Why does Chamberlain's online RN-BSN seem to different?

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After researching Chamberlain College of Nursing on their website, it appears you only need 48 credits to graduate (plus the 80 they grant you for having the RN for a total of 128). Half of the 48 are nursing credits and half are general ed. The general ed classes consist of 1 writing, 2 math, 1 sociology, 1 economics, and 2 electives. Is that accurate? This is interesting because every other online college and my local schools require a good deal more classes including anatomy, psych, micro, chemistry, etc PLUS they require much more than just 24 credits in nursing. Furthermore, those 24 general ed classes may be even less if Chamberlain accepts transfer credits from previous classes. Maybe not the specific writing/math/soc/eco classes but at least the electives. How can you get away so so few classes at Chamberlain? I mean it sounds great to me, but it also seems a lot different than other schools. I realize that a lot of us have taken classes like anatomy/micro/psych in the course of our ADN or diploma nursing school experiences so chances are they would transfer to those other schools, but Chamberlain doesn't even list them as requirements. Do they just assume you have taken those classes if you have your RN and therefore don't need them. To be honest the classes at Chamerlain seem a lot more interesting and easier than some of the required courses at say Liberty University online or University of Wyoming online.

Anyone have any input on this?

Thanks!

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

Under their C-CAP (Chamberlain College of Nursing Articulation Plan), if you have an active U.S. RN license, you get the 80 credits which does include 44 general education credits and 36 nursing credits. So yes, they do assume if you're an RN, you've taken those classes, and they give you credit for getting that RN.

Is Chamberlain easy? No. It takes work and effort. There is a lot of reading and paper writing and research. It is time consuming. But yes, it does seem different from other schools because the road is a little shorter. :) I ended up choosing between Chamberlain, who wanted me to take 32 credits for a BSN, and University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, who wanted me to take 47 credits. I already had 206 credits at the time of application. So which one sounds better? ;)

I do like the classes, though. They're interesting, and I'm actually learning a lot.

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Thanks for the reply. It seems like a great option to look into for the future.

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Could someone please give me some information about the Fast-Track RN-BSN online degree for Chamberlain College?

The Cost? and What is the Capstone course all about? and any information about the program would be greatly appreciated.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

The total cost is going to vary depending on how many credits you'll need. You have to take a minimum of 32 credits with Chamberlain (or DeVry for general ed courses) to graduate from their RN-BSN. At a current price of $575 per credit hour, the minimum you'll pay is $18,400. If you go full-time (12 to 17 credits), it's a flat fee of $6,900 per semester (which works out to $405/credit if you take 17 credits per semester). Those figures don't include some per-semester fees (I think it's $150), plus books.

Regarding the Capstone (NR-450), the catalog states, "This course is a synthesis course and requires senior students to demonstrate mastery of skills learned in liberal arts and nursing courses. Special emphasis is placed on the implementation of change in response to identification of needs/problems in selected health care settings. The major assignment is an evidence-based project that grows out of the student’s interest as it relates to specific patient populations, professional nursing roles, and/or health care settings." I'm not sure exactly what that means, either -- I assume it means reading, research, and writing a paper. I'll be taking it next, so I'll have a better idea of what it entails after the next session begins on April 26. :)

There is more info and a sample curriculum grid here: http://www.chamberlain.edu/Locations/RNtoBSNOnlineDegreeCompletionProgram/ProgramInformation/tabid/588/Default.aspx. Also, the school catalog has a lot of good info: http://www.chamberlain.edu/portals/0/pdfs/2008CCN-AcademicCatalog.pdf

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Hi Lunah. I am currently enrolled at Chamberlain, and so far it has been great. I started with one class to get used to online learning. Beginning next semester, I am planning to take two classes. I work full time, 3-12hr shifts and once/week per diem.

You are the best resource person to ask; if you don't mind... can you given me an idea on which 2 classes can be paired up? I am scared to make a mistake on choosing two writing intensive classes.

Next semester, they registered me for Adv. Composition and Cultural Diversity.

The rest are:

Health Assesment

Community Health Nsg

Collaborative Healthcare

Information Systems for Healthcare

Evidenced-Based Practice

Capstone Course

Thank you in advance for your help. :)

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

Some of them have pre-reqs and can't really be paired up, like the last two. The only two classes I took together on your list were Collaborative Healthcare and Information Systems for Healthcare. They went together nicely, I thought.

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Thank you for the info, Luhah. How do we know the prereq for each class? Is it in the website? Thanks.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

Yep -- just download the undergrad catalog here, on the right side of the page: http://www.chamberlain.edu/Programs.aspx

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found it... under catalog...

:)

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Are there any classes that you would suggest to be taken alone or together at chamberlain

community health nursing

collaborative healthcare

information systems for healthcare

evidence based practice

capstone.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

Collaborative Healthcare goes well with anything else. You have to take all the nursing classes before you can take the capstone, so you won't be able to combine that with anything. I think I did Collaborative Healthcare at the same time I did Info Systems for Healthcare, and did fine with those two together (plus working three 12's a week, one night at the fire station each week, and doing desktop publishing part time).

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