online for 1st nursing degree

suzanne4, RN · Apr 12, 2004

At your age and with no medical background, I would definitely recommend the traditional program. Where would you be doing your clinicals with the on-line program and is it even approved by your state. Pay close attention to that.

Good luck................. :balloons:

girlfromtx · Apr 12, 2004

Thanks for the reply. It's part of a state university, they got a grant to fo it, have been doing it for two years now I believe. I'm not in the city that the school is in, so I would do clinicals at one of the teaching hospitals here, and they would hire someone to be a clinical instructor for me. I was just looking for someone to tell me it would be ok, but it is probably better to go the traditional route :) .

suzanne4, RN · Apr 12, 2004

I would definitely go the traditional route...you will be much happier that you did in my opinion.........

Good luck with schooling. Do you start your other program this fall? :balloons:

girlfromtx · Apr 12, 2004

yes :), still waiting on my first choice's letter though.

Amy P · Apr 12, 2004

What school is this? I live in Texas too and was curious.

Amy

girlfromtx · Apr 12, 2004

the eLine program through del mar college and TAMUCC.

Amy P · Apr 12, 2004

What else do you know about the program? Is it hard to get in? Do you know anyone who is doing it? It just sounds interesting and I'd like to know more about it.

girlfromtx · Apr 12, 2004

just do a search on yahoo, type in eLine Del Mar, or some other search query like that. Unfortunately, I don't know anyone who is in the program, so I'm if it teaches you the basics well. The website is pretty thorough though.

txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN · Apr 30, 2004

I am interested in this program, has anyone done it,or know anything about it.:rotfl:

What else do you know about the program? Is it hard to get in? Do you know anyone who is doing it? It just sounds interesting and I'd like to know more about it.

suzanne4, RN · Apr 30, 2004

Unless you have a strong medical background from another field, such as prior work experience as a paramedic or respiratory therapist, I wouldn't even consider it. First, you need to be with other students in your clinicals, not just you and an instructor that they will hire for you.......you need students to study with to be able to discuss things with. And are they going to hire a different instructor for each of your areas or the same one throughout. A med-surg nurse should not be doing your clinicals for OB, etc. Sure on-line training is a wonderful thing, but not for a first degree, for the ADN to BSN it is perfect, but to start with, I definitely wouldn't suggest it.

opalmRN · May 7, 2004

There is a school here where you can get a BSN online. I've already been accepted to another nursing school, but the online degree intrigued me b/c I could get done a lot faster, however I know it would be even more stressful than the traditional nursing school, if that's even possible lol. I don't already have an RN degree or a bachelors like most online degrees require b/c this one doesn't have that as a pre-req. I will still do the clinicals and have a lab. People tell me this wouldn't be smart to do b/c I wouldn't have peer support or support from faculty. What do all of you think?
* edited to say that I already have my pre-req's done, I'm just trying to decide b/w which schools I would like to go to.

A great deal depends on the individual. Online programs require self motivation in many many ways. Each program is suited to individuals with different circumstances.

I will say this. I don't know what program you are speaking of that would not offer faculty support. Check with the school directly. As for peer support, you can have that with online if you choose. Since you stated you will have clinicals and lab then you will be with other individuals on those occasions. What type of peer support are you looking for?

Age also plays into this equation. This is not to say young students can't or don't succeed at distance ed, just that many find the traditional setting more enjoyable. You may be different only you would know that. Older individuals generally have so many additional responsiblities that restrict the amount of time they have to sit in a classroom and online works better for them.

Having done both a traditional education and an online education I can honestly say I enjoyed them both equally. Each has it's own perks and qerks. Perhaps if you list both the positive and negative aspects and then rank them according to importance, you will have a better idea of which is really best for you.

I wish you the very best whichever direction you choose.