RN to BSN online

[NurMyWay]

I have a few years experience and I just started back to school online to get my BSN. The program so far is all about research papers and APA. I am told that the entire program will be like this. I am not interested in nursing research and paper writing and struggle with motivation. I do not know if I can do two years of this. To make it worse there is a lot of reading and critiquing and the assignments basically run tues to friday. Plus the classes are compacted into 7 weeks. If I work three 12 hour days in this time frame I am basically screwed. Does anyone know of any programs that are not entirely based on research & writing.

[llg, PhD, RN]

Most online programs require a lot of writing because that is the easiest way to communicate and demonstrate that you learned the material online. There are no face-to-face discussions and few opportunities to demonstrate your learning in a clinical setting in an online program. That's simply what "online" programs are -- on line.

But if you look at a few other schools, you'll find that lots have courses that run over a full semester and not compressed into 7 weeks. And many that will give you whole weeks to complete the week's assignment, not just a couple of days. You'll also find that curricula are not all the same -- and you should be able to find one where the courses appeal to you a little more.

[ladedah1, BSN, RN]

I'm attending an online program for my BSN right now... though the courses are full semester vs the half semester cram session.

As someone who is going through the same thing right now, I must agree that the writing is somewhat tedious. But, as someone who thrives on education (go ahead, call me lame), I will say that there is a purpose to all of this writing and research.

It may one day come manifest as the desire for something to change. It may come in the form of my manager said this is a good idea and I'm going to prove him or her wrong.” But, one day, it will come and you will be grateful that you are able to express yourself in a professional way… in an educated manner which will avoid the he / she has no idea what he / she is talking about” eye roll.

My suggestion (regarding paper topics) is to not go for the obvious. If you're picking something, take the time to decide on something that is interesting to you. Yes, pressure ulcers may be an obvious choice for your something to improve upon at my place of work” research paper… but does it bore you to death to write about it? Probably. Because (if you're anywhere NEAR healthcare) this issue has already been beaten half to death.

Maybe you're selecting your service learning opportunity. I don't know many people who look at hospice and say, Now that looks like something fun to learn and / or write about.” (Ok. It may be interesting for some, but if it is not interesting to you – DON'T SELECT IT!)

We all know writing is a royal pain in the tail-feathers… but we also know that having a BSN is the future of nursing (whether we like it or not). Unfortunately, the education for BSN comes with writing (no matter how you package it). So find a subject you're interested in when writing.

Also, remember that you're not alone. Most of us despise the writing because I have to”… but one day we will be done with it and all the better for it.