Does anyone think that online Rn to Bsn programs might be considered inferior by nurse recruiters?
I know it should not be that way.
I am hearing horror stories of grads of other professions who have degrees obtained online but can not find jobs.
Lots of recruiters of other professions even admit to it.
I think many people have this perception that online schools are not as vigorous as brick and mortar schools.
Of course,there is so much variety of online schools.
Non profit,schools that are regionally accredited but have no brick and mortar campus(WGU)
For profit schools that are regionally accredited(Chamberlain) with a brick and mortar campus.
Some are non profit with a brick and mortar campus but not accredited(my old Adn school just started an Rn to Bsn program but it is not accredited yet. The Adn was Acen accredited since the late 60's). If i start there in Sept i would be in the 1st Rn to Bsn class to graduate from the school.
Wgu is giving me a vibe of "We accept anyone",
WHy? I know for a FACT i failed the entrance exam,but the recruiter said i passed.
Even people that went to regular colleges are having trouble finding appropriate jobs. I don't think a degree would mention if it was online vs regular unless the college is only on line. I would avoid for profit schools and stick to schools that have at least a brick and mortar college. But again a college degree is not a guarantee of a job regardless of what you major in. The colleges take your money, but you are on your own when it comes to finding a job. The problem is there are not enough college level jobs for all the people who go to college! Companies have been downsizing to increase their profit and pay their top execs more. Middle management jobs are some of the ones targeted for layoffs.
Can you show me an RN-BSN program that actually has clinical hours and clinical instructors/preceptors? I'm honestly curious.
The state university ADN-BSN program I attended had all this. We had a community health practicum, and a preceptorship. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to try a completely new specialty for the preceptorship, which was an interesting change from the preceptorship in med-surg/oncology I did in my ADN program.
WGU is a nonprofit university set up by several western states to increase the number of college grads and offer an opportunity for a college degree to more people. For example it offers an opportunity for people who live in a rural area or people who started college but didn't finish. Many jobs require a BA degree for no other reason than screening applicants and this degree can help those people.
I think it is ok for an RN to BSN if you are sure you won't want to get your MSN or NP in the future. Since it is pass/fail and no clinicals it might make it difficult to get your MSN. It is one of the few choices that offers reasonable tuition. My state online RN to BSN charges more than WGU and in fact has the nerve to charge more than if you were attending the campus. Why, just because they can and because they are greedy! They were caught stockpiling millions while raising tuition every year and lobbying for more govt money! The state university is planning for an online option like WGU and when that becomes a reality the degree wouldn't even mention it was online just whatever campus you chose to affiliate yourself with.
Most hospitals only want a BSN for bragging rights and magnet status and I don't think they really care where you get it from. If a hiring manager were an alumni of your college perhaps that would give you an edge, but no guarantee and how can you know where the hiring manager went to school anyway. You can't know the future.
Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
I think it is ok for an RN to BSN if you are sure you won't want to get your MSN or NP in the future. Since it is pass/fail and no clinicals it might make it difficult to get your MSN.
FWIW, I know of several people who have gone on to NP, CNM, and CRNA programs after completing WGU's RN-BSN program.
Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
The state university ADN-BSN program I attended had all this. We had a community health practicum, and a preceptorship. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to try a completely new specialty for the preceptorship, which was an interesting change from the preceptorship in med-surg/oncology I did in my ADN program.
I don't intend to post the name of the university, and you can believe me or disbelieve me as you choose. It is indeed a bricks and mortar program. Perhaps it would be helpful to research nursing programs more extensively.
Can you show me an RN-BSN program that actually has clinical hours and clinical instructors/preceptors? I'm honestly curious.
Loma Linda University in California requires RN-BSN students to do a public health rotation. We can either do it at a public health clinic or go on a month-long mission to a SDA hospital outside the country. This year it was Botswana. Bummed I could not go. I also vaguely recall some opportunities to do acute care rotations but they are not required. Long story short, yes, there is at least one school out there that requires clinical hours that cannot be met with tests or work experience.
Even people that went to regular colleges are having trouble finding appropriate jobs. I don't think a degree would mention if it was online vs regular unless the college is only on line. I would avoid for profit schools and stick to schools that have at least a brick and mortar college. But again a college degree is not a guarantee of a job regardless of what you major in. The colleges take your money, but you are on your own when it comes to finding a job. The problem is there are not enough college level jobs for all the people who go to college! Companies have been downsizing to increase their profit and pay their top execs more. Middle management jobs are some of the ones targeted for layoffs.
WGU is a regionally certified,not for profit University with no brick and mortar campus.
WGU would have met all my needs if they would have had an actual campus.
WGU also has a community health practicum (90 hours). I don't think I've ever heard of an RN-BSN program that has clinical hours either other than a community health rotation. Doesn't mean they don't exist, but the vast majority of RN-BSN programs, whether brick and mortar or online, don't have additional 'clinical' (hospital) hours.
I've been a nurse 20+ years and have never had anyone question my education (and my ADN is from excelsior, another 'online' school).
Many WGU grads have gone on to B&M MSN/NP programs without difficulty.
Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
FWIW, when I worked for Children's Hospital, which is a Magnet facility and has some world renowned programs, one of the upper level nursing managers got her MSN in Leadership from Excelsior. So.
brandy1017, ASN, RN
2,910 Posts
Even people that went to regular colleges are having trouble finding appropriate jobs. I don't think a degree would mention if it was online vs regular unless the college is only on line. I would avoid for profit schools and stick to schools that have at least a brick and mortar college. But again a college degree is not a guarantee of a job regardless of what you major in. The colleges take your money, but you are on your own when it comes to finding a job. The problem is there are not enough college level jobs for all the people who go to college! Companies have been downsizing to increase their profit and pay their top execs more. Middle management jobs are some of the ones targeted for layoffs.