Finding the right NP program

[MidnightTang]

There are many similar threads on this subject, but I cannot seem to find enough info to make my decision. Or maybe I'm just indecisive. I live in southern Illinois and work in St. Louis, Missouri. I want to find a program that is online, but I am willing to make a couple trips to campus for a week at a time. If the program is local, I could do several live classes, but I would like a majority online. Cost is a factor. It doesn't need to be the cheapest, but not terribly expensive. I looked at St. Louis University, but the $1000/hour was daunting. I want a program that is respected by employers. I don't want to feel embarrased about my degree. I want it to be challenging and I want to know my stuff when I'm done. I am about to finish my RN-BSN at UTA and I have had a good experience with online education. I did not do a lot of research before starting this degree and chose based mainly on cost and ease, but I want to be pickier about my NP. Can anyone help me or give some suggestions?

Thanks,

Anne

[KristinWW]

Anne, I learned the hard way that you get what you pay for. I thought I was smart to get into a local program on the cheaper side. I also got out as quickly as I got in. I really wanted Georgetown but almost $1700/credit was too much. Now I think I've found a great program with cost in the middle but still online and at a reputable school (CCNE-accredited instead of NLN - my second mistake with the first program). My situation may be different that yours in that I don't want to travel far for the on-campus time. Good luck to you!!

[MidnightTang]

That's why I'm having such a hard time with this decision. I want to find a good school for a reasonable price. I have such a hard time figuring out what schools will provide a good education and are well-respected by employers. I would love it if the cheapest school also provided the best education, but I'm sure that's not true. I need to find the perfect synthesis, a school that I can afford that provides a quality education. What school did you end up deciding on?