Ok - so for those that have followed my threads, I have recently graduated from Walden University with my MSN in Nursing Education. I am now in the process of exploring PhD programs that are mostly online because I am unable to relocate to a traditional ground school and there are no PhD programs in my area that meet my specialization.
Anyway - I have been looking into Capella's PhD program in Nursing Education and have been pretty impressed with the overall program. I had the opportunity to speak today with a member of the faculty and asked many questions. All of her responses were really pretty great. I am seriously thinking about enrolling into their program. But, my tradition has been to post here on allnurses first to get feedback from anyone that might be in the program, or whomay be in the same position as I am and considering this option.
So - is anyone currently enrolled in the Capella Nursing Education PhD? If so, please provide your thoughts. I know the program is new and I am certain students in the program probably have some unique challenges. I am ok with that. I guess I am just looking for your feedback.
For those that may not be students with Capella, but have some information you think would be helpful for me to make this decision, please post - I really would appreciate your comments.
Posting here has never served me wrong and I really value the input from my nurse friends and colleagues
VickiRN - please feel free to post also with your thoughts!
Specializes in Medical, LTC,Home Health, DD, Education.
Hi Patrick.
I am currently enrolled at Capella in the PhD Nursing Ed program. I have been attending a little over a year. I have my MSN in nursing ed as well. I will finish my classes in March 2010 then write my comps and dissertation. I have had a really good experience at Capella. What would you like to know?
I am currently enrolled at Capella in the PhD Nursing Ed program. I have been attending a little over a year. I have my MSN in nursing ed as well. I will finish my classes in March 2010 then write my comps and dissertation. I have had a really good experience at Capella. What would you like to know?
Denise
Hi Denise - thank you for your response. My biggest question was more about the program and how you liked what you were learning. I also was curious about the class room format - whether it was easy to navigate and find things.
I am planning on starting with Capella either in January or March of 2010.
Thanks for your response and best of luck with the completion of your doctorate.
Specializes in Medical, LTC,Home Health, DD, Education.
Sunflower3,
I have been taking 2 courses at a time(10 weeks) plus I work a full time job and do some teaching part-time. THe 2 classes are doable. I could not handle more. There are papers every week in addition to postings on the discussion board. THe comps are written, have 4 weeks to complete. I have only had one class that involved group work, and it was groups of 2. I have had a really good experience at Capella and would recommend it.
Specializes in NPD; Administration; M/S; Critical Care.
dmacrn:
Thank you for responding! I have a few other questions:
Are you assigned a topic for your comps, or is this a synthesis-type assignment, where all coursework taken up to that point is reviewed and discussed?
Is the dissertation course-based? How long do you think it would take to finish the dissertation?
Specializes in Medical, LTC,Home Health, DD, Education.
Sunflower
My understanding is we get a mentor and the mentor sends us 3 questions based on blooms and they will be research, theory and application based. We have 4 weeks to write the comps and can rewrite twice. I am not sure I understand your question about the dis, my guess is depending on what type of research you are doing will impact the timing.
As far as the instructors, I have had 2 that were not so hot, but all the rest have been awesome. The classes are only 10 weeks so it is intense, and many papers!
Hi Denise, I just got my masters in nursing ed this past November & am considering Capella. I assume you may have graduated by now or are near complete. I am curious about your overall impression of the program. Also, can you provide me with a guesstimate on approx. how many hours/course you invested per week?
Specializes in Medical, LTC,Home Health, DD, Education.
Hey Kingwoodnurse,
I am in the process of writing my dissertation. I have just begun this portion so wish me luck. Overall I have been pleased with Capella, It is intensive classwork, posts due every week, papers due every week. I spend at least 7 hours during the week on stuff and prob 12-16 on the week ends.
I am in the process of writing my dissertation. I have just begun this portion so wish me luck. Overall I have been pleased with Capella, It is intensive classwork, posts due every week, papers due every week. I spend at least 7 hours during the week on stuff and prob 12-16 on the week ends.
I am currently enrolled in a PhD in Nursing program; however, I work full-time as a faculty member in the BSN program. The current PhD program has made it difficult to oblige to my committments as a facutly member and a PhD student. I wish to transfer to the PhD in Nursing Education program at Capella; because, nursing education is very new for me and I would like to know more about it from a didactical perspective. Did you take one course every 10 weeks? How long did it take you to complete your coursework, write your comp exam, and begin the writing of your dissertation? Congrats on finishing your coursework and beginning the writing of your dissertation!!!
Thanks for your previous postings and sharing your experience with allnurses.com!!
Specializes in Medical, LTC,Home Health, DD, Education.
ans2680,
I enrolled in Capella fall of 2008, passed my comps fall 2010 and am working the dis process. I worked the entire time, have a full time job working with folks with Developmental Disabilities, was teaching part time 2 classes and have 2 teen boys at home, so ran with their sports! Oh and I drive 45 min each way to work! IT was insanely busy, but I took 2 courses every 10 weeks, working on papers/discussion boards in pm and really hit the papers sat & sun. Two classes were tolerable, but there is tons of writing! Costs the same to take 1,2 or 3 classes so I bit it and took 2. Currently I am only teaching part time (online),my full time job and working on the dis. I found the Nurs Ed speciality very helpful. My MSN is nursing ed also. My goal is to work full time teaching in about 1 year! Any more questions let me know.
I enrolled in Capella fall of 2008, passed my comps fall 2010 and am working the dis process. I worked the entire time, have a full time job working with folks with Developmental Disabilities, was teaching part time 2 classes and have 2 teen boys at home, so ran with their sports! Oh and I drive 45 min each way to work! IT was insanely busy, but I took 2 courses every 10 weeks, working on papers/discussion boards in pm and really hit the papers sat & sun. Two classes were tolerable, but there is tons of writing! Costs the same to take 1,2 or 3 classes so I bit it and took 2. Currently I am only teaching part time (online),my full time job and working on the dis. I found the Nurs Ed speciality very helpful. My MSN is nursing ed also. My goal is to work full time teaching in about 1 year! Any more questions let me know.
Denise
:)
Thanks for all the information! I decided to enroll; however, I was going to do a December 2010 start date, but after all the new things going on this semester I am going to begin in January 2011. I just haven't decided whether I want to handle 2 classes. I truly admire all that you are doing. I don't have children or a husband and I'm struggling to keep up with everything on my plate now! (New faculty role, commitee meetings, and new PRN NP gig)You will be my inspiration for completing my doctoral studies no matter what obstacles come my way! May God Bless You and thanks again for sharing your experience with me!:)
Lauri8218
21 Posts
The University of Colorado offers a PhD program in Nursing through distance learning.
http://www.nursing.ucdenver.edu/grad/dp.htm