Best way to a Bachelor's

[krenee]

I completed the NVCC program with an associate's in May. I'm working and want to start working towards my bachelor's but on a very minimal level - as in, one class for right now. I'm still adjusting to working, but don't want to do nothing. I do have some down time at work (nights) so I would like to put that time to good use. Also, my hospital only pays $3K per year which doesn't get me very far. What I am considering is just trying to get some general ed stuff done at NVCC. I'm not sure if there's any benefit to getting a second associate's in general ed, or just taking the classes that I would need anyway at Mason (or wherever), and honestly I don't trust anyone at either school to give me a straight answer.

Any ideas?

Thanks for any input!

[UVA Grad Nursing]

Since your hospital does not provide much tuition support, I definitely recommend looking at a state school (where tuition will be less for you). VCU, GMU, ODU and UVa all have RN-BSN programs that allow you to be a part-time student (and to choose your pace). There are many similarities with these programs, but some significant differences with the core classes and needed transfer credit.

VCU has information sessions on their RN-BSN program every Friday. They have RN-BSN classes at several sites in Virginia, and their classes meet one Saturday a month. ODU offers their classes via teletech-net at community colleges throughout VA, but have more prerequisite classes than the other programs. UVa's classes meet 3 Tuesdays a month. GMU offers onsite at many hospitals in the DC area.

For UVa, the Transfer Admissions page has a transfer credit analyzer -- you type in the course number of a VCCS class and it will tell you what will transfer automatically. Most ADN graduates only need 1-2 extra classes (usually in humanties -- literature, philosophy, foreign language, art history) to satisfy the general education requirements. The reps at VCU try and do an transfer credit evaluation when you are there for a Friday information session.

Good luck with your search for the right program for you.

[llg, PhD, RN]

Some (many?) of ODU's classes are also in a totally online version that does not require class attendance at a specific place and time.