On campus vs online RN to BSN/MSN programs?

[DixieBelle7]

I am an ADN RN. I am wanting to get my BSN and MSN (which was my plan from the beginning)... I am wondering what program my peers recommend ... a traditional on campus program or an online program. I am really struggling with this decision. I feel like I learned so much at my on campus program, and I really enjoyed the camaraderie of doing it with my peers. also feel like I thrived with the hands-on experience. I have also taken online classes before... it seemed like other students that were going to school pre-nursing school all had to do WAY more reading and writing than I was having to do in my on campus classes. When I took a few online classes, I found the experience was the same... This really concerns me with having to take classes that are (I assume from my nursing school experience) much more in depth than History 1301. The online classes make for ease in working around my work schedule, but I don't want to end up taking on a lot more work than I would be spending just going to class twice a week. I really would like to know what you think and why...what was/is your experience?

Also... as a little more information about myself.. I am a non-traditional college student, as I am 47 years old and didn't even begin taking ANY college classes until January of 2003. I graduated from my ADN program in 2007. I still think of myself as a new nurse...lol I am asking to pick the brains of my peers that have already completed my dream or are in the process of completing it... Thank you for your help! I love my nursing family!

[klone, MSN, RN]

You have totally different things that you feel are important than I do and why I chose an online program. So giving you my opinion is not really going to help you. It sounds to me like you already know an on-campus program would work best for you and your learning style. However, many on-campus programs now do have more of a on-campus/online hybrid, so keep that in mind.

[DixieBelle7]

You have totally different things that you feel are important than I do and why I chose an online program. So giving you my opinion is not really going to help you. It sounds to me like you already know an on-campus program would work best for you and your learning style. be However, many on-campus programs now do have more of a on-campus/online hybrid, so keep that in mind.

I have really been looking into both online and on campus programs. I have been looking into the local on campus programs that are closest to me. I live in the north east Houston are and the closest program to me that I have found is going through the Lone Star College in The Woodlands. It has a distance RN to BSN program under the University of Houston which is offered on Tuesdays. I have been looking through numerous online programs as well... I am feeling a little overwhelmed with the decision making.... First I have to decide between the two.... I have already decided if I go the ON CAMPUS route that I will probably go with the program of U of H.... (unless I decide the RN to MSN route)... I have not as yet made the decision of which online program I would try to apply to because there are SO MANY options.. This is why I am asking for other nurses' opinions... An online program would be easier to work around my schedule....unless there is so much work that I might get discouraged. If that were to be the case then it would be wiser to take the on campus class and work around it... I believe I would enjoy the face to face program, but the lure of doing it around MY schedule is pretty strong... I want to get my BSN and MSN...and I sure don't want to take forever to do it.. So you see my dilemma? That is why I am trying to get other people's opinions and experiences to help me make my decision. I just want to make an educated decision. : )

[klone, MSN, RN]

First I think you should figure out what type of program you want to do (i.e. RN-BSN, or RN-MSN, and if MSN, what specialization). That will help narrow down your options a bit.

Is length of program an issue? Tuition cost? What is your current work schedule like? What about your home life - do you have a family, kids, obligations? Do you have any time constraints that would make an on-campus program more challenging?

[Farawyn]

I am doing an online RN-BSN right now.

I picked On Campus.

I am also 47. My kids are headed to college, 1 next Fall, the other in 2 years. I can't afford on campus, and I don't have the time to physically go. This is a better fit for my life, but if I had no other issues I would choose B&M.

[LessValuableNinja]

I speak of RN-BSN/MSN programs only from my research that I am doing, rather than personal experience. I can speak generally to both face-to-face and online programs. I did undergrad and grad school (non-nursing) both ways.

The short answer on experiences is: It depends on the school, and the program within the school, much like it does for in-person programs. I had a great experience with in-person undergrad studies, a poor experience (other than being able to not have to drive to class) with undergrad online, and an exceptional experience with grad school online. If you like comaradery, talk to current students. I did grad school at NYU completely online, but the curriculum for that particular program at NYU had a ton of student interaction. Every day I was on some sort of web conference call with project groups through a hundred different conferencing webwares. Sometimes we did webcams during our conferences sometimes just voice and typing with documents on the screen. I still keep in contact with a bunch of my NYU classmates all over the world. I helped one's dad get a job pretty recently, because his dad was local to me.

I'd recommend talking to students at programs both in person and online, not just admissions counselors. That will give you a better feel for if it'll meet your needs.

Like another person who replied, I've got enough comaradery in my life. My concerns are more functional - how fast will I get done, how much time will it occupy, and how much will it cost?

Keep in mind as well that if you find you can do it online faster and with less wasted time (driving, sitting and waiting for the professor, waiting for your study group to all arrive in the study room, etc), you can get comaradery at work during the program and after when you're working as a BSN.