distance learning support

opalmRN · Jan 8, 2004

hi kimlpn,

these are good thoughts! it does no one any good to bash schools or programs here this is supposed to be a place to share. bashing of this nature will not change anything and imho it's just another form of complaining.

we are all different which makes for an interesting world.

when people ask questions on these bbs it is usually for advice both pro and con and suggestions but i don't ever remember reading one single post that requested folks bash in reply. that is why i enjoy and appreciate the vast knowledge that people bring to this forum.

good luck to you in your pursuit.

just one more satisfied online student.

c:d

New Castle Ken · Jan 9, 2004

Originally posted by kimlpn
I realize that there are a few individuals that like to frequent this forum and engage in conflict related to distance learning/on-line degrees....but I hope that it does not discourage those seeking positive support here. While I am in agreement that distance/on-line degrees are not meant for everyone, and should be geared toward those with significant NURSING clinical background-- I don't agree with the negativity these individuals bring to the subject. As with any major decision in one's life, conduct a well balanced research from all possible sources to help make your decision one that is well rounded. Realize that people enrolled in alternative degrees can offer good insights on their experiences with course work, employment, etc. It would be hard for anyone who has not gone this route to answer these questions. People who love conflict usually have some underlying etiology to their issues with conflict and the need to be in a constant state of turmoil--for those people we need to lift them up and include them in our daily prayers--even if they curse us! Everyone is unique from their style of learning to their diversity in lifestyle-what a colorful world it is because of this. Good luck to everyone as they continue their studies...regardless of the program type you are in. Doing your best and working with integrity will always shine through!
Kim

Good point Kim. Online courses are not for everyone and not the only way to attend classes. Online courses are not a new type of educational system, they are merely a new delivery system. Thomas Russell publishes a book and maintains a web site that traces different delivery systems since 1928. The book and site are called, "The No Significant Difference Phenomenon."

The No Significant Difference Phenomenon

Everyone has an opinion which is great but the most valued opinions are from people who have actually taken or taught online courses.

Sheri257 · Jan 9, 2004

Originally posted by kimlpn
I realize that there are a few individuals that like to frequent this forum and engage in conflict related to distance learning/on-line degrees....but I hope that it does not discourage those seeking positive support here. While I am in agreement that distance/on-line degrees are not meant for everyone, and should be geared toward those with significant NURSING clinical background-- I don't agree with the negativity these individuals bring to the subject.

I'm not sure how to respond to this since I have been accused of being one those individuals in the past. However, I thought most of us resolved a lot of this on other threads, and I haven't posted anything "negative" since.

If, perhaps, you're referring to one of the Deaconess threads, I just posted some info relevant to the question at hand. Did you somehow construe that as negative? Because that was not my intent and I'm not sure how it could be viewed that way.

I haven't seen much recent negative stuff either, except maybe Pug's remarks, and that was awhile ago.

It's kinda strange to bring this up when the negative stuff seems to have quieted down.

:confused:

kimlpn · Jan 9, 2004

Ken--

It is great to see how well you have done with alternative courses!!! Your web site is inspiring for anyone planning or enrolled in this type of education!

Kim

kimlpn · Jan 9, 2004

Lizz,

I never indicated any particular person...the statement was a broad generalization of posts I have seen involving Excelsior within the past month. If you have reflected on it and believe you are "accused" then I am sorry--as the post wasn't meant to be an accusing one, but rather one of support.

Good luck and happy studying!!!

Kim

tlynsmith · Jan 10, 2004

I wanted to take time out to thank all the EC students that read my thread and have offered their support. I will not drop names but I have had students offering to send me books, have emailed me their notes and have sent me encouraging emails. I receive emails from EC students in other states. I am so appreciative that I felt I had to let everyone know who reads this :)

Teresa...... Horray to DL!

New Castle Ken · Jan 10, 2004

Originally posted by kimlpn
Ken--
It is great to see how well you have done with alternative courses!!! Your web site is inspiring for anyone planning or enrolled in this type of education!
Kim

Thanks Kim.

cdove · Jan 10, 2004

I'm trying to find out if anyone has taken an online A & p class at Colorado Com. college.? I just registered for one at the Denver community college (designated home college). It states that the class is taught by staff. I hope someone responds. I am also taking organic chemistry/lab in maryland-on campus and working full-time. I am trying to finish my pre-requistes for a P.A. program application. I heard there was a Chris Dugan teaching at CCC and that he was pretty good. But I don't remember what course he was teaching. Any help would be appreciated and advice to be able to get a B.

Thanks :rolleyes:

BBFRN, BSN, PhD · Jan 11, 2004

Cdove, I don't have any info on those particular programs, so I'm afraid I won't be of much help to you at all. Maybe you could call them? It might be worth a try.

Lizz- you had valid points in your posts about the clinical issue with EC. There were, however, several people on those other recent threads who call the EC program a shortcut (not), a way to get around getting an actual education (not), and basically a program full of incompetent RN wannabes who couldn't cut it anywhere else (not). Now there is at least one new thread posted here from a student who is failing in a traditional program and wants to do the EC program as a way around this. So maybe some of the "uninformed naysayers" are passing around enough misinformation about EC that they are ENCOURAGING the very people to enter the program that they were GRIPING about in the first place. It seems that you are the only one who took the effort and time to actually research the program before you made too many assumptions about it. I can respect that.

I feel that Kim has the right idea. Distance students need to support each other, because we have been somewhat bashed on here in the past several weeks. Not that we aren't able to stand up for ourselves, but it does get tiring to have to defend your educational method of choice especially when it comes to answering valid questions of prospective EC students. Lots of LPNs want to progress in their studies, and this is the best choice for some of us. I for one, would rather be lifted up, informed, and supported by others who have made that choice, than "discussed" by a few who place the "incompetent" label on us, and have no idea what hoops we have to jump through to meet our goal.

So, on with the love :chuckle . MzTrixi- I'm so glad you're getting started. You have to let us know when you are about to take your first exam- that one was the scariest for me, because it's like you have to feel out the rhythm of a final exam without being able to feel out the rhythm of an instructor first- just follow the study outline and all will be well. Hopefully it will be of some comfort to you to know that most of the NC exams will be based on information you already learned in LPN school- they just take you deeper into the subjects. It's the same with Lifespan- just refer back to your Intro. to Psych knowlege. And do a nursing care plan (with at least 2 nsg dx's, etc.) on each medical diagnosis- that'll be a big help for all of the nursing exams.

Kim- where are you right now? I'm getting ready to take NC6&7. Then I'll be ready for the CPNE. Yay!!!

chris_at_lucas_RN, RN · Jan 11, 2004

Bottom line is--all any of us need to do to be licensed nurses is pass the NCLEX.

I've met students from schools whose names you would recognize, even well outside this state, and I pray to God I'm never under their care. Stupid, sloppy, arrogant, walking fomites (there's an insult! LOL).

Then again, I've had a lot of support being a distance learner, including from my professors and former classmates from my first ("real") nursing school, where I served a year. And I had a wonderful nurse actually CALL me to say she had graduated from EC ten or so years ago, had her ADN, was applying to NP school and had found that she didn't need a BSN or MSN to get in, they accepted her ADN from EC just fine. And those were good schools too..... And she never had trouble getting a job, and was never discriminated against because of where she went.

You can be a good nurse, or not, but nobody really cares where you got your degree or what your GPA was. That old joke about the med student who graduated with the lowest GPA in his class is true: they still call him doctor.

You apply for a job, and they want to know, do you have your license. That's pretty much it.

I got my BA and MA--graduated with honors and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa, and interestingly enough, in almost 20 years, I haven't had one single potential employer, or one colleague who might have seen my vita ever remark on it.

So I guess the point I want to make is, this BB is a nice safe place for people who have little or nothing to back up their negative opinions, to act like they know something and chip away at the resolve and confidence of distance students.

If they are already nurses, for shame! Kinda goes against the vow to "first do no harm," doesn't it?

Maybe we need a nice stickie thread that is JUST for support.....?

BBFRN, BSN, PhD · Jan 11, 2004

Amen, Chris! And I love the idea for the sticky thread!

One thing I have learned from doing the distance thang, is that most of our distance peers are very supportive. Like Mztixi, I have always been able to find study buddies, and a good number of people willing to share practice tests, notes, website links, and other helpful study aids. And it feels good to pay it forward, too. Sometimes we just need a "Good luck" before taking a difficult exam, and we get it with sincerity. The weird thing about this is that it was never this way in any of my traditional programs. Everything was dog-eat-dog, and so competitive. It's nice to not have to deal with that added stress now. There is a feeling of "We're all in this together" in my study groups, so we can carry that on over here, too- that would be awesome. :)