RN TO BSN OPTIONS-HELP!!!!!!

Julie, RN · Jun 2, 2000

Here is an article on "Earning Degrees by Distance Education": http://nsweb.nursingspectrum.com/ce/ce171.htm

[This message has been edited by Julie,SN (edited June 02, 2000).]

nursetee627 · Jun 28, 2000

Originally posted by omawunnmi:
I and Rn with an Associate degree.I am ready to go for my BSN programme.I am looking into a home study programme. I need to hear from those who have tried it both ways.
Please HELP!!!!!!.

IM A LPN GOING FOR ASSOCIATES USING RUE ,DISTANCE LEARNING PROGRAM REQUIRE A LOT TO ME YOU HAVE TO FAX YOUR HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS AND SIT IN ON ONLINE CLASS WITH RUE AND REGENTS YOU DO IT AT YOUR OWN PACE . BUT ITS UP TO YOU AS AN INDIVIDUAL TO GET IT DONE .

MollyJ · Aug 20, 2000

I did a BSN after starting as a diploma nurse and eventually got a MSN. I went to an urban university and took on campus courses, but my university was very savvy about meeting the needs of working nurses, offering evening classes, quiz outs of basic content (and they would accept your ADN nursing hours for the basic nursing content).

I admire your willingness to hear from distance learners as well as others who went to more traditional programs.

I worked full time for all but the last semester or two of my BSN and that allowed me to push through the end, but many of my colleagues worked full time through out.

I feel my university gave me credit for my learned experiences but did not short cut the learning, scholarship and re-culturalization that I think is really part of a university ed. We did clinicals in community health nursing and leadership that were designed to articulate what we needed to learn as BSN completion students, but they were not observation clinicals. I did (By my choice and with me as a primary negotiatiator) clinicals in a home health agency, and indigent care clinic, a planned parenthood (spending some time with their state lobbyist)and with a religion based sexuality educator. These clinical choices reflected my interests and were very significant to me. I learned alot and they broadened my appreciation of many complex matters significantly.

We increased our knowledge of how to write a scholarly paper, which might not be important to you as individual but it is a bonafide part of a university ed and was helpful in my MSN. I was enculturated in the theory and research issues in nursing, which again might not be a burning issue for you but is a part of a university ed and lead nicely into the MSN.

Don't make your education decision without at least looking at the BSN completion programs in your area. When I did my diploma in the late 70's I heard horror stories of repeating basic nursing classes and re-doing Med-surg clinicals and that's not happening anywhere. Remember that your BSN is not supposed to be a repeat of your generic program but a broadening and enlarging of your knowledge base. I believe that a good education DOES change your life (not just the decor of your house with a new Certificate).

Janet