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.
I am not concerned with learning needs part,but its the employment aspect that is my greatest concern right now.
I am an employed Rn but i do not work in acute care.
I have to keep in mind i live in the Northeast,where education snobbery does occur.
I also live in the northeast, and no one has said boo about my two 'online' degrees, not even in NYC. 20+ years experience trumps my 'schooling', I guess. :)
Smartnurse, What good is investing your time, energy, and money to attend a school that is perceived in the eyes of others to be good but doesn't teach you anything or worse you never graduate because it's a bad fit. Ivy's like Harvard have a good rep but the teaching stinks (early undergrad anyway). Reputations come and go. Budgets get cut, faculty leave, priorities and policies change.
If you're looking for a diploma to enhance your resume then ignore my previous post. Look at the recent survey from US News & World Report. That will give you the information you seek.
I also live in the northeast, and no one has said boo about my two 'online' degrees, not even in NYC. 20+ years experience trumps my 'schooling', I guess. :)
My situation is unique i guess,as i do not have 20 yrs experience in acute care to build upon.
I have 10 yrs overall experience as a nurse but NO experience in acute care
I WILL be that 20 yr experienced nurse who never started an IV,never been on a med surg floor,etc.
I also live in the northeast, and no one has said boo about my two 'online' degrees, not even in NYC. 20+ years experience trumps my 'schooling', I guess. :)
This.
I live in a neighboring state; they REALLY don't care how you get the BSN; just if you have it..,
My situation is unique i guess,as i do not have 20 yrs experience in acute care to build upon.
I have 10 yrs overall experience as a nurse but NO experience in acute care
I WILL be that 20 yr experienced nurse who never started an IV,never been on a med surg floor,etc.
You still have nursing experience; you work with clientele where abnormal is normal; that's enough of a selling point on e you get the BSN-which they don't CARE where you get it from; experience trumps the degree where it comes from, unless they were burned by a graduate or a certain school; you can find that out by talking to area HRs.
Start selling that experience, get you BSN, and the rest will follow.
I also live in the northeast, and no one has said boo about my two 'online' degrees, not even in NYC. 20+ years experience trumps my 'schooling', I guess. :)
You have got to be kidding me! After you have already worked hard at a brick and mortar school and you are a great nurse, who cares where the bachelor's degree comes from? So you feel it's better if you paid a lot of money for it? LOL. I have been an ADN nurse for 24 years and I know I'm a better nurse with more common sense than some of what is coming in now from these expensive schools. I just want to keep my job and be able to transfer if I want to so I have to have a BSN. One more kid to get through college and I'm outta there! My facility does not care where it came from. Our executive director of nursing has an online degree!
I totally appreciate the comment by smartnurse1982. Most of the time I am 'embarrassed' that I didn't graduate from a more recognizeable and respected college or university. I graduated from the Univ of Phoenix for my RN-BSN & BSN to MBA (in healthcare management). Expensive? Absolutely!!! Learning experience was fair to Midland - Independent study, acccomplished comfortability speaking in large or small groups of people, became a quick and healthy reports and presentations writer... many other items...but professionals don't recognize or approve the UOPHx - so the educational opportunity seems worthless.
If it was an online degree, then I would guess it was in the last 5 years.
Actually, I just looked at the user - Featherz got both of her degrees within the past year, I believe.
No, I got my excelsior degree in 1989 - it was 'through the mail' then, but would be considered 'online' now. My WGU degree for BSN was last year.
As for the nursing glut, I've been at my current position for less than two years - but I've never had problems finding a position. I don't work acute care, however - and I don't wish to. :) My current employer is federal and had no issue with the BSN from WGU.
kalevra, BSN, RN
530 Posts
yes they are