are online MSN programs respected?

I got my MSN/MBA from University of Phonenix and it was very challenging, I must say. You must be motivated and determined to complete an one line course. IT can be stressful , especially in the beginning, I thought I had to be on the computer all the time..and it drove me crazy but after I developed my own pace and pattern I was okay.
I have not applied for a position as an educator but feel confident that I am qualified to teach.
Now I look for a job and everyone wants a NP , but I am not sure I want to do that either..

I don't say this in any way to denigrate MSNs in education, but I disagree with you that it is a "must" in order to teach. Schools of nursing strive for a "well-rounded" faculty, with faculty members from a wide variety of backgrounds, including a wide variety of clinical backgrounds. Typically, position postings willl specify that they are looking for a particular variety of NP, or a CNM, psych CNS/NP, etc. (Come to think of it, I'm not sure I've ever seen a posting that specified that the school was looking for someone with an MSN in education.) In my experience in nursing academia, the vast majority of my colleagues (and myself) have had our MSNs in an advanced pratice specialty. I've encountered only a few people who actually had their degree in nursing education. Perhaps that will be different in the future, as more programs with an education concentration produce more graduates ...

A little off-topic; sorry! I didn't mean to hijack the thread.

Hi elk -Actually, in North Carolina, the BON recently adopted rules that require that nursing faculty have an MSN in Nursing Education. I believe these rules will become effective sometime in the near future. For me, I am attending Walden University. The program is accredited and has a wonderful research focus. Like some of the other posters have said, online learning can be difficult if the individual is not self motivated. I expect to graduate in December of 2008. But I did want to clarify that some States are beginning to require an MSNeD to teach. But, I also agree with you - some colleges are in such need of nursing faculty that they will hire an MSN regardless of the concentration. This is NOT the case in my area - very few faculty opportunities at all.