Is anyone in or has gone through an online RN to BSN?

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I started one through the local university and am signed up for 18 hrs. (though I tested out of one of the courses.) I just wonder if it's culture shock and I will eventually get the hang of it, but I'm not having much fun right now. It seems like a lot of the assignments are vague or subjective and it's hard to know if you're giving them the answer they expect.

Does anyone have words of wisdom to share? I got a pell grant but it only paid for half and I had to come up with the other half of the tuition (about $4,000) plus buy books. I feel spent to death and I hate to mess up on these classes.

Yesterday, I spent four hours on an assignment and got logged out. When I tried to log back in the screen went blank and I lost it all. I wanted to pack it up right then. I did get it retyped but I don't think it was as good as the first copy.

I'm really tired.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Med-Surg.

I did my online program though Stony Brook University. We had onsite orientation for 3 days and there was 1 whole day that was devoted to showing you how to navigate the computer system. It was fairly easy. I finished my bachelors and am actually now doing my masters through them. If you continue to have problems I would encourage you to see about transfering to another university or maybe just taking the time to talk to the technical support department. I have had several issues with the server and even with the fact that I had a new laptop that had windows vista and tech support were always able to walk me through things. I hope this gives you a lil encouragement.

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Specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.

18 credits is a hefty load for a traditional, full-time student, let alone a working professional. A rule of thumb I've heard from a variety of students & instructors is plan to spend 4 - 9 hours per week, per class.

$8,000 for 18 credit seems pretty reasonable.

I'm currently enrolled in an online program, taking 6-10 credits per term. I love the technology. Part of new student orientation included about 2 hours of self-guided online orientation to Blackboard, library resources, and other stuff.

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$8,000 for 18 credit seems pretty reasonable.

No, It's $4,000 for 18 credits. (Pell grant covered half, I'm having to cover the other half.) That may not sound like much (and I agree it's reasonable) but when you're poor and you family with four children only has your income that's a lot of money. I wasn't about to go into a bunch of debt for this. If I can keep up I will be finished this spring. I'm trying but I don't like to think I would get a C in a course.

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Specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.
No, It's $4,000 for 18 credits. (Pell grant covered half, I'm having to cover the other half.) That may not sound like much (and I agree it's reasonable) but when you're poor and you family with four children only has your income that's a lot of money. I wasn't about to go into a bunch of debt for this. If I can keep up I will be finished this spring. I'm trying but I don't like to think I would get a C in a course.

Yes, that's exactly what I mean - the cost of your 18 credits (your out of pocket half, and the half covered by financial aid). $4,000 + $4,000 = $8,000.

I sure am curious how you're managing 18 credits per semester/term.

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Yes, that's exactly what I mean - the cost of your 18 credits (your out of pocket half, and the half covered by financial aid). $4,000 + $4,000 = $8,000.

I sure am curious how you're managing 18 credits per semester/term.

The cost for the semester wasn't $8,000, it was $4,000. Pell grant paid $1780 and I had to add onto that. Actually, I don't think it even came to $4000.

I tested out of gerontology so while I'm enrolled in 18 credits, I am studying for 15. It's been a tough road so far. Each instructor is so different, and keeping up with all the discussion board requirements and quizzes is mind boggling (at least, for me, anyway.)

I just got my first grade and I did score 20/20. I'm hoping I get comfortable with this.

Setting up clinicals is going to be a real challenge. I've been trying to make arrangements to visit the county health department and can't get anyone to return my calls. I have to go to various clinical sites and health prevention fairs and such. I'm tired.

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Specializes in Hospice.

I'm also interested in an online RN-BSN program. Not sure which to chose. Since we travel, can I do it while traveling? Most of the places I've contacted are more interested in signing me up than answering my questions. What about clincials?

Is the BSN recognized since it was done online? Also, how long does it take?

I know you can get a Masters online, my oldest is a teacher and working on hers.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Med-Surg.

Nurse Dianne I totally reccomend SUNY (State University of New York) Stony Brook. I did my program through them and it has been absolutely wonderful. The teacher's respond in a timely fashion, most of your work is done in a group format and you don't directly do any clinicals but you do develop different projects which you can present to others in your work place or at church, etc. This program also realizes that each individual is different and they are willing to work with you and your individual needs. I know I sound as though I'm selling them but compared to other RN's I know that have done the program at a different institution I have had the least complaints. If you would like futher info please look at their website. http://sonce1.nursing.sunysb.edu/ , or you can call 631.444.3200

This school is accredited by Middle State Accreditation and the Degree you recieve is from the offical school and does not state that you went online.

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My degree will not specify online. It will be a regular degree from the university, *if* I make it that far.

I was able to find a clinical sponsor for one of my community nurse rotations. I'm so thankful for that. Clinicals in the online RN to BSN don't work like regular school clinicals, you are just at each site (there are ten) and you must stay long enough at these ten sites to average 45 hrs..

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The Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences has an online RN to BSN degree: http://onlinenursing.fhchs.edu/

They are nationally accredited by the NLN and you can finish in 18 to 24 months. You also can do your clinicals locally without ever having to visit their campus. Tuiton is one of the lowest out there also- $275/hr.

They have real people on hand who care and can answer your questions from application through till graduation. 1-888-RN-to-BSN

Hope this helps! :nurse:

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Specializes in NICU.

I'm struggling through the same pain you are! Except I'm only PT with 9-10 hours a semester. Still expensive, although work will reimburse some of that. I wish they would pay it upfront, this poor nurse is feeling it financially :(.

I've had stuff disappear, too. Most frustrating. Blackboard times us out much too quickly. I've learned to write everything up--even online discussions--on word, then copy it to the discussion, homework, whatever. I definitely learned the hard way, though--the second write-up never feels as good.

I'm struggling with balancing school, full-time work and family. Hopefully, I'll get on track soon, but I know I'll be up very late tonight finishing things up. Ugh.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I did University of Phoenix online for my ADN to BSN and then onto the MSN. Worked really well and had a wonderful experience. I think it would work if you travelled too as I went on vacation a couple of times and just took my computer with me. Expensive though.

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