RN to BSN to MSN....questions

Trauma Columnist · Sep 11, 2005

There are many options available nowadays for online education. I did the University of Phoenix online BSN and completed it in 18 months. Then, I did the MSN at UofP in on year. It was very intense and a lot of hard work but doable if you are determined. Their programs are fully accredited. I'm now doing a clinical nurse specialist and will be done in May 06. Good luck. There will be others with other options along...

button2cute · Sep 12, 2005

Hey guys,
I was wondering a couple things:
-whats the best online nursing school to go from RN to Masters or BSN to masters?
- whats the fastest online masters programs?
-the most cost effective?
I was just wondering bc i want to continue my education, but i want it fast (if possible). Please give me your input

Hello,

These answers are subjective only and ultimately you are the one that must check out the schools as well.

The fastest BSN programs would be University of Delaware (if you have previous college credit), two semensters and one five weeks of winter for a research class.

RN-MSN

Here is the catch is if you fail out then you will recieve a BSN, regardless, if you had completed all of the BSN credits. This path is an all or none program. If you successfully complete the program successfully than you will recieve two degrees (BSN and MSN).

As I stated previously, College credits that you had recieved can reduce the amount of time in a program.

Every program has its benefits such as doubling credit for the bsn and msn courses.

No program can be fast or slow. It really depends on how much time you have to devote to the online classes, dedication and how bad you want it. Therefore, no guarrentee is given by the progam of choice...it is your choice.

BSN -MSN

The program you need to select will give you the amount of credits to complete the progam. For example, acute nurse practitioner program can range from 46-60 and if you attend full time than it could take you a year (two summer sessions, a fall and spring and a summer or a winter sessions if they offer it).

Now, here is the key, the colleges make money if you attend classes part time and they look for you to have reimbursement from your employer. I believe so they can offer the classes to the hospital as a whole. I would never do a program part -time and I would not allow my employer to reimbursement at all. The reason is that I will owe my employer more time for using the educational benefit. Therefore, it is your choice about the tution, employer and time to spend on the courses.

Basically, I know you are feeling that I did not help much and I have to the point of letting you know what it takes to do it as quickly as you would like too. You have to select the MSN program and that can determine the length of time. Next, do you have previous college credits. Next do you have an asn? or RN diploma? Next, how much time do you have to spend on the courses? Lastly, have you consider the cost of the courses full and part time? In addition, do you have a financial plan for the attending the program? Those are the questions you need to address first and then seek help. Therefore, those questions will have an impact on you duration in the program.

I choose full time for my BSN. Then I choose to take three course as a nonmaticular student (to opt the GREs) which I will recieve credit for them after I get into the program (which will reduce my the courses require for my program I had selected).

In conclusion, Good luck in your persuit in the degree of choice. Please give an update about your plan.

Buttons

rnaffah · Sep 17, 2005

Hi everybody,i am a Lebanese RN with10 years of critical care nursing experience,i was studying via phoenix online and i just stopped because in my country we don't have scholarchips neither financial aid.I read the post about 18 months ,a nurse completed her bs degree,how is that?

Do you think because i didn't study in the US,i will get more courses to do?

Regards,

Ramroum

button2cute · Sep 18, 2005

Hi everybody,i am a Lebanese RN with10 years of critical care nursing experience,i was studying via phoenix online and i just stopped because in my country we don't have scholarchips neither financial aid.I read the post about 18 months ,a nurse completed her bs degree,how is that?
Do you think because i didn't study in the US,i will get more courses to do?
Regards,
Ramroum

Hello, Everyone

I do not know if they give you more courses cause you are in a different country. I believe it depends on how many credits you transfer into the phoenix's program. If the person had an ASN degree and the credits transfer over into the phoenix's program. Then it will be thirty credits to complete the degree (I think). In addition, the person could had went full time and then she would had completed in a short period of time.

I am completing my bsn degree in a two semesters (which is nine months) and I am going full time.

Always ask for your program requirements and find out what you will need to complete a BSN degree. Always follow the courses because you can get foul up be mistake and take unneccessary courses.

Check with your advisor as well.

Good luck,

Buttons

Trauma Columnist · Sep 18, 2005

I did the BSN in 18 months at University of Phoenix. I went full time.

suzanne4, RN · Sep 18, 2005

Hi everybody,i am a Lebanese RN with10 years of critical care nursing experience,i was studying via phoenix online and i just stopped because in my country we don't have scholarchips neither financial aid.I read the post about 18 months ,a nurse completed her bs degree,how is that?
Do you think because i didn't study in the US,i will get more courses to do?
Regards,
Ramroum

It is based on how your previous classes were credited and accepted.

It doesn't matter where you are studying, but also how quickly that you are able to begin the next class. Some take breaks, and others go straight thru.

qtRN · Oct 8, 2005

Hello! I am so glad to know that there's someone here from the forum doing the Clinical Nurse Specialist because that is what I originally planned to be. I am currently in Texas and I have applied in Texas Woman's University but I was not able to get in because they still require me to take up GRE or MAT. I graduated from a foreign country that's why they require my TOEFL scores. I can NOT access my TOEFL scores because I have taken it last 2002. Now, I have to take both exams for me to qualify in TWU. I really want to start my Masters as soon as possible. I am also planning to transfer in California that's why I want to be really sure that University of Phoenix is accredited nationwide.

I want to be a Clinical Nurse specialist too but I am planning to take up master in Nursing/health education through UOP because I can't get in TWU because that school has a CNS program. I also want to be a Nurse educator in the hospital setting.

I am also thinking that I am going to transfer in California next year, then online learning would be advisable because when I transfer, I will need to wait for a year for me to be a resident of California for me to get a reasonable amount of tuition. Am I right?

Please help me decide...I am very confused. I would really appreciate anyone's opinion regarding this matter.

BY the way, in your opinion, what is the best online learning for MSN?

Thank you! Have nice day!!!

Papadoc · Oct 14, 2005

Hi All!

I'm so happy to find this thread. Looks like lots of folks on here use UOP. I went on allnursingschools.com, and really "went to town" requesting info on RN to BSN programs. Two who's gotten back to me quite early the next morning were UOP and Kaplan University. Does anyone have any insight on one vs the other. They both seem to be quite reputable, and are specializing in the "online" ed. I know there many copykats outthere now (regular colleges),many are now trying to get a hold of me, but I'm thinking UOP vs Kaplan. UOP seems a little more pricey, but may be worth it? Also I'm a foreign nursing grad, but have U.S earned B.S (premed), and M.S. in Acupuncture. I also have NYS RN lic x almost 15 yrs.The licencing body of my State did their own comparative ed eval. But I was never asked to do an independent eval by WES, GLOBE or some other national eval services. It kind of sucks if after so many years of being licensed I have to pay these ppl for something I've been using for the last 15 yrs:angryfire :uhoh3: .Esp I've graduate in Eastern European country in which I don't live for the past 18 yrs.The school may even not be there, or privatized, and sold out to other businesses, as so many had been. My question is to some of you who may be in the same boat (FNG). Are there programs which whould take your RN lic, and the rest of the US education for their BSN entrance reqs? I can't send the foreign transcripts to an eval agencies directly form that country, because such entety no longer exists, but luckly did when I got licensed first.

Any info is greatly appreciated:)