Online MSN at Univeristy of Texas Arlington or Grand Canyon University??

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  1. UTA online MSN program or GCU online MSN program?

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      University of Texas-Arlington
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      Grand Canyon University

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I need help! I'm graduating from the online RN to BSN program at UTA this summer. I had planned on just enrolling in the online BSN to MSN education program at UTA. I figured it would be easy since I'm already a student there and I'm familiar with the set up of the nursing classes. Many of the MSN courses are 5 week courses, just like the BSN program. However, I just discovered that Grand Canyon University also has an online MSN program, almost the same cost as UTA and a very similar setup, although the GCU program has 8 week classes instead of 5 weeks. I began to research both programs and I have been hearing horror stories on UTA's MSN program. People have said it's almost impossible to do with a working schedule and it's nothing like the BSN program. I found the BSN program through UTA very simple, and many of the nurses who have said they also found the BSN program easy, they were failing the MSN program. This got me worried. I tired to find reviews on GCU's MSN program, but I cant find much. Anyone have any insight on these two programs and what they thought?? Any help would be much appreciated.

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I need help! I'm graduating from the online RN to BSN program at UTA this summer. I had planned on just enrolling in the online BSN to MSN education program at UTA. I figured it would be easy since I'm already a student there and I'm familiar with the set up of the nursing classes. Many of the MSN courses are 5 week courses, just like the BSN program. However, I just discovered that Grand Canyon University also has an online MSN program, almost the same cost as UTA and a very similar setup, although the GCU program has 8 week classes instead of 5 weeks. I began to research both programs and I have been hearing horror stories on UTA's MSN program. People have said it's almost impossible to do with a working schedule and it's nothing like the BSN program. I found the BSN program through UTA very simple, and many of the nurses who have said they also found the BSN program easy, they were failing the MSN program. This got me worried. I tired to find reviews on GCU's MSN program, but I cant find much. Anyone have any insight on these two programs and what they thought?? Any help would be much appreciated.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

The one advantage that the UTA program would have is that as a UTA BSN grad, your admission to their MSN program is pretty much guaranteed, at least per the UTA admissions advisor I spoke to (I'm not in any MSN program yet, I'm undecided). Whereas with GCU, you'd be starting the admission process from scratch.

Hopefully others will come along with more info than I.

Best of luck.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Duplicate threads have been merged.

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Specializes in Psychiatry.
I need help! I'm graduating from the online RN to BSN program at UTA this summer. I had planned on just enrolling in the online BSN to MSN education program at UTA. I figured it would be easy since I'm already a student there and I'm familiar with the set up of the nursing classes. Many of the MSN courses are 5 week courses, just like the BSN program. However, I just discovered that Grand Canyon University also has an online MSN program, almost the same cost as UTA and a very similar setup, although the GCU program has 8 week classes instead of 5 weeks. I began to research both programs and I have been hearing horror stories on UTA's MSN program. People have said it's almost impossible to do with a working schedule and it's nothing like the BSN program. I found the BSN program through UTA very simple, and many of the nurses who have said they also found the BSN program easy, they were failing the MSN program. This got me worried. I tired to find reviews on GCU's MSN program, but I cant find much. Anyone have any insight on these two programs and what they thought?? Any help would be much appreciated.

Have you considered WGU? Online format is great for busy nurses because its asynchronous, you work at your own pace and your tuition is per term (apprx $3400 per 6 months) and you can accelerate more courses if you finish those originally assigned in your term without incurring any additional cost. I am a student there and it has really fit in with my work and personal life. Good luck in your search for the right program!

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Hi,

I graduated from UTA's MSN in education in May 2017. I can honestly say that my RN to BSN degree was no where as intense as this program was (I attended an in-seat program and graduated in 2001). With that said, I can only give you my feelings about my personal experience in the program. I don't have any insight into GCU's program.

At the time I started, some of the classes were 10 weeks in duration, others were for 5 weeks. I was not in a hurry to complete the degree, so I found the 10 week classes refreshing and just the right pace. I also did not take classes every time they were offered. I had some family problems/illness/death, so I took my time. It took me 3 years to finish the program. Since I graduated I see that all of the classes except the practicum are 5 weeks in length with a week off in between. I am not sure if I would have made it if all of the classes were 5 weeks and I went continually. To me, those 5 week classes were craazzzzy ( : I work full time, 3 days, 12 hour shifts, and if I tell you that all I did after work and on my days off was school work...it was school work. I also have a family so it was really hard but doable because we were all committed to the plan. Sorry, I know this response is late but I just joined all nurses and saw this thread. I hope this has helped you in some way.

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