online RN-MSN w/ BS in non-nursing field

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Specializes in ER, pediatrics.

I have my RN (associate degree only) and a BS in a non-nursing field. So... I am looking for a school that offers RN-MSN online for those in my situation (non-nursing BS already). The only school I know of is U of Phoenix. You have to take 3 bridge classes to get into their MSN. Are there any other online schools out there I should look at before jumping into U of Phoenix?? U of Phoenix is on the expensive side for me. Thanks!

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

I think there are several. I know that Old Dominion University (in Norfolk, Virginia) has options for people in that situation & I think one of those options is totally online, but I am not 100% sure. I know they have an online BSN completion program and that they have an RN-MSN program, but I am not 100% sure they can be combined. But it's probably worth visiting their website to find out.

llg

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Drexel has a bridge online program but it is more expensicve than UoP.

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I have done a lot of research on this question, and I finally went with U of Phx. Their bridge requirement is less than most of the other schools I researched, and most online programs will only accept BSNs, period.

Since you are in California, though, you ought to look at Cal State-Dominguez Hills. I believe they have a program to accommodate BA/BS RNs, and I'm pretty sure the tuition is low.

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I just spoke with Florida State University about this very topic last month. They are putting together an online RN to MSN program that will be offered starting in either January or August of 2007. They will require 2 years of experience and it will be 7 semesters long.

HTH and Good luck!

Carla

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I'm at St Joseph's College of Maine....RN to MSN, totally online. You do have to take one summer residency class in Maine, two weeks long. Tuition is a lot less than UOP. Private college, accredited...not well-known...but has an excellent reputation. Here's a link http://www.sjcme.edu

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Specializes in SICU, Public Health.

Hi, I had the same situation...a BA in History (from a lifetime ago) and a more recent ADN. I looked at Walden U (they want 65 credits!) and Excelsior College. I chose U of Phoenix because the program is set up for one class at a time, each taking 6 weeks. The pace and scheduling work better for me (I'm a single mom with an 8 year old at home and I work full time).

Good luck!

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I did my BSN and MSN with UofP and was very pleased with my education. Good luck.

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Specializes in Case Manager, Home Health.
Since you are in California, though, you ought to look at Cal State-Dominguez Hills. I believe they have a program to accommodate BA/BS RNs, and I'm pretty sure the tuition is low.

Nope, they require a BSN, too. From their web site:

"Completion of a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution with an upper division major in nursing (BSN) and a NLNAC or CCNE accredited nursing program or the equivalent as determined by CSUDH Student Affairs Committee."

www.csudh.edu/hhs/son/msn/admission.htm

Now what is interesting is the last part where they mention "or the equivalent" No idea what that is but I doubt they'd take my BA in Business Finance as "equivalent."

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Specializes in Perinatal, Education.

No CSU Dominguez Hills does not require a BSN for their Pathway Program. I have a BA in Psych and an ADN. I am just finishing my first year of the MSN in education from CSUDH. It is primarily on-line and you pay just the Cal State tuition which is between 1,000 and 1,700 a semester depending on the units. It is a long program because they do have you take the public health nurse courses and, of course, the prereqs for the MSN courses but it is do-able and much less expensive than U of P.

I am now thinking about the PhD program at UCLA--don't know if I will finish at CSUDH or not. I need to speak with UCLA and see what they require. That's not a reflection on the CSUDH program, though. Contact them--they are very helpful!

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Specializes in Home Health, Primary Care.

It all depends on what you want to pursue. I'm in a similar situation to the OP. I have a BS in Biotech and an ADN. Nursing Education interests me most, so I've looked at both Walden Univ. and Graceland Univ. Both seem to be totally online. Graceland is slightly more, but both are cheaper than Phoenix as far as I can tell.

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I just withdrew from this bridge program after 1 complete class Intro to Grad Studies. Explore if you will like learning teams! You will be subject to working with a group of 4-5, purposely across time zones, each class with your learning team you write a charter. If you are with people who don't care to check in and work as a team, your grade suffers. If you have a team member who plagarizes, all do not pass. Just know what you are getting into. I have a Masters in adult education, learning teams are NOT aligned with how adults learn

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