Online RN to BSN Programs

jmc · Jan 14, 2005

Looks like you have a great start. Just by trying to remember and looking at your list maybe need nutrition,chem 1and 2,stats and maybe one more hx. The degree online from UNA is well recongnized. I don't live but about about 80 miles from there. Do you have plans on where you are going to work? At my place of employment after 1 year,if return to school, I pay for it up front and as long as I make a C or better, they pay me back. That may be something to help you decide on where to go to work, if they have tuition reimbursment. Also, UNA gives you credit for all previous nursing curriculim, but I know I had to take 2 more general classes from there because they require to have so many hours from senior college. :)

Thanks for this info! :)
I originally started out in 1991 planning on getting my BSN, but life's little mishaps didn't let me follow through. Now, I have a scholarship for an ADN, but seriously plan on getting my BSN afterwards. (even if it is just a mind thing...just to know I did it.)
So far I have:
Composition I - A
Compostion II - B
American Lit - B
Student Lit - C
Intro to PYSCH - A
Intro to SOCIO - C
U.S. History - A
College Algebra - B
American GOVT - B
Intro to SPEECH- A
Comp. Literacy - A
Beg. Typing - A
Spanish I - B
Spanish II - B
Spanish III - B
Beg. Tennis - B
Weight Training - A
Beg. Bowling - A
Int. Bowling - A
After my ADN, I also will have: A&P 1, A&P 2, Micro, Dev. Psych, and of course, the required nursing courses, and clinicals.
I just would like to find something 1) I can afford, 2) completely online, 3) with a good reputation, 4) always will be accepted by any hospital, and 5) minimal classes, or many classes I already have, so it won't take an additional four years to complete.
With many universities accepting 60 credit hours to transfer, do they include the nursing courses in those hours? As it is, the ADN program I am going to is 72 credits, I believe. I would hate to have to repeat a class at a university if I already had to take it for the ADN.

Lawdo2 · Jan 14, 2005

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 have been a nurse since 1974 and rose through the ranks and now have my BSN and MPA degrees. I personally would not want to work with someone who took their degree online. I realize there is a shortage of nurses but programs such as this further dilute the quality of "real" nurses. I am speaking from experience in working with these type of nurses. The synapses do not connect. The may be strong on theory but lack in skills and "common sense".

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jan 14, 2005

I have been a nurse since 1974 and rose through the ranks and now have my BSN and MPA degrees. I personally would not want to work with someone who took their degree online. I realize there is a shortage of nurses but programs such as this further dilute the quality of "real" nurses. I am speaking from experience in working with these type of nurses. The synapses do not connect. The may be strong on theory but lack in skills and "common sense".

Not to get into a great debate about RN to BSN online programs. I certainly can't dispute your experience.

I'm doing RN to BSN online. I've been an ADN for many years, my clinical experience is established, my common sense and critical thinking is established. The BSN isn't going to give that to me.

I don't need to learn any more skills, I already know how to be a nurse. In my program we will be doing things like learning research, learning nursing theory, ethics, etc. etc. The same courses that the students are taking on campus. The same lectures given by power point presentation. Lots of reading, and papers, discussion and a quiz each week.

Again, no debate, but I'm not understanding you and I completely disagree with you.

If the synapes don't connect with the RNs who got their BSN online, they weren't connecting prior.

Just my opinion.

SnowymtnRN · Jan 15, 2005

I have been a nurse since 1974 and rose through the ranks and now have my BSN and MPA degrees. I personally would not want to work with someone who took their degree online. I realize there is a shortage of nurses but programs such as this further dilute the quality of "real" nurses. I am speaking from experience in working with these type of nurses. The synapses do not connect. The may be strong on theory but lack in skills and "common sense".

I agree with Tweety. However i'm wondering, with the nurses you work with, do you inquire about the education while working with them? I have no clue who has what kind of degree, but if i see RN on their name then i assume a certain level of skill and knowledge and have yet to be proven wrong.

I completely and utterly disagree with you. But like Tweety, i've been a nurse 10 years, clinically skilled and set, and need to go beyond that realm of nursing. And BSN is the way to get that, but online is CERTAINLY better for me. And i'll be no more or no less of a nurse by choosing it this way.

Fun2, BSN, RN · Jan 15, 2005

I have been a nurse since 1974 and rose through the ranks and now have my BSN and MPA degrees. I personally would not want to work with someone who took their degree online. I realize there is a shortage of nurses but programs such as this further dilute the quality of "real" nurses. I am speaking from experience in working with these type of nurses. The synapses do not connect. The may be strong on theory but lack in skills and "common sense".

In most cases, I'd rather have a nurse care for me that had an ADN, 10 years of experience, then decided to get his/her BSN via a university's online classes, than a nurse that has only a 1 year of experience after receiving his/her ADN, and continuing to go the RN-BSN route in a classroom setting.

Now, as for a first-time degree (ADN or BSN) completely online, without clinicals, I can see where this would dilute the quality of nursing, and shouldn't be allowed. However, if RNs decide to further their education, I really think that any method, online or classroom, is suitable. They receive their clinicals at work. Hands on as an employee is far better than hands on as a student.

BTW, which common sense course did you take, and exactly how long ago was that? :uhoh3:

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jan 16, 2005

Fun2Care, even the online versions of ADN require clinicals do they not? Certainly not any accreditted program would have no clinicals and give a person an ADN. I hope!

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jan 16, 2005

Furthermore, the few studies that have been done comparing online BSN programs with traditional ones have yielded positive results. In fact in one study using "Stone Health Care Professional Attitude Inventory" and The Nursing Care Role Orientation Survey, distance learners surprisingly did better than in-class students. While more studies need to be done, this is encouraging.

So while I can't dispute the poster above (because that is his/her experience), to others it might perpetuate a stereotype that isn't true, so I just wanted to point out that research has been done and is being done, and the news is much more favorable that this poster's experience. :)

Distance learners are motivated, mature and experienced.

Fun2, BSN, RN · Jan 16, 2005

Well put, 3rdShiftGuy, and exactly my point. I was just stating the only way I would see online RN classes would not be up to standard.

First of all, I can't imagine any state allowing a degreed person to take the NCLEX without any clinicals. Therefore, if two people take the same classes, one online, one not, why is the online student lacking common sense? A brick and mortar building doesn't make one smarter.

I'm sorry, but the poster's stereotyping against online students really is disappointing to me. To have such a bad attitude against someone, knowing he or she advanced his or her education online, starts workplace tension without even knowing the person's skills. ...such a sad thing.

As for the common sense class, hey, if schools taught that in 74, they need to start it again. I'm sure everyone on earth could use a course of good ol' common sense. :chuckle

I also agree with you, the poster has a reason for his/her opinion, but I hope he/she doesn't belittle a great RN because of a few bad apples. (which come from all types of education)

I am all for online courses. 1)I can study at the same place every day 2) It is quiet at my house during the day, so I can concentrate better. ...no loud mouths trying to get brownie points with the instructor 3) saves on gas money 4)After I get my RN license, I can work and advance in my education at the same time.

jmc · Jan 16, 2005

I have been a nurse since 1974 and rose through the ranks and now have my BSN and MPA degrees. I personally would not want to work with someone who took their degree online. I realize there is a shortage of nurses but programs such as this further dilute the quality of "real" nurses. I am speaking from experience in working with these type of nurses. The synapses do not connect. The may be strong on theory but lack in skills and "common sense".

PLEASE! I AM AS REAL AS NURSE AS IT GETS . I WORKED AS A CNA IN A NURSING HOME.WORKED MY WAY THROUGH AN ADN PROGRAM WITH AND BEACAUSE I AM OBTAINING MY BSN ONLINE DOES NOT MAKE ME ANY LESS OF A NURSE IN ANY WAY. I HAVE WORKED WITH 4 YEAR BSN GRADUATES THAT DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH COMMON SENSE TO GET I&O'S. I HAD A NURSING INSTRUCTOR THAT HAD NEVER WORKED AS A FLOOR NURSE AND DIDN'T HAVE ANY COMMON SENSE. THESE WERE THE NURSES THAT WERE STRONG ON THEORY BUT LACKED SKILLS AND COMMON SENSE. I BELIEVE THAT GOOD NURSES ARE BORN AND THEN EDUCATION MAKES THEM EXCELLENT. :)

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jan 16, 2005

Fun2Care, great post! Funny how I just was reading in my course about those studies I mentioned, so we can take heart that online is a viable option.

Persons like us just have to stomp out any stereotypes by our shining example! :)

Also, we all have our own style. I've talked to many people about me going back to school and several of them say it's not for them. That they need the discipline of getting up and going to class, that they need the interaction with the instructor and other students.

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.

If my online program is good enough for the NLN, it's good enough for me.

For me online is the only way to go from now on!

Trauma Columnist · Jan 16, 2005

Tweety - online is the only way to go. I found out that my online degrees are just as readily accepted as a brick/mortar school which I don't have time to attend anyway. I did my ADN in a real college with real clinicals but after that, I don't see any difference in getting a BSN, MSN, PhD online. GOod luck!

bellcollector · Jan 17, 2005

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?