RN to BSN after being away from school for awhile....

Dixielee, BSN, RN · Aug 10, 2004

I'm sure all schools have different rules of credit expirations, but I went to Emory in Atlanta for my BSN after having gotten my AS 15 or so years earlier. I was working there and could go to school free. I usually took 1-2 classes per semester until I was finished. I am really glad I did it. It will not change the way you practice necessarily, but it will broaden your world view of things. Our classes were geared toward RN's and we had classes with other RN's so the atmosphere was completely different than my first time around. Clinicals are more or less on your own. We chose different preceptors and did some interesting things. It is not like basic school where you have a clinical instructor follow you around watching you give patient care. They assume since you are already licensed, that is not why you are in school. 2 great classes that stick in my mind are "Power, politics and policy" where we spent time with the Ga. legislature, the GNA and lobbiest (SP??) for certain medical interest groups. We sat in on Health and Human Services committees and they actually asked our advice on several healthe care issues coming to vote. The other was on "other cultures". I can't remember the title of it, but we were to choose a culture we wanted to study. Find a member of that culture who had been in the US long enough to know what our culture was like but not so long that they had lost theirs, i.e. language, foods, ideals, families etc. Each of us chose something different and had to do an indepth interview of someone from that culture. We were to read a novel written from their point of view, eat food from their heritage, etc. The end of the semester w shared what we had learned with the class in a round table discussion. It was quite interesting. There were other classes that were wonderful, but those stand out. I am so glad I did it and someday maybe I will actually finish my masters! Good luck on returning to school, I hope you find it as rewarding as I did.

Trauma Columnist · Aug 10, 2004

I just finished my BSN in May 04 online and I've been an RN for 10 years. Like above poster said - it may not make you a better bedside nurse, but it definitely improves your world view. Not to mention - opens up doors.

Winknme · Aug 11, 2004

Thanks for your replies - I agree, I don't think having a BSN will change how I practice nursing - just want to broaden my horizons and open some doors....

Tweety, BSN, RN · Aug 11, 2004

Congrats traumaRUS on graduating!!! :)

I've gotten accepted in an RN to BSN program and a good deal of the courses transferred from my first college experience in the early 80s. I think as long as it was an accredited college you're o.k.

Good luck!