Stupid question about RN to BSN programs

Absolutely13 · Feb 20, 2009

I feel really silly asking this, but I went to a very small nursing school here right out of high school and still don't know how 'regular college' works lol. I have been an RN for 2 1/2 years now, and am going to get my APRN in the next few years. I can't do huge steps like RN-MSN though so I'm taking it slow and just am going to bet my BSN preferably online now. I went to a diploma program for NS, so I'm missing some of the classes required for entrance such as english and history. I am looking at the requirements kind of confused...do I need to take those classes now somehow and THEN enroll in the BSN program? Or are they just rolled into it? I would assume if they had a program specifically for diploma RNs then they would just roll those classes into it...but it says specifically pre-reqs. As it looks right now the college isn't offering an english class in the summer, so I'd have to wait til the fall to do one and I'd have to attend an actual class which I do NOT want to do! So I'd have to wait so long just to enroll in the program, to get all these pre-reqs out of the way because I have to work full time as well.
I don't even know if anything I just said made any sense lol..I just never attended regular college, in NS everything was laid out for us and we didn't have 'credit hours'...or maybe we did, but it just wasn't said like that. Sorry I'm kind of dumb about all of this. Someone help? :)

I think you're going to have to get the prereqs out of the way first. You might want to contact the bridge program in which you'll be applying to make sure the classes are transferable (say, from the nearest community college).

I think an appointment with an academic advisor would be the best route for now. Good luck!

llg, PhD, RN · Feb 20, 2009

Absolutely13 is right. You need to talk with an advisor from the particular RN-BSN program you are interested in. Each has its own requirements. Don't waste time taking a course that your particular program won't accept. Find out what their specific requirements are, what their procedures, are etc. before you invest a lot of time and money.

Good luck to you!

vegnurse21 · Feb 21, 2009

Okay, I'll make an appointment then, thanks guys!

ChristineN, BSN, RN · Feb 21, 2009

I agree, talk to an advisor. I also went to a diploma RN program, and am now working on my RN-BSN. I did not need any pre-req's or other requirements before starting.

GeneralJinjur · Feb 21, 2009

If they accept community college credits, you can do a lot of pre-reqs online. It is more work than sitting in a class and having the information handed to you, but you can't beat doing all the work in your jammies. Also, some professors add a lot of required discussions to make up for the lack of face to face contact. Not all are this way and I expect that to fade as they get used to the online style of teaching. Anyway, I just wanted to let you know about that option. I did the majority of my bachelor's pre-reqs online.

BabyLady, BSN, RN · Feb 21, 2009

Be sure to look at ALL of the RN-BSN programs in your state...even if they are not within daily driving distance, many of them may have online programs where you may only have to go once or twice a semester.

There are HUGE differences between programs.

I have run into one, where their only requirement was that I pass NCLEX....I take 16 months of part-time courses and boom, I have my BSN.

I found another that there is no way I could finish it in under 3 to 4 years because they wanted me to take art, a foreign language, microbiology and organic chemistry...nope, not gonna do it...pretty much everything that their BSN program required minus the clinicals and pharamcology.

So be sure to look around.

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Feb 21, 2009

As has been said, decide which program you want and talk to an advisor. You may be able to finish the requirements as part of your general education requirements.

As an example NYS has just started a very clinical distance program through Empire State College. It requires that 60 credits total be finished within the program, of which around 30 are the nursing curriculum, so there would be plenty of room for you to take them.

Good luck! And look into your state university system first. They often have very low tuition and are pretty flexible with their residents.

allnurses Guide · Feb 21, 2009

Also, check into what exactly you will have with your BSN. I wanted a Public Health Certificate and the only one that offered that along with the BSN was an accelerated program at a local university.

There are scads of differences - glad you are making that appointment!!

steph