macmagick

6th GRADE!!! That is when I decided I wanted to be a nurse. I was in the hospital after having my Appendix removed. This LPN took care of me and I was so impressed by her compassion and willingness to help me and make me feel better. I asked my mother if men could be nurses and before my mother could answer, this LPN said "of course" and then she talked about an hour how she had just finished nursing school and how exciting it was for her to be a nurse. I knew then, I wanted to be a nurse. When I gratuated high school, I went on to enroll in a diploma nursing school and graduated class of 1979 and have been an RN ever since. If I have to work for a living, I can't imagine doing anything else.

Again, as the OP of this thread, I want to thank EVERYONE for their thoughts and comments regarding this issue. As for my original post, I am still hoping to hear of others who have actually obtained their degrees online either initial or advanced and then gone on to pursure acceptance into advanced degree programs from colleges or universitites other than the "online/distance" college they attended.

Thanks Ken, I have ordered your book and you are an inspiration.

Thanks to everyone who responded to this thread I posted. I have gained a lot of information in a very short period of time regarding this topic. I am excited as I move forward working on my BSN. I guess one of the things I miss most about a more formal classroom is the chat which would take place between peers and/or fellow classmates. I see this website as an excellent venue to fill that gap for me. Thanks again for the responses.

Point taken. Thanks so much for your comment. Being an old diploma nurse we have tooted the horn of being the nurses with "tons" of experience for years but also living in the shadows of hearing our own profession suggest that the goal of every RN should be at minimum a BSN.

When it comes to schools of nursing there are two accrediting agencies right? If I take a online course from a college or university which has been accredited by the appropriate agencies (NLN is one and I think there is one more) then it just seems passing that course should be acceptable to other schools who are also accredited. Thanks for your response.

I have taken online classes through California State University, Dominguez Hills working on my BSN (I am a diploma RN). I agree with others who have commented the coursework is not easy and I too have written many papers which are required for these online courses. I mention this because when I recieve an "A" or "B" from an online course, I feel I have earned it and that I am taking and passing courses at a collegiate level. It has come to my attention that some colleges and universities frown upon a degree earned via distance or online learning. I guess I do not understand? If I am attending a college or university "online" or via "distance learning" and it is an accredited university or college, doesn't the accreditation and my course grades speak for themselves? I am posting this thread because after I achieve my BSN, I do plan to apply to a MSN program. While I realize MSN programs are also available online and through distance education, I would hope that my earned BSN from an accredited college or university would not be challenaged or become a hindrance because I earned it "Online" or by "Distance Learning". I would be interested in hearing from others who have obtained their degrees online or through distance learning and who have gone on to obtain MSN or higher degrees at other Universities or Colleges.

Are the prices you have quoted for UW for residents of Wyoming or anyone who takes their online courses?

Thanks for the info. I guess I will stick with CSUDH even though I have moved back East, actually Southeast. One of the nice things about online programs is that the location of the base college or unversity is not a major issue.

Thanks for the info. I had read about their program and will investigate it further. Macmagick

I am a diploma RN and have been working on my BSN through California State University, Dominguez Hills - On-Line. I have also checked out other Insititutions for comparisons in price as well as curriculum required. I was told by one Private University that the "Online" courses all charge the same standard price which was $368.00 per credit hour. I was informed by a state goverened University that the above statement is not true and that private colleges can and do charge more. If anyone has more information regarding the per credit hour fees for online, I also would appreciate the info. Mac :imbar

Are there any RN to BSN Programs in Georgia designed for the working nurse? I have taken Online classes through CSUDH and could continue doing so in Georgia but would prefer a more formal classroom structure in the evening or weekends. Brenau University in Gainesville had a weekend program but I have been informed by their admissions office that it will not take place this year due to lack of interest. I am an old diploma nurse interested in working on my BSN and perhaps one day on my MSN. Thanks for any info you might have regarding this topic. Mac.