Phoenix16, RN

https://www.aspen.edu/accreditation

Hi; I'm just seeing this. You can work ahead in the sense that you have access to the discussion posts and papers for each module. However, you must submit them once the module opens each week. I completed my BSN through Aspen, and I was able to go on vacation by completing the papers ahead of time and when the module officially opened; I was laying in our cabin, I opened my laptop, and hit submit; then I was done. As for the discussion posts; I did the same thing; I answered ahead of time and submitted. The only thing was I had to respond to 2 classmates by 2359. Hope this helps. Keep in mind that classes start every 2 weeks, so u can plan ahead by not signing up for a class if it's going to be right in the middle of your vacay. Sometimes you really need to get away from books and all. Hope that helps.

I completed my RN to BSN program there, and although the program was challenging ( lots and lots of sleepless nights) it was doable, and affordable. My academic advisor J. S. Was knowledgeable about each class that I was taking; any questions/concerns that I had he guided me in the right direction. I don't know about people on the forum who may or may not be working for the school, but I am a real student who started out as a CNA years ago. You can also see my trend of post. Right now I'm in a MSN program at another popular online university and unfortunately, there is not much support. The academic advisor that I have (your experience may be different) has no knowledge of the classes and usually directs you right back to the instructor. I would recommend Aspen to anyone.

I agree with everything that you posted some nurses do not follow through with their duties on the shift; however, I noticed you did not comment on the possibility of HIPPA violation. I live in a small town and I would hate for someone to know what disease or ailment I had while hospitalized only because the nurse announced it during bedside report. I would appreciate your thoughts on that. I am for it, but not if it is not a private room. Thank you for responding to my post.

Your suggestion sounds like the reasonable thing to do; which is what I proposed to the committee. I think information about the patient's admitting diagnosis should be done away from the patient if not in a private room, and then both nurses go in to hand off and introduce the next nurse. That is when I think the oncoming nurse should check bed alarms if applicable, any med running, IV site, insertion date etc...

Many studies that have shown that bedside report is beneficial to patients; mainly because patients feel involved in their plan of care and can make corrections if needed. However, I have been experiencing the downside to that. I am all for bedside reporting, but I think it should be done only in private rooms. I say this because, recently, after giving a report on a patient who had double pneumonia(PNA), the roommate overheard the diagnosis and immediately requested to change room because of her admitting condition of asthma. This time of year, if you live up north can be brutal on the respiratory system, and on that occasion, we were full. The patient then called her family and told them about the roommates PNA diagnosis, and so they came in and was noticeably irritated and loud. That resulted in other patients hearing about the roommate's condition. Based on situations like that, giving bedside report in double occupancy rooms are no different than discussing a patient's condition in the elevator or the cafeteria. Would that not be considered a HIPPA violation? What are your thoughts?

I like your response. There are some nurses who want report from H&P even though the patient has been hospitalized for over a month. I provide what was given the previous shift, what happened on my shift, and anything that they may need to do on their shift. For ex. if the pt is on IV Vanco, then I make sure to tell the nurse when the next trough is due; or if the pt will be going to radiology or will be NPO etc. I'm sorry but if they want to know about lab results from 30 days ago that have since been resolved; then there is the computer.

I agree that initially having a ASN may not provide the opportunity for you to work in a magnet hospital, but you have that EMT experience and some places may consider that as having some medical experience. Additionally, you can complete the ASN to BSN online after attending community college. I became an ASN I 2016 and have already earned my BSN online and is currently in a MSN program. There are a few different ways to get to having a BSN. Personally I got the LPNN then completed the LPN to ASN bridge, then the BSN online. Ultimately, you must do what is best for you, but I could not justify spending all that money when you could achieve the same goals for ALOT less. Good luck.

Hello forum, i am am interested in SNHU online BSN to MSN program and is looking for some insight into what a week of course work looks like. I completed my BSN at another online school and each week entails 1 discussion post with 400 word minimum and it was required to answer to at least classmates post with a 200 word minimum. That was followed by an assignment which could either be an APA format paper anywhere between 1000 - 2500 words depending on the instructor. Some instructors may require a power point presentation instead of a paper. Thank you in advance for all your response

HUM410 is the class I mentioned that teaches you the correct way to format papers using APA style. The RN-BSN program requires 10 nursing classes that must be completed at Aspen, however, I needed an additional six classes to meet the 50 liberal arts requirement. I did Medical Terminology, N490, and Statistics with HUM410. Well I knew I could add more classes because I would finish the discussion posts and sometimes the assignment in three or four days. Again, this is based on my ability and choices. I have a hard time sleeping for more than a few hours so I decided to use those awaken hours wisely. I must advise that some of the instructors have different expectations when grading so be mindful of this before submitting assignments just to ensure what "they" really want. The instruction are generic so mak sure you ask questions.

This part (Current RN licensure in Virginia or compact state) means that if you are already licensed in one of the compact state you could apply. This part (All selected new graduate applicants must take and pass NCLEX within 90 days of graduation date.") they will hire you as a newly graduated student, and you will keep the job on the contingency that you take and pass the NCLEX within 90 days. This part ( Graduate of, or within 90 days of graduation from, an accredited RN nursing program) means that they would hire you three months before you graduated from your program. E.g. Your graduation is June, but they would hire you in the month of March. Hope this helps to clarify things for you. FYI - You should also contact the facility for further clarification. "REQUIREMENTS: Graduate of, or within 90 days of graduation from, an accredited RN nursing program. Current RN licensure in Virginia or compact state, or eligible for licensure. All selected new graduate applicants must take and pass NCLEX within 90 days of graduation date." What exactly does "eligible for licensure" mean? Does it mean I need to receive my authorization to test (ATT) before I apply, or does it mean that I need to take (and pass of course) my NCLEX before I can even apply? Any help regarding this would be greatly appreciated :)

Hi, My classes are going ok. The amount of classes I take depend on how busy I am at any given time. There are times when I am enrolled in four classes at once, while other time I am enrolled in only two like now. Initially, they do request that you start with the writing class to ensure that you learn proper APA format, but I requested to do two more classes and was allowed to do so. As of today I have three classes left to complete which I plan to do this Summer. All courses last two months, and start every two weeks , so you do have the opportunity to stagger them if you so choose. These classes are by no means a cake walk, but if you put in the effort you will do great. Please let me know if I can provide you with more info.

Since I started this year I have met a few people who have earned their MSN through them and have no problem transferring to local universities in MA. The final decision is yours, but I have to say that I am very pleased with my decision to attend.

9hojo, So far my program is going great; I started in August and will finish my fifth class this December. You are in control of your finishing time to an extent. Initially, you will be limited to do just the writing class which is one of the ten nursing classes required, after that you can speak with your advisor and request they increase the amount of classes you can do at once. I am currently enrolled in four classes. I work full time, and have an autistic toddler so it can be done. If I did not have to do a few liberal arts course, I would be able to finish the program by June of next year. It is a great program, and the payment plan makes it stress free, that is until you need to graduate. It does make sense that you will need to make your payments before you are able to get your degree. By the way I am doing the BSN not the MSN; that will come immediately after I have completed this.

I disagree; your health status is very pertinent if a code is called and you are too big to move fast enough to assist in the life saving measures. No no one is saying being overweight makes you a bad or ineffective nurse. The point I think people are trying to make is the obvious one. Your weight becomes a problem when it starts to affect your ability to do your job. It's not about not being smart enough. Stephen Hawkins has one of the most brilliant minds but you do not see him trying to run a marathon? That's because his body isn't capable. The fact is; if you can no longer work on a fast paced unit, and your patients lives are at risk because of that, then you probably need to have a conversation with yourself. No one sees a Dentist with bad teeth, or goes to a Dietician who is morbidly obese, that is just a fact. I love how when people are replying to a post they take out only a piece of it to quote, and totally disregard the rest of it. Funny how that changes the whole point of the message one is trying to get across.

I totally agree; it is your business when a code is called and they are too big to move quick enough to save the patients life. Morbidly obese is not okay and that's not being judgemental, it is a fact!

I disagree; because it is not a truck drivers job to be trying to convince that they need to change their eating habit/lifestyle; it is ours as nurses. He is not looked at as a hippocrite if he's 600lbs because his job does not involve anything to do with health. I can just imagine that conversation between a 400lbs truck driver, and a nurse who weighs the same trying to convince him to change his eating habit lol. Our profession that we choose sometimes dictates how we have to live our lives; it probably shouldn't be that way, but that's the way it is. Clearly this is a topic that everyone will not see eye to eye on, people will always defend their point of view, and I do not think this topic will change that. We have to see that it is a problem people; denying it does not make it go away. The next thing is they will be charging extra on airplanes and buses if the person is taking up too much space. How we choose to live our lives should be up to us, but some profession requires almost perfection. Just look what's going on now in the election; one could argue "who cares about stupid emails if she can run the country" and another would say "who cares if his wife posed nude with other women" that's because if you are professing to be so great; you just have to look and act the part. Do u think anyone cares if their plumber or gardner is overweight? I don't think so! When you chose healthcare you are held to a higher standard. That's the truth and trying to defend obesity will not change that.

Why are we hiding behind the fact that we sometimes do not get lunch breaks, and that we have to pick at grub we can find to eat at midnight? Seriously, Nursing is not the only profession where people work through their lunch breaks, so please just stop that nonsense. This is not the only stressful job out there people. I know, I get it, nursing requires us to be super humans, but when you are out of work just about every year because you have to do knee and hip surgery because your little joints can not handle the 400lbs you're carry around; clearly that is your body telling you that it's just too much! Yes, one being obese does not mean that you are not capable, experienced, and possibly knows as much as any MD; but that advanced knowledge may not be what is needed when a code is called when you can not move fast enough to help save the patients that needs our help. I get it hypothyroidism, menopause are a few things that can affect your weight, but what about those that do not have any of those health concerns? I know I couldn't sleep at night if I knew my obesity prevented me from effectively doing my job, and a patient died because of that; could you?

I agree with most if not all of these post; we are people too. However, I think I would find it difficult to take "healthy eating habit tips" from a nurse who is obese. That's like going to listen to the pastor preach every Sunday about fidelity, and warning not to fornicate when he's cheating on his wife. I'm sure most of us would say that pastor is a hypocrite; correct! For the record I'm overweight; my BMI is 26.8 and I'm trying my best to look the part. I'm sharing this with you because I do not want people to think I'm a size or 4 and being judgemental; I assure you that is not the case. I just think if we are going to get up on our high horses and be insisting that our patients take better care of themselves; then maybe we should start doing that too. Would you want a dentist with rotted teeth? I get it, we have Sergio schedules where lunch time is almost a luxury, but we need to remember that we only have one life, and we should do our best to take care of it. I hope I did not offend any one; I am just saying what I believe; I could be wrong and that is only my opinion.

Thank you for sharing. I must say I honestly was not thinking about their stock price, as I think most institutions go into business to make money, unless they are a charitable one. I have a crazy hectic life with an Autistic child and just wanted to know if this school was a good fit in terms of accreditation, cost, and resources. So far that seem to be the case, but I guess I really won't know until I have completed it myself. Keep up the good work and thank you again for sharing.

Thank you for sharing; ultimately, my plan is to become a NP.

Thank you so much for that:)

Thank you so much. I keep reading positive reviews about Aspen, and so far communication with them has been great! I've decided to go with them; worst case scenario I'll do the MSN through them. Thank you again.

Hi Dr. Gayol I have just been accepted and was about to sign the enrollment forms when I decided to search for threads. Course of study is RN to BSN. Everything seem almost too perfect; low tuition ($325/cr for nursing classes and $150 for general studies), and communication. My major concern is this, I live in Massachusetts, if I complete this program will I be able to transfer to UMASS for example if I chose to, will the credits be accepted or will I ultimately have to do my MSN at Aspen? That may be my plan who knows seeing that its so cost effective, but I do not want a degree that limits me. Also, I work for the state, will they accept this degree? I know it is CCNE accredited, but it is not ACEN. I am just very concerned about the fact that it is not regionally accredited, and will that affect me in the future. Thank you in advance for your information.

Hello All, I have been accepted to Aspen University's RN to BSN program. It is CCNE accredited, but not regional. My question is; are there anyone out there that have completed the program that resides in Massachusetts? if so, where you able to transfer any of the classes to another University? I have read a few threads from people from other states that were all great/positive, however, MA can be a little more challenging when it comes to accepting out of state online degrees. Thank you in advance