Advisement for Online Self-Paced MSN Program

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Hello All

I am hoping to get some assistance with this.  I have been looking at many online MSN programs that are self-paced.  I know myself and this would definitely be the best option for my life.   I currently am an RN BSN (I did my BSN as a second degree accelerated program)

Currently, with my job and potential other job opportunities it would greatly benefit me to have an MSN.  I am not in a specific need of specialization as it is more so the credentials that are important more so than a particular program.  I do not have interest in exploring a NP Program.

I have looked into the following programs

  • WGU
  • Capella
  • Perdue
  • Chamberlain
  • Walden University
  • Post University (American Sentinel College)

I am curious to get any feedback on these programs.  How quickly you got through it, the difficulty, pros and cons etc

Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you in advance

Jimmy 

12 Answers

Specializes in Telemetry and Managed Care.

I had a great experience with Grand Canyon University for my MSN.

If you are in Texas or could do a school in Texas, I would highly recommend the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. I'm currently in their MSN administration program and am liking it a lot. They do traditional 16 wk semesters and you can take as many courses as you like. Happy to answer any questions

Love Capella! It can be done in 12 weeks,If you're a good researcher and APA writer. Wonderful program, University, faculty , resources, support, tuition, and I just can't say enough good things about Capella University. 

Specializes in MSN.

I did my masters in nursing education at Capella. I did the self paced track and finished in 18 months. You get out of it what you put into it. If you just want the credentials and never plan on utilizing anything you learned, sure you can do it in 8-12 months. But I'd you plan on going in to education or leadership or curriculum development it would greatly benefit you to take your time going through the courses, learning the content and theories, and really absorbing the materials. 

Capella is great if you are self sufficient and don't need much support. The discussion boards and community were mixed as far as students eagerness to interact. I personally made effort in every class to create study groups or resource sharing and was unsuccessful. The instructors were decent for the most part. You get 3 tries to submit an assignment. Financial aid and billing was not helpful and screwed up my funding at one point I had to take 3 months off because they literally dropped me from my classes without saying anything. All in all, given the reviews I hear about other programs, I'd give them a B-.

Happy to share my other thoughts and opinions on Capella MSN education program 

Gwen Johnson said:

I had a great experience with Grand Canyon University for my MSN.

 Can you tell me a little more about it?  Which track were you in?  How long did it take you to complete etc?

Specializes in Telemetry and Managed Care.
Jimmymiro12 said:

 Can you tell me a little more about it?  Which track were you in?  How long did it take you to complete etc?

Yes, I did the nursing education track. GCU is a reputable school, and the classes are online. The classes were organized and laid out in a certain order. The advisors were great. It was a self-paced program, but assignments had deadlines. It took me less than 18 months. WGU is even more self paced than GCU.

Anastacia Barrett said:

Love Capella! It can be done in 12 weeks,If you're a good researcher and APA writer. Wonderful program, University, faculty , resources, support, tuition, and I just can't say enough good things about Capella University. 

That sounds amazing.    What were your thoughts about difficulty? I'm working full time 40 hours a week.  I want a good life, work and school balance 

Anastacia Barrett said:

Love Capella! It can be done in 12 weeks,If you're a good researcher and APA writer. Wonderful program, University, faculty , resources, support, tuition, and I just can't say enough good things about Capella University. 

Also which MSN specific program did you do?

Did you ever choose an MSN program?? I'm looking too. Working full time and wanting ADN to MSN and was considering chamberlain. 

Specializes in oncology.
Jimmymiro12 said:

it is more so the credentials that are important more so than a particular program.

Credentials display a specialty knowledge you show you have obtained.  AND   If they are the right credentials from a respected program and university. . If looking for an MSN job they may ask what you specialized in. Can you keep a straight face when you say (gloatingly) I completed a 12 month program?  In fact they want to ADD an employee from a respected college who can deliver to their corporation with you as an expert in your area.  There are no 'work life balance' hospital/corporation areas of expertise or jobs for that matter. 

Jimmymiro12 said:

Love Capella! It can be done in 12 weeks,

Sad, you won't have integrated any master's level critical thinking in that amount of time. thanks for being the part that trashes all nurses accomplishes in higher education.

londonflo said:

Credentials display a specialty knowledge you show you have obtained.  AND   If they are the right credentials from a respected program and university. . If looking for an MSN job they may ask what you specialized in. Can you keep a straight face when you say (gloatingly) I completed a 12 month program?  In fact they want to ADD an employee from a respected college who can deliver to their corporation with you as an expert in your area.  There are no 'work life balance' hospital/corporation areas of expertise or jobs for that matter. 

Sad, you won't have integrated any master's level critical thinking in that amount of time. thanks for being the part that trashes all nurses accomplishes in higher education.

I did not go through a masters program and you're quoting me saying that I finished in 12 weeks.  I definitely do. It appreciate you saying "thanks for being the part that trashes all nurses accomplishes in higher education".   That's incredibly rude and also judgmental.   I completed a very competitive second degree bachelors program at an Ivy League school, while also running my own business and working part time for another job as well.  So before making any accusations against me make sure you are actually quoting the right individual.   And you have no clue what type of job I am going for and why I need an MSN degree so please take your judgements elsewhere 

Specializes in oncology.
Jimmymiro12 said:

I did not go through a masters program and you're quoting me saying that I finished in 12 weeks.

I apologize for attributed someone else's quote to you. But the first quote you did say which was this:

Quote

it is more so the credentials that are important more so than a particular program.

 

Jimmymiro12 said:

  I completed a very competitive second degree bachelors program at an Ivy League school, while also running my own business and working part time for another job as well.

Why go to something that isn't impressive now?  BTY I worked full time time during nursing school as do many others, what was your business that you were running?

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