RN to BSN online programs

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Feb 25, 2011

Jessica,

I don't know whether anyone could advise you on "best" online program because there are too many personal variables to consider. The very things that make a program wonderful for someone else may be deal-breakers for you. Have you taken any online classes in order to find out whether this is a good route for you? Some of us don't do well in a 100% online environment. If you don't know for sure, many schools have an 'orientation' option that will let you try it out before you commit. In my case, I found that I just couldn't maintain interest and stay on schedule with online classes. I discovered that an important part of education (for me) is the face-to-face interaction with fellow students and instructors.

Costs for online programs run the gamut from very reasonable to frightfully expensive. I generally encourage colleagues to carefully explore online options that are available from the traditional 'bricks and mortar' nursing schools. Most larger schools have a variety of options including hybrid programs that are a mix of online and on-site classes. Please don't over-extend yourself with student loans. As you undoubtedly already know, a BSN won't up your income enough to pay them off.

Just a thought, but have you considered doing an RN-MSN program? It wouldn't take that much longer, and a graduate degree can have a significant positive impact on your career prospects.

Pre-nurse121 · Jun 24, 2011

While researching BSN programs, I learned that most online programs can cost more than programs involved student-teacher interaction. There had been some schools that overcharge students with high-interest loans for books and tuition. After graduation, these student found it difficult to transfer credit units from classes to graduate programs. They also had trouble keeping up with loan payments that have heavy interest.

It's always good to check a school's national ranking, student reviews and state accreditation before applying to a program.

Overall, I feel schools that have good nationally ranking, state accreditation, and more student-teacher interaction are more likely to have less problems transferring credit into other institutes.