What should I expect?

KacyLynnRN · Apr 20, 2007

Hey Sophie,

I started out in an all-online RN to BSN program 2 years ago. I took 2 semesters, and just hated it. My main problem was that every course required some sort of group projects. Well, meeting in person was never an option because most of the people in the program lived all over the U.S. It seemed that I always ended up in a group with people who would never return my emails, or leave us all hanging until the absolute last freaking minute on giving us their part of a project. It got to the point where I couldn't stand it, and I quit that program and started up in an RN-BSN program available at a local college. That program has been wonderful, and I will graduate with my BSN May 3rd.

I hope what I've told you doesn't sour you on your online program, as I am sure some are different then the one I tried to do. The best advice I can give is try to seek out others in your class who live somewhat close to you, so maybe you all can meet to study and/or do projects. Also, try to put a group together for group projects that you can trust to not be flakes and work as hard as you will.

Good luck to you!

-Kacy

Jabramac · Apr 21, 2007

I just turned in my last paper for my online BSN program yesterday. I loved the experience. There were definitely ups and downs, but over all I think it was a good experience. My program started out as offering one class at a time in sequence. Each class lasted about 7 weeks long. That was nice because things moved pretty quick and the end of each class was always not too far away. It was tough because things moved fast and sometimes it was a struggle to finish the weeks assignment, which meant only scratching the surface on many topics. Some classes were very stimulating and intellectual for me, some were a piece of cake and required only a few hours a week of my time, and other classes were hard as heck and I pretty much lived at my desk sitting on the computer with my wife bringing me food. I am sure that it was just as stressful for my family as it was for me.

With my program I was really impressed at how interactive it was. We had no group projects, but we did have weekly required chat sessions, guided discussion postings, we were expected to read and respond to others postings, and we usually had a test each week along with a short paper each week. In a classroom setting you can sometimes sit in back and be ignored, but in an online class there is a record of how many times you speak up, so you can't just hide.

Many other students had little computer experience, the program took that into consideration and would go step by step for those who needed it. You do have to remember that it is a lot of writing. We also had weekly narrated power point lectures or DVD's to watch, along with a text book for most classes. Everyone learns differently, I rarely opened my text book, but I know others read all the text and never watched the lectures.

I would encourage anyone to persue a degree online, but do research the school. When I was looking 2 1/2 years ago there were fewer programs, and prices varied as well as how many credits they were going to require one to take with them. I have heard of a number of different formats, some require daily check ins or a minumum amount of time spent online each week, some are more loose with time lines of when things are due. I also found a lot of correspondance courses that have some high pressure sales. With those I think you study on your own then CLEP out of most classes.

Good luck to you!

NurseShelly · Apr 21, 2007

Wow. Thanks for the info guys. I guess I'll just have to give it a try and see how it goes. This online program seems like the best way to go for me, working a full time rotating schedule and all. I haven't heard back from my advisor yet, and I don't think I'll be as nervous once I hear from hear him and get a better idea on how the classes are run etc... Thanks again for the info.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Apr 21, 2007

I'm finishing up my 2nd to last class now. Lots of papers. I was able to learn Word and power point without problems. Excell was hard and I had to have someone tutor me enough to get through my stats class on one minor assignment.

Get yourself a good program for APA, such are Reference Point. It's worth every single penny.

NurseShelly · Apr 21, 2007

Hey Tweety. Thanks for the info. I just went and googled Reference Point. I'll definitely be getting that. I've always struggled with APA no matter how I hard I tried, I lost a point or two for something.