Online BSN/MSN programs and clinicals???

New Castle Ken · Jan 12, 2004

Originally posted by IloveSnoopy
Hi folks,
Just curious more than anything I guess....but I have been looking into the RN to BSN online thing and noticed that almost all programs require clinicals. I'm just wondering (for those that have done this)...what in the heck do you do in clinicals??? It seems weird that an RN already in practice would have to do the clinical thing again?? What types of things do you do/experience in clinicals? It just seems weird to have an RN watching a RN do things that they already do (hopefully proficiently) everyday. Maybe I'm missing something here??? Just curious....?? Thanks everyone..
Snoop'

Most of the online programs allow you to do clinical work at a facility close to where you live under the supervision of an RN with an MSN (that you choose). A few that have required residencies arrange something while you are on campus but the trend seems to be at a local facility. Good luck.

Ken

jmc · Jan 13, 2004

I just completed a community nursing class online from University of Northern Alabama, for BSN. I had to do 3 clinicals, 8 hour each. I had to find my clinicals. Each at a different community setting. Mine were rural clinic, occupational clinic, and health dept. It had to be with a nurse who was a BSN or higher. I had to get info about clinic and RN to send to instructor to approve. There were no skills involved, just to learn how RN benefited community. Of course, there was a paper to be written about each experience. Maybe this helps you some.

Traveler · Jan 19, 2004

I will be starting RN-BSN this summer. I have been told that there aren't that many clinicals but in the BSN-MSN/FNP there are about 800 hours. I was told that it can be done in my community with an approved preceptor. They prefer AP RN's but in many communities (mine included) there aren't that many.

My family doctor has told me that she will help me in any way she can. She is an adjunct faculty member at the school I will be attending (as a distance student). I assume that some of the time will be in her office and some in the hospital.

From what I know, the RN-BSN doesn't have a big clinical component since that was already mostly done in the original RN program.

Ann

llg, PhD, RN · Jan 19, 2004

Originally posted by IloveSnoopy
Hi folks,
I'm just wondering (for those that have done this)...what in the heck do you do in clinicals??? It seems weird that an RN already in practice would have to do the clinical thing again?? What types of things do you do/experience in clinicals? Snoop'

Unlike the original clinicals you did in your first program, the purporse of these clinicals is not to teach you basic skills and how to be comfortable in a patient care environment. The purpose of the clinicals is for you to see (and/or demonstrate your skill with) the practical application of the information you are learning about in class. Thus the clinicals of BSN completion programs tend to be more focused.

For example, if you are studying patient education in class, the clinical will involve participating in a patient education program ... and you will probably need to turn in some sort of project that shows how well you can relate the course content to the real-life thing you observed or did in clinical.

Similarly, if your coursework focuses upon using a certain theory to guide your patient assessment, the instructor will want to see that you can actually use that theory in relation to an actual patient. At that point, it's not really about whether or not you know how to use the thermometer or the recoginition of abnormal breath sounds.

I hope that answers your question at least a little.

llg