best price BSN?

Discussion in 'Nursing and medical-related degrees' started by cookderosa, Dec 29, 2013.

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  1. cookderosa

    cookderosa Resident Chef

    I know the list of online BSN programs are abundant, but for anyone who has been searching that topic lately, does anyone know who the contenders are for best price?
     
  2. cookderosa

    cookderosa Resident Chef

    I wanted to add that I think Fort Hays is the leader in the RN-->BSN, since it looks like they are at $145/credit, accept 30 CLEP and possibly FEMA at $77/cr. I think that degree would come in under $8500. Still looking for anyone else who might have suggestions for me to look at. Thanks.
     
  3. sanantone

    sanantone Well-Known Member

    WGU RN to BSN depending on how fast one can finish. If finished in 1 year, then the cost will be $6500.
     
  4. Delta

    Delta Active Member


    Fort Hays State University is my suggestion! The tuition is very reasonable! The school is Regionally Accredited! The Nursing College is CCNE accredited and has a B&M campus with a great history!

    I looked at a few DETC schools that offer BSN's and they appear to be more expensive! Some are NLN and/or CCNE accredited but I still think there will be challenges applying to future graduate nursing programs down the road. For example, applying to a master or doctoral nurse practitioner or anesthetist program with a DETC BSN may not fly with all schools even though the nursing program was NLN or CCNE accredited! Why limit your options to save a few, if any dollars?

    I really have very little to say about WGU's nursing program. I hope someone can chime in on their experiences!
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 29, 2013
  5. sanantone

    sanantone Well-Known Member

    I'm seeing that FHSU is $182 per credit hour for online degree programs.
     
  6. Delta

    Delta Active Member

    I'm assuming the person wants a BSN to go onto graduate school or work at a Magnet Hospital. Otherwise, Charter Oak and Excelsior College offer BS degrees in Health Science with generous credits for an RN license.

    Frontier University has a ADN to Masters to DNP program bypassing the BSN altogether and includes a focus in nurse practitioner or midwifery. I personally think it is too much to chew off and very pricey! However, I took a few courses which are taught online but include some campus visits and can tell you the learning experience is unique and amazing! The campus and atmosphere in the Kentucky Hills is something very special to behold!

    ADN to MSN+DNP (Bridge) Entry Option | Frontier Nursing University
     
  7. sanantone

    sanantone Well-Known Member

    TESC's RN to BSN is 100% online. All an RN needs is 28 extra credits in nursing. Any additional free elective and general education requirements can be completed with FEMA (free), CLEP/DSST/Uexcel, TEEX (free), Straighterline, ALEKS ($20 per month), Saylor (free with $25 proctor fee), and other cheap sources of credit. The Comprehensive Tuition Plan for 1 year is $8,395 and covers up to 36 credits including TECEPs. After subtracting the 28 nursing credits, the person will have room to take 2 TECEPs at no additional cost other than the proctor fee.
     
  8. cookderosa

    cookderosa Resident Chef

    You're right - thanks!
     
  9. major56

    major56 Active Member

    University of Wyoming: Online RN/BSN Completion Program

    Resident tuition $108 /credit hour
    Non-resident tuition: $152 /credit hour
    RN/BSN Completion | Online RN to BSN Program | University of Wyoming
     
  10. cookderosa

    cookderosa Resident Chef

    thanks so much!!
     
  11. major56

    major56 Active Member

    You're welcome Jennifer.
     
  12. soupbone

    soupbone Active Member

    That's great! Now if they would offer the basic RN (two year) while accepting CLEP/FEMA, I'd be in business! :smashfreakB::laughing:
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 31, 2013
  13. sanantone

    sanantone Well-Known Member

    WGU does offer the BSN pre-licensure program, but only for those in certain areas. They accept CLEP, DSST, and Straighterline. There are some other schools that offer second degree/accelerated BSN programs by distance, but they probably aren't as generous with alternative sources of credit. Then, you have Excelsior College's associates in nursing. In order to be admitted you have to be an LVN/LPN, paramedic, midwife, military corpsman, respiratory therapist, a physician trained outside the U.S., or a physician's assistant or physician trained inside the U.S. Others can petition for acceptance if they meet certain requirements.

    I think there might be some other paramedic and/or LVN/LPN to RN programs. There is actually a school in Texas that offers a paramedic program online with several clinical sites throughout the state. If I were younger, I would have gone all the way from paramedic to DNP with distance learning programs.
     
  14. Delta

    Delta Active Member

    I am intrigued about the alternate pathways to LVN licensure in California. For example, A CNA with 5 years experience can challenge the LVN or a navy corpsman can challenge it as well! National University apparently has a certificate LVN to RN program! Amazing!
     
  15. Delta

    Delta Active Member

    When you say DNP, do you mean nurse practitioner or a nurse with a doctor of nursing practice?
     
  16. sanantone

    sanantone Well-Known Member

    Doctor of Nursing Practice, but preferably one for nurse practitioners.
     
  17. Delta

    Delta Active Member

    Sorry for the side track.

    Yeah, I've seen so many DNP programs now that are for nurse administrators, educators and executives. I hope the trend isn't to mistake the DNP as a nurse practitioner.

    In addition, I find it alarming that perceptions surrounding the affordable care act and the "shortage" of primary care providers has turned the focus away from creating more residencies for Physicians and Surgeons to developing more "mid level" providers. Why? It's all about money!

    I can assure you a nurse practitioner or physician assistant is not a full substitute for a Physician and Surgeon! I'll even go as far to say that the DNP adds some level of false expectations for patients. They are not doctors and the training is a pittance compared to the training received to become a licensed Physician!

    "Mid levels" certainly serve a need and become experts in their circle but to imply that this whole healthcare provider shortage can be solved by creating more "mid levels" is another deception at best!
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 31, 2013
  18. soupbone

    soupbone Active Member


    Thanks. It was more tongue in cheek to Jennifer because I have exhaustively tried to figure out a way to break into the field, but I simply don't have the time for a B&M way and there are no true entry level DL programs. There are a ton of bridge programs (RN->BSN, Paramedic->BSN, etc.) which are great, but no way to take courses via DL with your clinicals being done locally. Sorry for the :hijacked:
     
  19. cookderosa

    cookderosa Resident Chef

    :) you know you want to enroll.....lol, just sayin
     
  20. Delta

    Delta Active Member

    Some States have "Direct entry Midwife" licenses. This is another often overlooked pathway to getting into the Excelsior College RN program but can take years of training to gain a license and certification! Actually sounds fun!

    Excelsior College RN admission reqs:
    "Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurses
    Paramedics
    Respiratory Therapists, Respiratory Technicians, Respiratory Care Practitioners.
    Physicians trained and/or licensed outside of the United States.
    Physicians or Physician's Assistants trained and/or licensed in the United States.
    Licensed, Certified or Registered Midwives."

    Here is a link to an inexpensive online midwifery school:
    Midwife to Be | Birthing Midwives Since 1986

    here is another link to an online respiratory therapist school:
    Respiratory Therapy Program | Associate | Independence University

    Both of these pathways are rigorous and the later is mucho $$$! I am intrigued with the online Paramedic program! http://percomonline.com/EMT-Paramedic.php
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 31, 2013

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