RN to BSN Program

RN to BSN Program Ashland University Frequently Asked Questions On the following slides, many of the frequently asked questions of prospective BSN students are addressed. If you have a concern that has not been addressed, please e-mail us at nursing@ashland.edu and your question(s) will be addressed! What’s the first thing I should do?   The fact that you are reading this is a great first step! You are learning about the various BSN program options that are available to you. The next step is to request that all college/nursing school transcripts be sent to the schools that you are interested in. Why do you need my transcripts?    Your transcripts are used to see what previous course work transfers and what requirements you have yet to complete. Many of your pre-requisite BSN courses have been met with your RN program requirements. Ashland University has a liberal transfer credit policy, giving you maximum credit for courses completed with a grade of C- or better. What happens next?   Once all of your transcripts are received, you will receive an unofficial advisement of what courses are needed to complete the BSN degree at Ashland University. This is a good time to compare costs & number of classes needed at various BSN programs you are considering. Is there anything else I have to do?  At some point, you will need to apply to and be accepted to the BSN program. At Ashland University, there is no application fee and the process can be completed on-line.  When you are accepted into the program, you are accepted into the university.  Which courses do I start with?  Students have differing opinions on this one. Assuming that the required pre-requisite courses are mostly met, you have a couple options: Start with the entry-level BSN nursing course(s)  Take required, non-nursing course(s)  Take a combination  Which option is best for me?  Everyone is different and we will guide you in this decision-making process. Some things to consider:     How long has it been since you last attended school? When will a particular course next be available? How many courses can you handle and/or afford each semester? Do you plan to take summer courses? What do most students do?    A majority of the students beginning the program start with one or two nursing classes. Others wish to complete all of their required non-nursing classes before starting the nursing sequence. It’s entirely up to you! If I only take one class at a time, will I get behind or have to “sit out” for a while?  No! We have structured our nursing courses so that you can take one or two nursing courses per semester and progress at your own pace.  You can also take some required non-nursing classes if the nursing class you want isn’t offered a particular semester. How long is it going to take me to finish?   That depends on a couple factors: how many classes you take each semester and how many non-nursing classes you need to complete the degree requirements. The nursing sequence can be completed in four semesters. How much will it cost me?    Many students qualify for financial aid and there are also nursing scholarships you can apply for. Ashland University currently offers a reduced tuition of $419/credit hour (20072008 academic year) to our BSN students. Remember that total costs (cost per credit hour x total number of credit hours needed for the degree) should be calculated to compare BSN programs. You may be surprised to find out that many of the programs end up costing more than AU because fewer courses are accepted for transfer! What makes Ashland University’s program unique?   First and foremost is the faculty’s commitment to your academic success and AU’s emphasis on “accent on the individual.” The BSN program was also uniquely designed to meet the demands of working professionals through use of web-based courses. What is a web-based course?   That can mean a lot of different things for different programs. At AU, web-based means that much of the work is completed online on your own schedule. However, unlike fully online courses, you will meet occasionally (2-4 times a semester) with your instructor and classmates in a face to face (F2F) classroom setting. We feel this gives you the best of both worlds! Freedom and flexibility to work around your job and family obligations yet a personal connection to your instructor and classmates. Our students truly enjoy their F2F experiences! Will these courses repeat what I’ve already had?  No! We respect that you are already working in the field and the courses are designed to build upon that prior knowledge and experience. What courses will I take? Required Non-Nursing Courses  Equivalent courses may be transferable from basic nursing program or prior education.                 Anatomy & Physiology Microbiology Psychology Sociology Speech Composition I & II General Chemistry Philosophy/Ethics Introduction to Management Organizational Behavior Statistics Advanced Human Biology Humanities Religion Aesthetics (2) Historical Reasoning What nursing courses will I take?           NUR 302 Theoretical Bases* NUR 303 Individual Health* NUR 309 International/Transcultural Perspectives NUR 360 Research* NUR 405 Health Care Systems** NUR 408 Legal/Ethical/Political Perspectives NUR 414 Community and Public Health* ** NUR 307 (Electives) Disaster Nursing or Educational Strategies for Nurses *Proficiency test available **Clinical component included Do I have to travel to Ashland for class?   We are pleased to be able to offer classes at several regional locations that include Ashland University, Stark State College (Canton) and Ashland-Medina Center (Medina.) We will also explore other options for F2F meetings such as webconferencing if travel to one of our current locations is excessive. Why do I have to take those “other,” non-nursing courses?   The BSN degree is considered a liberal arts degree that offers you a sampling of courses and opportunities that a wellrounded student needs. The BSN degree at AU will also uniquely prepare you to pursue graduate studies if you so desire. Can I get more information?     You can continue to explore the BSN website at www.ashland.edu/nursing Contact us at nursing@ashland.edu Call us at 419-289-5244 or 1-800-882-1548, ext. 5244 Visit us at 236 Andrews Hall, Ashland University When can I get started?    There’s no time like the present! You can begin any semester. (Summer nursing electives or nonnursing classes are also offered.) We can also assist you to develop an academic plan to prepare you for starting the BSN program in the future, even if you are still working on your RN! Contact Information  If you would like to continue to receive updates and information about the BSN program, please complete the “request information” form at www.ashland.edu/nursing or send your contact information to nursing@ashland.edu and we will include you on our mailing list.