Are online ANP degrees destroying our credibility?

[jilljw]

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?

[Psychcns]

I think the question should be: "How has on-line learning changed the way we are educated."

Many things that we learn are information to be organized in our brains for recall. This is fine for on-line classes.

Things like critical thinking, speaking up at meetings, being mentored...best in person, I think.

Discussions can take place on line. Professors can be asked questions on line.

Physical exams--it seems reliable youtube videos do as good a job as inperson as Zen man noted above..

[Mark Hill BSN]

This discussion is amusing from the standpoint that those who dont thing online education is a good thing have gone to a brick and mortor schools, and those who think online school are good, have gone to "online universities". The only way to prove which is better would be to do a study on the subject, until then it is all anectdotal speculation. My idea in all of this is,if online education is so "inadequate" then why are so many traditional universities going to an online format? In the end, in order to be reputable, all the schools have to be CCNE accredited for their graduates to sit for state exams.

[zenman]

This discussion is amusing from the standpoint that those who dont thing online education is a good thing have gone to a brick and mortor schools, and those who think online school are good, have gone to "online universities". The only way to prove which is better would be to do a study on the subject, until then it is all anectdotal speculation. My idea in all of this is,if online education is so "inadequate" then why are so many traditional universities going to an online format? In the end, in order to be reputable, all the schools have to be CCNE accredited for their graduates to sit for state exams.

And you have me who has done both....

[elkpark]

In the end, in order to be reputable, all the schools have to be CCNE accredited for their graduates to sit for state exams.

(Actually, there is no US state that requires individuals to be graduates of CCNE (or NLNAC) accredited programs in order to be eligible for state licensure. I'm not sure why people keep saying this (another urban legend that won't die ...). States just require that individuals be graduates of a program approved by the state BON. Of course, there are plenty of other reasons why it's smart to choose an accredited program.)

[Mark Hill BSN]

(Actually, there is no US state that requires individuals to be graduates of CCNE (or NLNAC) accredited programs in order to be eligible for state licensure. I'm not sure why people keep saying this (another urban legend that won't die ...). States just require that individuals be graduates of a program approved by the state BON. Of course, there are plenty of other reasons why it's smart to choose an accredited program.)

Actually, my state BON specifically states on it's wedsite, that any graduate from a CCNE accredited university may sit for the state board.

[Mark Hill BSN]

And you have me who has done both....

What schools did you attend? I did my ADN at a brick and mortar, then my BSN at a brick and mortar, but I chose an online schoo lfor MSN for two reasons. One, most of the schools I am familiar with have gone to online formats...and two, the convenience of the online format. Having been an RN for 20 years, I dont think I will learn how to me an FNP any better in a crowded stuffy calssroom than I will in the comfort of my own home!

[zenman]

What schools did you attend? I did my ADN at a brick and mortar, then my BSN at a brick and mortar, but I chose an online schoo lfor MSN for two reasons. One, most of the schools I am familiar with have gone to online formats...and two, the convenience of the online format. Having been an RN for 20 years, I dont think I will learn how to me an FNP any better in a crowded stuffy calssroom than I will in the comfort of my own home!

Northwestern State University-Psych CNS-brick and mortar

Rush University-Psych NP-Distance ed

[elkpark]

Actually, my state BON specifically states on it's wedsite, that any graduate from a CCNE accredited university may sit for the state board.

Which state?

[megank5183]

I agree with Myelin. I think that it is for-profit online education that is hurting our profession. Many professions offer online training-accountant, teachers, MBAs, etc. I am currently attending online classes and they are actually more rigorous than brick and mortar classes. My school, however, is well-known and respectable. It is the for-profit education that makes people look down on NPs, but this doctor sounds like a real douche. I wouldn't want to work for him in general. He obviously has a problem with nurses in general.

[Born_2BRN]

It's only matter to those who hasn't practiced, gone to NP or attending school to become NP.

[casias12]

This discussion is amusing from the standpoint that those who dont thing online education is a good thing have gone to a brick and mortor schools, and those who think online school are good, have gone to "online universities". The only way to prove which is better would be to do a study on the subject, until then it is all anectdotal speculation. My idea in all of this is,if online education is so "inadequate" then why are so many traditional universities going to an online format? In the end, in order to be reputable, all the schools have to be CCNE accredited for their graduates to sit for state exams.

The answer is money. I am opposite of most in that I just finished an online degree with a well-respected university, and felt like the "quality" was terrible. Adjunct instructors for some of the classes didn't check into the class during the entire semester. Not one adjunct became involved in the discussion forum, and many of their notices and announcements were written more like a tweet.

For instance: A question that was posed "is there a systematic way you evaluate a 12-lead EKG?". If I were the instructor, my answer would be "RRAHBI". Rate, Rythm, Axis, Hypertrophy, Bundle Branch Block, Ischemia. Any instructor at the advanced level should be able to tell you how THEY approach this basic concept in their practice. This instructors answer "you don't really need to know this for the test".

Another comment from an adjunct "I am seeing this class for the first time also".

But I can tell you that one of the cardiologists I work with was summa cum laude at Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth University in the 80's. He went on to cardiology fellowship at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. But at the time, stents didn't exist yet, so he had to teach himself how to do all of the cardiac techniques we consider common now.

If he wants to look down on my online degree, ok. It will just make me try harder.

But I will tell you, accreditation is a money game also, and there are no state boards for advanced practice.

[Mark Hill BSN]

QUOTE=Mark Hill BSN;7307426]Actually, my state BON specifically states on it's wedsite, that any graduate from a CCNE accredited university may sit for the state board.

I misread this, it actually reads "any universtiy that is nationally accredited"...