Online BSN or Not

Sour Lemon · Jan 1, 2018

I am currently a teacher and am starting my prerequisites for nursing school in a few weeks. I just found out about an online BSN program that would allow me to keep my fulltime job and go to nursing school at the same time. Has anyone completed an online nursing degree who did not have nursing experience before? Please tell me if you think this is a good choice.

That sounds scammy.

**NICU Guy, BSN, RN** · Jan 1, 2018

Are you talking about an online ABSN program with weekend clinicals or a WGU type BSN?

prettykonvinced08 · Jan 1, 2018

The program is called Accelerated Online Bachelor of Science in Nursing (AO-BSN). The clinicals will be done on the weekends. The school is University of Texas at Arlington. I don't know about WGU. You could explain that to me as well.

Wuzzie · Jan 1, 2018

Accelerated programs are not to be taken lightly. I'm sure some people have done it but working full time as a teacher while trying to attempt one is a mighty big mountain to climb. Do you have any other responsibilities like children?

prettykonvinced08 · Jan 1, 2018

Yes, I have a 5 year old and a 2 year old. By the time I start, they will be 7 and 4. I also have a very supportive husband who really wants me to do this.

Workitinurfava, BSN, RN · Jan 1, 2018

I did the associates in the classroom. I later went for the BSN. I did it in 4 semester while working full-time. I am married with two children. I have always went to school and worked with kids. It wasn't easy but my husband supported me.

Editorial Team / Moderator · Jan 1, 2018

Due to the pace/workload of accelerated programs, those schools typically discourage working. Have you talked to the admissions folks to get an idea of what you'd be in for, or are you still in the info-gathering stage?

WGU has a prelicensure program in some states: Online Nursing Program (RN) | Online Nursing Bachelor's Degree | WGU

Wuzzie · Jan 2, 2018

I did the associates in the classroom. I later went for the BSN. I did it in 4 semester while working full-time. I am married with two children. I have always went to school and worked with kids. It wasn't easy but my husband supported me.

You have my utmost respect!!! That's not something i ever think i could have done. The difference here is the OP is talking about an accelerated program which is an entirely different level of difficult.

ThatBigGuy · Jan 2, 2018

According to UT Arlington's website:

While course content is delivered in an online format, students will be assigned to complete their required supervised clinical experiences at a clinical site located in one of the following Texas metropolitan areas: Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, McAllen-Edinburg, College Station, and Temple. (Please note that clinical locations for new students may vary each semester.)

If you live near one of the listed cities, you should be good to go. Being online and accelerated makes this a very difficult program to finish, but the reasonable program cost ($18,000) reduces the overall financial risk if you cannot complete the program.

bbentley0717 · Jan 5, 2018

Hi, I am in the same boat! May I ask which school you found that will allow you to work? I have been researching for quite awhile now and options are few and far between...I am leaving teaching as well, but need to teach until I complete a BSN program. Is it an accelerated program? Thanks!

prettykonvinced08 · Jan 5, 2018

@bbently0717

The program I am referring to is at the University of Texas at Arlington. It is an accellarated program. I am actually going to call tomorrow to get more information. I talked to an admissions person once, but need to touch bases with him again.