tkrn714

Hi confuzhn, The transcript shows a pass (interpreted to be the equivalent to a B+), then followed by the competency units that were achieved for that course. Competency units is kinda like a credit hour. TKRN714

ex-navy girl, good luck with the program. even if you work full-time, it is do-able. it worked out great with me. i had the support of my husband. my family was understanding and supported me for the two years i was in the program.

Hi LinhNguyen, The AS (associates of science) degree is totally different from the ADN (associates degree nursing) While you are at Richland you can get an Associates in Science degree if you follow their program, but it has nothing to do with the ADN program. It will take you probably 2 years to get it. But it won't help you to get into nursing school and here is why: The classes you take for the AS degree may not be the same equivalent classes (english,math, gov't, history, microbiology, Anatomy and Physiology, etc) that you need to take before you enter TWU. Remember, you have to take 2 years of lower division courses before entering the nursing school. I took anatomy and Physiology for nursing majors at Richland for 2 semesters. I also took 1 semester inorganic chemistry and 1 semester of organic chemistry. There were 4 semesters of English, 2 of history, 1 semester of government, 2 of sociology, 2 of psychology, and a bunch of other courses. These courses were specifically for science majors...people going to medical school or nursing school. The AS degree may not have the very same coursework that you require to get into nursing school. My goal was a BSN, so I only took equivalent courses that were needed. If your goal is AS degree first, then BSN, you have to follow the path of courses that the AS degree designates. Then, when you go to TWU, you still may have to go back to Richland to pick up the required courses to enter Nursing school. So, yes, you can get an AS degree. Usually anyone who has around 70 college credits can get an associates degree of some sort, but will it be the same courses that TWU requires? You have to ask yourself that. Talking to an enrollment counselor will help explain what I am saying. If you are strapped for money, nursing schools have programs to help with that. Since there is a shortage of nurses,and it will be worse in 10 years, they are enticing more people into the profession with grants and low interest loans. Also, there are some hospitals that willl pay for your nursing school if you work for them after you get out. Remember, it is important to plan ahead and take the correct courses at Richland, that are required by TWU. While you are at Richland, you can apply for the College of Nursing at TWU and be placed on their waiting list. For the El Centro and Brookhaven's ADN nursing programs, you take 1 year of courses (known as pre-requisite or academic) at Richland, then 4 semesters of Nursing. At graduation, an Associates degree in Nursing is awarded. I guess the answer to your last question is you can go from Richland to TWU, but why would you want an AS degree? Having an AS degree won't get you into the nursing program at TWU. Also, if you don't want to go to El Centro or Brookhaven you don't have to. But if you decide to go for the ADN program you can, then bridge over to a BSN program at a later time. Remember, it is not necessary to get a BSN. A Registered Nurse is a Registered Nurse. We all take the same board of nursing exam. For information about transferring credits from DCCCD to TWU or another 4 year university, click on the link below: http://www.dcccd.edu/Current%20Students/Student%20Services/Transfer%20Services/Pages/default.aspx Tammy

Hi Linh, RLC does not have a nursing program. You can take all of your academic courses at Richland (like I did), then transfer to a school of nursing, like El Centro or Brookhaven. The counselors at Richland know which courses you would need to take. El Centro and Brookhaven are part of Dallas County Community College District (DCCCD) and are highly ranked nursing schools. You will get an associate's degree if you go there. TWU has a school of nursing located in Denton and Dallas. I attended Richland College for 2 years and got all of my academics out of the way, then applied and got accepted to the Dallas campus at TWU. The nursing program at TWU was 2 years, and awards a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Whichever school you decide on, find out how long the waiting list is. Nursing schools are competitive and select from a large pool of highly qualified applicants that are the best and the brightest. Your grades must be good, and you should be the type of person who cares about people. I have been a registered nurse for 30 years and am glad that I picked this profession. I have pretty much always had a job, except for the 2 times when the companies I worked for went out of business. Also, nursing can be hard work, esp. if you work in a hospital. I hope that I've helped you out, or at least answered some questions. P. S. Most, if not all nursing schools in Texas will accept your courses that you took at DCCCD, but they have to be the correct courses. Each nursing school is slightly different in academic requirements. By contacting several nursing schools you can find out EXACTLY what the academic requirements are, and if you want to proceed with that school.

Hi Reg and Kehorner, I just graduated from WGU in July, the BSN to MSN program....education track. It took 2 full years from start to finish., but some people were able to complete the program within 9 mos. to 15 months. There were a few people in my class that started in the RN-BSN program first. One girl finished in 11 weeks. I asked her how she finished so fast....she had surgery and was off work for quite a while. Then she started in the bsn to msn program and finished it in 9 months. I thought, wow! I can only speak to the BSN -MSN program, but all the information that I learned was brand new to me, which meant that I had to read alot. Then, they determine your competency in 2 ways...by either writing papers or exams. I currently work in a large hospital, and thought that I would like a clinical instructor position when I graduated. We have partnerships with local nursing schools, and am waiting for a position to open. I would be a staff nurse at the hospital, working as a clinical instructor with the nursing schools. WGU is a very good but tough program. It is like no other. Since it is competency based, you have to prove to them that you have knowledge and skill associated with each subject. The papers are written in APA format, and the graders don't let you slide by...they are tough on you. WGU has been involved in distance learning for 10 years now, beginning with the teachers college, and they have online learning down to an art. But 3 times during my program, they changed courses around, for instance... deleted 2 courses but added another. It seems there is a learning curve....probably because of student feedback, which results in changes. WGU is for motivated, self-reliant and self-directed people. You can procrastinate (which I did at times) but then you have to work twice as hard to catch up. It fit in good with my schedule. My mentor stayed with me the duration of the course and called me weekly to keep me on track. They tell you in the beginning to devote at least 20 hours a week to studying. Sometimes I would study just 10 hours, but the following week study about 25 hours. It varied. Writing papers was the hardest for me. I would sit down to write and draw a blank. (at least I'm honest). Good luck with your studies. There is a lot of support out there for students. There is a message board with each course. Questions that you might have, might be there from a previous student, and already answered. They call the message boards "the communities", and that is what they are. If you don't understand something, post a question on the board, and, someone will answer. There is also a facilitator (Masters, PhD,etc) for that course who is knowledgeable about the course and who is monitoring the board. They will answer questions daily to someone who is "stuck" on something. If I can be of more help, please let me know. Tkrn714

(con't from previous post) 2) yes...a 40 hr. practicum is required, but you decide how you will do this. 3) yes....I don't know how many, but others have graduated from the MSN program.

Hi Lauri8218, 1) Yes a preceptor is assigned to you, but she is called a "mentor". They phone you often until you get your feet wet

Hi Lauri8218, The program that I started in August is not difficult, but alot of reading. I am almost finished with my 1st 6 month term, with 3 more to go. The program is competency based, and facilitators and instructors (mentors) will work with you to keep you focused and on track. You work at your own time and speed. It is a wonderful program and structured well. I am on the Education track.

You might look at Western Governors University. www.WGU.edu It's competancy based and totally online. I'm in my first term and they offer 2 specialties in the MSN program. 1) Education track 2) Leadership and management. It is fully accredited (or else I would not be taking it). Hope that this helps.

I don't know what 'modular' is, but WGU is a private university and the MSN program is totally online. They give you many resources to use and a LARGE library to find all sorts of nursing and medical research. The MSN program is about wiriting papers and conducting research online, and you have mentors to contact if you need help. I started in August, and should be through the program in 2 years or sooner. It is all competency based.

HCA is a partner hospital with WGU. If you are a employee of 1 yr (I think) at a HCA hospital, they will reinburse you up to $5200/yr for tuition, plus a 10% discount. The application process went very smooth, and there is a guidance counselor to help you through the process.

I have been accepted into WGU and start August 1. I am in the MSN I work at a HCA hospital, and will get 10% discount off the top. Also, will be reimbursed $5200 a yr for school. I also applied last week for the nursing scholarship, and will find out tommorrow if

I live in North Texas (Dallas area) and would like to obtain an MSN, and looks like the CNS program is the way to go. :wink2: I am currently checking into TWU's program. www.twu.edu . I am an alumni of TWU, and I believe most of their courses are online.