Hey everyone, I need some advice concerning a new online BSN and FNP program. This program is allowing RN's and chiropractors direct entry into their BSN program. After one year the student will sit for their boards and if they pass, they continue with the NP Program for one year. The program is through Mid America and Hardin-Simmons University in Texas.
I have been a chiropractor for 11 years and I am looking to leave the profession. I am planning to go back to school to become a NP or PA. I am a little concerned about the online BSN and NP Program. Is a student adequately trained by an online course compared to learning in a classroom? You have some hands on training and you have to go through your rotations, but I am not convinced the student is ready to care for patients without more on the job training.
My goal as an NP or PA is to work in orthopedics or emergency medicine. How many NP's work as first assistants in the OR or the the ER? While I am taking some prerequisites classes, I am planning to get my paramedic certification and get some experience outside of the chiropractic field.
How were you able to balance it all? I work about 35 hours a week as an IC and just started re-taking/taking pre-reqs. I pondered taking 2 or 3 classes at a time, but was concerned about being overwhelmed.
hello everyone considering chiropractor to nurse practitioner. i received this email today.
[color=#9e3c29]mid america
[color=#9e3c29]learning
dear prospective student,
this email is to inform you of some changes in the wbu online bsn program that will make it a better fit for more students looking to expand their health care expertise.
rather than having to pay for the entire online bsn program up front, mid america learning and wbu have made arrangements to charge tuition on a pay-as-you-go, per-term basis. starting with students entering in the fall of 2010, tuition will be $6,428 per term for the online bsn program. (there may be additional tuition charges for other courses, such as general education courses you might be required to take, if those courses are taken at wbu. also, the following fees are assessed one-time in full at the beginning of the first term in addition to program tuition.)
a) standardized tests and nclex-rn preparation ($700)
note: assessment for the lms fee will begin with students entering the program for the winter 2010 term or later
tuition is subject to change, so if you have already secured financing for the entire program's tuition, don't worry. prepaying for future terms will ensure that you take advantage of the lowest tuition cost. if you have not already found financing, this change in tuition structure may give you access to additional federal student loans and grants.
to talk to an enrollment counselor about enrolling in the wbu online bsn program, call (325) 428-0407 or email [email protected]
I'm in the first cohort of DC's that are working on their BSN degree at WBU. We still have a year to go. So far things are fine (it is a great group of guys in my cohort). They (mid america and WBU) are trying to get some of the kinks worked out, but it isn't too bad in terms of study time (my wife isn't threatening to leave me, but i do have less free time). The thing that isn't great is travel. I live in idaho so i have to fly to texas once a month, so that can add up, but this is the only program where I can do the clinicals and didactic portion with out destroying my chiropractic practice. I see a lot of people saying to just do it at the community college. That is okay if it is a night course, but my local college only offers day time classes and almost entire day long clinicals. Every semester i would be completely changing my hours and that would only kill my practice. The Mid america option is good if you have a good practice you want to maintain. If you have a small practice then it is cheaper to go through a local RN program, but you will also probably only have your RN and not your BSN. I hope that answers some questions.
I practiced for 10 years as a chiropractor before I became a nurse about 6 years ago. I am now pursuing my Psych NP. Some people want to add medication management to a chiropractic practice. I think that we have to be careful what we wish for! I think muscle relaxers and NSAIDS would be a great addition to a chiropractic practice, but we need to be careful about narcotic pain killers.
For six years I have been dealing with people addicted to pain medications. These people will stop at nothing to get more of their medications. Their persistence is legendary. They have even been known to terrorize your office staff to get more. I would not want that as part of my practice. Just something to think about.
Thanks DC2RN. My reasons for wanting to become a nurse practitioner is to provide more services to patients. At times I feel limited by the DC scope of practice. I feel so energized when I have the opportunity to educate patients on managing hypertension or diabetes. I would like to do more of this, for a wider array of people, not just the middle class insured person.
I am only about halfway done. So far, it has been a lot of work, but very doable. All the programs are designed for nurses who work full time. You can make a nice, middle class income while you continue your education. You get great benefits and usually the hospital will pay for part or most of your education. Try finding that in chiropractic.
I have said it before. I have never regret becoming a nurse. It was the best career move that I ever made.
Here is the crappy thing. So Since the program switched to WBU from Hardin Simmons, it increased in length by about three months (from 18 to 21) and more Gen ED's were required by wayland baptist. The price also increased to 45K. Well I understood that going in and went ahead. Now i guess they are only averaging about 8-9 people per semester as opposed to the 50 they had at hardin simmons. So they just cut the cost by ten grand to 35 thousand and you can pay that per semester. I had to pay 45K up front at once. When I called them on this crap they basically brushed me off and gave me the it sucks to be you vibe. (legal disclaimer: this is my opinion). Wayland has no control over it, they contract with MID America learning for a fee, but i feel like i just got raped. Just make sure everything is in writing. Those bastards screwed me.
Here is my opinion . Basically MAL is operating like a telemarketing group. They tell you what you want to hear. I was mislead as to what I was going to get. Once you sign the promissory note, they are out. Many of the things that were implied by MAL to entice me into the program, is bogus. When asked about the issues they pass the buck and say they cant do anything or try to appease you by implying “it is in negotiation.” Also, I think that it is important to mention that there are significant changes going on in the nursing profession and the FNP programs that were not fully disclosed.
Prior to starting I researched WB extensively and unfortunately they are not receiving glowing reports on student advocacy, financial ethics or Christian values. In my opinion it appears that the distance DC students are not of any priority and I am sure are not treated the same as other online programs. Please note: In my opinion, the university has excellent instructors and so far as the core & clinical instruction, it has been excellent. The issues are primarily administrative responsibility. I am very disappointed that a CHRISTIAN university has allowed such student mistreatment and financial fee gouging to occur. In summary here is what happened to me. The program required added undergraduate hours, was lengthened by a term, clinical hours increased, the total number of trips increased, the locations changed to S.A. require an additional flight, travel expense double because new location and unplanned lodging, added charges for books and other programs. I would also note, I was told much of what was not delivered was because there wasn’t enough money! And now we hear that there has been a $10, 000 reduction in the fees so that more students will take the bait and I am just SOL. I also guess I better add the legal disclaimer of :[ in my opinion] because there is no telling what negative repercussions will happen to us. The truth hurts.-- Be careful that you have EVERY detail in writing.
Some people in my group (the first group to enroll at WBU) were mad because they were told it would be in dallas. I was never told that. I was always under the assumption it would be in San Antonio. I get the feeling that the dean of the program doesn't like us, but every clinical instructor we have been with has been great and taught us a lot. You need to make sure and seperate the education from the politics of the school and the MAL program. I feel the teachers honestly care. The rest not so much. If you are new and haven't enrolled well good for you because they just dropped the cost like ten grand, but it really ****** me off. It's like buying the iPhone the week before they dropped the price. The fact of the matter though is at the end i will have my BSN and can go from there. There is still no way i could have done this at a traditional program and kept my practice running. The only other online option i have seen is the BSN preliscensure through Western Governor's but i haven't heard much about or from them. ANyone know about them?
chiros2005
35 Posts
Chiro-ann
How were you able to balance it all? I work about 35 hours a week as an IC and just started re-taking/taking pre-reqs. I pondered taking 2 or 3 classes at a time, but was concerned about being overwhelmed.
Any advice you give would be greatly appreciated.
Arnie