Traveling RN Wants to Get BSN While On the Road

[Nurse Beth, MSN]

Dear Traveling RN/Wants BSN,

Excellent! and lucky for you, there has never been a better time to advance your education and enhance your earning potential by earning your BSN. online programs are convenient and flexible for your traveling lifestyle.

Points to Ponder

Here are some questions to ask yourself about any program:

• Are they regionally accredited?
  
• What is the cost?
  
• How long does it take to complete?
  
• Is the program for-profit or not-for-profit?
  
• How accessible are the instructors?
  
• Is there tech support?
  

Accreditation

Ask if the school is accredited, and then ask if your degree program is accredited. Accreditation is awarded on a program by program basis, and your specific program may not be. Accreditation affects course credit transferability, and future educational options. The nursing program should be accredited by:

• The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
  
• Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
  

Distance Learning

You are traveling, so an online program is a great choice for you. Some programs are 100% online, but may require you to find a preceptor for your clinical hours. Other online programs require a couple of days on campus per semester.

For-Profit vs Not-for-Profit

There are not -for-profit programs and for-profit programs. Generally for-profit programs are more expensive, but there are advantages and disadvantages. In addition to doing some online research so you avoid some controversial online for-profit schools, there's a very good and informative article titled:

The Benefits and Drawbacks of Private For-Profit Schools by TheCommuter, which you must read.

Know Yourself

The most successful distance learning students are responsible, motivated, and self-directed. They are active learners who assume responsibility for their own learning.

They are independent with great time management skills, and disciplined to study. Knowing yourself and your own learning style will ensure you plan how you're going to complete the program successfully.

Good luck! I hope you find the best program and fit for you.

Best wishes,

Nurse Beth

[Skip219, BSN, RN]

There are companies such as Medical Solutions which offer help with BSN completion. Most online programs are a good fit as long as you do your homework.

Good luck,

Skip

[Donna Maheady]

Glad you mentioned cost...an important consideration!

Also, the for-profit schools often accept students with lower GPAs than state colleges or universities.

I would also consider reputation of the school. Ask around. Is the hospital you are working at or would like to work at hiring nurses with BSNs from the school you are considering.

You are making a good move to get your BSN!

[imenid37]

Good luck. MY daughter goes the Thomas Edison State College. It is 100% accredited and is a state school in NJ. Not all schools have clinical. From what she tells me, she does not have to do clinical. Also I have had friends attend Eastern Mennonite. No clinical either and no tests. There are projects and they attend once a week for 3-4 hours, so that may not work for a traveler. You are so smart to do this. Good luck!

[Skip219, BSN, RN]

My wife went through Walden for her BSN. No test or clinicals, just weekly posts and papers .

[DisneyNurseGal, BSN, RN]

I finished my BSN through Dixie State University which is in Southern Utah. I happen to live in the city where this state university is located; however the program was all online. I was pleased with the program, and I was done in 12 months!

[andrew.youv]

I was a travel nurse and was able to complete my BSN online. Always look into your "home state", or your tax home if you're a traveler. Many schools offer BSN programs online that you are able to enroll at a much lower hometown discount. These are usually brick and mortar schools which have a traditional nursing program as well as RN-BSN online bridges and are often state schools or universities.

[Fumanchuesday]

I am just finishing up the University of Louisiana Lafayette RN-BSN program. Its all online, you can finish in 1 year or drag it out for as long as 5 years... Cost is $9500... I could have easily done it while traveling. There is no clinical component. I work 4 days a week and have made As and Bs no problem.

[Funkymiss187]

I am finishing by RN-BSN from University of Texas at Arlington. The total cost was $12,000. I travel, work 3 days a week 12 hour

shifts and have kids in sporting events. I have ALL A'S and B'S. The work can literally be done from anywhere and the program is 100% online. It accredited by CCNE which is regional . I don't live in Texas but I love this university. It's managable while traveling!