Online vs. On Campus

[ItsThatJenGirl, CNA]

Can someone talk this through with me?

Option 1: There is a BSN program here in town that I plan on applying to. It's on campus. It's inexpensive and NCLEX pass rate is 89%. It's very, very competitive, but according to my advisor I should have no trouble getting in. It's a 24 month program, summers off.

My advisor also told me about an online BSN program. All course content is online, and the school has clinical sites here in town as well as a SIM lab. It's self paced - so I do the work when I choose to and go through each class as quickly or as slowly as I need to. The program is anywhere from 15-36 months, depending on how long I need. The NCLEX pass rate is 90% and the cost is slightly cheaper than the option I mentioned above.

Both programs are accredited.

I graduate in May with my Associate's of Science in Biology. I have a few more classes to take for the BSN in town, and the BSN online would require a few more. I'll start Spring 2018 either way. If I do the in town program, I'll have time to complete my EMT-B certification so I can work as a tech during the summer. If I do the out of town school that would be out.

I'm very good at (and prefer) online courses. All of my degree work - aside from sciences - has been done online and my GPA is pretty decent at 3.7.

Which program would you choose? The online option has stricter requirements and a more rigorous application process. Are there any drawbacks that you can think of for the online degree?

I'm going to apply to both regardless, but I do want to consider all the positives and drawbacks of each program and I'm sure there are things that I'm not considering.

Thanks in advance for any input!

[emily34812]

I personally would go to the in-person school if it were me. It really depends on what kind of learner you are though. Additionally, I would maybe ask about the different clinical sites and whether you go as a group w/ other classmates or must arrange to go on your own.

[ItsThatJenGirl, CNA]

I personally would go to the in-person school if it were me. It really depends on what kind of learner you are though. Additionally, I would maybe ask about the different clinical sites and whether you go as a group w/ other classmates or must arrange to go on your own.

It's a cohort, so we're all together. All of the clinical stuff is handled by the school, we just show up when we're told. There is an onsite clinical instructor and you have an academic coach. All the lectures and information is the exact same as the on campus program (it's all recorded).

I was mistaken about moving at my own pace - everything is set when you are accepted. They do one class at a time, with the clinical (24 hours a week). When that class is done, you get a two week break, then onto the next class. All tests are proctored at the clinical site.

[FutureNurseInfo]

I think online school sounds great! I mean, it is cheaper, you can work at your own pace and you said you do really well with online classes. However, if it were me, I would do in-class, mainly because I need motivation to study, and going to school and physically being there is the motivation I need.

[PrereqTaker89]

Congrats on graduating this May! If it were me I would prefer the online route since it sounds like you learn well from books. The material in nursing school is pretty straightforward right? Also I know you've mentioned you have young children at home. I have an almost 18 month old so I'd definitely prefer school online.

[SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP]

Talk to the nurses and/or HR department in the facilities you wish to work at when you've completed your RN. Do they hire grads from the online school vs. the in-class school? That should be the biggest factor. You want a degree that's going to get your foot in the door.

[ItsThatJenGirl, CNA]

Talk to the nurses and/or HR department in the facilities you wish to work at when you've completed your RN. Do they hire grads from the online school vs. the in-class school? That should be the biggest factor. You want a degree that's going to get your foot in the door.

That's a good idea, thanks!

[cocoa_puff]

Hmm, I would probably do the online program, mostly because I like staying at home in my PJs, drinking hot cocoa and working on assignments. If online learning works better for you, I think it would be a good choice. You don't have to worry about snow days and missing class, aside from clinical.

[ItsThatJenGirl, CNA]

Hmm, I would probably do the online program, mostly because I like staying at home in my PJs, drinking hot cocoa and working on assignments. If online learning works better for you, I think it would be a good choice. You don't have to worry about snow days and missing class, aside from clinical.

Haha @ your edit :)

I'm going to apply to both and see what happens. I much prefer online learning, so if I get accepted to both, I'll likely attend UT Arlington.

[Shawn91111]

I have had 4 online classes so far, and I just don't like them all that much. Yes doing it on your schedule is nice, but I felt I wasn't getting the same out of it, and if the classes were for my major it would be that much worse for me personally.

[jess.mont, ADN, RN]

I'm looking at a self-directed program as well, and hospitals in our area say they LOVE graduates of the program because they are self-motivated, confident, and independent. You're an excellent student. This will give you more flexibility AND YOU CAN DO IT!

[carrotrunr]

One other thing to consider is the support of your cohort. My program has in-person classes, and the 63 members of my cohort are all-together several hours a week. For clinicals, a subset of this large cohort is assigned to a clinical instructor and one area of the hospital. I've really appreciated having this great network of people to lean on when classes are wearing me down or I don't understand an assignment. Perhaps you can also get that through an online program (or with your clinical group), but how much interaction you want to have with your classmates is something to ponder.