Online RN to BSN Programs

SnowymtnRN · Jan 4, 2004

originally posted by mona b
.the following was taken from post # 11 of this thread. for some reason my quote feature is not functioning properly.
this is a quote from the second page of the thread. this is where the topic turned to ec/non traditional learning bashing. it seems to me that the poster seems to think that the only way one should obtain a professional license is her/his way.

no comparison post #11

sorry folks, but there is no comparison between university based bsn programs with hands on clinicals versus online programs. oh, did you compare them all?

online programs are more expensive because it is basically buying a degree. excelsior college costs about $8000 just for an lvn to rn program and guess what?
the california brn is no longer recognizing degrees from this college unless the candidate in question completes 360 more clinical hours and works as an lvn for 1 year. this is a move towards a better program, isn't it ?

there are no shortcuts if you want to become truly educated. life is full of shortcuts. truly, you really should come down before you fall.

i am currently in an msn/pnp program at csulb with extensive clinical time, and there were plenty of other programs i could have enrolled in that were shorter and easier (although pricier) but i wanted to do it right. well, this right here pretty much explains it.

the online grads (rn) that i have worked with so far have been very limited as far as their knowledge and skills, so much so that our hospital is no longer hiring online (only) rn grads. . how many online grads have you worked with. you must be referring to online rn-bsn grads right? correct me if i am wrong, but aren't the adn and bsn comparable in clinical experience. also, this requirement may be different depending on the state you reside in.

yes it is more effort, yes it takes longer...but if you are serious about your career and performance and not just interested in adding initials to your name, then a hands on program is the way to go. have you ever participated in a distance/online course. they are not easier and as a matter of fact to some people these course are much more challenging than traditional classroom courses.

just my opinon ( and personal experience) of course

end quote

i don't know about anyone else but i think in order to be a really good nurse one must possess the ability to be non-judgemental. this shouldn't translate into not being able to have an opinion, but it seems to me the only opinion this poster has is a negative one towards alternative education.

just my opinion.

mona

lmao! :roll very good responses! when i read the post about it not being as "good" of an education i had to step back and count to 10. i don't know about most of you, but when i work with another rn, i don't say "ok i need your credentials to know what type of nurse you are. are you diploma, ad or bsn? and are you online or traditional?" lol i just know i've got an rn working with me, and time will tell if that person can hold their weight or not, and i expect they feel the same about me.

otoh, university of wyoming's rn-bsn completion is online and looks great, have heard awesome reviews about it. they also have an rn-msn completion but i've not checked that out. i'm not interested in getting my msn, much to my dh's dismay. :chuckle

there's a couple more, but i'll have to look and see which ones they are. lots of educational opportunities for those of us who choose a less than traditional route and still will be awesome nurses.

pugluvnrn · Jan 5, 2004

"And why aren't more teaching hospitals doing LPN-Diploma RN programs? That would solve the clinical problem right there, as well as bolstering up the slots for nurse externships"

I heard that they are trying to discourage diploma programs...at least in California.

Many LPN/LVN programs do not require an advanced Anatomy/Physiology background ( for example...some of those private colleges like Bryman give you a brief introduction because they try to fast track their students and get them working in a year) and diploma programs also do not require the math components or general education.

I can tell you that these are all important!! Nursing encompasses so many realms of the human experience....I cannot tell you how many times I have drawn upon my GE or extracurricular experience to help patients.

There IS a reason that BSN RN's are preferred, or no one would go for the degree!

Just my opinion

:cool:

BBFRN, BSN, PhD · Jan 5, 2004

Originally posted by pugluvnrn
"And why aren't more teaching hospitals doing LPN-Diploma RN programs? That would solve the clinical problem right there, as well as bolstering up the slots for nurse externships"

I heard that they are trying to discourage diploma programs...at least in California.

Many LPN/LVN programs do not require an advanced Anatomy/Physiology background ( for example...some of those private colleges like Bryman give you a brief introduction because they try to fast track their students and get them working in a year) and diploma programs also do not require the math components or general education.

I can tell you that these are all important!! Nursing encompasses so many realms of the human experience....I cannot tell you how many times I have drawn upon my GE or extracurricular experience to help patients.
There IS a reason that BSN RN's are preferred, or no one would go for the degree!

Just my opinion

My LPN program wasn't one of these, and my A&P courses included labs- they weren't brief introductions, and they were transferable to my RN programs, as well as considered acceptable pre-req's for my taking Micro (also taken in a classroom with a lab component). We were fast-tracked in a year, because we took 24 credit hrs in semester 1, 18 in semester 2, and 12 in semester 3. That's 54 credit hrs in 3 sememsters, as opposed to the average of 36. We also had to have passed A&P 1&2 to be eligible to begin clinicals.

Now, I do know of a couple local LPN programs that included A&P 1&2 without the lab components, and those LPNs from those programs had to take the lab components at other schools for eligibility to begin in an RN program. Maybe those requirements differ between state BONs, because I went to LPN school in Indiana, and these local schools are in KY.

As far as GE credits helping, I can't argue with you on that one (maybe someone else can, though ). I had a Bachelor degree prior to entering an LPN program, so I can't relate to the Diploma RN experience- but I can definitely appreciate their clinical experience. Why should that be less important than any GEs they might have taken? Can you really say that your GEs were more valuable to you than any clinical experience you might have had? (If you've ever worked at the bedside, that is.)

I thought the issue with EC was one of lacking clinical experience- not GE credits. Any LPN going for an RN (no matter the school) is going to have to meet the minimum GE credit requirement to graduate.

As far as Nurse externships go, they are only an adjunct- they don't replace any college credits required.

kimlpn · Jan 5, 2004

personally I think everyone should do what is best for them...we all live diverse lifestyles. A degree is important but what is more important is what and how you practice with that degree!!!! Your work ethics and competence will prevail. Unfortunately through my life's experience I have noticed people who believe they are above others at some point in their lives will be humbled--enough said lock up the thread!

Kim

BBFRN, BSN, PhD · Jan 5, 2004

Originally posted by kimlpn
personally I think everyone should do what is best for them...we all live diverse lifestyles. A degree is important but what is more important is what and how you practice with that degree!!!! Your work ethics and competence will prevail. Unfortunately through my life's experience I have noticed people who believe they are above others at some point in their lives will be humbled
Kim

A big Amen to that, Kim! It is probably a mute point for me to debate with someone who only equates higher education with ethical patient care. That's almost laughable, as a lot of nurses today are having to advocate for their patients against their administrative superiors (MSNs largely incuded).

And Lizz, I wouldn't be so quick to think Pug supports you, either. Apparently, by her standards, you will also be a substandard nurse since you are "only" in an ASN program. Welcome to the large population of "substandard" nurses on this board! :) We'd hang a banner and bake a cake for you, but that would require writing and math skills...duh.

There is a general lack of solidarity and support of other nurses today as it is. Thank God my RN coworkers are supportive of my efforts and competence.

Sheri257 · Jan 5, 2004

Originally posted by lgflamini
And Lizz, I wouldn't be so quick to think Pug supports you, either. Apparently, by her standards, you will also be a substandard nurse since you are "only" in an ASN program. Welcome to the large population of "substandard" nurses on this board! :) We'd hang a banner and bake a cake for you, but that would require writing and math skills...duh.

Well, I tend to agree with Pug that more education is always better. I do want to get my BSN, but the program in my area didn't have much of an advantage over the ADN. I'm not saying this is true in general, but just was the case in the particular area where I live.

I went back five years and the BSN program consistantly had a 10 percent lower NCLEX pass rate than my ADN program. In some years, they barely met the state's minimum 70 percent requirement, whereas the ADN got up to 96 percent just last year (although they're back down to 82 percent this year.)

First and foremost, I need to pass that test. I'm a good student, but a BSN won't help much if I have less of a chance of passing. And, BTW, there are other BSN programs that have a higher NCLEX pass rates than my ADN program, but they were just too far away.

And the clinicals in this BSN program were actually less, and didn't involve as many hospitals as the ADN did. I wanted more clinical exposure in different hospitals. Then I talked to some local hospitals and they told me they preferred the ADN because of the additional clinicals.

Now there are other people who like the acclerated BSN in my area because they can knock it out in almost the same time, two and half years, with the same pre-reqs. And I'm not going to argue with them. But it does apparently happen at the expense of clinicals, or so I'm been told. And it kind of makes sense when you think about it. They probably can't jam all of that material into virtually the same time period without something falling by the wayside.

However, I can see Pug's point of view, just as I've come to see yours. Maybe a BSN is better most of the time and in other programs, but that didn't appear to be the case here. I am taking the much longer, harder route to a BSN, with the hope that it is not the "substandard" way to go.

If I am wrong, well, I'm screwed. :lol2:

DramaNurse101 · Jan 11, 2004

Hi everyone~I am fairly new here and this is my first post.

I have a question and would appreciate honest and point blank answers from any of you that can shed some light on this.

I am an LPN (graduated in 1993). I have worked in nursing homes as a floor nurse and an ADON. I have worked home care with foster/abused children and a short time in PICU and med surg. Out of the 10 years I have been an LPN, I can account for about 6 years of clinical experience. I have been out of the loop for the last 4 years in another field.

Question: With what I have stated as far as experience do you feel I have a shot of doing well with excelsior college?

Question #2: If I do well and get through it will employers shun me and others think I just took the easy way out.

This thread has me extremely confused about going now and I have already started the ball rolling. I have all but 2 pre-reqs done including a class in advance a/p.

Please give me and honest answer..I can handle the truth :)

BBFRN, BSN, PhD · Jan 12, 2004

DramaNurse,

In most states, you won't be shunned by employers simply by having an Excelsior degree.

That being said, would you feel comfortable going back into the Nursing workforce right now as an LPN? I only ask that because there have been changes in the nursing field in the last 5 years, and because it would be a great help to you to be up-to-date with your LPN practice if you choose to go the distance route. you know the old saying: "If you don't use it, you lose it." And I believe EC requires that you be working as an LPN within the past year (if you're using your LPN licensure for admittance)- although I might be wrong on that, but I think I remember seeing that on the application.

I do know it's been a great help for me to be able to apply new knowlege to real patients on the floor, and it's been a great help to have resource RNs to go to for any questions I might have. Some things I just have to visually learn, so the opportunity to see whatever process it is in action clarifies things for me.

All I know is you can't have enough support while doing this kind of program, and I've had good success getting that support at my current nursing job. Plus, I don't have to worry about being shunned- they already know what kind of nurse I am, I already have a job there, and they aren't feeling like they're taking big chances on whether I can cut it or not as an RN.

I hope this helped.

DramaNurse101 · Jan 12, 2004

Yes it does help and thank you. I will never be a floor nurse (I shouldn't say never, should I?!! LOL) What I mean is....it just isn't my niche. I prefer research type work or forensics from what experiences I have had so far. I worked at Lillys through an agency and loved it.

So if I understand you correctly, I should perhaps go ahead with this, but to go back in the field and get up to date on my rusty skills and new meds etc simutaneously? Or are you saying to wait until I have accumulated a fresh year and then start the program?

If I do go back I could only give about 2 shifts per week due to my other job.

Thanks Again!!!:) :confused:

BBFRN, BSN, PhD · Jan 12, 2004

Call EC just to be sure on that 1 year thing- that may not be true for you (I might have seen the requirement on my BON scholarship form, so I don't want you to take that as fact until you check it out with them).

Also, if you're more into the research side and have no plans to do bedside care, you're probably OK with not working on the floor right now. Call the institutions you want to work for and ask what they're looking for in nurse researchers. I know our hospital hires new BSN grads for these positions all the time.

jmc · Jan 13, 2004

I am in the University of Northern Alabama, for my BSN. The nursing classes are totally on-line. I lack 3 nursing classes and 3 academics. I live in Mississippi. I did not have to have an Alabama license and did not have to have all academics before starting. I have taken some academics there on line and by video tape. the video tape classes require a procotor for tests. These are faxed to my hospitals education dept. Also, the hospital I work for is reimbursing me for classes. I just have to make a C. I have been doing this part-part-time. I work full time and have 2 kids and I take 1-2 classes a semester. There is no time limit to have all classes completed. There are 9 nursing classes, (I think). It's ALOT of writing and discussions, but it's not too bad. I would recommend this RN to BSN program to all.

macmagick · Feb 16, 2004

I am looking to find out if anyone knows of any good online RN to BSN programs. I have already looked at the Excelsior program and the University of Wyoming Programs. Those are the 2 programs that I could find that had reasonable cost. I cant exactly afford some of the $300 per credit hour courses. So if anyone knows of any other moderately priced online programs I would appreciate their input. Thanks for your time.

I am a diploma RN and have been working on my BSN through California State University, Dominguez Hills - On-Line. I have also checked out other Insititutions for comparisons in price as well as curriculum required. I was told by one Private University that the "Online" courses all charge the same standard price which was $368.00 per credit hour. I was informed by a state goverened University that the above statement is not true and that private colleges can and do charge more. If anyone has more information regarding the per credit hour fees for online, I also would appreciate the info.

Mac

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