rn to bsn

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · May 28, 2015

I completed an online RN-to-BSN program through Western Governors University earlier this year. Overall, I enjoyed it.

Pros:

1. The program is self-paced. You can complete it in a few months or 18 months.

2. The tuition is affordable. It costs $3250 per six-month term.

3. The school is regionally accredited and nonprofit.

4. The nursing programs are accredited by the CCNE.

5. The program is asynchronous, with no cohorts or required discussion board posts.

6. No group work is required. A group is only as good as its weakest member.

Cons:

1. The pass/fail grading scheme results is a 3.0 GPA, no more and no less.

2. WGU is a virtual university with a massive online presence. Some employers might turn their noses up at online degrees.

3. The school might be a poor fit for students who need extra guidance.

beeker · May 30, 2015

I am also looking to do my RN to BSN. I am currently looking at Grand Canyon, University of Texas Arlington, and several local school in my area. The local schools seem to be very expensive and have a lot more hoops. I am interested in hearing from anyone who has recent experience.

beccajean · Jun 1, 2015

I am currently enrolled at Grand Canyon University, nearly half way done! The classes are 5 weeks each, with 2 discussion posts you answer and 6 posts that are responses to other students each week, one oby Wednesday and one by Friday. There is typically a "bigger" project due each week by Sunday. These have varied from papers 750-2000 words, brochures, flyers, etc. Most classes, but not all, have a group project. Depending on how much you care about the quality of work you turn in and your grade can be a tortuous process. I spend about 15 hours a week on school. There are 2 very active GCU threads here on AN.

https://allnurses.com/nursing-online-distance/rn-to-bsn-854234.html

https://allnurses.com/online-nursing-schools/grand-canyon-university-933306.html

Pros:

-5 weeks classes go by pretty fast

-Letter grade

-Tuition is affordable

-Regionally accredited college, also accredited with Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education for RN to BSN/MSN tracks

-my enrollment counselor and student services adviser have been very responsive

-supportive folks on AN threads (above) have lots of tips and tricks to share that make it even easier

-there's a real brick and mortar you can visit for graduation, and walk the stage (if that's important to you)

-it's a Christian university (was not a factor for me, but important to some)

-online program for class participation is solid, takes a bit of getting used to where to find things, but has never gone down on me

-Tech support is AMAZING. I called them from my cell phone about a mistake I made in submitting a paper, and my signal failed. They called me back almost immediately!

Cons:

-group projects seem to always have at least one person who is MIA or who doesn't turn in the quality of work you do. Group projects are the bane of my higher education.

-some instructors don't seem to be fully engaged in instructing, but this is likely the case in most online programs

-all books are online only, and if they can be moved to Kindle, I haven't figured out how (as a possible pro, I've barely cracked a book, basically just used as a resource since the application for the eBooks has a handy search feature)

Hope this helps!

beccajean · Jun 1, 2015

I am also looking to do my RN to BSN. I am currently looking at Grand Canyon, University of Texas Arlington, and several local school in my area. The local schools seem to be very expensive and have a lot more hoops. I am interested in hearing from anyone who has recent experience.

My enrollment counselor @ GCU made my enrollment process SO easy. I decided I was going to enroll on Friday Dec. 19 and wanted to start the same day as a friend. He had me take pictures of my transcripts so they could do a credit evaluation, he walked me through every step. I started my classes 10 days later, on December 29. Pretty amazing considering they were closed for Dec. 24 and 25, as well as 2 weekends. PM me if you decide on GCU and want a super helpful and friendly counselor.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jun 1, 2015

-Tuition is affordable

$495 per credit is considered affordable tuition? A student who needs to complete 30 credits would end up spending a whopping $15,000 to obtain a BSN degree from Grand Canyon Univ.

imbatz, BSN, RN · Jun 4, 2015

Yeah, that's not bad actually. Here in North Florida, JU costs about that per semester and my pre-reqs at DePaul costs more.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jun 4, 2015

Yeah, that's not bad actually. Here in North Florida, JU costs about that per semester and my pre-reqs at DePaul costs more.

I suppose my perception is skewed, as I recently spent $5,800 in tuition to obtain a BSN degree.