What exactly is BSN online?

Nurses General Nursing

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I have read a few threads that suggest getting an online BSN. what exactly are these like? I get that you take lecture online, but what about hands on training and clinicals? I assume that having an ADN would give you the experience to pursue an online BSN? do you have in class tests and/or finals? I have read that the online programs are less expensive, but do you lack anything from not having the in classroom q and a? Does FA cover online degrees?

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Specializes in Acute Care Cardiac, Education, Prof Practice.

I am doing my ADN-MSN online with Grand Canyon University. Basically I am taking all of the BSN required classes, skipping the last three and then moving onto Master's classes. Anyway, at GCU, the classes basically consist of a group of students utilizing a forum like environment. We read the lectures online and required books, then basically write paper after paper after paper. Everything from Ethics, to Spirituality, to Management. Each class is an accelerated 5 week course.

I believe, but don't quote me, that you have to be actively nursing to be a part of this program. At least it seems everyone is.

Yes FA covers online classes.

We do have Q&A, you just have to wait for the instructor to respond (they are required to respond within 24 hours for our program).

Each class is ~$1500 so it is definitely NOT cheaper than my ADN classes were.

Statistics was the only class I had "tests" but there were not any finals. Each week we had a set of homework problems to complete.

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Specializes in Med Surg - Renal.

"I have read a few threads that suggest getting an online BSN. what exactly are these like? I get that you take lecture online, but what about hands on training and clinicals?"

From what I hear, there isn't much hands-on an clinical. You did that in your ADN. BSN is mostly paper writing from what I hear.

"I assume that having an ADN would give you the experience to pursue an online BSN?"

This is true.

"do you have in class tests and/or finals?"

Not in mine.

"I have read that the online programs are less expensive, but do you lack anything from not having the in classroom q and a?"

Cost depends on the specific program. My program is at the same brick and mortar university I got my previous bachelor's degree so there isn't much of a break on cost.

"Does FA cover online degrees?"

Again, depends on the school.

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Specializes in Peds Hem, Onc, Med/Surg.

what exactly are these like?

If you have ever taken an online class, its exactly the same thing. lecture on line sometimes, message boards, alot of work you are on your own.

This is based of my experience taking an online RN to BSN program:

I get that you take lecture online, but what about hands on training and clinicals?

We didn't have clinicals per say. We had projects we had to do under the supervision of a nurse who had her/his BSN. They had to vouch for us that we did certain hours. But they were never the large amount that I did for my ADN.

I assume that having an ADN would give you the experience to pursue an online BSN?

Yeah...I'm not exactly sure what you are asking.

do you have in class tests and/or finals?

They do tests and finals online. I never went to the campus at all. the majority of my classes had weekly quizzes and finals. Some were strictly papers and my final class was just one major project. This time around for my MSN I have to go to campus for orientation and two weeks for some advance practice thing.

I have read that the online programs are less expensive, but do you lack anything from not having the in classroom q and a?

I don't think so. Mine was the same price as going to the local university. I liked it because I met some wonderful nurses from across the country. Sure we have never met face to face but I love my nurse pen pals. :D I also liked not having set hours to go to class. Everything was on my own term. Word of caution if you have trouble keeping yourself on track then its not for you. Online classes you have to stay on top of dates its not like when you go to actual classes and the prof reminds you at the end of every class remember this project is due on such and such. Plus you can contact the prof whenever you want. The prof is available by email, phone, they even have office hours. One even had open chat hours every Wed at 8pm she would open a chat room and any questions could be asked to her directly.

Does FA cover online degrees?it covered mine but it depends on the school.

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Like everyone said, I think it will vary a lot depending on the program. While working on my first semester of prereqs I was considering the Accelerated Online Bachelor’s to BSN program at UW-Oshkosh. It's a one-year distance learning program with clinicals arranged within driving distance of your home. I decided to try for the traditional 2-year program UW-Madison for a variety of reasons. It's close to home (I can bike there), I got my BA there and know I like the school, I'll have the opportunity to continue part time work while in school if I choose (the accelerated program does not allow students to be employed during the one year program), there were two fewer prereq classes to complete, I think there's something to be said for physically being in the same place as your classmates and instructors, and 4 semesters at UW-Madison costs less than the one-year accelerated program.

I was fortune enough to get into my first choice program on the first try, starting there in the fall. I did have the accelerated option in mind as a back up if I didn't get in, but I don't think I would have personally been as happy with it. I guess the most important thing is to look at your goals, do your research on schools and see what option makes the most sense for you. Good luck!

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Specializes in Trauma, Emergency.

okay...so here's a strange question...do you any of you know about how people who did RN to MSN are viewed in the field vs. RN/BSN/MSN? I'm fortunate enough to have a few large accredited universities in my area that offer RN to BSN and RN to MSN...I know I want to end up as an NP or CRNA, does it make a difference whether or not I have a BSN if I do an RN to MSN program?

**Ha! sorry arcticrainbows, I didn't mean to steal your thread! it just sounds like we have similar thoughts in our heads right now...

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I assume that having an ADN would give you the experience to pursue an online BSN?

Yeah...I'm not exactly sure what you are asking.

I just meant if there were no "hands-on" training (for example, working on mannequins) it would be because you did all that in ADN school :)

Thanks for all the replies!!

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okay...so here's a strange question...do you any of you know about how people who did RN to MSN are viewed in the field vs. RN/BSN/MSN? I'm fortunate enough to have a few large accredited universities in my area that offer RN to BSN and RN to MSN...I know I want to end up as an NP or CRNA, does it make a difference whether or not I have a BSN if I do an RN to MSN program?

**Ha! sorry arcticrainbows, I didn't mean to steal your thread! it just sounds like we have similar thoughts in our heads right now...

No problem! :) I have wondered the same as well. I have heard that doing the RN to MSN is lacking, but I have no idea if that is accurate.

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.
okay...so here's a strange question...do you any of you know about how people who did RN to MSN are viewed in the field vs. RN/BSN/MSN? I'm fortunate enough to have a few large accredited universities in my area that offer RN to BSN and RN to MSN...I know I want to end up as an NP or CRNA, does it make a difference whether or not I have a BSN if I do an RN to MSN program?

**Ha! sorry arcticrainbows, I didn't mean to steal your thread! it just sounds like we have similar thoughts in our heads right now...

It depends on the school ... and whether or not the "judge" has any knowledge of its quality. Some schools are of excellent quality and have great reputations. Others schools are of much lower quality and/or have poor reputations.

So many reputable schools have online programs these days that most people "in the know" don't make many assumptions any more. They base their opinions on the specifics of a particular school.

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I'm starting an online program at my local university in August. There are about 120 total clinical hours involved that you arrange at a facility near your home.

Be careful to ask questions about the program you choose. Many advertise "100% online" but then have similar clinical requirements like mine. I have a coworker that was supposidly in a 100% online program but then suddenly she had requirements of having to show up to lab time to perform assessments etc. It was impossible for her due to location and she had to quit! It was a waste of money and time for her.

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okay...so here's a strange question...do you any of you know about how people who did RN to MSN are viewed in the field vs. RN/BSN/MSN? I'm fortunate enough to have a few large accredited universities in my area that offer RN to BSN and RN to MSN...I know I want to end up as an NP or CRNA, does it make a difference whether or not I have a BSN if I do an RN to MSN program?

**Ha! sorry arcticrainbows, I didn't mean to steal your thread! it just sounds like we have similar thoughts in our heads right now...

NP (specifically FNP) is also my goal. After getting my RN through my local CC nursing program, I considered doing the RN-MSN program at a local university (there are several in my area). In the end, I decided to go RN-BSN and then persue the MSN. One reason was cost. All the RN-MSN programs I looked into were very expensive and required 3 or 4 "bridge" classes, that were also billed at the graduate tuition rate and would have taken about a year to complete. I am now in an on-line RN-BSN program that should cost me less to complete than than the bridge classes and will also take about a year. With my BSN, I'm hoping that I will actually be able to find a nursing job, something that's virtually impossible at the moment in area for RN's with "only" an ADN, and continue on for my MSN with my employer helping with tuition.

The other thing that tipped the scales to a BSN for me was that I did not want to be in an MSN program without having any practical nursing experience.

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Specializes in Acute Care Cardiac, Education, Prof Practice.
okay...so here's a strange question...do you any of you know about how people who did RN to MSN are viewed in the field vs. RN/BSN/MSN? I'm fortunate enough to have a few large accredited universities in my area that offer RN to BSN and RN to MSN...I know I want to end up as an NP or CRNA, does it make a difference whether or not I have a BSN if I do an RN to MSN program?

**Ha! sorry arcticrainbows, I didn't mean to steal your thread! it just sounds like we have similar thoughts in our heads right now...

This is something I have been asked many times since starting my ADN-MSN program. I technically will not have a BSN when I graduate either. However for me a Master's is a Master's is a Master's. I intend to work within my current hospital system, have already bridged the subject with my CNO about working with New Grad's and creating a research project about burn out, and am going to the school that is highly recommended by my facility.

I know I am taking a bit of a risk by not completing the BSN, but in my opinion, if my experience, passion, and Master's can't get me the job, then it wasn't meant to be! I guess we will see in a year or so if my attitude has changed :p

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