Affordable Online RN to BSN Program in New England

Earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) may be one of the smartest moves a registered nurse (RN) can make. From a salary standpoint alone, investing in an RN to BSN program now can pay off long term with higher-level positions and salaries to match.

When you consider the convenience and affordability of the University of Maine at Fort Kent (UMFK) online RN to BSN program, it makes sense to get started sooner rather than later.

How Does UMFK Keep Costs Down?

Cost is a consideration when looking at any RN to BSN program. According to Nurse Journal, the cost of a four-year BSN can run as high as $104,000. Online RN to BSN programs typically cost much less — $25,000 to $80,000, according to Best Colleges Online.

RNs working in the New England area will find a significantly better value with UMFK’s 100% online RN to BSN program. This program features pay-as-you-go tuition at just $309 per credit hour, bringing the total cost of tuition to $9,270 for core nursing courses.

More cost savings are associated with choosing online RN to BSN programs such as UMFK’s. For example, online programs eliminate the stress and expense of commuting to and from campus for classes. This can free up a surprising amount of time, making balancing work, school, and life easier.

What If Additional Coursework Is Required?

Students enrolled in UMFK’s RN to BSN program may be able to apply their previous education and experience to meet their BSN requirements. As a result, RNs can earn their degrees in much less time and at a much lower cost than students in traditional four-year programs.

Here is a look at how students can complete UMFK’s total RN to BSN program requirement of 120 credit hours:

• The core nursing curriculum is made up of 10 courses totaling 30 credit hours.
• 69 credit hours are applied as a block transfer for core nursing competencies and general education courses completed previously. Computer Science, English Composition, and Anatomy and Physiology are a few examples.
• 21 hours of general education are required for a BSN. Examples include Information Fluency, Foreign Language, and Art/Music. UMFK reviews students’ transcripts to see if previously taken courses meet this requirement.

Some students may need additional general education courses to meet the total of 120 hours. These are included in students’ degree plans, along with any electives students may need to graduate. Electives such as Pharmacology, Concepts in Pathophysiology, and Global Health and Humanitarianism will only expand students’ skills. In each case, these courses are still just $309 per credit hour.

Hospitals are the largest employer of RNs, with more and more job descriptions stating “BSN preferred” or “BSN only.” Chances are good that the preference for BSNs is here to stay.

• In 2005, the American Organization of Nurse Executives called for RNs to be educated in baccalaureate programs.
• The Institute of Medicine (IOM) — now the National Academy of Medicine — called for 80% of RNs to have a BSN by 2020.
• The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) recognizes the BSN as the minimum educational preparation for RNs.

UMFK’s affordable RN to BSN is an excellent reason for RNs in the New England area to get started now.

Learn more about the University of Maine at Fort Kent’s online RN to BSN program.

Sources:

• Nurse Journal: Guide to Become a Registered Nurse
• Best Colleges: How Much Does the Most Affordable Online RN to BSN Cost?
• American Association of Colleges of Nursing: The Impact of Education on Nursing Practice
• Institute of Medicine: The Future of Nursing
• American Association of Colleges of Nursing: The Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing as Minimal Preparation for Professional Practice