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Discussion

Distance learning from overseas

Hey, I peruse the forum quite a bit and figured I would post my question and see if there is any information to be had. I searched..but there are about 5k worth of threads on distance learning and I gleaned what I could from it.

My question is a bit more specific.. I currently work as a medic in Iraq and Afghanistan -I use that term because it is what I do, I understand in a civilian or traditional environment it may or may not fit-and am looking for a program that will let me complete core coursework for my RN or LPN online. Not clinicals, not labs, not a cracker jack degree or an "online degree"..but coursework that can be completed from a distance.

I hold an NREMT-I and state EMT certification and operate here as a medic/corpsman for DOS under the supervision of a P.A. with a Medical Director as well. As you might imagine we operate under a unique set of protocols give our area of operation. I also have a Bachelors Degree in Business Management as well.

I was a police officer prior and functioned as the team medic on the SWAT team and also served on an aid car for the fire department in addition to what I am currently doing. Before that, a hundred years ago I was in the Marine Corps. I have been looking everywhere across the nation to find a program that will allow me a distance education while I am deployed here. I am not trying to circumvent the process, but I am trying to find a program that allows me to learn at a distance, complete my required clinicals and hands on training in a structured environment, and be in a position to take care of my family. Excelsior seems to be the preeminent program that has been established and has set the standard for distance education regarding nursing, but the criteria is what it is.

I am curious if anyone knows of a program that may allow me to complete the bulk of my coursework first and my clinicals at a more flexible schedule. I have blocks of time off from my duty usually every 60 to 90 days for a month at a time and have some contacts with hospitals and rural clinics in my area that may be of help in terms of clinicals.

Hopefully I have explained it the best I can and maybe there is something out there. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions or any info you may want to pass along. Any good information would be appreciated. Thanks much R1

Featured Replies

  • Experts

You would be able to do the Excelsior College program, except I am certain that you have to be a paramedic. Several years ago, they disallowed basic EMTs from participation. Not familiar with the current certification abbreviations. NREMT-P is paramedic? Do you anticipate getting paramedic certification or an LPN license through the military? Assuming this happens, then you could take all of your prerequisite and corequisite course work online. You could take the nursing exams. At the end of the program, you would have to take the CPNE in the US. By that time, you should be back in the states anyway. Have read about people in Europe traveling to US to take the CPNE and finish the program. Check out their website: http://www.excelsior.edu.

  • Moderator
You would be able to do the Excelsior College program, except I am certain that you have to be a paramedic. Several years ago, they disallowed basic EMTs from participation. Not familiar with the current certification abbreviations. NREMT-P is paramedic?

Yes, EMT-P is paramedic, and yes, you have to be a paramedic for EC's program. It seems that the OP is an EMT-I, which is between an EMT-Basic and an EMT-Paramedic. However, some military service corpsmen are also eligible for Excelsior, according to EC's admission policy:

https://www.excelsior.edu/Excelsior_College/School_Of_Nursing/School_of_Nursing_Admission_Policy

However, it also sounds like the OP is looking for structured clinicals, so that rules out EC. I can't think of any programs that would incorporate distance learning with structured clinicals, with the exception of ISU, but that is for LPNs only. Hmmm.

  • Experts
Yes, EMT-P is paramedic, and yes, you have to be a paramedic for EC's program. It seems that the OP is an EMT-I, which is between an EMT-Basic and an EMT-Paramedic. However, some military service corpsmen are also eligible for Excelsior, according to EC's admission policy:

https://www.excelsior.edu/Excelsior_College/School_Of_Nursing/School_of_Nursing_Admission_Policy

However, it also sounds like the OP is looking for structured clinicals, so that rules out EC. I can't think of any programs that would incorporate distance learning with structured clinicals, with the exception of ISU, but that is for LPNs only. Hmmm.

That's what I was thinking too, hmmmmm. You need to give him a pep talk Lunah!!! :cool:

  • Moderator
That's what I was thinking too, hmmmmm. You need to give him a pep talk Lunah!!! :cool:

Nah ... if he wants structured clinicals, then clearly EC isn't the way for him to go.

  • Experts

On a serious note River, doubt that you will find a program like you describe. Programs usually have a distance format or they are traditional. If there were more programs like you describe, there probably would be a lot of info/threads on this site. Excelsior is the most popular distance program that accommodates people who want flexibility.

  • Author

Thanks for the replies, I appreciate it. I should have probably explained myself better...Excelsior is obviously the most popular and viable option if you meet the criteria. Unfortunately regardless of what protocols I work with here in Afghanistan, at the end of the day my certification is that of an EMT-I and doesnt meet their pre req's.

When I said a traditional program it was only that I meant I understood that there are certain things required for a program to be reputable. My problem isn't in finding a program that will allow online coursework, its that I am in Afghanistan and to do concurrent clinicals won't work. So I need to be able to do core courses online and either do my clincals at the end or in large blocks..much on par to what Excelsior offers--I just cant find an entry level program that will allow that. If anyone knows of one that would be awesome, I have searched and searched, emailed deans, and will continue;) Thanks again for the help and insight. R

  • Moderator

Have you checked the military corpsman angle with EC? I know you're an EMT-I, but they do allow people under a certain MOS to enter the program, too.

Edited to add: thank you for your service, too. :)

  • Author

I have, I actually work for the DOS side of the house and don't hold a military MOS that will help in that regard.

I may end up trying to get my EMTP and then going to school that way but its a very circular route to get where I want to be..but if thats the only way then you do what you gotta do. Right now I am trying to exhaust the distance LPN or RN avenue before I make that decision. The big hang up is finding flexible clinicals it seems....

  • Moderator

If I hear of anything, I'll let you know. I'm an NREMT-P, which allowed me to do the Excelsior thing, but I did a lot of searching for a more traditional program prior to going that route, and didn't find anything. But that was in 2005/2006, so things might have changed or become available. But you're right -- it's the "clinicals concurrent with theory" that is likely to be the obstacle.

  • Author

Thank you much, I appreciate it. I am also looking at schools in Canada and overseas as an option, although it does get a bit confusing when you start that.

I will keep checking, thanks for the help:)

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