard of to be completely online with no requirement of a previously obtained ADN or LPN license, I am a bit concerned it won't be seen as being as desirable as a traditional BSN program.

For those of you out there having already completed an RN program, do you think it is wise to attempt a program online, or did you find your lectures/labs to be imperative to your comprehension of the material?

Thanks again for all of your comments, they are very much appreciated! :)

apaisRN, RN, CRNA · Feb 26, 2005

I learned very little in nursing school. It was all touchy-feely group projects and who made the prettiest poster. So I think you might actually do better in an online program that has something to prove. Also, I wouldn't say ICU positions are competitive. My ICU is desperate. We have an internship program that churns out ICU nurses twice a year. Some of them leave within a year and a lot (like me) leave when their two-year commitment is up. Very few become long-termers. You need to find yourself a unit where they have a good orientation, and many still want you to have that year of med-surg.

DaFreak71 · Feb 26, 2005

apais, what area/hospital are you referring to? I'm about to graduate with my ADN and would love to start in a good ICU, but the only Level One around me wants a year of exp. Getting in directly somewhere, especially with a good mentorship program like you mention, would be awesome.

Thanks,

Druid

Carissa · Feb 26, 2005

I learned very little in nursing school. It was all touchy-feely group projects and who made the prettiest poster. So I think you might actually do better in an online program that has something to prove. Also, I wouldn't say ICU positions are competitive. My ICU is desperate. We have an internship program that churns out ICU nurses twice a year. Some of them leave within a year and a lot (like me) leave when their two-year commitment is up. Very few become long-termers. You need to find yourself a unit where they have a good orientation, and many still want you to have that year of med-surg.

Bummer to hear that about your nursing school, I was hoping to get away from it! I am sick of "group" projects where only half of the group actually does the work, and the other half gets a free ride to a good grade. That is definately an advantage of the online program I hadn't thought of yet.

As far as the competitivness of ICU posititons go, I should have been more clear in my meaning. It does seem like ICU nurses are in short supply (2 hospitals in my area are offering $10,000 bonuses for a two year commitment); but I was referring to the competitivness of the good new grad orientation programs at Level 1 or other large respected hospitals. I'm concerned I will save time/hassle by doing an online program only to find I am not employable by the high acuity units I need to gain experience in prior to applying for CRNA programs.

Thanks so much for your advice and insight, I really appreciate it! :)

Any other thoughts out there?

MonTif · Feb 26, 2005

Bummer to hear that about your nursing school, I was hoping to get away from it! I am sick of "group" projects where only half of the group actually does the work, and the other half gets a free ride to a good grade. That is definately an advantage of the online program I hadn't thought of yet.
As far as the competitivness of ICU posititons go, I should have been more clear in my meaning. It does seem like ICU nurses are in short supply (2 hospitals in my area are offering $10,000 bonuses for a two year commitment); but I was referring to the competitivness of the good new grad orientation programs at Level 1 or other large respected hospitals. I'm concerned I will save time/hassle by doing an online program only to find I am not employable by the high acuity units I need to gain experience in prior to applying for CRNA programs.
Thanks so much for your advice and insight, I really appreciate it! :)
Any other thoughts out there?

I don't like the group thing either, but I have some unfortunate news for you. I have already taken some online RN to BSN nursing courses (and am now switching to another due to expense) and they still make you do group assignments. You just have to communicate via email. It really depends on what online program you choose. It does seem you do a lot more work in writing papers. The only advantage I see (which is why I am doing it) is that you are not tied down to attending a class at a specific time. Again, this is also dependant on the instructor and school. Most instructors discourage setting specific times when you have to be online, which is good.

Carissa · Feb 27, 2005

It does seem you do a lot more work in writing papers. The only advantage I see (which is why I am doing it) is that you are not tied down to attending a class at a specific time.

Not having to attend class at a set time is a definate advantage for me, as is the opportunity to be an RN in 12 months, as opposed to most traditional programs which take 2-3 years. The additional work doesn't bother me, as long as I don't come out great at writing papers and horrible in the clinical aspect. Do you think you benefited substansially from the in-class aspect of your RN program, or could you have learned the material just as effectively if you had taken the courses online?

Thanks again for all of your input! :)

MonTif · Feb 27, 2005

Not having to attend class at a set time is a definate advantage for me, as is the opportunity to be an RN in 12 months, as opposed to most traditional programs which take 2-3 years. The additional work doesn't bother me, as long as I don't come out great at writing papers and horrible in the clinical aspect. Do you think you benefited substansially from the in-class aspect of your RN program, or could you have learned the material just as effectively if you had taken the courses online?
Thanks again for all of your input! :)

I actually feel I learned more from the online course. Having to write about what I read helped me to retain more from each chapter. I would recomend it over the traditional classroom setting. Some people that I have talked with are concerned about not being disciplined enough to do the reading/homework without someone to provide guidance. It's whatever works best for you. My friend is going to NP school and 50% of his class through Blackboard (an online forum some schools use). I don't know about CRNA school, but it looks like a lot of material in Master degree programs will be online even if it is considered a traditional program. From previos treads, it seems that the CRNA programs have a lot of hands on training, which is a good thing as far as I am concerned. Good luck.