RN to BSN UTA online program

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Nov 1, 2015

Hello, there. Your thread has been moved to our University of Texas Arlington Online Degree forum with the goal of generating responses from others who are enrolled in the RN to BSN program. Good luck to you.

heddi · Nov 2, 2015

Hello! I will graduate in December. I have enjoyed the classes overall. I like that you can take multiple classes per quarter/semester with no or minimal overlap if you want, because the classes vary between being 5, 7, or 10 weeks long.

There are no clinical requirements for the class, and only one class (leadership) requires you to actually have a job as an RN (you have to shadow a manager). If you take the work co-op as an elective, you will need to have a job as well, as you're journaling about that throughout the course.

I think it was the best value for the $$, I was able to work full time while taking classes, and they're really not that crazy difficult -- I have a 4.0 and will be graduating Summa cum Laude. I have taken Art, English, Literature, History 1 & 2, Statistics, Govt, Texas Govt, and all the RN classes through UTA. I would probably recommend, if possible, taking the history classes elsewhere if you have the ability -- they are absolutely poorly run (especially 1302) and very confusing to navigate. They are doable, but I thought they were going to lower my GPA.

Good luck!

bfrancorn · Nov 3, 2015

Thank you so much for your input. I am really considering the UTA route! How long have you been in the program? I heard you can take on as much as you can or little depending on what you can handle. Thanks!

heddi · Nov 3, 2015

You can take as much or as little---Started taking classes in March, maybe, 2013. I took English 2 and Art History -- those were doable as 2 classes at once. I mostly took 1 class at a time, occasionally two, and sat out the entire last part of spring and summer semester of 2014. I would personally not recommend taking 2 RN classes at once because the assignments and papers can be a bit much, especially if you are working full time. Other people here will encourage you to take more than 1 RN class at once. I just found that to be totally incompatable with working and having a life and being able to get a 4.0 in all my classes. I was willing to spend more time in school to get a better grade and have a life.

Benedict983 · Nov 3, 2015

Had a horrible experience with them. It takes an act of congress to get a live person on the phone. Forget ever getting your financial aid squared away. I know many people have a great experience with them. Im afraid I cant say I did. I transferred to WGU. UTA is to big and does not specialize in on-line classes. I felt like I was just a dollar sign to them. BUT, having said that, several of my friends enjoyed UTA. Good luck.

nurselindah, BSN, RN · Nov 4, 2015

I am in California too-so far, I have really enjoyed the UTA program. The only complaint I have is that you need both a stats class and college algebra. Cal State only requires one upper level math (as far as I know). I have a 4.0 at UTA, but I will be lucky if I get a C in my college algebra class. So-there goes all my hard work. I really wanted to graduate with honors. If you have already satisfied the Math requirements I would say, go with UTA. The classes are all manageable thus far. I only have Nursing Research and Capstone to go next semester, so I can't comment on those. San Marcos is a newer program, so I feel like they may still have a few "kinks" to work out.

I also agree with the previous poster-when you are starting, it's hard to take more than one nursing class at a time. I am now able to take two classes at a time, and maintain my A, but it's hard!

bfrancorn · Nov 4, 2015

Thanks so much for your input. Got stats and higher math done already. How long has it taken you to get through the program so far? Are you almost done?

bfrancorn · Nov 4, 2015

@nursinglindah also when did you start program? Is it a year long?

bfrancorn · Nov 4, 2015

@benedict983 Thank you for your input! How are you liking WGU? i just spoke to them and was not impressed by their recruiter....couldn't answer all of my questions and I know there are special requirements for the community preceptorship class that required 90 hrs for Ca nurses...... he couldn't answer and said I would have to talk to my mentor when that time comes in the program. My thing is- why not answer my questions now? I don't want to fish out money if he couldn't even do that for me. Glad you are enjoying the program and it is working for you. I am going to see if I can talk to someone else at WGU :)

nurselindah, BSN, RN · Nov 4, 2015

I have been unable to take classes during the summer months because of other commitments-so It has taken about two and 1/2 years for me. Also, I did not really double up on classes for most of the time because I was so focused on that "A". In retrospect, I could have taken some of the class together. I don't recommend taking Vulnerable Pops with any other class. That was my most time consuming class. Not hard, just tons of time. Health assessment is also time consuming but only because you have to make sure you hit every area 100% Again, not hard. I realize now the goal is to graduate, and get a BSN. No one gives a crap about your grades unless you are going on to NP/MSN.

If you did the math already-stick with UTA. You will have to take an additional lit. class, and Texas government but both are very doable! The only clinical requirement is shadowing a nurse manager.

nurselindah, BSN, RN · Nov 4, 2015

Oh! And I have two more classes to take next year, and I will be done!!!!! Yay for me!