Grand Canyon University RN to BSN Reviews

Howdy all, I bit the bullet and after much research, I decided on Grand Canyon! Wow, I did not expect BSN schools to be like used car salesmen--hounding me by emails and phone calls. Rather impressed on how Grand Canyon sort of left me alone, but at the same time kept in touch.

Commence my first class Sept 30th, excited, yet very nervous, as I'm not a big fan of school, LOL! I did extremely well on my Associate degree, graduated back in 2009 from Northern Virginia Community College. We shall see.

Would love to hear from past and present Grand Canyon RN to BSN students.

Does anyone else in the current capstone class NOT have any grades posted since week 6? It's like...the final week. I'm a little concerned that I'm doing something wrong. haha..hah. :-/

I graduated in October but as far as I'm aware grades have to be posted within 7 days of the turn in date. So I'd definitely look into it.

Deadpool619 said:
Does anyone else in the current capstone class NOT have any grades posted since week 6? It's like...the final week. I'm a little concerned that I'm doing something wrong. haha..hah. ?

I just graduated in December. I had the same problem in Capstone. My instructor was running 3 capstone classes at a time and she asked the class to be patient with the grading!

3 classes at once....that prof only cares about 1 thing....the $$$$ Which in reality thats all the RN to BSN is about...$$$$ for the schools....back on point, I would be pretty ticked...but I found the Profs marking didnt really change that much from paper to paper....I would def mentioned the delayed marking in ur final eval

Flames9_RN said:
3 classes at once....that prof only cares about 1 thing....the $$$$ Which in reality thats all the RN to BSN is about...$$$$ for the schools....back on point, I would be pretty ticked...but I found the Profs marking didnt really change that much from paper to paper....I would def mentioned the delayed marking in ur final eval

So we're finally getting grades trickling in. How did you document your clinical practice hours? I understand that we can get 50 hours from assignments and I've been putting it together as..."4 hours spent pre-writing and writing weekly assignment." How else did you find hours for the documentation?? Any help from anyone else who finished capstone is appreciated..Thank yoU!

I posted the "required statement" weekly on a word document, that was all that was required for my class.

Glad this thread is still here and alive. lol. I was thinking about starting chamberlain, but I forgot that I looked into this program a while ago, probably 2013. I did not have any desire to pursue my BSN, when I first obtained my RN, but now I do. and know I just need to do it and get it out the way. looked back into this program and spoke to the same guy I spoke with back in 2013. this program sounds so much better than chamberlain. and the cost is definitely right up my alley. I am hoping to start in april 2018, just waiting for them to receive my transcripts to let me know what classes im going to be required to take. hopefully I can find someone by then to start with me. From what FlamesRN said, it can be very beneficial to start the program with someone. any planning on starting in april 2018, let me know. to everyone else, please keep posting your questions and comments about the program. as I am very nervous to start any online program, as I have never done distant learning before. any encouragement from you all is a plus!

mso819 said:
Glad this thread is still here and alive. lol. I was thinking about starting chamberlain, but I forgot that I looked into this program a while ago, probably 2013. I did not have any desire to pursue my BSN, when I first obtained my RN, but now I do. and know I just need to do it and get it out the way. looked back into this program and spoke to the same guy I spoke with back in 2013. this program sounds so much better than chamberlain. and the cost is definitely right up my alley. I am hoping to start in april 2018, just waiting for them to receive my transcripts to let me know what classes im going to be required to take. hopefully I can find someone by then to start with me. From what FlamesRN said, it can be very beneficial to start the program with someone. any planning on starting in april 2018, let me know. to everyone else, please keep posting your questions and comments about the program. as I am very nervous to start any online program, as I have never done distant learning before. any encouragement from you all is a plus!

Lot of good programs out there....I did graduate from Grand canyon, but wished i had checked out WGU and Capella, as they seem to be a bit more flexible and can be a fair bit cheaper than GCU....

I quite enjoy distant learning....but u do have to be a bi disciplined, otherwise before u know it, a paper is due. I did the Discussion questions first thing Monday, then replied to the 2 a day (for 3 days) right away, so by Wed/Thur those requirements are done and then focus on the paper that was due Sunday....of course I normally didnt start the paper until Sunday,lol But make sure u understand the requirements for the week, if not..ask questions right away. I had 1 prof tell the class waiting to ask questions until the weekend was not acceptable and she prob would not answer them!! As well ensure you look at the RUBRIC on what is required for the paper (and how it is scored) Usually all the requirements are in the instructions, but that is not always the case..so look at the RUBRIC for every assignments! The class/course is pretty much like groundhog day.....Each week u have 2 discussions questions (DQs), 1 due Wed at midnight, the Other Fri at midnight.....and then at least 1 paper (or powerpoint) due Sunday at midnight...some times 2 papers.....then Monday start it all over again,lol If you are a strong writer/researcher....one is laughin all the way to the bank....if you are not....you will be,lol Good luck

Flames9_RN said:
Lot of good programs out there....I did graduate from Grand canyon, but wished i had checked out WGU and Capella, as they seem to be a bit more flexible and can be a fair bit cheaper than GCU....

THANK YOU for replying. i read where you posted this program (well the capstone) has changed since u attended. but im assuming the rest of the program is pretty much the same.

i really am worried about the stats class as well. i have read much if the other posts here and it seems alot of people were worried about stats...but all seemed to have made it thru the class.....with an "A" much less.

As far as being a paper writer, i did pretty well in my ADN program. so its not the papers im worried about, just the whole "online" thing. im not really all that computer saavy, but with this job i have now , i have become to learn more and more about power point, excel ever Word.

I just want make be confident i can excel at this before i start. School is pretty much my "thing" lol, ya know? i dont have many talents, none at all, but one thing i have consistenly excelled at was schooln i am hoping i can excel at this as well. Alot of my friendsb past classmates, co workers and peers all tell me i can definitely definitely do this and its not as bad as i am imagining. which i hope its not. either way, at this point in my life, since i know im ready its high time to dive right in. Its either sink or swim with me. and i refuse to drown.

once i start, i plan to continue to keep this thread going and post my experience with various different course or my personal time and opinion of the program. well, if i have time.

Flames..sounds like u had a pretty good routine going with your school work. and taking 1 whole day to do a paper versus all week (like u did your papers in sunday) sound like something i may thing about doing.

Anyhoo...thank you and hope to hear from you (&keep hearing from you) again.

We need more people to encourage uplift and support,like you have been doing .

Flames9_RN said:
Lot of good programs out there....I did graduate from Grand canyon, but wished i had checked out WGU and Capella, as they seem to be a bit more flexible and can be a fair bit cheaper than GCU...

Oh and.....i have tuition reimbursement from my employer and 10% off my tuition (due to working for ky current employer)b and the admission rep explained to me, i will most likely have to take out 2500-3000 out in loans. which to me, is not bad at all. i did look into WGU but since the ADN program i attended did not regional acredidation, but only national accredidation, they would not accept my ADN credits. plus i didntnlike the whole competency based type learning. and the fact that my GPA could not go above 3.0 really deterred me as well. if i earned my 4.0, i want it! so it wasnt any sweat off my back.

I did not look into capella......maybe i still will. i dont plan on starting until april 2018. hmmm...maybe i will reach out to Capella. thanks!

mso819 said:
THANK YOU for replying. i read where you posted this program (well the capstone) has changed since u attended. but im assuming the rest of the program is pretty much the same.

i really am worried about the stats class as well. i have read much if the other posts here and it seems alot of people were worried about stats...but all seemed to have made it thru the class.....with an "A" much less.

As far as being a paper writer, i did pretty well in my ADN program. so its not the papers im worried about, just the whole "online" thing. im not really all that computer saavy, but with this job i have now , i have become to learn more and more about power point, excel ever Word.

I just want make be confident i can excel at this before i start. School is pretty much my "thing" lol, ya know? i dont have many talents, none at all, but one thing i have consistenly excelled at was schooln i am hoping i can excel at this as well. Alot of my friendsb past classmates, co workers and peers all tell me i can definitely definitely do this and its not as bad as i am imagining. which i hope its not. either way, at this point in my life, since i know im ready its high time to dive right in. Its either sink or swim with me. and i refuse to drown.

once i start, i plan to continue to keep this thread going and post my experience with various different course or my personal time and opinion of the program. well, if i have time.

Flames..sounds like u had a pretty good routine going with your school work. and taking 1 whole day to do a paper versus all week (like u did your papers in sunday) sound like something i may thing about doing.

Anyhoo...thank you and hope to hear from you (&keep hearing from you) again.

We need more people to encourage uplift and support,like you have been doing .

You do not have to be that computer Savy.....1 gal that I started with had never used PowerPoint before....And the Powerpoints we put together were pretty basic.....GCU even has a good powerpoint presentation on what makes a good Powerpoint presentation,lol

I use the KISS method..keep it super simple when it came to writing papers and I finished with a 4.0. Strong opening paragraph with ur thesis statement and then defend it thru the paper and then a conclusion statement.... Pick topic/stance that u can find a lot of information.... and do not be afraid to ask the librarians for help... And in the DQs...keep them short but write them well....in my opinion if the prof sees that they are written well, she will have a good impression of your writing skills and take less time going over ur paper,lol That is just my own personal opinion!

Stats has changed since I completed it....It is prob a basic stats class, but many of us hate #'s!! School used to have tutors.....if u truly suck at #'s, one can always hire a tutor.....sure it will cost you $$$, but if u fail the class, ur going to have to fork out more $$$ to take it again.....Lot of videos online to help as well

Capstone is a totally different class....and if u look at the few GCU threads here....sure does not seem as user friendly.....might be easier if ur hospital already has a working relationship with GCU??? There are a lot of good schools out there.....

I liked GCU....very user friendly online classroom.....they do offer a free tutorial of it....but I dont know if they will give u access to that without being registered into the program....you could ask ur GCU advisor....

Online Library was very good..librarians helpfull

Look into buying PERRLA...APA and MLA Format and Style Software by PERRLA, LLC - PERRLA.com APA format Will save u time/frustration when it comes to citation/reference page and if u need help with citiations, they are an email away and they respond within minutes!

SAVE SAVE SAVE!!! Save ur work often and in multiple places.. yes on ur hard drive, but a thumb drive too and if possible, the cloud! If ur computer is going to crash, it will do at the worst possible time! lol

Good luck

Hi, everyone. I read some comments on this forum regarding certain states no longer recognizing the BSN from GCU's RN to BSN program, specifically the state of Washington. However, I contacted the Washington Board of Nursing and asked about the RN to BSN program and they told me that they do accept/recognize the RN to BSN from GCU in their state and if I live in another state, as long as the program is accepted in my home state and I have a license, they will recognize it. I contacted GCU directly and they were also unaware of any states not recognizing their RN to BSN program. Does anybody have any updated/further information on this? It sounded like both the Washington Board of Nursing and GCU had not heard of this issue. Thank you in advance.

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