Did anyone get there degree online?

Specialties NP

Published

My question is to all the NP's and those with MSN's, did any of you achieve a degree through an online program? If so how was it? Did you find it difficult or easier than traditional class work? Which online program did you go with? How long after getting your BSN did you wait? Thanks in advance for any info :)

Online for profit NP programs are undermining our credbility in the medical profession. Do yourself and the profession a favor and go to a traditional school. I'm in no way trying to offend anyone but this is the truth. I've talked to countless physicians/PAs/NPs that are of the same opinion. Many physicans say they won't hire someone from one of these programs.

If at the end of both online and campus based programs the same certification exam is taken, what does it matter? Do you know of any research that supports your statement of "for profit schools are undermining our credibility." Or that show NPs who have gone to an online school provide poor or unsafe care? I think as a profession we should support one another regardless of where their education was from. Learn to respect each other for the care that is provided to our patients. I thought that was the most important factor to consider.

Also, what school is there that is not "for profit"........the mission and/or vision statement can say whatever, but the bottom line is ALL educational Institutions are in it to make money. Do you know of any offering programs for free? : ) Just my 2 cents....

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If at the end of both online and campus based programs the same certification exam is taken, what does it matter? Do you know of any research that supports your statement of "for profit schools are undermining our credibility." Or that show NPs who have gone to an online school provide poor or unsafe care? I think as a profession we should support one another regardless of where their education was from. Learn to respect each other for the care that is provided to our patients. I thought that was the most important factor to consider.

Also, what school is there that is not "for profit"........the mission and/or vision statement can say whatever, but the bottom line is ALL educational Institutions are in it to make money. Do you know of any offering programs for free? : ) Just my 2 cents....

Like it or not online MSNs are destroying are credibility. If we took a poll from all PAs/NPs/MDs about their perception of these programs I can guarantee the results would not favor such programs. Have you heard of an online medical school? I'm not saying that components of a program can't be taught online. To be honest, I believe everyone learns in their own way, therefore if online works for them then that's great. I'm just stating my experience (as well as countless others that I've spoken with) about the perceptions of online NP degrees; and like it or not, perception is important in the medical field (especially when it comes to getting an interview for that first job). I went to school with lots of people who had families and still relocated to complete their education.

Honestly, I don't really feel like getting in a discussion about for profit schools. There is a huge difference in public schools and for-profit institutions, shareholders and dividends for starters. But that is way more than I feel like typing. I do however recommend you read up on it because they are not comparable in terms of organizational goals, at all. Have you read any legitimate research studies that says the care provided by those who went to online NP programs is comparable to those who didn't? So I guess perception is all we have to go off of at this point.

You recommend supporting our peers? I'm not going to support what I feel is a bad decision, not to mention when I feel like that decision taints the very education I worked hard for.

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My experience with online programs is that the coursework and content is quite rigorous. However, there is no research comparing online programs with traditional classroom programs, so we are all speaking strictly from our own experiences. Hopefully, somebody will start a study someday. The school I am currently studying at is an NP program that is 75% online (cept for clinicals of course). My wife is attending a different University as an NP student full time. I am part time. My course work is so much more rigorous than hers. She even says it seems that I have double the work. I would guess that every program is different, but I don't think all online programs are weak. In fact, some are highly respectable programs. Look at the Frontier School of Family practice and Midwifery. This is a very respectable online program. You have to be somewhat intelligent and independent to participate in such programs.

When it comes to hiring, there is no difference. It's more about who you know, and how smart you are. What else is the medical profession going to say about our online programs? I would expect a lot of them to talk cheap from the bleachers. Do I believe it's hurting our credibility? No, I don't. Sooner or later medical schools will realize they too can charge people a bunch of money by offering classes online and being more flexible to the individual pursuing a medical degree. Technology is here to stay, and I think you will see an increase not a decrease in these types of programs, and it will become an accepted practice if it isn't already.

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Like it or not online MSNs are destroying are credibility. If we took a poll from all PAs/NPs/MDs about their perception of these programs I can guarantee the results would not favor such programs. Have you heard of an online medical school? I'm not saying that components of a program can't be taught online. To be honest, I believe everyone learns in their own way, therefore if online works for them then that's great. I'm just stating my experience (as well as countless others that I've spoken with) about the perceptions of online NP degrees; and like it or not, perception is important in the medical field (especially when it comes to getting an interview for that first job). I went to school with lots of people who had families and still relocated to complete their education.

Honestly, I don't really feel like getting in a discussion about for profit schools. There is a huge difference in public schools and for-profit institutions, shareholders and dividends for starters. But that is way more than I feel like typing. I do however recommend you read up on it because they are not comparable in terms of organizational goals, at all. Have you read any legitimate research studies that says the care provided by those who went to online NP programs is comparable to those who didn't? So I guess perception is all we have to go off of at this point.

You recommend supporting our peers? I'm not going to support what I feel is a bad decision, not to mention when I feel like that decision taints the very education I worked hard for.

Shareholders and dividends........this helps with preparing for the certification exam in what way? As I said...all institutions are in it for the money! I noticed in your discussion you did not comment on the fact that ALL NP students take the SAME NATIONAL CERTIFICATION EXAM. Also, ALL NP PROGRAMS HAVE THE SAME ACCREDITATION. Only theory is taught online, clinicals are not. With the advancements of technology the online option is not going anywhere. Some of the nation's top universities are offering this option such as Georgetown and the University of Michigan. I respect your opinion, as everyone is entitled to their beliefs. With so many online programs many of your peers will be from this format of learning. When speaking with MDs and PAs...if people within the profession are agreeing with them and helping to create a negative perception, instead of supporting all NPs, of course the profession's credibility will diminish. ----This discussion can go on forever,and agreeing with what you said, I don't feel like typing that much. Lets just respectfully agree to disagree, because without research to support either stand..it all boils down to OPINIONS.

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Does anyone remember a similar debate about 2 year ADN programs vs 4 year BSN programs? I remember it was believed that 2 year ADN programs were destroying the nursing profession. :o

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Shareholders and dividends........this helps with preparing for the certification exam in what way? As I said...all institutions are in it for the money! I noticed in your discussion you did not comment on the fact that ALL NP students take the SAME NATIONAL CERTIFICATION EXAM. Also, ALL NP PROGRAMS HAVE THE SAME ACCREDITATION. Only theory is taught online, clinicals are not. With the advancements of technology the online option is not going anywhere. Some of the nation's top universities are offering this option such as Georgetown and the University of Michigan. I respect your opinion, as everyone is entitled to their beliefs. With so many online programs many of your peers will be from this format of learning. When speaking with MDs and PAs...if people within the profession are agreeing with them and helping to create a negative perception, instead of supporting all NPs, of course the profession's credibility will diminish. ----This discussion can go on forever,and agreeing with what you said, I don't feel like typing that much. Lets just respectfully agree to disagree, because without research to support either stand..it all boils down to OPINIONS.

I'm simply going to respond to some areas of confusion. Shareholders and dividends have everything to do with my point. For profit schools are very different (goals/organizational structure etc.), if you can't at least admit that then I would recommend you take some business classes. I didn't divulge into your pass the boards rhetoric because it was never a central component to my argument. I was simply stating that online for profit programs are undermining our credibility; a point I've heard countless times from NPs/PAs/MDs at 3 separate, albeit large, teaching hospitals. You are right we are going to have to agree to disagree.

mylojoRN:

I happen to like ADN programs.

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Specializes in FNP, ONP.

I don't know any informed person that makes automatic assumptions about distance ed. or the students that choose that model. I know a lot of ignorant people who do, but I don't generally put much stock into the thoughts of ignorant people, lol. In the end, I don't think our anecdotal reports about random opinions of physicians, PAs, NPs and the general public is going to amount to a hill of beans. Distance education is impacting every field of study and is here to stay; people will adapt or get left behind. How some individuals feel about it is really irrelevant.

My advice: find the educational path that suits you and get on with it; don't give a moment's thought to what other people might feel about your choice. They aren't living your experience and their opinion doesn't impact you at all. Ignore them, study hard and enjoy the rewards that will come your way.

And for the record, before one makes assumptions, I followed a rather traditional educational path in the classroom.

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And for the record, before one makes assumptions, I followed a rather traditional educational path in the classroom.

I didn't. I became an RN and then went to nursing school, lol! I really never hear anyone discussing their educational route or where they went to school. I guess we're too busy treating patients.

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I don't think distance ed is a problem so much as programs that don't care who precept their students and just force them to find whoever. I don't see how that's acceptable, ever.

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My online program has many requirements that the preceptor must have or must find another to follow its not as easy as picking one from a list or letting anyone do it. I attend a major university non-profit and think they have a very well developed program.

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Yeah, I know there are online programs that do a good job providing student's with preceptors. Unfortunately, there are a significant amount of programs that do nothing to help their students find clinical sites, don't care who trains them, etc. That is inexcusable and undermines our profession. Would you want to be the patient of a surgeon whose program just let them be trained by whoever? Whose program didn't care about their MCAT scores or grades? It's those programs that I think are hurting the profession.

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Yeah, I know there are online programs that do a good job providing student's with preceptors. Unfortunately, there are a significant amount of programs that do nothing to help their students find clinical sites, don't care who trains them, etc. That is inexcusable and undermines our profession. Would you want to be the patient of a surgeon whose program just let them be trained by whoever? Whose program didn't care about their MCAT scores or grades? It's those programs that I think are hurting the profession.

Its unfortunate I agree. So, I have to say that online learning is not at all discrediting to every person, it depends vastly on the program one attends.

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