RN to BSN online...I am in a panic! Help me decide!

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Specializes in 25 years NICU 5 years Telephone Triage.

Hello. I have been an ADN RN for almost 29 years. I just enrolled with Aspen University online for BSN. They have a great payment plan with 0% interest. It's very affordable. My main fear is I am 52 years old and scared to death! I have 2 more days if I want to just back out of it. I am getting my first book today for the Humanities class which focuses on APA format. Which I have no clue about, of course.

My dilemma is also about pay. I make the same amount of money as the BSN RN's I work with. I know a BSN will open the doors to more opportunities for me. I also think it's a good idea to expand my knowledge and accomplish more education at an affordable cost. I have one child at home. I work 32 hours a week.

Is it worth it?? Should I do it? Any advice is welcomed. I am open to suggestions on how to decide on this without being extremely anxious.

Please share your experiences getting an online BSN. Aspen has been great so far with the enrollment process...

thanks!

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Specializes in 25 years NICU 5 years Telephone Triage.

I've decided to go ahead with Aspen. i am still hoping for thoughts on pursuing a BSN. thanks

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Specializes in Corrections and Occupational Health.

I say go for it. I just finished my BSN online and now I would like to get my MSN. I went through IWU so keep posting on ur program through Aspen. I was thinking of using them for my MSN. Good luck!

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Specializes in 25 years NICU 5 years Telephone Triage.

Thank you! I can't believe how nervous I am. Even though I won't end up making more money with a BSN at my current job, it will give me more job opportunities. Plus I will be getting almost half of the tuition paid for by my employer.

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Specializes in Urgent Care, Research, Care Coordination.

I finished my bsn from Aspen in July 2018. I started with the msn program but not having regional accreditation made me nervous so to not waste my efforts, I switched to bsn at the last minute. I'm glad I did. I attended graduation in Denver and it felt good meeting other grads and accomplishing my degree from there.

It's a great program. Instructors are available and helpful. I was skeptical in the beginning but it was a pleasurable experience. 1-2 discussion questions and classmate responses per week plus an "assignment " aka paper ranging from 1200-2500 words on average. Some classes required more work though.

Super affordable...I paid out of pocket on credit and my employer reimbursed me. I took 3 years because I took breaks, but at the end I was taking 2 classes at a time or staggering them starting a new class q 4wks. I have a FT managerial job, a PRN (14-25hr/mo) floor RN job, and I'm married with 2 young kids in sports. It was crazy, but I'd do it again. In fact, I'm looking to start my msn later this year, but not with Aspen because without regional-accred' its much more unlikely that my credits would transfer should I want a post grad NP certificate one day.

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Specializes in 25 years NICU 5 years Telephone Triage.

Thanks for the encouragement! I am super nervous, but I am getting a lot of support from my manager at work, friends and family.

Aspen makes it affordable for sure. I am taking advantage of their interest free loan $250/month and I will get tuition help from my employer. I start 4/16. yikes! I hope you don't mind if I message you sometime!

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I just read this and wanted to say...Good luck today! First day of class for everyone and everything usually has some people a little nervous! The beginning of a new start in your many experienced years in nursing! If nothing else comes from it, I say you are setting such a great example for your child! I had a professor once tell me, "If you aren't nervous then you're not caring enough!" You come off to me is somebody who will do great!

Again best of luck!

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Specializes in NICU.
On 4/3/2019 at 10:39 AM, ILoveHorsesRN said:

My dilemma is also about pay. I make the same amount of money as the BSN RN's I work with. I know a BSN will open the doors to more opportunities for me. I also think it's a good idea to expand my knowledge and accomplish more education at an affordable cost. I have one child at home. I work 32 hours a week.

At 32 hours per week you have enough time to do it,you are not too old,but the opening of doors for better opportunities it is luck of the draw.They will pick their favorites.

If you feel unfulfilled or lacking then do it.

It is a lot of money to pay pack before saving enough for retirement.Private online schools do offer good attention and support but it is not easy. Every single thing you do is recorded via computer so timelines and deadlines must be taken very seriously,papers are scanned for plagiarism, good luck to you.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

I work 40 hours per week (night shift), have a kiddo in dance and sports, have a very small puppy that requires near-constant attention, and I still am doing my BSN online right now. It's whatever. Just have to put your head down and get the work done. I learned very quickly that the bar is very low for a good grade. As long as you have a good grasp of the English language, post the appropriate amount of responses to discussion boards, and hit all the points on the rubric for the written assignments, you will likely get straight A's. It's just kind of tedious and annoying to get through.

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Yes, go for it!!! I think I was 50 when I graduated from my RN-BSN program. Even though you'll be making the same pay at your job after you obtain your BSN, you're going to wake up every day happy that you made the decision to get it.

One thing I noticed while I was going through my program: I really enjoyed my homework assignments. I learned so much more than I was expecting. So worth it!

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Specializes in 25 years NICU 5 years Telephone Triage.

Thanks everyone! I just finished my second class. Final grade was A- in both classes. It is very tedious. I am taking a little break before the next class. I am in no hurry to finish. 8 classes to go!

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Glad you’ve decided to get your BSN, although I did not go to Aspen (I considered it) I did do an online BSN class. It can be difficult because of discussion boards, meeting deadlines and lots of reading. But once you manage your time around school work it does get manageable. What I enjoy most about online learning is the flexibility of it. I hope it’s going well for you:)

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