Online RN to BSN Programs

Fun2, BSN, RN · Jan 17, 2005

I agree, bellcollector. It is very sad.

I have just read this entire thread and all I can say is WOW. Nurses on the board are just like nurses in RL. There are always those who think they are better than others. How much more unprofessional and sad can you get. To be so low in self confidence that you have to tear down others and how they obtain their education in a vein attempt to elevate your self is just sad and sick. However it is no different than in the real world. Haven't we all worked with those no it all I have more or better education than you do. You know the ones they are the ones you wouldn't want to treat your dog let alone a human being. They are too high up on their little pedestals to have the human touch.
One thing that has me wondering. Around here I nor any of my fellow nurses have ever been questioned about where and how we obtained our educations. As long as we passed the boards and held the title that was good enough. I work with one MSN-NP who is just astonished when I talk to her about this type of thread. She has been a nurse for 30yrs, obtained her education in brick and mortar, has worked in many areas geographically and in many areas in the field. She said in all those yrs NO ONE has ever asked her how or where she recieved her education. It is completely irrelevant. You can either do the job or you can't.
BTW I have seen many nurses terminated for failing to perform their duties satisfactorily and not one obtained their education by distance. Kind of makes ya wonder doesn't it?

Traveler · Jan 22, 2005

I was disturbed to see some of the negative comments about the online programs. Is it any wonder that there is a nursing shortage when our work is so hard and we can't even support those in the ranks? I am currently doing my RN-BSN online. Because of where I live, I would not be able to do this any other way and am so thankful that it is available. So far I have earned 18 credits and have found that it is mostly theory. In all honesty, it has not changed one way the way I practice nursing, but I have learned a lot of interesting thing. Also responding to the poster who had disparaging remarks to make about online education- I think it takes a very motivated, independent, self-starter to be successful in an online program. I have a good friend who is doing the Vanderbilt distance MSN/FNP program. She is responsible for obtaining clinical sites (with approval) in her community for completing her clinicals. This is about as hands on as one can be. It also takes a little something extra for one to be able to make all of these arrangements on their own. Frankly, I think that shows lots of common sense, flexibility, drive, etc. With nurses being in such short supply, do we really need to continue to eat our own?

DelightRN · Feb 7, 2005

There's a bunch of us going RN to BSN at work, and only two of us choose to do it online. It isn't for everyone, but to say one is inferior to the other isn't fair. To each his/her own.

I just want to say I think this is awesome. That's what nurses should do, encourage each other and cultivate an environment where education is valued, instead of rehashing the same old ADN vs BSN crap.

Kudos to you and your coworkers.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Feb 8, 2005

I just want to say I think this is awesome. That's what nurses should do, encourage each other and cultivate an environment where education is valued, instead of rehashing the same old ADN vs BSN crap.
Kudos to you and your coworkers.

Thanks it's fun having someone to relate to, even if we are going to different schools and different routes. No one is saying "mine is better/harder than yours".

DelightRN · Feb 8, 2005

Awesome. I'm starting my RN to MSN program in June, and I'm really excited. I can't wait to start!

Tweety, BSN, RN · Feb 8, 2005

Just be careful what you wish for Delight. LOL

DelightRN · Feb 8, 2005

I wish to be done. Therefore, I can't wait to start. Hee!

How's it going?

Lawdo2 · Feb 8, 2005

All of you that say this is great, probably don't work in a busy level II acute care emergency room where "every" nurse is pushed to the maximum and when you have people with "limited" clinical experience, it becomes a legal liability. I am working with 2 nurses now, one who went from a BA to MSN and the other is simply a new BSN graduate.

I am frequently stopped and asked to assist with medication, procedures, this places an increased stress and legal risk on me. The distraction makes me lose my train of thought and this opens a window to errors. So, please, unless you have actually been there and done that, don't tell me that I should be more supportive. Perhaps maybe the schools should change their programs to include a longer "hand-on" experieince.

sockov, ADN, ASN, BSN, CNA, LVN · Feb 16, 2005

I worked as a CNA, became an LVN and worked while going to ADN school. I went to a nursing college for my ADN. The clinicals were intense and needed. Also, the state mandates a certain amount of clinical hours needed before accepted to take the NCLEX.

I am now going for my BSN online through Excelsior Collage. It is a nice convience to study at my own pace and test when I am ready. But I think in my opinion, it is best to get your RN/ADN at a nursing college first. There is so much out there that you learn, just being on the unit during clinicals, by following the staff around and just watching.

Good luck to all

Tweety, BSN, RN · Feb 16, 2005

All of you that say this is great, probably don't work in a busy level II acute care emergency room where "every" nurse is pushed to the maximum and when you have people with "limited" clinical experience, it becomes a legal liability. I am working with 2 nurses now, one who went from a BA to MSN and the other is simply a new BSN graduate.
I am frequently stopped and asked to assist with medication, procedures, this places an increased stress and legal risk on me. The distraction makes me lose my train of thought and this opens a window to errors. So, please, unless you have actually been there and done that, don't tell me that I should be more supportive. Perhaps maybe the schools should change their programs to include a longer "hand-on" experieince.

Sounds more like you need to talk to your manager about a better orientation for new people to get hands on experience. Our level two trauma center recently went to a per case orientation, rather than a specified # of days. i.e. one has to assist in three chest tube insertions, one has to attend to 30 trauma alerts, start 90 IVs, etc. So by the time they finish orientation they have plenty of hands on experience., rather than complete a specified number of days.

I've found new grads regardless of their hands on in traditional schools and online always need help with things, and shouldn't be afraid to ask.

I'm going online and have many years of experience behind me. I don't need anymore hands on thanks.

I'm not going to make this a "nursier than thou" kind of response. Just sharing my experience in a busy Level II city hospital with 4 helicopters, and being so busy we're constantly on divert.

Been there, done that. Still support online degrees for nurses. :)

Good luck.

mona b RN, BSN, RN · Feb 16, 2005

But I think in my opinion, it is best to get your RN/ADN at a nursing college first.

Well, yes, I would definitely say a nursing college would be the way to go. TeeHee, couldn't resist. :yeahthat:

sockov, ADN, ASN, BSN, CNA, LVN · Feb 16, 2005

Well, yes, I would definitely say a nursing college would be the way to go. TeeHee, couldn't resist. :yeahthat:

just keeping it simple. meaning nursing college, on campus, onsite clinicals at the local hospitals, etc.

Keep it basic.