Need Help-RN to BSN online program

chuckster, ADN, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Jun 1, 2011

Hi all,
I am a foreign nurse with associate degree and currently have a DC RN license. I want to pursue RN to BSN program. I am currently looking for online option as I am a full time RN. Before I decide, I would like to ask you guys a favor by asking some questions.....
1) Does RN to BSN online program have same reputation as in-classroom program. I want to pursue further study in nurse practitioner or nurse anaesthesist.

The distinction between on-line and traditional classroom programs is essentially one without a difference these days. In fact, many brick-and-mortar schools have both programs and the diploma you receive makes no mention of which route you took to get the degree. Though there are many on-line MSN programs as well, you will probably not be able to get to NP or CRNA via this route due to the clinical component.

2) I came across Kaplan University- RN to BSN program. How is this program? Is this program valid in all states? Any feedback.

Kaplan is one of the for-profit schools that have proliferated in the US in recent years and is owned by the Washington Post Company (Kaplan actually produces the bulk of the profits for the company). I am not sure what Kaplan's reputation is but in my view, the biggest negative - and this is the same for most of the for-profit schools - is their high tuition cost.

3) Can you name other online universities that are both affordable and reputable?

There are quite a number of schools with on-line programs that have decent reputations and are affordable. The ones I know about include: Ohio Univer, Kent State Univer, Fort Hays State, Univer of Wyoming, Univer of Texas-Arlington, SUNY-Delhi and Thomas Edison. The tuition at all of these schools is under about $225 per credit (some are quite a bit less than that) versus $450 to over $600 at the for profits. Of course, many traditional schools charge high tuition as well. If you do a search on this forum, you'll find a lot of additional information.

You indicated above that you plan on continuing your education with an eye toward NP or CRNA. If that is the case, you should look for schools that are both nationally and regionally accredited. While the accreditation has no real bearing on the quality of the education, some MSN programs require both accreditations for admission. Many schools, including some of the for profits, have both, as do all of the schools named above.

supnat · Jun 1, 2011

Thanks Chuckster. Anyone that has experince with Kaplan in RN BSN online program?