RN to BSN - Some schools still want clinicals.... some advice and opinions on schools...

[SentinelTruth]

Well, I just graduated as an ADN in Michigan and am looking for an RN to BSN program with a future possibility of an MSN in Nursing Administration... but I'm leery of the online for profit schools.... a lot of the non profit public universities still require some form of clinicals here in Michigan, even if part of the program is online... though it seems Oakland, Eastern Michigan and Ferris don't require any clinicals I think...

so is it reasonable to expect clinicals for an RN to BSN program?

Or is there any other good schools people know of that don't require clinicals, but don't have the taint of being a for profit.... I don't want to get a worthless degree.

What do people and hiring managers in general think of private, non profit schools?

There's a school in Michigan called Spring Arbor, which is a Free Methodist school, but they provide an Online RN to BSN, then you can do a BSN to MSN in administration along with a MBA all online.

I'm leaning more towards administrative stuff ultimately rather than the FNP route... how well do you think I would do if I were to make it to a MSN / MBA in being able to find hospital administration type jobs that revolve around Nursing?? Spring Arbor's degree path seems unique in being able to complete a dual Master's....

So, I guess in the end, what are your opinions... I don't want fluff degrees, but I don't really want anymore clinicals if possible....

[featherzRN, MSN]

WGU is inexpensive, non profit and has no 'clinicals'. There is a self paced community health practicum where you go interview people in your area about a subject (I did disaster prevention/response, but there are a lot of other options).. There's a health assessment video also, but you do that at home.

[applesxoranges, BSN, RN]

I'd look at Ohio University RN to BSN. I think it will be cheaper than Spring Arbor and then look at the MSN/MBA. You will probably save several thousand this way depending on how much OU is for out of state. A lot of people that I worked with when I was in MI went to OU for their RN to BSN.

The clinical portion of OU was more of a proposed improvement project and you worked with a person with a BSN. They had to sign off on the project basically. Obviously you cannot implement an actual project in 5 weeks.

I'm going to Spring Arbor for my NP. Several people went to Spring Arbor for their RN to BSN though that I worked with. My one friend wants to go there in person. They are starting to do a traditional BSN program soon too.

I think you should aim for experience though. Try to get into a charge RN position asap and work your way through the ranks while trying to complete school. If you do not have experience, getting a leadership role is very hard. Think of how many RNs there are compared to administrative roles.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

applesxoranges said:

I'd look at Ohio University RN to BSN. I think it will be cheaper than Spring Arbor

Ohio University's RN to BSN program would be substantially more affordable than the one offered at Spring Arbor.

Ohio University charges $243 per credit whereas Spring Arbor charges a whopping $545/credit for the same RN to BSN program. Just some food for thought...

[applesxoranges, BSN, RN]

Ohio University is a public school whereas Spring Arbor is considered private. I think Ohio University also charges less for their RN to BSN programs than they would if it was the regular university instate vs out of state tuition.