Experience with Distance Ed NP programs

I was an ARMY medic who challenged the CA state boards (remember those) and then got my BSN via Excelsior. I then did a traditional masters, PCNS track. I also did a traditional MBA. I've also been in two NP programs that teach both online and traditional, UAB and Rush universities. I did the distance education route. Since I live in Bangladesh, I have no other options. But, even if I lived next door to both universities, I'd still go with distance education. I'm now considering whether to do both UAB and Rush at the same time, all from the comfort of my home, lol. I've also taught in both ADN and BSN programs and have a teacher wife who keeps me up to date on education issues.

That's cool. I did the same thing but I was a civilian paramedic and they wouldn't let me challenge boards. So I had to take the tests over an 8 month period with Regents to get my adn, then take boards.

Where are you going? Duke FNP

What do you like/not like about the program?

Online flexibility with working full time, organization or program, accessibility and quality of the faculty. The program is structured with discussion boards, and some on-campus time so that you feel part of the Duke SON community. I really have no complaints.

Do you feel that your experience has short-changed you as compared to going through a traditional program?

I work with Duke NP grads who were entirely on-campus students and I took one semester on-line due to scheduling (3-hr drive), so I have some idea for comparison. I feel in no way shortchanged and maybe at an advantage due to the resources available online that are sometimes not available in the same on-campus course. Though this is changing and even on-campus students often have lectures recorded and posted as Powerpoint presentations and MP3 downloads, etc. I actually felt from a learning standpoint, the semester I drove to hear lectures were somewhat of a waste of time. It was nice to have some on-campus time though, especially at the end of my program.

If you had to do it over, would you have chosen the traditional path? No

I'm happy to answer any questions I can. There is some more detail about my program in this post .

David

Where are you going? Duke FNP

What do you like/not like about the program?

Online flexibility with working full time, organization or program, accessibility and quality of the faculty. The program is structured with discussion boards, and some on-campus time so that you feel part of the Duke SON community. I really have no complaints.

David

The ability to state you can work full time while attending a graduate FNP program is exactly what our critics want to hear. How many other professional graduate degrees, (select any one) have their students brag about working full time while attending school. Just how does a FNP student work full time and attend clinical while a full time student? We are not doing ourselves any favors by suggesting how easy graduate school must be for the FNP.

The ability to state you can work full time while attending a graduate FNP program is exactly what our critics want to hear. How many other professional graduate degrees, (select any one) have their students brag about working full time while attending school. Just how does a FNP student work full time and attend clinical while a full time student? We are not doing ourselves any favors by suggesting how easy graduate school must be for the FNP.

I know several UC Davis FNP students, all of which work full time.

Bragging about working FT? Did I say it was easy?

As for working full time, it is pretty common. Most "on-campus" MSN students at Duke work full time as well. I have known several MDs and one lawyer who worked all the way through school. Including my family MD.

The online program at Duke is "part-time" with 2 classes per semester 3-4 credits each for at least 7 semesters.

So for the past seven semesters my life has been as follows...

Work 3-12hr days as an ER Nurse. Clinical for 8 hours 1-2 days a week (lunch excluded), and pretty much solid studying the other days 8-12 hours each. One 3-day family vacation during that time (rented an umbrella and studied). I had to go part time at work for my 2 final semesters to fit in the weekday clinical time and I am working every weekend.

The 10 day or so semester breaks were for catching up on home and yard stuff. It takes me a week after exams to actually relax.

I could have never done it had my wife not pretty much taken over all the household responsibilities.

My lawyer worked FT (as a police detective) when he was in law school. My surgeon worked FT (as a LPN) while he was in med school. My dentist worked FT (as an interior decorator) wihle she was in dental school. Are they somehow less qualified? Less dedicated?

I have to work FT. I have people (including a mortage lender, lol) who depend on my income. It is means I sleep 4 hours a night and miss every play, every party, every ballgame for the duration, so be it. I am willing to sacrafice almost anything in the name of advancing my education and practice. My childrens' home, no, not so much.

It takes me a week after exams to actually relax.

Ain't that the truth. I feel so punch drunk after finals.

Just curious about your journey through NP school via distance. I was unable to find another thread which exclusively provided a "lived experience" list for those going through, or have been through the distance ed process.

As you are aware, there has been much derogatory comments, false statements, and other inflammatory remarks regarding distance education which I dismiss as nothing more than manifestations of insecurity within themselves, all from my estimation, made by those who have never been through the distance education NP program process. Unfortunately, I feel that comments such as these from uninformed individuals might place distance education in a bad light for those considering such pathways to career advancement.

Since distance education is a proven legitimate and viable option for NP's, I'd really like to hear other's experiences.

For those of you doing the NP route via distance, what has been your experience? Where are you going? What do you like/not like about the program? Have any regrets about not taking the traditional path, like going to classes on another's schedule, paying extra money to take you there in light of gas prices, etc? Do you feel that your experience has short-changed you as compared to going through a traditional program? If you had to do it over, would you have chosen the traditional path?

Tammy79

e-mail me and I'll reply, so we can continue our discussion.

bragging about working ft? did i say it was easy?

as for working full time, it is pretty common. most "on-campus" msn students at duke work full time as well. i have known several mds and one lawyer who worked all the way through school. including my family md.

the online program at duke is "part-time" with 2 classes per semester 3-4 credits each for at least 7 semesters.

so for the past seven semesters my life has been as follows...

work 3-12hr days as an er nurse. clinical for 8 hours 1-2 days a week (lunch excluded), and pretty much solid studying the other days 8-12 hours each. one 3-day family vacation during that time (rented an umbrella and studied). i had to go part time at work for my 2 final semesters to fit in the weekday clinical time and i am working every weekend.

the 10 day or so semester breaks were for catching up on home and yard stuff. it takes me a week after exams to actually relax.

i could have never done it had my wife not pretty much taken over all the household responsibilities.

i have worked with fnp students over the past 20 years. yes, some students have worked "full time" while going to school. of all the students i have worked with they placed themselves in a very unhealthy situation. they did not learn as much or retain as well as those who worked part-time or not at all. this is not saying students who work full time are any less dedicated, the reality is, if you can attend school full time without working you will get a better education. this is assuming the student spends the time she would have been working to her fnp studies. we all know students in a variety of professions who worked full time while going to school and graduated. makes me think of the 95 yo patient who was healthy as a "horse" even though he smoked 2 packs per day and had a 6 pack every day. as far as he was concerned, everybody should be able smoke and drink and be healthy at 95. ok, maybe not the best comparison.