Are online ANP degrees destroying our credibility?

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I was talking to a private practice doctor about an opening in his practice. Currently, I am employed by the hospital. He told me that they will only consider PA's due to having more of a hard science based training and longer residency. I have heard this before and brushed it off. Especially, considering that would only be of factor for new grads possibly. I brought this up and he gave me a second rejection with a whole new excuse. His practice as a whole were considering hiring NPs until a PA brought up you can get your degree online. He stated they can not take our education seriously with such low standards. UUUURRRGGGHH. I didn't really know what to say. Mostly due to not expecting that response. Either way he is not someone I would want to work for with that attitude. I want to know what other people's thoughts are regarding the online programs? Will it hurt our profession and the quality of our reputation?

I'm starting an online DNP program this summer. Currently I'm completing an RN to BSN program online. I must say it is much more difficult than my pre-licensure education, which was at a brick & mortar school. I am presented with the course material and basically teach myself. We have exams, and they are open book. But the time to complete the exam is very limited. You cannot leave the site during the exam and if you're going to look for the answer in a text book, you had better know exactly where it is. You can take notes & follow them for the exam, but you had better be damn meticulous. It's not as easy as people think. I've maintained a 4.0 with 8-10 hrs of work most days. I am not actively employed presently. Through the amount of research required, I have learned a tremendous amount. Don't knock online school until you really know about it.

sigh. Open book tests? Really? I've taken online classes (nutrition and lifespan psych from my nursing prereqs) and they were a joke. Sure our tests were limited in terms of timing, but the fact that they were open note and open book made them immensely simple if you had paid the slightest bit of attention. Teaching yourself? Why even pay tuition, then?

I repeat, would you want to put your life in the hands of someone who took open book exams? Didn't have to take a standardized exam to be accepted to the program? Had a low GPA?

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Specializes in ER/ float.

Maybe if you had bothered to read the post you responded to you may have realized that person was talking about their RN to BSN online program. You have a severe attitude problem.

sigh. Open book tests? Really? I've taken online classes (nutrition and lifespan psych from my nursing prereqs) and they were a joke. Sure our tests were limited in terms of timing, but the fact that they were open note and open book made them immensely simple if you had paid the slightest bit of attention. Teaching yourself? Why even pay tuition, then?

I repeat, would you want to put your life in the hands of someone who took open book exams? Didn't have to take a standardized exam to be accepted to the program? Had a low GPA?

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Specializes in ER/EHR Trainer.

In case there are PAs or medical students perusing this site, I will also add that working in a teaching hospital truly opens your eyes to the standards (or lack thereof) by which all are oriented, precepted, or learn. As a nurse in a critical care area we are always urging our residents to "do the right thing" and use "critical thinking". I cannot speak for other disciplines in nursing, but know how to interpret rhythms, labs, and symptoms......so while the intensive learning process is much more than an NP receives....."I am not trying to be a medical doctor, and have no interest in being more than a resource that is sorely needed by the general population." There are many medical doctors today thankful for all of our interventions that assisted, prevented complications or just gave them food for thought. Where are these doctors now? (I would guess that would be all of them)

I don't want your million dollar home, or porsche(whatever)....I just believe people deserve to have someone to depend on and guide them.....Let's face it, a doctor's visit these days is a 5 minute encounter. Give me a NP any day and I will actually have an exam!

Physicians should be grateful, Advance Practice Nurses do not endanger their licenses.....and anyway, everyone wants to be a specialist ....don't they?

Finally, I will leave you some food for thought.......regardless of level of education, nurses are considered the "last line of defense"......it is our responsibility to make sure the patient's meds are correct, withheld if vitals are off, etc.......If I am "responsible" for the doctor's administration errors regardless of the reason and held accountable.....somehow I think, I will probably be more thoughtful when administering Rx, and choosing to refer to specialists because the patient needs it (not because they are a partner)....just saying.

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All you have to do is check out research on distance education. I went to Rush university and did online classes. We had to go inhouse for some physical exams and interviewing classes (psych). The funny thing is that many medical students skip classes and watch the videos and PP presentations of their classes. And the really funny part is that while attending Rush, in physical assessment classes for example, we used many video references from well-known medical schools. I could watch those videos over and over from my home in Bangkok. There were very few multiple choice tests but case studies (same as in many business schools, papers, and plenty of discussions from students scattered all over. It was excellent in comparison to my brick and mortar CNS program.

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He told me that they will only consider PA's due to having more of a hard science based training and longer residency.

Who in the heck wants a hard science-based training?

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Still a joke! Taking an undergrad completely online some how feels like grade inflation.

I would love to have seen this occur in one of my classes at Univ. of Michigan. Hey, Dr. X is it cool if I bring my Biochem. book in for todays exam. I might forget something and have to look it up. It really is giving me no advantage over the others in the class we all have 50 questions and 60 minutes for the exam. Not like I will have much time to look things up. I can see Dr. X's puzzled look now!

You think a place like UPENN, U Michigan or Colombia would bat an eye at someone with an undergrad online degree on their application. We are talking about reputation. You are either a product of an online program or just silly if you think that using your book is not cheating. Going through a tough academic regimen is about study discipline, conceptual understanding and depth/breadth of memory. That is why not everyone makes it through, because they can't do it. Unfortunately, these values seem to be lost to the academic certifying board who holds the key of entry to our profession. Sad!

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You are exactly the person I don't want my children to go see. Not even a BP check. The consummate under achiever.

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Specializes in ICU, ER, RESEARCH, REHAB, HOME HEALTH, QUALITY.

amen! I found my online NP program quite challenging and quit, I haven't decided if I will return, I am however looking for a PhD program so I can teach.. U of Phoenix is too expensive..

thanks

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When you say online degrees do you mean schools like University of Phoenix or something like the BSN to DNP program at University of Michigan that is mostly online?

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Maybe if you had bothered to read the post you responded to you may have realized that person was talking about their RN to BSN online program. You have a severe attitude problem.

Apologize for the misreading, however, I still argue that online education is a joke and seriously discredits the profession. Open book tests. Really? If me being critical of online education is a "severe attitude problem" then so be it. As previously stated, many in the healthcare field do not look kindly upon online education and minimal standards. I'm concerned for the field. I've taken online classes, as I've already stated... I know the difference.

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Gosh after reading this, I am wondering if some of the jobs I have applied for have looked down on me knowing that my program was an online program. The University has a pretty good reputation, but all they seem to care about is getting your money. I guess you can tell that I wasn't thrilled with my experience. While the online program was flexible with my work schedule and allowed me to continue to work full-time, I think my educational experience suffered. My physical examination skills are terrible because in my health assessment class you had to watch videos and learn the techniques on your own and came in and did a physical exam on a fake patient at the end of the semester. No time was ever devoted by the instructors to going over any of the material before the physical exam and individual feedback was not given to anyone after the physical exam despite the fact that we were all video taped. Sorry to go on a little bit of a rant there but that has been my biggest beef and my concern as a graduate from an online program.

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I don't agree with you in regards to online MSN's, I did mine online and did all my clinical on a military facility including the Family Medicine residency clinic. I had the same preceptors that the PA's, MD's and NP's who attend the onsite Army schools had, I had a faculty member hired by my school who would come to my clinical site to evaluate me a few times each semester. None of my preceptors ever said that I knew any less than the other NP's or PA's at the family medicine residency clinic, or the other sites such as the pediatric clinic, or women health clinic. I'm very grateful for online education, my husband is an Officer in the military and we are constantly on the move and it afforded me the possibility to move up professionally. I graduated in December and have had several job offers including as a direct hire for the military where i did my clinical. I feel like I've had a quality education and if I had to do it all over I would do it online. Anyways, more power to you who can go to a classroom, be proud of your success and how you achieve it but don't be so judgmental of those who can't. Online NP education has existed for many years; it isn't a new thing, it's a proven and successful form of education that is here to stay.

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