Grand Canyon University RN to BSN Reviews

Nursing Students School Programs Nursing Q/A

Howdy all, I bit the bullet and after much research, I decided on Grand Canyon! Wow, I did not expect BSN schools to be like used car salesmen--hounding me by emails and phone calls. Rather impressed on how Grand Canyon sort of left me alone, but at the same time kept in touch.

Commence my first class Sept 30th, excited, yet very nervous, as I'm not a big fan of school, LOL! I did extremely well on my Associate degree, graduated back in 2009 from Northern Virginia Community College. We shall see.

Would love to hear from past and present Grand Canyon RN to BSN students.

howlee said:
Wow! I am a brand new grad. I did not know certain states would not accept the BSN from GCU. I did have a mentor and went through the new 10 week capstone class. The mentor had to be an RN with a BSN or higher and had to work at the approved cite that was used during the Capstone class. The cite and mentor had to be approved in advance by the school. Ill be curious to see what other have to say about this!

"The BSN and MSN at GCU are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Select states may have additional requirements to meet their standards; reference your enrollment agreement or contact GCU for more information. GCU's accredited program is aligned to standards established by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN)." ALL STATES will recognize the BSN designation.

I haven't heard any good things about ethics.......only heard of instructors to avoid. Did anyone have a positive experience? Please pm me any tips/suggestions.

tokmom said:
Former GCU grad here and I have a question after reading this thread.

Does GCU now require mentors, or hospital affiliations? Do you have to do hours with a preceptor? I ask this, because my state no longer accepts the GCU BSN, but does accept the MSN because a person has a preceptorship. Until this changes for the BSN, my state will not accept.

Lastly, has GCU gone non profit again? It sure would be nice to get out under the 'for profit' stigma.

Tokmom,

A few weeks ago, the Higher Learning Commission did, in fact, approve GCU to transition back to a non-profit.

Specializes in Certified Med/Surg tele, and other stuff.

I'm in Washington state.

I found out by looking at my BON website for something else and happened to stumble upon the link about approved online schools. I decided to see if mine was accepted, thinking it would be, and was shocked to see that my BSN was NOT there, but the MSN was.

I sent the BON an email and actually talked to them over the phone. The WA state BON grandfathered in all of those that are in the program for 2017 and previous. Those that sign up now, won't be recognized as BSN RN until the BSN program develops a clinical aspect with a preceptor.

It doesn't surprise me, really. WA state has really strict standards.

A friend who went through the program in Chicago, has no such standards to meet.

tokmom said:
I'm in Washington state.

I found out by looking at my BON website for something else and happened to stumble upon the link about approved online schools. I decided to see if mine was accepted, thinking it would be, and was shocked to see that my BSN was NOT there, but the MSN was.

I sent the BON an email and actually talked to them over the phone. The WA state BON grandfathered in all of those that are in the program for 2017 and previous. Those that sign up now, won't be recognized as BSN RN until the BSN program develops a clinical aspect with a preceptor.

It doesn't surprise me, really. WA state has really strict standards.

A friend who went through the program in Chicago, has no such standards to meet.

Oh wow! hopefully GCU is aware of this and is informing potential students who live in the state of Washington, this. I tried to look on the Ohio Board of Nursing website for the school i have chosen to attend for my BSN and saw no such thing. Im not aware of Ohio having such strict standards, although they are complete butt holes, when one has to deal with them. In the school catalog i have chosen to attend, it does state they are not currently approved to offer distance education in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Iowa, Maryland, Minnesota, Oregon and Wisconsin. I dont know the reasoning for that, and i haven't asked. Im just bummed out about GCU, because i was really looking forward to starting this program. As i have stated before, the whole mess with finding a mentor/clinical site stuff, just utterly turned me away. Thank goodness for AllNurses.

Anyone have recommendations for a scholarly activity to do for the capstone? I currently live in Japan and opportunities for seminars or classes are slim. Did anyone do rounding with providers as an activity?? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

paratrooper78 said:
Anyone have recommendations for a scholarly activity to do for the capstone? I currently live in Japan and opportunities for seminars or classes are slim. Did anyone do rounding with providers as an activity?? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

I sent you a PM!

You can take CLEP or DSST to test out of the extra classes. Not those that are required part of the course. I actually took 5 DSST each worth 3 credits. You just find a college that offers the proctor exams and take the test. You can use things like Instant Cert to study for the test. That is what I used. It is an online study flashcard type study help. This helped me move along and just take the required classes I needed. I would study for a week and take the test while in the states. As far as DSST you can choose any test. The CLEP you have to get prior approval on each test. The test cost about 85 for facility and 45 for the test ( approximately). But this is cheaper and faster than 1500 for a 5 week course.

I am now just waiting to start my Capstone. I am currently not in the US because of an expate assignment in Italy with my husband.

You can take CLEP or DSST to test out of the extra classes. Not those that are required part of the course. I actually took 5 DSST each worth 3 credits. You just find a college that offers the proctor exams and take the test. You can use things like Instant Cert to study for the test. That is what I used. It is an online study flashcard type study help. This helped me move along and just take the required classes I needed. I would study for a week and take the test while in the states. As far as DSST you can choose any test. The CLEP you have to get prior approval on each test. The test cost about 85 for facility and 45 for the test ( approximately). But this is cheaper and faster than 1500 for a 5 week course.

I am now just waiting to start my Capstone. I am currently not in the US because of an expate assignment in Italy with my husband.

lanoneus Hello, Thanks for your great posts, I am in need for guidance please.

Can you tell me Should I consider to go to GCU for RN to BSN I am not sure how to register so i see in post above that we have to see which prof to select for classes, can you tell me where Ican find that or do they register us by themself? Please thanks I appreciate your help is it possible I can Email you?

Hello, Thanks for your great posts, I am in need for guidance please.

Can you tell me Should I consider to go to GCU for RN to BSN. I want to start but I need guidance How are the online program is it fair ,hard easy? I am not sure how to register so i see in post above that we have to see which prof to select for classes, can you tell me where I can find that or do they register us by themself?

Hi What is Capstone? I am planning to go for my rn to bsn at gcu is that a exit exam

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