Anyone who has completed an RN-BSN....

1 Hi!
I just finished my last Nursing course for an ADN program. Pinning/Graduation is next week! Yaaaay! I'm very interested in starting a RN-BSN program. I found an online program that I'm in love with at a local university and plan to apply this summer. I could have my BSN in one year with the "fast track" option. It sounds appealing, but I'm a little hesitant to try and complete it in one year. I'm just concerned with working full-time ( I have a job offer! ) and taking a full course load. I would be taking 4 classes each semester and 2 the last semester. It doesn't sound like very many classes and it is online. I'm just not sure if this is typical. Technically, there's no hurry since I've already accepted an offer and will be working next month. I'm just excited and I really love learning. I want to see how far I can go in Nursing. I don't want to be overly ambitious about something that may be extremely difficult to do. Did any of you take the fast track option or the part time option? Was it easier to take classes online? Would you do the same again?

Thanks!
Congratulations. What type of position did you take?

Quote from nurse.sandiCongratulations. What type of position did you take?

This sounds like a great opportunity! But if i were you, since you already have a job offer, I would first work for maybe about a year or less and then go back to school. By then, you'll know the job well and your benefits will be eligible to pay for your schooling. Starting a new job as a RN is not easy, so adding a full course work load would only add to the anxiety. But that's just me, some people are good at juggling both.

Quote from NurzeladyThis sounds like a great opportunity! But if i were you, since you already have a job offer, I would first work for maybe about a year or less and then go back to school. By then, you'll know the job well and your benefits will be eligible to pay for your schooling. Starting a new job as a RN is not easy, so adding a full course work load would only add to the anxiety. But that's just me, some people are good at juggling both.

I have been a nurse for almost 4 years (ADN) and started an RN to BSN online a year ago. I agree with waiting the one year. My first year was extremely stressful, and I never could have handled school while adjusting to my new role. As far as going to school online, I :heartbeat it!!! Good luck!!!

I enjoyed doing classes online because they are very flexible as far as time. While working my scheduled varied from week to week so I could schedule me school around work instead of the other way around. I had a few years experience before I went back for my BSN and I actually think I got more out of my education by having some work experience to apply to what was being taught and vice versa.

I have an ADN (BA in another subject), just started my 1st RN job in acute care and start an online BSN program next week. I am only taking one class to start with. I can put it on hold if I can't handle it. I assume that the remaining BSN classes will not be as difficult and time-consuming as the clinical Nursing classes - I don't think anything will be as difficult! But I will let you know.

I am graduating with my BSN in a couple weeks. I attended a RN-BSN completion program through the same university where I obtained my ASN. It was all online and I took a full course load and got it done in a year. It wasn't fun but I'm so glad I pushed myself to get finished as fast as possible. Hopefully the online program you are considering caters to working RNs like mine did. There were a few clinical rotations required, but you set them up when/where it was convenient for you. I have always worked and gone to school my entire life, even during my ADN. So it was second nature to me to continue working while completing my BSN. It was a good decision for me and I think BSN prepared nurses are the direction that this profession is headed. Best of luck to you and congratulations on graduating!

Personally, I decided to work at least a year before starting my BSN. I am glad I did. Being a new nurse is stressful enough, AND I have plenty to study for with work (EKG, ACLS, TNCC, etc). I am planning to start an online BSN program this fall.

First, forget about being "pushy". What you really are is "goal oriented". Good for you.I would work first and consider the online program after you are a little comfortable with your job. Online programs are time intensive on the computer. New jobs can be stressful. Give yourself a little break so that the new material will have more meaning for you.