Grand Canyon RN-BSN

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Is there any updated information? I have been in heavy contact with them and am looking at taking their RN-BSN program. I work with a GCU grad and she has nothing but positive things to say, but I want more opinions. ?

Any pro's and cons? Thankfully the only class I'm missing is stats and that is offered in the actual BSN program. I'm a bit nervous as my algebra skills are way old. If anyone took this class, do you have any advice?

P.S.I picked GCU because of all of you guys in this forum. I think that it's how I originally found out about the program. Also, knowing that you guys are here is really comforting. It also makes it feel more do-able. I've got a ton of friends online who are making it work so I know that I can too.

I also liked how they didn't hound be, it was all online (which I need because i'm not in the US), I get to take one class at a time and they are only 5 weeks!

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I look forward to starting RN-BSN june 1st I have to read up on my APA format has anyone here ever used PERRLA program for APA formatting? im just trying to get a head start on everything can any post up an example question that might have been used so I can get an idea?

I bought PERRLA and love it! It reminds me I need a page/paragraph number for direct quotes and will automatically abbreviate or switch to the et.al for subsequent citations. I also have the APA manual (make sure it's the newer edition the old one has errors) and use OWL as well. GCU has their own templates and suggestions also so there are tons of resources! Good luck!

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I have a question. I have never done a ppt before but it does have the software on my lap top. My question is, Will GCU have tutorials or something to show me how to do ppt assignments? Or should I look on youtube on learning how to make a power point presentation? Starting in just 2 weeks! :nailbiting:

Like Flames pointed out, GCU has a webinar for creating powerpoint documents. One of the instructions in the second class Family-centered health promotion is to go to the microsoft website and view the creating your first powerpoint tutorial. I haven't watched it yet so I'm not sure how helpful it is. I'm sure youtube has good stuff also. That's my goal is to start learning powerpoint now!

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What is the newest paperback or the best one to read before I get started?

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Specializes in Neonatal ICU.

Thank you to Tokmom and Pandorasbox for all these posts. I have been looking at GCU but found so many negative comments online that I wasn't going to apply. Some things seemed too good to be true but I really like how the program is set up. It's nice to know where the negative comments were coming from and also nice to hear how the program went for you. Thanks!!

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see my major concern also is that ive been getting about 50-50 reviews from onlne, but I have a friend who is in the program that hasn't had an issue so well see.:banghead:

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Specializes in Certified Med/Surg tele, and other stuff.
What is the newest paperback or the best one to read before I get started?

If you go on Amazon and type in APA 6th edition, they go into detail about how the first print had mistakes, so make sure you get the 5th edition/January 11th.

Amazon.com: Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 6th Edition (9781433805615): American Psychological Association: Books

If you like online and are ok without browsing through a book, go online to the APA website. They even have papers in APA that you can get an idea from and GCU had templates. Be aware of headings, since that can be a sticking point. IMO, I think the first class is lenient on APA, and honestly I'm still learning the finer points, and still look things up.

Powerpoint: Do you have a friend with a teenager? They could probably show you how to do a power point in 5 min or less, lol. My kids walked me through it, and like Prism said, I like doing them. Easier than a paper and I like to play with colors and pictures! LOL.

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Specializes in Certified Med/Surg tele, and other stuff.
see my major concern also is that ive been getting about 50-50 reviews from onlne, but I have a friend who is in the program that hasn't had an issue so well see.:banghead:

Sincerely,

This was huge sticking point for many of us, if you go back and look at the previous posts. I had a co-worker who went through the program and had no problems whatsoever, and when I read the negativity it really saddened me. I really wanted to like this program.

Since my place of employment endorsed them at our education fair, I emailed the HR person who was in charge of the program and explaining my woes of the reviews I read. The HR guy called GCU and I had one of the head honcho's (can't remember her name) call me at home!

I have to say, she was very honest with the woes GCU went through. As you know they were a small school that what sold in order to survive. When they were revamped, so to speak, to an online program, it was so popular, they could not keep up. The GCU lady said there were some unpleasant growing pains, hence the bad reviews. That seemed to turn around in 2010 and they seem to have been ok since.

You do hear and read about unhappy people, and I wonder how many jump into programs and don't hear what they are originally told? These people say that classes are suddenly placed on their schedule that they were not aware of, or diplomas were held hostage until they paid money. It's been called a diploma mill where A's are just handed out, and instructors have been mean or MIA, and give crap grades.

So far the ones I know of have not had a problem with advisors or counselors. They seem to be prompt in returning calls, though you may switch a few times before getting one that seems to stick. I have had no problem with financial aide and things to have been running smoothly.

Take the comments you hear for what they are worth. Some people bring these problems on themselves and then don't like the consequences. I made sure my classes were an absolute before I started so there would be no surprise.

As for diploma mill, I have a story to share: I was on academic probation through 4 of the classes. If my grades slipped one little bit..BAM! I was done. The reason for the AP was the fact my grades for nursing school over 20 some years ago were ok, but not stellar ;) I passed with roughly a B/C average, which back then was OK! Fast forward to the 21st century and lets just say what was ok back in the 80's is not ok now, :roflmao:

So GCU took me with stipulations. I carry a high grade point, or I would be given the boot. Needless to say I have worked hard to get off probation, lol. It's amazing what a little maturity does for a grade point!!

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Specializes in NICU.

I am finding it difficult to be motivated this week. It is my final week of Trends and also Leadership. I do not want to start writing these papers. I do not want to be a manager...

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I am finding it difficult to be motivated this week. It is my final week of Trends and also Leadership. I do not want to start writing these papers. I do not want to be a manager...

I understand! I always seem to get that way by my last week of class!

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And I'm sorry, but I have worked hard for the grades I have received. Writing papers does not come natural to me, so I have to put in effort to get them done correctly. I have cohorts from my ADN class that started the same time and have already dropped because the work load was too much with their new jobs as well. It's not like we can turn in crappy work and expect A's. All my A's are from my hard work.

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Specializes in UR/CM, Managed Care.
And I'm sorry, but I have worked hard for the grades I have received. Writing papers does not come natural to me, so I have to put in effort to get them done correctly. I have cohorts from my ADN class that started the same time and have already dropped because the work load was too much with their new jobs as well. It's not like we can turn in crappy work and expect A's. All my A's are from my hard work.

Yes, don't let anybody fool you, it is hard work. It's not uncommon to start a class with 25 and a few days or a week later see the class roster down to 18. I started this program with a "twin" (coworker from work), she found it to be more than she could handle and dropped midway into the 2nd course. She reconsidered a week later and started it again. Once that 2nd class was finished, she decided it just wasn't for her and did not register for class #3, so I've been on my own since. I'm sad that she didn't stick it out, and since I work with her QD she sees me continuing on and occasionally makes mention that she should have continued because she knows a BSN is something she will need in the future :sorry:. I don't love all the hours I spend, the family things I miss, the HA's and frustration from feeling like I just do NOT understand the specifics of an assignment, etc., but I know it's for a good cause (my future!), so I will continue to buckle down and give it 100%. I am learning new things I never thought I needed to know, and there's no way I'd stop now. And even if I "knew then what I know now", I'd still do it, I am going to be so happy when I'm where tokmom is!

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