Thinking of switching to U of P

surferssoulmate · Jun 14, 2004

I am currently in the UOP RN to BSN program and am almost finished. In most classes, you must write a paper every week. There are PowerPoint presentations and Learning Team assignments as well. I would not attempt other classes along with it unless that's all you are doing. I work 3 12 hour night shifts per week, have a husband and 4 kids, so the online format is great for me. I can do homework in my jammies! I went to the FAFSA website and all of my costs are covered by student loans, except books. Now, recently UOP went to an online book for many of it's classes. Personally, I don't like it. The rEsource text has no index or table of contents and unless you are comfortable reading it on the screen, you must print it out. Give me a book I can flip through any day. Cost of most upper level classes is about $1200 for a 3 credit hour class. It is about $100 more per credit than my local university, but I don't have to show up for class at a certain time - that is worth every penny to me. My only complaint has come in the last week and has to do with academic advisors and administrative issues. I just recently found out when applying for my diploma that I'm short credits. I think it's the responsibility of the advisor to make sure I'm on track and getting what I need. Four of my classmates are in the same boat. The advisors do not include all, only some, of the non-nursing credits you might need when they do your schedule. I found that out a little late. So now my projected graduation of next month just got pushed out further. Another reason I was so surprised is that UOP had been sending me graduation info for weeks. Anyway, overall it's a great program and I've enjoyed it, but in hindsight wish I'd kept closer tabs on my credits and schedule instead of trusting an advisor to do it. Good luck with whatever you decide.

P.S. I don't really know anything about the MSN, haven't decided whether or not to keep going.

suzanne4, RN · Jun 14, 2004

One of my best friends got her BSN and MSN thru U of P and loved both of the programs. Unfortunately, she passed away last year after a breast cancer bout. But she loved the programs and said that she would have gone thru them either way.

I received my MBA from them back in 1986 and plan on beginning my doctorate there sometime in the next year. Best program for me because of where I am living now....................

Good luck with whatever choice that you make............ :balloons:

BBFRN, BSN, PhD · Jun 14, 2004

Thanks to both of you (Suzanne, I'm sorry to hear about your friend). I think I'm going to do it once they can tell me what general eds I need- the link they sent me only has the nursing core courses listed. I'm glad to hear financial aid covers most of it- those are expensive courses.

Trauma Columnist · Jun 14, 2004

I finished the BSN program in May 04 and just started the MSN program. I echo the above posters who like it very much. Please keep track of your own credits though - it seems like they have great difficulty keeping advisors and some are air-heads! Currently I have two that I absolutely love and have been really on the ball! As to the cost - by the time I get done (in about 15 months hopefully) I will be in debt about $30,000 - however I figure I will just drive my old truck a few more years and get the loans paid off in lieu of a new truck. I did the MSN versus the MHA since I want an educator or unit manager position when I get done. For me this works....

BBFRN, BSN, PhD · Jun 14, 2004

Thanks, Trauma for the info on their MSN. It does seem to be the best option for those that want to be educators.

NurseKimberley · Jun 18, 2004

Hi guys, saw this thread about UOP and had to put in my 2 pesos...

I just graduated last month ADN, got licensed just the other day. Everything all set to go with UOP for my BSN, financial aid (supposed to cover costs), everything. Got ready to start June 24. Then told to order the first book for a ONE MONTH LONG class....almost 500 BUCKS. I don't know about you guys, but 500 bucks on top of the financial aid debt does not seem like good thinking. Now I just got told this by the bookstore, someone please tell me I'm jumping the gun and it will all be okay...????

K. :uhoh21:

Toby's mum · Jun 18, 2004

I recently earned my MBA from UOP online. It took 4 years because I did it at my own pace, which was nice. UOP is a very expensive option. However, if you can get your work and/or financial aid to cover the costs, it is well worth it. The fact you don't have to commute to class, don't have to worry about finding parking, or going when you are dead tired are real pluses that you appreciate. It is quite a bit of work, but very doable while working full time. In my classes, we were required to 'participate' 5 out of 7 days, which meant we had to respond/or post several paragraphs about discussion questions or the topic. You get the hang of this pretty quickly and it usually doesn't take too long. There were plenty of papers, but again, this was the business program so it might differ to the nursing with regard to program requirements. There was a team assignment in every course. These are a bit of a hit or miss. The majority were fine--you get assigned to 3 or 4 other people and you all are responsible for working on a major project. As long as everyone pulls their weight, it's ok. I have had some team members that didn't work as hard, or weren't as bright, but that was not the norm. The instructors for the most part were pretty average to good. The one thing I noticed, however, is that your papers are graded, but you were given very little feedback other than 'good paper'. I think the emphasis that this is for working adults helps with the grading, but if you are looking for intense mental stimulation and challenge to your education, you may want to look elsewhere. Overall, I was ok with the program, but if I didn't have a good paying job at the time helping to pay for the education, I wouldn't have done it (and I would have been upset about paying $30K for an average education). Hope this is helpful. Stephanie

Trauma Columnist · Jun 19, 2004

Nurse Kimberly - I just graduated May 04 and University of Phoenix doesn't even HAVE books anymore. You pay $50.00 to download them and print them off the UofP website. Please check about the $500 because I don't think that is correct. Question it with your advisor.

Spazzy Nurse, RN · Jun 19, 2004

I guess the U of South Dakota has an RN to BSN online program as well. I quickly checked it out once in the past and it looked interesting. I don't know the cost or any details about the program, but wouldn't hurt to just check it out. Maybe it's a bit cheaper.

By the way lgflamini, what happened to Prince???

BBFRN, BSN, PhD · Jun 19, 2004

Lol, Spazzy- I had to change my avatar after the Prince thing...LMAO.

The good thing about the UOP program, is that it looks like the only general eds I'll need for my BSN are 6 math credits- that makes me very happy.

$500 for a book sounds crazy! I usually don't buy my books from a college bookstore, anyway...and the downloaded materials sound like a good deal.

I think I may be able to talk my workplace into covering my BSN, but I don't want them to cover my MSN in case I end up going to a nursing school to work- I don't want to be contracted to stay with them, unless I can do it as a unit based educator or something to that effect. They do pay more for that position than nursing schools pay for educators, though.

Off the topic here, but where is everybody getting those avatars with the people pics in them? (Like TraumaRUs's & Suzanne4's).

suzanne4, RN · Jun 19, 2004

Lol, Spazzy- I had to change my avatar after the Prince thing...LMAO.
The good thing about the UOP program, is that it looks like the only general eds I'll need for my BSN are 6 math credits- that makes me very happy.
$500 for a book sounds crazy! I usually don't buy my books from a college bookstore, anyway...and the downloaded materials sound like a good deal.
I think I may be able to talk my workplace into covering my BSN, but I don't want them to cover my MSN in case I end up going to a nursing school to work- I don't want to be contracted to stay with them, unless I can do it as a unit based educator or something to that effect. They do pay more for that position than nursing schools pay for educators, though.
Off the topic here, but where is everybody getting those avatars with the people pics in them? (Like TraumaRUs's & Suzanne4's).

Glad that you like mine. Gwenith posted a site a few days ago.

Here it is again..... http://illustmaker.abi-station.com/index_en.shtml

It is definitely a lot of fun............. :)