RN to BSN Program Help

[Amjones92]

Hi everyone! I have been researching for a couple weeks now about what direction to take when I get my ADN in December of this year. I have 3 options I am considering and even though I have found threads about them, most of them are dated to a couple years ago.

So here's the scoop: I get my ADN in December from a community college in Arizona. I am crossing my fingers I get hired after my NCLEX and want to immediately start on my BSN (my ultimate goal is my Masters so I can teach the future nurses). My preference is one that is completely online, with the hours at work counting as my clinicals, the least expensive (I already will have some student loans) and the one that will give me the best education. I'd like to also complete it within 1-2 years of finishing my ADN.

My options that I have been considering now are NAU, ASU and Western Governors. If you have completed or have started any of these programs your input is so greatly appreciated! I'd love to hear about your experience, the cost and how it worked with the full-time schedule as an RN. Feel free to give the good, bad, ugly and everything you can. I am unsure where to go yet and what to do. Thank you!

P.S. Ask any questions if I'm unclear or if there's something you need to know. :)

Feeling Excited!

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

If your goal is an MSN, I would advise you to stick with a traditional program rather than a competency-based curriculum like WGU. GPA is an important consideration for admission to graduate school, and you don't get one with competency-based programs. I would also urge caution regarding any program that requires the student to arrange their own clinical experiences... most organizations (like mine) are not doing this any more due to liability issues. They only provide clinical training sites if there is a formal contract with the school which ensures that the school provides sufficient oversight for their students. FYI - an MSN is sufficient for clinical instructor positions, and you can get 'waivered' for a while to teach RN theory classes, but will have to obtain a doctorate if this is where you really want to be in the long term.

Academia is a very conservative environment ... they prefer to hire clinical instructors who are graduates of traditional programs because these folks are already familiar with a 'scholarly environment' and classroom management skills. You can't learn this in an online environment.

Best of luck, whichever route you choose. We need more young, talented and enthusiastic nurse educators.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

I agree with HouTx. The tradtional programs will also allow you to network with other nurses and you will be interacting with them over the years. The online programs do little to help you create your nursing identity. I got my MSN online, but it was thru a local state university and I was able to drive to the campus and interact with my instructors. If you are just looking for a quick way to get a piece of paper, then the online route from non-traditional organizations is ok, but you sure miss out on the real life learning.