Riverside vs. Sentara BSN

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I was wondering if anyone could give me their opinion on Riverside's diploma program vs Sentara's BSN. I know the BSN doesn't start until next year, but there is a lot of information on it, and I'd heard people going to the open houses.

I like the clinical advantages Riverside seems to have over other schools. The Sentara BSN program sounds like it's a great opportunity, but it just seems like so much time. I added up the total costs of tuition plus pre-reqs(minus uniforms/books/etc.) and Sentara is about $1400 more than Riverside, which isn't much for a BSN vs. a diploma.

But if you add in the extra time to become a CNA - which I didn't know about- it sounds like it would be too time consuming for those who have to continue working. Does anyone else have this problem?

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Specializes in GI/Endoscopy, IV infusion, Surgery.

Hi Sara.

I too am wrestling with the same problem. I am an LPN now and would like to obtain my MSN/MBA. This fall I will have completed all my pre reqs for both programs. I have decided to aim for sentara however If I can get into the Riverside program due to start in Jan I will be complete by the end of 2010 and can apply for the RN/BSN program through sentara or odu. I do know that Sentara has the most clinical hands on experience of all the nursing programs. I have heard wonderful things about the Riverside program as well. It also helps that riverside has an evening program!! There are so many ways to get your RN depending on how you what to go about getting it. I plan to choose the path of least resistance, so long as it works within my future plans and my family!! So whatever path you choose I wish you... Good Luck!:wink2:

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Specializes in Stepdown.
I was wondering if anyone could give me their opinion on Riverside's diploma program vs Sentara's BSN. I know the BSN doesn't start until next year, but there is a lot of information on it, and I'd heard people going to the open houses.

I like the clinical advantages Riverside seems to have over other schools. The Sentara BSN program sounds like it's a great opportunity, but it just seems like so much time. I added up the total costs of tuition plus pre-reqs(minus uniforms/books/etc.) and Sentara is about $1400 more than Riverside, which isn't much for a BSN vs. a diploma.

But if you add in the extra time to become a CNA - which I didn't know about- it sounds like it would be too time consuming for those who have to continue working. Does anyone else have this problem?

Hi Sara! Yes...I am having the same issues. I'm currently and LPN student and will finish up next year (May 2010) Once I graduate I will be taking pre-reqs for the RN program. Now my problem is that once I'm done should I just go straight for the BSN or go Diploma then do RN-BSN or go LPN-BSN at NSU for the 15mth bridge program evenings weekends. :banghead:It's sooo much to decide and plan. I feel as long as I have options I'm ok. :up: People look at me like I'm crazy because I have stated to plan my route of education. I'm a planner it's just who I am. I like to know what my next step is gonna to be so I know what my responsibility lies. I hope you know you are not alone.

Good luck to you!

Stephanie,SPN:nurse:

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Go for the BSN. This will give you more options for employment in the future. Magnet hospitals are under pressure to increase the number of BSN-prepared nurses in employment and I know of many hospitals in the US that have switched their hiring practices to reflect this. VCU, UVA, Inova Fairfax among others in Virginia made over 3/4 of their new grad offers this year to BSN-prepared nurses.

Several of the Sentara hospitals are either Magnet hospitals (or are working on Magnet applications).

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Yes, what I think I'm going to do is shoot for TNCC's nursing program and if I make it, then go for an RN-BSN. If I don't make it into that, I think I'll just finish my pre-reqs for Sentara and follow that course.

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Specializes in GI/Endoscopy, IV infusion, Surgery.
Yes, what I think I'm going to do is shoot for TNCC's nursing program and if I make it, then go for an RN-BSN. If I don't make it into that, I think I'll just finish my pre-reqs for Sentara and follow that course.

That makes good sense. What can you tell me about TNCC program? Are they very competitive?

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That makes good sense. What can you tell me about TNCC program? Are they very competitive?

I haven't met with any of the staff to confirm the exact details of it, but I have friends who are enrolled in TNCC and say that it's extremely competitive. One of them said there was a girl in her class with a 3.5+ GPA that was struggling with getting in. TNCC's website says that there is the 50-60 seat campus in Hampton, and the 10 seat campus in Williamsburg; but that there is still a lot more people applying than seats. This is probably the case with most places, but I suppose that this is also the result of TNCC's cheap tuition.

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so are you saying that if you go to sentara you have to become a care partner and work at the same time?? If so I think you might be mistaken. I go there and what you might be talking about is after your 1st semester in the program you are now qualified to become a care partner and may be do so if you wish. Sentara has alot of clinical hours. Its usually 2 days in class and 2 days in clinical a week (starting off) I don't know if much of the rules has changed for the BSN program but I suggest that you get some information from the school itself before making your decisions because sometimes hearing things from others aren't always truthful.

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Here is another option. Get your RN where ever you choose and whatever program works best for your schedule. Riverside has an excellent program. I am not sure if Sentara has just the RN now or only the BSN but they are terrific as well. The community colleges are great also, however, they have long wait lists. Either way once you get your RN you can transfer to ODU's RN-BSN program. The whole thing can even be done online if you need to work at the same time. That way you have your RN and you can decide what to do. Just be careful if you go the RN only route first. All nursing programs have different prerequisites. Once you get your RN you just finish ODU's requirements for the BSN.

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so are you saying that if you go to sentara you have to become a care partner and work at the same time?? If so I think you might be mistaken. I go there and what you might be talking about is after your 1st semester in the program you are now qualified to become a care partner and may be do so if you wish. Sentara has alot of clinical hours. Its usually 2 days in class and 2 days in clinical a week (starting off) I don't know if much of the rules has changed for the BSN program but I suggest that you get some information from the school itself before making your decisions because sometimes hearing things from others aren't always truthful.

I didn't just hear it; I read it. The PDF from Sentara's website states: "Tradition Track Only - Successfully complete a nurse aide program, pass the NNAAP exam to be certified in Comm. Of VA. Must be completed by 300 level nursing courses- show proof of enrollment."

http://www.sentara.edu/programs/traditional_bsn.shtml - Click on "Application Worksheet - Are you eligible to apply?"

And tessa45: Have you attended and/or are attending ODU for nursing? Is there anything you can tell me about how good their program is from experience?

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Sara- My daughter is taking her pre-reqs now and is planning to enroll in Riverside. We explored all the options. We went to Sentara for the open houses about 1.5 years ago. Sounded like a wonderful program, however the commute to the campus was about

50 minutes from where we live and she did not think she would do well with the new distance learning program that was closer. The community colleges had about a one to one and a half year wait after you got accepted. Spoke with the department head at ODU and they said they have 80 slots for nursing and receive about 200 very qualified applicants. Making that a really hard program to get into. The lady at ODU suggested getting your RN and then getting a job and then transfer into the RN to BSN program. So Riverside was her choice as it is only a 10 minute commute and then she will go to ODU. Sentara spoke very highly of their program and recommended their students to them. I do know of a couple of people who went to ODU and said it was very good. What my daughter liked about the hospitals are that they offer way more clinical time than community college or bachelor's programs. Also hospitals will hire their students first. What Sentara is offering now sounds like the best of all programs: not much of a wait list, you earn a bachelors, very reasonably priced, and lots of clinical time.

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Yes the only thing I'm concerned about is the distance too, Sentara's campus is also about 50 minutes from where I live. I'm wondering if maybe I'll maybe finish my pre-reqs, go to Riverside, and move to Chesapeake later on to earn my RN-BSN through Sentara. I feel like that would be much more expensive than waiting out for TNCC's nursing program, and then getting my RN-BSN with Sentara still. Do you know if there were to be any supervisor's of the off-campus Sentara classes that had actual knowledge of what we were being taught, and could answer questions we might have?

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