In ASU online RN-BSN and having questions

[JobieB]

I am currently at ASU's online RN to BSN program. I am not new to online learning and the demands of work and school. However, after the 3rd course I feel like all I ever do is APA formatting and not really learning much content. My professors keep saying hang in there and that each particular course I'm in is one of the tougher ones and it will get better. But I just want to get done. I already hold a B.S. in Biology so academic writing is not new to me (although APA is). I'm wondering how much stats is expected throughout the program and does it in fact get easier. I took it last summer and had such a bad instructor I filed a grievance with the school. I'm readdressing stats again and can barely muddle through it in the Evidence Based Practice course. Any advice is appreciated because I am looking into the feasibility of transferring schools.

[NotMyProblem MSN, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN]

I'm not with ASU, but two personal friends of mine did complete their BSN with them. They also mentioned the amount of papers that were required with the program. I think that is just the norm because my current program has required its fair share of papers, also in APA format, but we all found it to be doable. As far as stats, I sucked at it when I took it, barely making a passing grade, and I still find it extremely difficult to understand (numerically speaking). But I can appreciate its value in referencing special/vulnerable populations as it pertains to healthcare after completing a community health nursing course....and a couple of research papers and a windshield survey.

Initially, I didn't feel like I was learning anything new, either, until that one day at work when I won an argument (professionally engaged, of course) with my response involving a statement from National Institute of Health. That was a defining moment in my nursing career as it put me in a different place instead of just being a task-oriented nurse. Believe it or not, I even surprised myself. I didn't realize until that moment that I was actually listening and responding differently than I had been for years. I contribute my responses to the process of researching questions and writing papers throughout this program. It took a minute but after a while, I realized that I have begun to pay attention to the words within the papers.

If your instructor/advisor is telling you that it will get better, believe it!