Online RN to BSN -- clinical or no clinical?

SHGR, MSN, RN, CNS · Sep 15, 2012

I currently am precepting an RN-to-BSN student for capstone clinical who is finding the experience valuable. It's a one-on-one mentoring type of experience- my position is BSN required in a very different setting than the student is currently working in...we're focusing on less the technical aspects and more the theoretical, leadership, professional growth.

You might make a decision at least partially based on how you learn- if you are an experiential learner, a clinical may have more benefit to you than someone who learns best by lectures and other abstract methods.

Deucedst · Sep 16, 2012

Hi,
I'm a new grad ADN looking to start an online RN to BSN very soon. I am debating between two programs, one of which has no clinical component and the other that does. Because I live out of state from the program, arranging the clinical would be up to me. I haven't been hired (yet) so I know this will probably require me to go back to my ADN instructors to see if they can help.
I'm willing to do the legwork to get these clinicals arranged but I'm wondering if you think it's really important to have clinical hours as part of my BSN? The school I'm contemplating that doesn't have a clinical component is still very well-regarded.
Would love to hear your thoughts! If you elected an RN to BSN without clinicals, what was your reasoning? If you chose one with clinicals, why did you think it was important?
Thanks!!!

Hi what program are you looking at that's online, affordable and no clinical? I'm searching too.

missnurse01, MSN, RN · Sep 17, 2012

my program just got rid of their clinical component. I had to find my own clinical, and it was hard. Very hard. My school was in another state and all the state requirements made me end up with an alternate assignment as I could not find an organization to take me on due to state requirements for there being an instructor with a state license as a mentor at the school. Even though I was already a licensed RN in the state.

I know a lot of the nurses that I work with went to local rn-bsn programs and they had very lengthy clinical hours.

good luck with your decision. As long as your school is accredited, it doesn't really matter.

UniversityNurse · Sep 17, 2012

To be completely honest, in a degree completion program the clinical aspect is not considered to be a necessity and there are plenty of alternatives to clinical for applied learning. However, you mention that you have not been hired yet. My suggestion is that you ensure you have an established RN practice (at least voluntary) if you are going to chose a non-clinical degree completion program. This will ensure that you have the opportunity to maintain knowledge and skills aquired in your associate's degree program and there is the additional benefit of on-the-job application of the leadership skills you will learn in your RN to BSN program. It's a win-win.

Best wishes!

RNinLCF · Sep 19, 2012

Hi folks,

Thanks for the great input. In answer to one post, I'm currently looking at Ohio University and SUNY Delhi. Both are about $250/unit.

I definitely appreciate the difficulty in arranging clinical sites and preceptors. That's pretty daunting to me, but I also appreciate that given the fact that I'm not yet working, it would be a benefit to me in terms of keeping up my skills as well as networking. It's a tough call. I am planning to start in January. I think there is some time to work out the clinical component, i.e., I could take a few courses before needing to get that off the ground -- but it's definitely a big consideration. I have teachers who might agree but will their agencies want to arrange a relationship with me if I'm not even working there?!

Great suggestions and advice. Thank you, everyone!

Lipiner6 · Oct 8, 2012

Check out Anna Maria's Online RN to BSN. All online no practicum. I am in the program. Professors are great and I only have 10 students in my class. It's just perfect. I love it.