RN TO BSN, Online or not? Please HELP!

U.S.A. Pennsylvania

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Specializes in Telemetry/Vascular Surgical.

I am looking to go back to school to go for my RN to BSN, but I am very undecided in whether to go back to school or to do courses on-line. I currently work full time and debating whether to go to school full-time or part-time. If people can share their experiences in terms of; if they worked full-time/part-time, went to school full-time/part-time, if they completed an on-line program or commuted to school, and what school they went to complete their RN to BSN program, that would be AWESOME! How was your experience? Was it affordable (price?)? AND if you could redo your RN to BSN experience would you go back to the same school or on-line program you have completed? ANY tidbit of information or advice will be most appreciated!!!! Thanks in advance!!!!:heartbeat

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Specializes in mental health, military nursing.

I'm in my last semester of an in-person RN-to-BSN program, and I can honestly say I could have done it all online and not missed a thing. The only advantage I can see is that you are on a strict timeline, and you have peers to keep you accountable (noone wants to be the person dropping out for a semester). If you're self-motivated, do it online!

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Specializes in Telemetry/Vascular Surgical.

Thanks a lot!!! Your comment is swaying me to go on-line!!! Still unsure about my decisions for fall. I am self motivated but I wonder if there will be more enjoyment taking classes at school!!!! BLAH! I'll figure it out...

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Specializes in Case Managemnt, Utilization Review.

YOu must be disciplined. All the programs vary as to the requirements, many 2-3 posts a week, daily logins and a paper at the end. It is definitely manageable to do online classes. I had not been in school for 18 yrs and found it very beneficial to take a program that offered a mixed program. I went RN to BSN and took 11 undergraduate online classes. This was great because most of my nursings were face to face and I could get the clarification of the project guidelines.

In online programs, you get what you put into them. You can get by or work really hard and and learn a lot.

I found, in nursing there were no tests to study for, but I will give you a prime example of why a face to face class is a benefit. Health assessment, I never had an assessment class in nursing school. This class taught me to palpate the thyroid, and practice assessment skills that are not necessary in everyday practice.

I also found the the mix of the 2 to be great. I took informatics and computers , pharmacology, english, world nursing, nursing theory, to name a few on line and took, nursing courses in person. I did this through Rowan's progran with UMDNJ and it was great.

My suggestion, would be to see if any programs have the ability to do both. Best of both worlds.

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