RN to BSN Online Tips

What Classes You Will Take For A RN to BSN Degree

When looking at RN to BSN online degree programs, make sure to look at the courses you will be expected to take. Some types of courses you may find on the schedule:

• General education courses – these are general courses, such as history and English, that you must take to complete your degree

• Nursing Management courses – nursing management courses will help you with doctor's office and hospital administration work

• Community Health Nursing – focuses on community health issues

• Nursing Research – focuses on quantitative and qualitative research in the nursing profession

• Complimentary Therapies – focuses on nontraditional therapies and complementary therapies

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The Benefits Of A RN to BSN Online Degree

When deciding to pursue your bachelor's degree, you have a few options. You can choose a traditional, on-campus completion program, or you can choose an RN to BSN online program. But what are the benefits of online programs?

• Work at your own pace. Most online programs will allow you too choose courses according to your schedule and to do your work whenever you can. This is a benefit if you are busy with your job or a family.

• Study from home. Online programs allow you to do your work from the comfort of your own home without having to commute to a college campus.

• Get familiar with technology. Most RN to BSN online programs use the most cutting-edge web technology to deliver course content to their students; by participating in one of these programs, you will be learning about technology at the same time as nursing.

• Improve your self-discipline and motivation. Since you will be working at your own pace and on your own schedule, you don't have traditional accountability as you would in a classroom setting. You will improve your self-discipline and motivation by working on an online degree.

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Clinical Requirements For South University's RN to BSN Degree

When you study for your BSN at South University Online, you will take all your classes online via the web. There comes a time, though, when you need to put the classroom knowledge into use to practice your newfound skills; this is where the clinical component of your program comes in.

To complete your clinical requirement, you can work with South University to find a medical facility close to you where you can work. This type of clinical component makes the program as flexible as possible, while still allowing you to gain hands-on experience with real-life work situations.

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Time Frame For Obtaining My RN to BSN Online Degree

Different schools' RN to BSN online degrees will take different amounts of time to complete. Since RN to BSN online programs are for the busy working professional nurse, however, you can be sure that the programs are designed to be completed as quickly as possible.

If worked at continuously, most RN to BSN online degrees can be completed in about 1.5 years. The length of time for the degree could be quicker or slower, depending on how many credits you bring with you to the program and if you choose to study part-time or full-time.

Many RN to BSN online degree programs, unlike other kinds of programs, do not have a time limit on their classes. Whereas some MBA and other online courses will “expire” after a certain amount of time (usually about 5 years), most RN to BSN online programs will allow you to work as long as you need at your own pace.

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How Much RN to BSN Online Degrees Cost

Any degree program costs money, and RN to BSN online degrees are no different. Every school will have different tuition costs, so make sure you research to figure out which school is in your budget. Usually, RN to BSN online degrees are priced per credit hour, and most classes for semester programs are 3 credit hours. For state schools, residents usually pay less per credit hour than those students that reside out-of-state.

Credit hour costs can range anywhere from about $110 for an in-state resident of a state school to $400 for a private school. In addition, there are usually registration costs each semester (which can range anywhere from $7 to $20), and different costs associated with clinical courses. If the tuition for an RN to BSN degree sounds prohibitive, relax. Most programs offer scholarships and/or financial aid for qualified students; check to see if the program you're interested does, and what is required to be eligible.

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RN to BSN Online Degree at South University Prerequisites

If you are thinking of applying at South University Online, you will need to know what prerequisites are required. Here is a list of prerequisite considerations:

• A valid RN license or a nursing diploma from an accredited RN program
• Transcripts from previous schools attended
• Letters of recommendation
• Application fee
• An application essay, stating your professional experience, goals, and objectives

If English is not your first language, you can also expect to be required to take the TOEFL, Test of English as a Foreign Language, to test your language proficiency.

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How You Receive Support in RN to BSN Online Courses

Studying at your own pace from the comfort of your own home is a great benefit of an online degree program – that is, until you need help with something. In RN to BSN online degree programs, most schools offer an array of support options for their students.

Some have webcasts, where you can actually interact with professors. Others have bulletin board software, like BlackBoard or WebCT, that allows you to interact with other students through messages. Some schools have residency requirements which allow you to network with fellow students and professors every semester. And almost all schools have hotlines or e-mail support you can call or contact if you are experiencing technical problems.

In short, online degree programs do not have to be completely solitary endeavors; most schools make every effort to support their students.

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Prerequisites For a RN to BSN Online Degree

For any degree program, online or other, there are usually prerequisites you will need to meet to be considered for admission. RN to BSN online degree programs are no exception. Prerequisites vary according to school, but in general you can expect the following requirements:

• Transcripts from previous schools attended

• Letters of recommendation

• Application fee

• An application essay, stating your professional experience, goals, and objectives

• A copy of your state RN licensure

In addition, some programs will require proof of work experience for at least a year. If English is not your first language, you can also expect to be required to take the TOEFL, Test of English as a Foreign Language, to test your proficiency in English.

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Residency Requirements For RN to BSN Degrees

Some programs have residency requirements for their RN to BSN online programs; such a requirement can work to your benefit or not, depending on what you're looking for in a program. Programs that have residency requirements usually have students come on campus when they are beginning their course of study, to meet professors and fellow students. They then may require students to come back every year or every semester, for on-campus seminars, socials, and meetings. If you are a social person who thrives on knowing other students and getting support in-person, a program with a residency requirement may be for you. If, however, you are already working and have other commitments that would make it difficult for you to meet a program's residency requirement, then consider a program with no requirement.

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What Classes You Will Take in South University Online's RN to BSN Program

While you are enrolled in South University Online's RN to BSN online degree, you will take a variety of classes to enhance and expand your knowledge and skills. Some of the types of classes are:

• General education courses – you may need to take courses like history and English to complete your degree
• Nursing Management and Training courses – to further your professional skills, you can take management and training courses
• Nursing Research – you will focus on quantitative and qualitative research in the nursing profession to increase your value to your employer
• Complimentary Therapies – a trend in the health care industry today is complementary and alternative medicine, so you can learn about these techniques to stay abreast of the trend

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Benefits of South University's RN to BSN Online Degree

South University's RN to BSN completion program offers several benefits for the professional nurse. Here are some of these:

• You can work at your own pace. With South University's online program, you can choose courses according to your schedule, and complete your work whenever you can. If you have job or family commitments, the flexibility is excellent.
• Study from home. South University's program allows you to do your work from the comfort of your own home without having to commute to a college campus. This cuts down on the amount of time you have to spend on your degree as a whole
• Become proficient with technology. The South University Online RN to BSN online program uses cutting-edge communications technology to deliver course content to their students. When you participate in the online program, you will be learning about technology at the same time as nursing
• Hone your self-motivation and discipline. Online programs are excellent for their flexibility, but you don't have traditional accountability as you would in a classroom setting. By having to motivate yourself and keep yourself on track while earning your BSN, you will improve your self-discipline and motivation

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What You Will Study With RN to BSN Online Degree

When starting any degree program, it is wise to know what kind of courses you will be taking during your schooling. RN to BSN online degrees are no different. What kinds of topics will you study during your RN to BSN online degree program?

Of course, different schools' programs focus on different topics. But overall, you can expect to study topics like palliative care, complementary nursing and healthcare methods, multicultural nursing, management skills, nursing research basics, and global health and policy issues.

When choosing an online RN to BSN degree, check the course requirements and make sure they are of interest to you; different schools' programs may focus around different themes, so making sure the theme is of interest to you is essential.

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The Length of an RN to BSN Degree

Since the RN to BSN online program at South University Online is designed for the working professional nurse, you can be sure that the program is designed to be completed in as little time as possible.

For most candidates, South University RN to BSN online degree can be completed in around 2 years if worked on continuously. South University does have an accelerated option, with 5 ½ week classes; if you choose this option, you can get your degree in as little as 1.5 years. Transfer credits and prior work credits may also minimize the time you'll have to spend on your program.

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Getting Credit for Work Experience With South University

South University Online's RN to BSN completion degree is designed with the busy professional nurse in mind. To minimize the time it will take you to earn your degree, you can earn credit for your work experience or prior courses you've taken at South University Online..

At South University, you can earn up to 45 credit hours for your previous RN work. If you have a fair amount of experience in one area, there is no sense in taking redundant classes in that area. This way, you can free up your study time to learn new skills and concepts.

You may also be eligible to earn transfer credit for previous classes you've taken at South University. Classes you took on your way to becoming an associate's RN may count, or if you began a BSN program, you may be able to get credit for those classes. Work with the admissions counselors to see what kind of credit you're eligible for.

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Considering A RN to BSN Online Degree

If you are already an RN with an associate's degree or nursing diploma, the next step in your education is to earn your BSN degree from South University Online.

The South University RN to BSN completion program is designed for working nurses who want to complete their degree. South University understands that going back to school is a huge time commitment and can be prohibitive to most working professionals. An online degree gives you the opportunity to study on your own schedule, day or night, and complete courses when you can.

South University also offers an accelerated RN to BSN program, offering 5 ½ week classes and allowing you to earn your degree in as little as 1 ½ years. You also may be able to get up to 45 credit hours for RN work you've already completed, as well as credit for past classes you've taken.

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The Cost of an RN to BSN Program at South University Online

If you have decided to pursue your RN degree online at South University Online, you will want to know how much it is going to cost.

South University Online's RN to BSN program costs $280 per credit hour, so a four credit hour class will cost $1120. There is also a $50 application fee.

South University offers scholarships and financial aid for qualified students, helping to make the program fit in anyone's budget. There are loans, work-study funds, and grants available to help make your program more affordable.

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Technical and Professional Support in South University's RN to BSN Online Courses

South University Online's RN to BSN completion program is flexible, because you can study at your own pace and on your own schedule from the comfort of your own home. But what happens when you need help?

South University's RN to BSN online degree program offers an array of support options for their students, both professionally and technically. You can interact with students and professors with technical communication software like webcasts, bulletin board software, or chat rooms.

For technical help, South University has boards where you can post questions for technical support people, or you can e-mail support you if you are experiencing technical problems.

South University Online makes every effort to support their students, making their online program a little less of a solitary endeavor.

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Deciding if the RN to BSN Degree at South University For You

Deciding to go back to school is a big decision, as is the decision about where to go. South University Online's RN to BSN program is flexible and convenient; look to these points to see if it's the right program for you.

• Do you need a flexible program? South University Online's program is delivered exclusively via the web, making it easy to accommodate studying around your busy schedule
• Do you want a residency requirement? Some schools require their online students to come to campus once or twice a year, which can be difficult with work and family obligations. South University has no residency requirement, meaning you can you complete all your academic courses from the comfort of your own home
• Do you need to complete your clinical component close to home? South University will allow you to work with a medical facility near to you to organize your clinical component, making the program easier and more flexible than programs that require you to complete your clinical component near to or on campus
• Can you afford it? If you are on a budget, South University is an affordable option. Per credit hour charges are $262 per credit hour, and financial aid is available

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RN to BSN Online Degree Course of Study

When you start your RN to BSN completion program at South University Online, you may be interested in knowing what kinds of courses you'll be taking.

At South University, you can expect to study topics like palliative care, complementary nursing and healthcare methods, management skills, nursing research basics, and global health and policy issues. You will also enhance your patient teaching skills, expand your critical thinking skills, and improving your managerial skills.

The RN to BSN completion program at South University Online focuses on expanding your professional nursing skills, allowing you to better care for your patients.

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Getting Credit for Your Prior Experience

RN to BSN online degrees are designed with the busy professional nurse in mind. As such, many programs offer credit for your work experience or prior courses you've taken, which allows you to shorten your overall time commitment. Some programs offer various amounts of credit for previous RN work experience, allowing you to opt out of some of the required courses they offer.

This credit is useful if you have a fair amount of experience in one area, and a class in that area would be redundant. In addition, almost all programs offer transfer credit for previous classes you've taken. If you began a BSN program and didn't finish, or have taken other accredited classes, you can work with the admissions counselors at the school you've chosen to make sure you get credit for those classes.

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Deciding Which RN to BSN Degree Is Right For You

There are many different RN to BSN online degrees available for registered nurses to complete their bachelor's degree. But which one is right for you? When trying to decide which programs to apply to, consider the following questions:

• Is there a residency requirement? Some programs require their students to stay on campus periodically, usually once a semester. Is that feasible for you?

• Are the courses of interest to you? Many programs have a “theme” that the upper level courses revolve around; is that theme something you're interested in learning about?

• Is there a clinical component? Many RN to BSN programs have a clinical component; some will allow you to set up your own clinical experience at a local hospital, or will tell you where to complete your clinical. Make sure if they require the latter, the clinical experience is feasible for you.

• How much does it cost? If you are on a budget, make sure you check the tuition, and if scholarships and financial aid is available.

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