What is the most affordable and "easy" way to rn-BSN?

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Sep 26, 2014

The "easy," convenient RN-to-BSN degree completion programs (Chamberlain, Grand Canyon U, University Of Phoenix, etc) tend to be rather expensive.

The most affordable RN-to-BSN degree completion programs (Fort Hays State U, UT Arlington, Western Governors U, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Ohio U) may lack some conveniences, might not be easy, and may include more requirements as far as prerequisite coursework is concerned.

In other words, pick your poison. Good luck to you.

HarryTheCat, MSN, RN · Sep 26, 2014

Ask yourself this question, and answer it honestly: If you were a nurse manager, would you want to hire the person who got his/her BSN the "easy" way?

CrunchRN, ADN, RN · Sep 26, 2014

Which is the cheapest? Just in case............... :)

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Sep 26, 2014

Which is the cheapest? Just in case............... :)

1. Fort Hays State U offers an online RN-to-BSN degree completion program at $182 per credit through their Virtual College. On paper it seems like a bargain.

2. Western Governors U offers the online RN-to-BSN program at a flat rate of $3250 per six month term. Students can progress as quickly as they wish, so some people have paid a total of $3,750 for a BSN degree because they completed the program before the first six month term ended.

MJL91675RN · Oct 2, 2014

While some people think WGU and $3750 for a BSN in 6 months is the "cheap" way out. I say it shows dedication and perseverance. Not everybody can finish those courses in that amount of time. Just food for thought.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Oct 2, 2014

While some people think WGU and $3750 for a BSN in 6 months is the "cheap" way out. I say it shows dedication and perseverance. Not everybody can finish those courses in that amount of time. Just food for thought.

$3750 for a BSN degree is the cheap way out. I never said it was the easy way out, but it is one of the cheapest online BSN degree completion programs in the US.

I've been enrolled in WGU's online BSN program since May, and I definitely will not be able to complete the degree requirements by the time my first term ends on October 31st. However, I will have completed 27 or 28 credits during my first term.

TiffyRN, BSN, PhD · Oct 2, 2014

I once heard a principal about consumer goods, but I think it applies here: cheap, good, fast. Pick any two of the three, but you usually can't have all three.

angiewdm · Oct 4, 2014

I go to Fort Hays State online for their RN-BSN program. I think it's $186 a credit hour, and the program is regionally and nationally accredited. I do have to take Chemistry, Pathophysiology and College Algebra (womp womp), but it's a trade off.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Oct 4, 2014

I go to Fort Hays State online for their RN-BSN program. I think it's $186 a credit hour, and the program is regionally and nationally accredited. I do have to take Chemistry, Pathophysiology and College Algebra (womp womp), but it's a trade off.

It's a trade-off that's worth it to me. I'd rather pay affordable tuition and take a few extra courses than spend $20,000, $30,000 or more for the convenient BSN degree completion program that guarantees the fewest number of classes.

WGU required me to take biochemistry, statistics and health assessment, but I'm not paying anything extra due to their flat rate fee structure. The program allows students to take as many courses as they can handle for a flat rate of $3250 per six month term.

tokmom, BSN, RN · Oct 10, 2014

The "easy," convenient RN-to-BSN degree completion programs (Chamberlain, Grand Canyon U, University Of Phoenix, etc) tend to be rather expensive.
The most affordable RN-to-BSN degree completion programs (Fort Hays State U, UT Arlington, Western Governors U, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Ohio U) may lack some conveniences, might not be easy, and may include more requirements as far as prerequisite coursework is concerned.
In other words, pick your poison. Good luck to you.

Please do not say a school is easy unless you were actually enrolled in the program and know from experience. Grand Canyon is a PRIVATE Christian school, so naturally it will be more than a state school.

My program was rigorous and NOT easy. It required a minimum of twenty hours a week of classwork, reading, and writing. Every student is mandated in either ground campus (yes, it's a brick and mortar University with dorms, sports teams etc) or online to take a spirituality class. I had to write many a paper on the bible and comparisons too.

My capstone had a MINIMUM/mandated fifteen current research articles with the total paper being 36 pages.

The pathophysiology class uses the same book as my friends NP class.

I could go on, but I'm tired and tired of beating a dead horse.

So please, do not say the program is easy.

Op: if you want easy, don't look toward GCU. I honestly can't speak to the other programs because I did not obtain my bsn through them. I wish you the best of luck in your decision. It's one you won't regret making. My BSN has opened doors and taught me so much about myself and nursing. :)