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?

Too easy. My husbands friend is stationed there he will ask if there are NP's outside of psych. Odd that you were allowed to be a civilian student working on military patients. UCMJ is not the same as civilian law. I wonder what the commanders thought? Did they know an online student was taking care of their soldiers, sailors, marines. Highly troubling to even ponder.

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Specializes in Family NP, OB Nursing.

For the record, I have my MSN from an online program from a brick and mortar school and I've been actively recruited by the military and yes they do use FNPs, CRNAs, Psych NPs and I believe CNMs as well.

Family Nurse Practitioner (66P) | GoArmy.com

Nurse Corps | GoArmy.com

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Too easy. My husbands friend is stationed there he will ask if there are NP's outside of psych. Odd that you were allowed to be a civilian student working on military patients. UCMJ is not the same as civilian law. I wonder what the commanders thought? Did they know an online student was taking care of their soldiers, sailors, marines. Highly troubling to even ponder.

Let me educate you. Please use quotes as no one knows who you are addressing. Follow my example above where I have quoted you.

You must have limited experience so let me provide another educational moment. The military has civilian employees (even in war zones). The hospital commander ordered an active duty Navy psych NP to be my preceptor. He was deployed right before I arrived so a Navy psychiatrist took over. I took care of active duty as well as civilian dependents. One of my fellow students who is a Navy nurse is now stationed there as a psych NP. Based on my experience and large brain I can worm my way into many creative situations. I even had obtained permission to do physical exams at the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok but then it turned out I didn't need to.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

It always amazes me how the people that post the most passionate know absolutely nothing about the subject that they post about.

Zenman - you rock! I've been here almost 12 years now and though I don't always agree with you - I find you a very interesting poster. I appreciate that have shared some of your life experiences with all of us - thanks.

Again, when the OP has been there and done that - well, then the credibility will be there.

For now, you have to take what they say with a grain of salt because it all seems to be a "he said, she said" kinda thing.

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Specializes in nursing education.

Personally, I would not hire anyone who was inconsiderate to others, nor a person who was so reluctant to change opinions in the face of information and evidence contrary to her - wait for it- opinion.

Is a college accredited? Do grads pass boards? That's evidence. Your personal opinion on whether in-person or online ed is better? No.

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Just a little humor to lighten up this thread!

Learning can only occur in a brick and mortar college where one has to listen to a lecture live and in person. Reading a textbook is like a riddle. I can't grasp concepts and synthesize information without having the professor in the same room as me. Crazy I tell you this internet thing!
:D
I would have never thought when the world wide web was introduced years ago that the nursing credibility would plummet like it has!

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And, you know what else...I don't think I could've possibly remained awake for "seated" lectures on nursing theory, research, and evidence-based practice! At least having those lectures online meant I could watch them in my bathrobe, dog at my feet, sipping a cup of tea and watching the cardinals outside my window. Beats the heck out of sitting in a "live" lecture trying to ignore the students in front of me who are on their computers updating Facebook or shopping for wedding gowns. There was a lot of that going on in class.

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It always amazes me how the people that post the most passionate know absolutely nothing about the subject that they post about.

Zenman - you rock! I've been here almost 12 years now and though I don't always agree with you - I find you a very interesting poster. I appreciate that have shared some of your life experiences with all of us - thanks.

Again, when the OP has been there and done that - well, then the credibility will be there.

For now, you have to take what they say with a grain of salt because it all seems to be a "he said, she said" kinda thing.

Thanks, but you do realize there are some things I can't disclose yet...statue of limitations ya know.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

LOL Zenman - you so rock!

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It always amazes me how the people that post the most passionate know absolutely nothing about the subject that they post about.

Zenman - you rock! I've been here almost 12 years now and though I don't always agree with you - I find you a very interesting poster. I appreciate that have shared some of your life experiences with all of us - thanks.

Again, when the OP has been there and done that - well, then the credibility will be there.

For now, you have to take what they say with a grain of salt because it all seems to be a "he said, she said" kinda thing.

Can you be more specific? So you think that a person can't have a credible opinion on online education unless they've a received a degree online themselves? How convenient.

The reality is that online education damages the credibility of the field. Quibbling about whether or not someone has enough experience to comment is just a distraction. Not only are online programs of questionable merit (how does anyone measure the quality control of these institutions?) But they also pump out new graduates and flood the market, especially since many have such low standards for entry. Anyone with a basic understanding of economics can see how terrible that is for the profession. Look at what's happening to clinical psychology, for example. They went the route of embracing professional and for-profit institutions and now the field is in serious crisis. There are too many students and not enough spots for internship, so they literally can't graduate. It's not good to have low requirements for entry, period.

And yes, I'm conflating online with professional/for-profit. I'm well aware that there are many in person for-profit institutions - those are horrible for the profession as well, imo.

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Specializes in Oncology, Psych, Corrections.

For some people, online education is the ONLY way they can achieve their dreams.

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

warning!!!

please note some posts have been edited/removed.

future replies that are attacking, name-calling, rude, condescending, and/or otherwise against tos will be removed and points issued against your account.

please focus on the topic, not each other.

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