RN to BSN

I live just across the way from you over in Orange Beach Alabama. I graduated from USA with BSN; I am currently enrolled in their graduate school online. I have worked with several nurses who completed their BSN at South's RN to BSN program. The only complaint is the $150 fee for each online class. Are you getting you BSN in hopes of going to crna program? If so this is were South can help I know one girl who was going to spend her 200 hour practicum with a crna you cant ask for a better situation if you are trying to go on to crna school. (I just ask because almost every rn I have every known to go back for bsn that was the reason). Where do you work in Pensacola I have friends working at sacred heart. I grew up in Gulf Breeze myself.

I just got home yest from Orange Beach, I stayed @ the Pheonix VI. I used to date your Fire Chief (for 2 years). I love it there! My uncle retired there as well. You may find him @ the Barefoot Bar! Congrats on your soon to be little bundle! & on your new career! My cousins were from Gulf Breeze & two of them went to the ultrasound school there. My other cousin graduated from UWF. They have since transplanted to the B'ham area for better paying jobs, & proximity to UAB as my cousin has MS (total care!). Take care!

small world, (state) my father inlaw is a firemedic with orange beach. at least you had good weather while you were here it has rained so much this summer

no rain, but two evacuations from our bldg this w/e for kids pulling the fire alarms. Lots of sleepy cranky folks. Not me, I took my book & sat on the curb watching OB's finest hard @ work. I luv firefighters, always have! I guess when I did ED for so long you get to know 'em & their families. They are like us, all have more than one job!!!

Warhawk320,

My sister is enrolled in the University of North Alabama RN to BSN Online program and is enjoying it very much so far. Several of the nurses she works with have gotten their BSNs through this program and recommended it highly. She said the instructors there were very nice and flexible with accepting some of her other BSN related courses from other colleges (not actual Nursing classes though of course). She didn't have to have all of her core done before beginning the nursing courses either. The other nurses she works with said they never even set foot on the campus during their education... great for folks who can't physically attend. Some of my sister's cyber-classmates are from as far away as Brazil and England.

Wish I knew more to tell you...

Warhawk320,

My sister is enrolled in the University of North Alabama RN to BSN Online program and is enjoying it very much so far. Several of the nurses she works with have gotten their BSNs through this program and recommended it highly. She said the instructors there were very nice and flexible with accepting some of her other BSN related courses from other colleges (not actual Nursing classes though of course). She didn't have to have all of her core done before beginning the nursing courses either. The other nurses she works with said they never even set foot on the campus during their education... great for folks who can't physically attend. Some of my sister's cyber-classmates are from as far away as Brazil and England. The program is NLN accredited too.

Wish I knew more to tell you...

By the way, my sister and I both live in West Central Alabama.

Thanks Berry & Tiki Torch!!!

Your info will help me with some options on a RN2BSN track. Berry(if you can get any of your co-workers) and Tiki Torch (if you can get your sis) to post a message on the board or PM me of their experience w/ online classes such as .... is it hard like nsg. school? is it easy? can you do your clinicals at home? can the school provide $$$help? is it "stressful" like RN school??? I may have went to a ADN school but nursing school is NURSING SCHOOL!!!! Berry and TikiTorch.... I appreciate your responses. You two have a good weekend. Oh... Berry... Congrats on being a future father. Keep us posted on the awesome experience!!

Hi WarHawk,

Concerning how "easy" the online courses are, I can share something my sister told me her online instructor told her when she was signing up to be in their RN to BSN program:

The woman said, "Online programs are no easier or more difficult than traditional classes. The easy part is that the hours a student is in class (studying or taking tests on the computer, etc.) are more flexible. As a matter of fact, many online students find that they spend a little more time studying online than they did in traditional classes."

I remember my sister saying that she really enjoyed the "Assessment" class she took last semester because of the interesting web sites and other online instructions that the instructor gave to them.

When I took a traditional BSN Assessment class many years ago, our clinical portion consisted of us doing a history and physical in the presence of our instructor. In this online situation, my sister did her H&P by videotaping it and mailing it to her instructor. There was also a written portion for the History. Anyway, she made an "A" in the course and says she feels she really learned a lot she can use.

Oh yes, I remember that on test days, the instructor would make the tests available for several hours on a certain day... like from 8:00 am until 11:00 pm... so each student could take it at the best time for their personal schedule. The tests lasted for 2 hours and the timing would begin when you started taking the test and automatically cut off when the 2 hours had ended. My sister never had a problem with that either. As a matter of fact, we were on vacation out in New Mexico when her mid-term exam was due and she logged on with our Mom's computer and took the test! Along with the tests I remember there were a few short, like 30 minute, quizes.

I'll try to remember to ask my sister those other questions you have.

By the way, she works full time and is a single mother of a 6 year old and a 1 1/2 year old, both daughters. If she can do all that and make an "A", I think there is hope for the rest of us!!!:roll Oh yes, and she was working five 11-7 night shifts during the summer in a high risk intensive care area too!

Good luck with your decision!

Warhawk,

I thought I would let you know about the school I just graduated from (RN-BSN). The University of Alabama in Huntsville is a great school to attend. I began my BSN program in Fall 2002 and completed it in Summer 2003 (I'm now in the MSN program). For the BSN program, classes are attended one day per wk (Tuesdays or Thursdays). There is also a clinical component (one day every 2 or 3 wks). Although it was hard, the instructors do want to see the student's succeed. They also have an RN-MSN program. Hope you find the school that is best for you. Good luck!!

I am in the BSN program at Jacksonville State. I know they have an online step to bsn. The teacher that is does most of the class for the online program is real good (Dr. Lathem).

AuroraRN,

Hey I will be attending UAH Nursing in the Fall 2004-- I am in Birmingham -- do you know of any message boards in which to find out other classmates to possibly hook up with in the car pool from Birmingham.... UAH.. doesn't have a Nursing msg board that I know of. Thanks in advance

Sleepyrn2b