Online Programs... good or bad? Your opinion please!

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I'm looking for an RN to BSN program and many of them are online. I'm definitely considering it because it will allow me to get experience while still continuing my education. However, I am worried that I will not have the same educational experience as I would in an actual school setting.

I would truly appreciate for people to post their online education experiences and whether or not you would recommend online education to others.

What was your typical "school day"?

Do you feel like you missed out on anything?

Thank you for sharing your stories! :)

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Specializes in ER.

Some students prefer online courses because it afforded the convenience of doing it at one's own pace and without disrupting one's work schedule. I took some classes online and works well with me. It does take a lot of discipline to stick to your schedule and deadlines. I worked a 9-5 job so I start my online class after dinner and supervising son doing his homework, so about 9 pm. Usually I go to bed at 11:30 - 12:30 depending on the complexity of my online assignment. Also, it depends on your learning style, I am more of a reader. Plus I'd prefer to save on gas, driving time, parking fee, etc. I have a friend who had to enroll on in campus because she has to see the teacher and listen to the course. Good luck!

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Specializes in SNF, 2 year s hospital.

I have taken online classes and really enjoyed them. But when it comes to nursing i was afraid that not having the hands on componet would be important for me. I would love to save on gas and not have to work less hours to attend school. Ive completed to prereqs for the BSN and will doin that strictly online!

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what exactly is an "online class"?

Do you just have a list of assignments and deadlines and go from there?

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Specializes in ER.

Online classes are classes which you do everything online...reading materials, quizzes and finals. Basically, you have to log on to the online website for your class. In one of my online class, the professor sent us the schedule from the beginning of the course to the end. So say, week 1, reading assignment will be from Chapter 1 to 10, quiz before the end of the week, report due on Sunday 12 mn. Wk 2....wk3.....There was also a group discussion online. . Must participate in group discussion for some online class, but not on others.

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oh okay, just what I thought.

Do your professors ever post videos from their lectures or anything like that? or do you strictly end up using your books and the internet

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Specializes in ER.

I know some online course, you rent a video for the lecture. But mine, nothing like that. Everything was online, I didn't need a physical book. Materials and all were provided online. Never met my online professors and classmates in person.

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Specializes in Med Surg.

I'm about to start an online bridge program. I've been told we have "class" times where the instructors are online teaching. You can join them live or watch/listen later.

I took some prereqs online, like nutrition, stats, psych. Those teachers posted powerpoints, had discussion boards set up much like allnurses, or had live chats. We had quizes and tests, some proctored, some not. I've really liked the online classes I've had so far; I chose online for my RN-BSN bridge precisely so I could work around my schedule.

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Specializes in family practice.

I attended a physical RN-BSN school but only one class was face-to-face the whole time and it was basically pointless. I Would say go the online option and then get your clinicals near you.

Thats my own opinion. Most of the classes are done online with discussion boards, text books and group work.

We only met once a semester at the beginning

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

Moved to the Distance Learning forum to encourage responses. :)

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Specializes in ER/ICU/STICU.

I enjoyed my online classes and found them to be very engaging. We would have our assigned reading and then there would be class discussions on forums, such as this website. We would also have homework assignments and tests that go along with the chapters. I like the unique aspect of my online program consisted of nurses from all over the country. I was able to see how different nursing can be in different areas of the country.

I think it also depends on the type of learner you are and flexibility of schedule. I hate going to a physical classroom and listening to someone ramble on or read from a power point. I also had to work while getting my BSN, and the online program offered a lot of flexibility of when I could do my assignments.

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How do tests work?

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