Questions about RN-BSN (UofL, McKendree)

Published

HI,

Anyone in the KY area have experience with UofL's RN-BSN program, online or not? How long is the program? Any other details about UofL's program would be great (there's not a lot of info on their website at all!) And with McKendree, I know they have one day classes, but how long does it take? If you add online to the one day, can you get done with the program earlier?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Trauma,ER,CCU/OHU/Nsg Ed/Nsg Research.

I did McKendree's RN-BSN program, and am in grad school at U of L. I was very happy with McKendree's program, and highly suggest it, if you work full time. You can go 1 day a week (Wednesdays or Saturdays)- usually from 8:30a-4p, but you'll get to leave early on most days. You can take other courses online to finish faster, if you wish. The classes are small, the technology is up-to-date, and the faculty are fabulous. I felt very prepared for grad school, when I completed my BSN. The only thing about McK, is that if you plan on CLEPping any general eds, get them done before you start, because they won't accept any CLEPs done after enrollment.

You'll usually have 1-2 projects/papers for each course, and maybe an exam or 2. Each course lasts 4-6 weeks, so they do fly by. Because of this time crunch, I wouldn't suggest taking more than 2 courses at a time. The best thing about them, is that they treat you like an adult, and a colleague.

As for U of L's online program, I do have a friend that is going that route, and she likes it. In fact, she's from another country, is an ESL student, and has had no problems navigating through the program.

Feel free to PM me, if you need any more info. Good luck to you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks a lot for your reply. I tried to PM you, but for some reason it is not letting me.

Anyway, thanks for the info, but how long is the whole program at McK, 12 months, 18 months? And do you know that info about UofL's program (length)

I'm actually wanting to go down the NP route, but needing to finish up the BSN first. I have four years of ICU exp. I was actually going between Vandy's RN-MSN, or getting my BSN first and just taking the Vandy bridge program (saving about $25000!)

Thanks for your insights.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Trauma,ER,CCU/OHU/Nsg Ed/Nsg Research.

Sorry about that- you can't PM until you have 15 posts. We can just maintain the discussion in this thread. ;)

It took me 12 months to complete McK's program, but that included 2 summers (I began in the summer). U of L's program is 1 year, after the pre-reqs are completed, so it may depend on how many general eds you have already completed. I hear it's usually from 18-24 months. You can email Pat M. here: http://louisville.edu/nursing/online to get a better idea of how long it'll take you.

I was under the impression that Vandy's online program was a MSN with a management concentration? If so, you may end up taking courses you don't need, and may need to take additional courses in the long run for the NP.

One thing to note about U of L's NP programs: their full time students take 12 credit hours at the grad level for at least the first year, which makes for a very busy start. Normal FT grad hours= 9. The good thing about them at that level though, is that they only go to class 1 day a week (Thursdays), and at least 1 course a semester is online.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

That is exactly the info that I needed. Actually Vandy has lots of different NP specialties, the most offered that I've seen. There are quite a few specialties that will let you do the first year online there, but if I narrow it down to FNP rather than ACNP w/cardio specialty, then UofL may be the way to go (and def'y cheaper!!!)

Thanks so much!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Trauma,ER,CCU/OHU/Nsg Ed/Nsg Research.

Great! Let me know what you decide. With your ICU background, you'll get picked up by one of the physician teams you work with pretty quickly, once you're done. I've seen this happen with all of my critical care coworkers, who have become NPs- as soon as they graduate, even.

Good luck to you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I just got an email from McK - they said the program was 2 years w/o seeing my transcripts. I'm assuming you made yours a 12 mo program b/c of the two summers?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Trauma,ER,CCU/OHU/Nsg Ed/Nsg Research.

I had a few general eds already CLEPped, and I did take some concurrent online courses to get done (plus the summer courses). I really don't know anybody that has taken 2 years to complete, though- and I knew everybody there...lol.

Here's the course list to give you a better idea of where you'll be: http://mckendree.edu/current/Nursing.aspx

If you go in the office on campus, they can give you the courses offered for each semester, so you can see what you can take online, and what to take in the classroom each semester. They rotate which classes are offered each semester, so you'll be in a rotation with the same group during the entire program.

It's totally do-able in 1 year. ;)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Trauma,ER,CCU/OHU/Nsg Ed/Nsg Research.

http://ky.mckendree.edu/nursing.php

Oops- here is the RN-BSN course list for the L'ville campus. This one will make more sense. Sorry about that!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You've been so helpful. I'm faxing over my unoff transcripts for them to review today. Thanks a lot!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Trauma,ER,CCU/OHU/Nsg Ed/Nsg Research.

No problem- good for you! :yeah:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC.

Thansk for this information on mcKendree's Rn-BSN. I am planning on enrolling next Fall and have been looking at programs that will be 12 months or less. Am here in Louisville, KY. So thanks again! - Quiet Storm

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion