RN to BSN programs

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Let me just say I'm really regretting going into an associates degree program. I graduate in May and I'm looking into BSN programs and it's just insane. I will have to take so many more prerequisites before I can even start. Than the program itself is going to take me an additional 2-3 years to do because I must do part time. Ugh! I wanted to wait a while to start school again once I graduate because I think it's due time I be able to spend some time with my kids and husband but that doesn't look like it's in my near future! So frustrating!

Feel free to share experiences transitioning from RN to BSN. Thanks!

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Specializes in Hospitalist Medicine.

I purposely choose an ADN program because the BSN programs in our area are so expensive and I'm paying out-of-pocket.

I'll finish my RN-to-BSN at a major, Big 10 university. It is only 5 semesters start to finish and is 2 classes per semester (start fall 2015, graduate May 2017). It is designed for students to work full time while completing the BSN.

I really wanted to do the BSN start to finish at this university, but I just couldn't afford it. So, do your research. There are definitely accredited, respected and well-known universities that offer RN-to-BSN bridge programs. Because you're getting a bachelor's degree, you have to fulfill the minimum requirements to have a degree conferred (arts, humanities, communication, etc., in addition to nursing classes). Usually, your ADN should include the courses needed for transfer to a university.

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the RN-BSN program I am planning on applying for is at a major university and is 2-3 semesters to finish (30 hours I think) all online. I did the same....chose the ADN program at a community college because I qualify for no financial aid and it was much less expensive to go this route. As for the pre reqs...I am finishing up the last of my BSN pre reqs this semester (I start the ADN program in january). Our BSN track classes count towards our points for the ADN acceptance so I had already done enough to get the max points for my application I figured I'd finish them up this semester so that have them all complete when I am ready to apply for the RN-BSN program.

I say shop around....the bridge I am applying for is 5 hours away from me....but the program is online....you travel there for orientation and graduation....I can handle that.

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the idea of going RN to BSN isn't so bad. The competition of applying directly into the BSN program is hard because of the perfect GPA and perfect test score. there's also the financial issue too. For those without the perfect grades and test score, the associates program is the way to go. the prereqs at the BSN program shouldn't be too much. They may require chemistry, statistics, and a few others like nutrition, human development. there's some overlap of courses that could have been taken to statisfy the general education courses requirement for state schools and as prereqs to the nursing program.

knowing ahead of time want the additional prereqs would be a good idea. some schools I was interested in applying had a similar set of additional courses, which I took before applying.

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I guess the best thing I can do is just start requesting info and finding out exactly what will be expected from me at each school.

I finish my ADN program in May, so I may be jumping the gun a little by worrying about this already, but I like to be prepared ahead of time. From the way I'm reading a lot of the sites is that I'm going to be 2 years completing additional prerequisites and 2 years in the program going at a very part time rate. My biggest problem in all of this is that I'm hearing more and more that any job I get will rush me into finishing my BSN within 2 years and it's just not possible for me. I really want to plan to take a year off to spend some well deserved quality time with my family.

Originally I had no intention of even getting my BSN, not in the near future anyway. I didn't realize how big of a deal it was to have it. When I was shopping for schools before I even started they made it sound like I didn't need to worry about a BSN....how naive I was...I'm learning More and more that schools just tell you what you want to hear to get you to enroll. I've always wanted to be a nurse and I knew an ADN would make less than a BSN but I was ok with that bc I just wanted to be a nurse, it wasn't about making more money for me, so I thought eh maybe I'll just further my degree once the kids were grown but it seems I no longer have that option.

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Oh wow! that seems like a lot of additional prereqs O__O

congrats on being almost done! Ugh.. I'm just about applying for programs and worrying about how competitive the associates program could be since it's relatively cheap and lots of people may apply too.

theres been a push for BSN these days, especially from magnet status hospitals. Looks like BSN is the minimum requirement.

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Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.

the program I am in will let you take the pre reqs w/nursing. I have been in 2 different programs. 2 different sets of reqs. thank goodness I am almost done! you can do it

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the program I am in will let you take the pre reqs w/nursing. I have been in 2 different programs. 2 different sets of reqs. thank goodness I am almost done! you can do it

Wow that sounds like a lot. Are you in a BSN or ADN program right now? The universities I'm looking at right now for a part time schedule show 8-9 credits per semester. To add additional classes to that with two kids and working a full time job would be a bit much. I've never taken more than 10 credits at the same time and even that was difficult.

I'm sure I will figure it all out when the time comes but in the mean time I'm stressing about it. I guess I just need to focus my eyes on my original prize (graduate w/ my ADN in May and pass my NCLEX?

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Specializes in ICU/ Surgery/ Nursing Education.

I am currently taking classes at GCU online. It is a lot of course work but it is only 12 classes (a little over a year) and they took my ADN in full without an other prerequisites. I will finish around Christmas 2015, being part time of course.

Look around, there are possibilities everywhere.

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That's awesome. I've been in some requests for info on the programs and I'm just waiting for call backs. I want to maybe take my transcripts to them and ask what I would need that way I will know exactly and it won't be a ton of guess work when choosing a school.

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I am currently taking classes at GCU online. It is a lot of course work but it is only 12 classes (a little over a year) and they took my ADN in full without an other prerequisites. I will finish around Christmas 2015, being part time of course.

Look around, there are possibilities everywhere.

When doing a program online does the university have to be in the state you live in? I've been wondering that too. If not it will open up my options a little more.

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Specializes in ICU/ Surgery/ Nursing Education.
When doing a program online does the university have to be in the state you live in? I've been wondering that too. If not it will open up my options a little more.

I think you can go to any school that will accept your credits. Never thought about that. I looked at many programs. GCU is fairly expensive per credit hour. Because I do not have to take any extra classes the total cost of the program was a little less than the others.

You might look into Western Governors. It was recommended to me by my nursing school, but they also required more classes.

I am using the rest of my financial aid so my BSN will cost me around 12,000.

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