Anyone at Indiana State NP distance pgm?

[brownrice]

I am considering other programs I might attend. After talking with one of the NP/advisors at this University, it seems it may be a good option. It is 100% online distance education.

Just an FYI on the info I have gathered, in case anyone else is interested:

NO GRE or entrance exam.

They are very flexible at taking equiv transfer credits from other grad prgms.

They are just developing a new option in lieu of thesis or project, and this option is to develop a topic around clinically based practice.

Grad credit cost is $262/credit +$54 tech fee/semester+

$50 distance fee/course.

My question for other attendees is how tough is it to find preceptors? Do most preceptors really care whether you're attending the local university or not? With my current program, (which is not distance) we end up lining up our own preceptors anyway. We just have to choose from a preestablished list. Many on the list or not that cooperative either. I currently pay $48/credit + a ton of fees because I am in a "nursing program". Some of these are designated lab fees, although we don't use the lab.

Thanks for any info you can share!!!!

[ChesterRN]

Hi Brown Rice:

I'm in the ISU RN-BSN program and have had the same thoughts. Some questions you may want to ask are related to programmatic and certification. First, depending on what state you are in, call the Board of Nursing and ask if an online program is acceptable for NP/ANP certification. In my state (California) this might be a problem. I'm still researching and hopeful though.

Sometimes things aren't as they appear when looking at a brochure. Find out how the courses are administered. For example, are course exam questions for major exams reviewed after the exam, or does the professor not provide this most invaluable resource? How does the program assist with finding preceptors? What insurance does the program provide? What insurance does the student provide? Ask for a list of contacts from current students. Talk with them. You may be surprised when you ask questions like, "What's the worst part of the program" and "What's the best part of the program" and "How do faculty help you through the process?"

Anyway, these are the questions that I am now asking of online programs. As far as getting an internship site, this may prove to be most challenging. If it were easy, the program would do it for you. In a sense, you have to put lipstick on and make this statement somehow look pretty:

" Hi Dr. Smith, I'm an FNP student with an on-line nursing program, and I know you have incredible liability issues just in the provision of care as it is. Could I increase that liability by having you let me practice on your patients, while slowing you down in providing that care by having you precept me?"

Some other distant ed program you may want to Google and check out is:

Ball State

University of Phoenix

Duke University

Vanderbilt

Cheers,

Chester.