Profile of a independent learner

[mona b RN]

Hi Everybody,

I thought that due to the interest the distance education topic that we should introduce ourselves and share our creative endeavors.

I am currently working on my general education requirements. So far I have clepped out of 6 courses. The clep option is a real time saver and I highly recommend it. I am a breast cancer survivor and have decided that I need to finally pursue my desire to be a professional nurse. I am not against traditional classroom learning but I love doing things differently, I always have. I am considering Deaconess College of Nursing and Excelsior. I was a medical assistant for years but I never bothered to sit for certification(20 years ago). The consequences of not becoming certified are becoming obvious now because I cannot be directly admitted into Excelsior. However, they do have an alternate admission process which I am currently reviewing. I love the independence that Excelsior offers. As for Deaconess, they offer a online asn program which as far as I know is one of a kind. You can start this program with no experience whatsoever. Very new program.

I think what I like about Distance Ed is the flexibility and if I want to accelerate my pace I can. It is by no means easier. The only thing that is easier is the fact that your not running to classes.

Hope to hear from all of you:)

mona b

[opalmRN]

The best part is learning on my own time and the worst is chat rooms with the whole class/instructors. Too much chatter and a waste of my time.

I agree, weekly chat is not something I have found helpful.

Not all my classes require chat and some only have chat once or twice a month. Those are the best IMO as we go in ask questions, when everyone is finished we log off. Short, sweet and to the point.

[fry.girl]

I am currently working on my pre-reqs for an RN program at a local community college (CC). Just two weeks ago I ran across this board and found out about Deaconess' Web-based ASN with PN comp, I was thrilled...

At the CC I am currently taking a hybrid class (web-based with optional classroom time)...and it has been the best. I am able to work out my study time around my life. My husband teaches on-line (a drawing class) and he has had a great experience with it...but then we totally believe in self motived education, we have been homeschooling our 10 year old daughter since 1st grade.

I am so happy to have an on-line option for the entire RN program with Deaconess, not to mention the actual chance to start the NURSING program this coming Fall 2004...(Keeping my fingers crossed) and not be stuck on a mile long waiting list at the CC. :)

It is the worst feeling in the world when you finally make up your mind about what you want to do and then be told that you have to WAIT...

Good luck to everyone that is pursuing their goals in Nursing and On-line Education. IMHO, Independent Learning demonstrates its best results in those that have a passion for what they are doing...

[orrnlori, RN]

Hello everyone - My name is Lori and I'm currently an ADN RN in Bluegrass Country. I'm finished a BS in Psychology from Excelsior and have applied to a distance MSN program for Nurse Educator, I'm interested in teaching distance learning for nurses.

Tim - You are so right. Higher education, especially for nurses must change or the shortage of nurses will not get better. Brick and mortar schools throw up more obsticles than is necessary for the RN at the associate level to move up the educational ladder. It is ridiculous and why I'm not finishing a BSN in order to get my MSN.

I chose to test out of a BS rather than a BSN because it was easier to get where I wanted to go. Much much easier. There are programs out there DL that don't require a BSN to get to the MSN degree, just an RN and another bachelor's degree.

For testing out tips there are some great resources out there, degreeinfo.com and degreeforum.com are two sites you should check out for distance learning ideas, classes, tests, etc. I'm a member of both. They are not nursing based sites, but you may pick up some pointers on some things.

DL is not for everyone. Testing out is not for everyone, but I'd rather be here in my home studying than looking for a parking space or sitting in a class for 6-8 hours a week.

I hope we can develop this section of the board more fully. We are a small group but one who I think will grow in the years to come with more and more colleges breaking through old standards to try and reach the learners.

Tim - I'm very interested in what you are doing. I hope I can learn more from you about your scholarly pursuits. I would love to help others get the education they want and will work for. Best wishes to everyone here.

[mona b RN, BSN, RN]

Hello everyone - My name is Lori and I'm currently an ADN RN in Bluegrass Country. I'm finished a BS in Psychology from Excelsior and have applied to a distance MSN program for Nurse Educator, I'm interested in teaching distance learning for nurses.

Tim - You are so right. Higher education, especially for nurses must change or the shortage of nurses will not get better. Brick and mortar schools throw up more obsticles than is necessary for the RN at the associate level to move up the educational ladder. It is ridiculous and why I'm not finishing a BSN in order to get my MSN.

I chose to test out of a BS rather than a BSN because it was easier to get where I wanted to go. Much much easier. There are programs out there DL that don't require a BSN to get to the MSN degree, just an RN and another bachelor's degree.

For testing out tips there are some great resources out there, degreeinfo.com and degreeforum.com are two sites you should check out for distance learning ideas, classes, tests, etc. I'm a member of both. They are not nursing based sites, but you may pick up some pointers on some things.

DL is not for everyone. Testing out is not for everyone, but I'd rather be here in my home studying than looking for a parking space or sitting in a class for 6-8 hours a week.

I hope we can develop this section of the board more fully. We are a small group but one who I think will grow in the years to come with more and more colleges breaking through old standards to try and reach the learners.

Tim - I'm very interested in what you are doing. I hope I can learn more from you about your scholarly pursuits. I would love to help others get the education they want and will work for. Best wishes to everyone here.

Nice to meet you Lori! I know what you mean about obstacles and there being enough of them. You make some very good and valid points about DL. It seems that this topic (distance learning) gets more interest everyday. The forums that you refer to are very informative and I have learned a great deal from them.

mona

[orrnlori, RN]

Hi mona - I'm on degreeinfo.com under the name "seekinghelp".

I would love for the administrators of this board to break out the topic of DL education from the nursing students area into a catagory of it's own so more people might participate, I think that doing education DL is different from doing B&M nursing education, not better just different. Anyone else think the same way? A basic education in nursing and an RN license can take one in many different areas under one umbrella. Anyway, glad to be aboard and I hope to help others here like I have been helped on the other sites.

I hope to have my BS done in August, 2004. My application to the MSN will be done in time for the deadline of November 2004, to start studies in graduate school (Nursing Educator) by September, 2005. Seems so far away in time. But I keep plugging away and dream of doing doctoral work and changing the direction of nursing education somewhat away from "Nursing Diagnosis" syntax and definately away from the old school of writing "Care Plans" (unrealistic theory inapplicable to real life nursing) to something much more useful to nursing students and their patients. I believe I may be a traitor to the standard nursing programs, like Tim. Heaven forbid someone suggesting something different from the standards of the last 50 years. Heretic indeed.

I would be proud to change thinking in nursing education and increase education beyond the redundant and misplaced humanities requirements at the BSN level. Of course, I would then be fighting the entire higher educational system that is the snobbish and lofty humanaties based compartmentalizing pigeon-holing school of thought in addition to nursing educators. Yikes. Shame on me for having an original thought!

:rotfl:

[opalmRN]

I hope we can develop this section of the board more fully. We are a small group but one who I think will grow in the years to come with more and more colleges breaking through old standards to try and reach the learners.

Hi Lori and Welcome!

As you indicated, distance learning is breaking wide open in so many areas.

I currently work for a major world wide corporation. Our company prides itself in further education and encourages employees by paying tuition upfront for students as opposed to reimbursing after the course, as many companies do.

Back in 2000, I requested to take a few courses online. My manager denied my request so I re-submitted directly to my department head. It was immediately approved and I became the first employee with our company to be approved for a web course.

Today we have over 375 employees furthering their degrees through online learning.

As with anything that is "different from the way we have always done things" there tends to be reluctance from some individuals. Distance education is not going away, it is not a fad, and more and more educational facilities adding distance courses are seeing the need to be competitive in today's educational world.

I too hope to see the "Distance Learning/ Independent Study" thread grow.

Continued success with you pursuit!