Are online schools frowned upon for msn?

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Hello everyone.

I am looking to do an ADN to MSN completion to a FNP. I live in Indiana and am wondering if going to the University of Southern Indiana would be better than going to Western Governors University in a hiring aspect? U of Southern Indiana is a brick and mortar college and I think that Western Governors University is more of an online college, like University of Phoenix (forgive me if I am wrong). Are hiring managers and hospitals becoming more open minded about the whole "online" aspect of education or not? Both schools are CCNE accredited. I would like all the input on this matter as possible so that I can make an educated decision on this. Thanks. :confused:

Specializes in ICU, CVICU, Surgical, LTAC.

if you want to go for your FNP, WGU does not offer that specialty. they only offer the MSN of Nursing Education or Nursing Leadership and Management. I went for my rn-to bsn through them and am now pursuing an online fnp through campus based universities that offer online programs. this would be my suggestion for you as well. another option would be to pursue the msn through wgu through one of their specialties and then go back to a different school that offers fnp for a post masters certificate.

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Specializes in MDS.

I am a business owner in Indiana and hire nurses. Frankly, I don't hire "on-line" grads. I'm sure I'll probably hear all about it now too, lol, but I wanted to give you an honest answer. I might consider it for the MSN program because by this time you should have at least some nursing experience but I never hire nurses from on line programs for LPN/RN. I have in the past and while I'm sure there are great nurses that have graduated from the online programs, I have yet to find one ... so I guess you could say I'm done looking. Great question ... I'm interested to see what other responses you get. Best of luck.

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Liberty University offers NP programs and they are not expensive. Perhaps you would like to find out more about them. I am currently enrolled in their nurse educator track. I wish you luck with the computer aspect of your studies. Since there is no way around it, plan to beat it.

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Hi burntoutrn, im interested in asking you more info regarding wgu. Im planning on goin tere for my bsn and later pursue NP. Do most universities accept wgu's bsn? Also, they have a pass/no pass grading system where pass means "B". Would this make it harder to get in NP programs because of competetiveness?

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Specializes in Psych, Geriatrics.

I'm in online school and the places I'm considering working if I ever graduate don't give a rat's tail where you went...so long as your license is valid (state places and DOC mostly). But I'll caution this, as I failed to look into this myself and may be very sorry come 2012: see what resources the online program has for clinicals. Do they have students or EXISTING affiliations with hospitals in your area? Do they guarantee placement? Or do they just say "we assist you in your clinical practicum placement...by telling you to flip through the yellow pages." If that is the case, have at least two concrete placements lined up--persons who you KNOW will take YOU as a student. Not maybe, not "they have had students before," not "well that hospital is poor so they will take..." Uh uh. You need a hard "yes--I will take YOU as my student in 2013 for x hours per week, Ms. Nurse Student."

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

It's the wave of the future. Many many programs, especially graduate programs, are going online. Most graduate programs assume that they're dealing with adult learners who have jobs and families.

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Specializes in Home Care, FP, LTC.

WGU is a brick and mortar University. They have just expanded their online programs just like many other universities. I plan on starting my BSN there in May. I too eventually would like to be an ANP or FNP. I did my research on WGU. They are nationally and regionally accredited. I understand their pass fail grading system and I understand it will limit me to which if any other school I will seek to attend, and I can deal with that. Not the end of the world and I am OK with that risk. Now I am looking into MSN programs. I am not sure whether I will seek my MSN through WGU then apply somewhere else for the post masters certificate or just look into other MSN programs. I truly want what ever is cheapest. Just do your homework and go for what is most important to you!!!:D I know I am!

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Specializes in Home Care, FP, LTC.
Here's another reason to be careful about online-only schools: the feds are about to start penalizing those that are producing substantial numbers of graduates who don't pay off their loans. Those institutions will no longer be eligible to receive federal aid. The impact on you will probably be less, given that you're pursuing an advanced degree, but that should tell you something about those places in general. Here is a link to another AllNurses thread that might be useful to you in your research: https://allnurses.com/nursing-news/new-regulations-will-493470.html

All online programs are not FOR-PROFIT. WGU is a non-profit. And that does matter. I know you are trying to inform the masses, but giving out misinformation can do more harm than good. Please do not lump all online schools together as they all are not the same.

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Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

I did online classes through our state university; and the field work with a local community college that had a contract with it for on the ground requirements (student teaching etc.). The CC had no problem with my credentials, and since they had first hand experience with me, had no problems hiring me.

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Specializes in Home Care, FP, LTC.
WGU is a brick and mortar University. They have just expanded their online programs just like many other universities. I plan on starting my BSN there in May. I too eventually would like to be an ANP or FNP. I did my research on WGU. They are nationally and regionally accredited. I understand their pass fail grading system and I understand it will limit me to which if any other school I will seek to attend, and I can deal with that. Not the end of the world and I am OK with that risk. Now I am looking into MSN programs. I am not sure whether I will seek my MSN through WGU then apply somewhere else for the post masters certificate or just look into other MSN programs. I truly want what ever is cheapest. Just do your homework and go for what is most important to you!!!:D I know I am!

Ops, I am sorry, I posted incorrectly what I wanted to say. I meant to say WGU is not a traditional brick and mortar University. The program I just enrolled in is completely online. Best of luck to all who strive to better themselves or their careers.

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
All online programs are not FOR-PROFIT.

Not all online programs are non-profit. For example, College America has several online programs, and they're most certainly a for-profit school.

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Specializes in Home Care, FP, LTC.
Not all online programs are non-profit. For example, College America has several online programs, and they're most certainly a for-profit school.

OK, how is that any different than what I was saying? There are some that are for profit and some that actually are non-profit too.

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