How long is the BSN program?

elkpark · Nov 1, 2009

I was in a similar situation to yours going in (didn't need anything but the actual nursing courses), and my BSN completion program took me two semesters of full-time study ("full-time" equalled one full day and one evening a week). There's a lot of variation among programs, though.

TealScrubies09 · Nov 2, 2009

Wow that sounds awesome. I will be looking at different schools' rn-bsn but I just wanted an idea of how long it might take. Thats a really accomodating school schedule esp since most RNs are working too. So it could take me a yr or 2semsters to get my BSN..thats great! I'm anxious and ready to start :yeah:

elkpark · Nov 4, 2009

Wow that sounds awesome. I will be looking at different schools' rn-bsn but I just wanted an idea of how long it might take. Thats a really accomodating school schedule esp since most RNs are working too. So it could take me a yr or 2semsters to get my BSN..thats great! I'm anxious and ready to start

Most (all?) BSN completion programs are designed with the idea that the students are working full-time as RNs. There are also programs that are completely on-line, so lots of scheduling and pacing flexibility there.

One caution -- making the transition from being a nursing student to being a practicing nurse is notoriously difficult and stressful. The first year or so of practice is a real beast for most people (take a look, if you haven't already, at the many, many threads on that topic here!) You might want to wait until you're "over the hump" and a little further into your career before you jump into a work-plus-school situation. Best wishes for your journey!

TealScrubies09 · Nov 4, 2009

elkpark,

well, thats what i was afraid of..the transitiion and how tough it might be. I hadnt read any posts about it until NOW...but its great im finding out now rather than later.

So how long would you say the transition might last? when did you feel comfortable on the floor alone w/no assistance from other nursees?

and thanks for the encouraging words.

elkpark · Nov 4, 2009

Well, the larger nursing community generally, traditionally, throws around "one year" as a general figure and I think that's pretty realistic. Of course, that doesn't mean that every new nurse wakes up on the morning of their 365th day and suddenly feels skilled and competent :) -- it's a process over time -- but most people are well on their way by that time (you can see the light at the end of the tunnel :)).