For anyone considering Capella for an MSN...

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Specializes in Med/Surg, LTACH, LTC, Home Health.

My Capella MSN course actually begins on Monday, July 13th. My enrollment advisor called and told me that the course actually opened up early (today, Friday-July 11th). I immediately went to the course and read the syllabus and requirements of the first assessment.

I spent about 2-4 hours searching, reviewing, and selecting articles that were in line with my thoughts for the assessment last night, and did a little more research from reputable organizations that I've worked and today, I have just finished my first paper (two whole days before the start of class)! Writing papers have never been a problem for me; I find the research to be the hardest part. I try not to begin the paper on a day that I've gathered research, just so I can give my brain a rest. ? But today, those little last-minute ideas tend to pop up sometimes and are needed to really drive home an idea.

I won't submit the paper just yet because I have a question that I want clarification on first. Once that is answered and I make revisions (if needed), I will submit it and it is on to assessment 2 of 3. I will be done with this first course, which hopefully, will be by the end of the week (long before my estimated date of completion of 07/19/2020), if the other two assessments go as easily as this appears to be going. It helps that I happen to be on vacation until July 20th, too. It will be so nice to have this course under my belt before my vacation is over. ?

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Specializes in Nurse coordination.

Thank you for replying to my comment yesterday regarding preceptors. I hope to have an advisor call me this week.
I know you mentioned you started in July, does Capella enroll students more than twice a year? Wondering what month I could anticipate starting.
Another question (sorry), were you able to get financial aid for the MSN Degree?

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Specializes in Med/Surg, LTACH, LTC, Home Health.
10 hours ago, KAO said:

Thank you for replying to my comment yesterday regarding preceptors. I hope to have an advisor call me this week.
I know you mentioned you started in July, does Capella enroll students more than twice a year? Wondering what month I could anticipate starting.
Another question (sorry), were you able to get financial aid for the MSN Degree?

The answer to your questions is yes. I’m using student loans, and I’m doing the Flexpath option (going at my own pace). I’m not sure about enrollment into the Guidedpath option (traditional 16-wk courses). But with Flexpath, courses begin each month.

Today is the official start of class, and I’ll be submitting my first two assessments before the end of the day. One more to go, and I’m done with this class. Then I can immediately jump right into the next. I’m hoping for a February completion, at least with everything except the practicum; but it depends on the level of difficulty of the courses. Giving it my best shot, though.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, LTACH, LTC, Home Health.

Update: I completed all course requirements yesterday (5 days after starting). Just waiting on final grade to post.

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Specializes in oncology.
On 7/11/2020 at 12:47 PM, BSNbeDONE said:

I spent about 2-4 hours searching, reviewing, and selecting articles that were in line with my thoughts for the assessment last night,

Oh this is what it was like pre internet. . I wish I had the time back used in searching the stacks of bound journals where I thought I would find good articles for class or my thesis. We had the seminar format for most classes where we each had to assign research articles, present them and encourage discussion among our class participants. I started with CINAHL and then found the chosen articles in the stacks. Sometime the articles fit my needs; more often not. Reading the abstract saved me time and money.

I was often derailed when I found an article that looked interesting but was not related to my paper and had to sit down to read it (on the rolling stool one would need to reach up for items on the high shelf.)

Because I had gone to the bank earlier, I had rolls of quarters to spend on the Xerox machine to copy the pertinent articles. I patiently waited in line for my turn with the dental and medical students while praying the xerox would not suddenly end up in difficulties. It was the weekend after all. and the xerox repair man only worked Monday through Friday. It usually took one or two full days to gather what I thought were good and needed articles.

I truly loved the hunt which is probably why I ended up documenting antiques after retiring from nursing. I am a very good researcher when we look for details /use/etc for a piece that we don't know what it is, its age and manufacturer or its purpose.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, LTACH, LTC, Home Health.

What I wouldn’t give for retirement! After reading your post, I am so thankful that I wasn’t in an MSN mindset in my younger years. The process from yesteryear wouldn’t have made me happy, determined, not motivated at all!?

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Specializes in oncology.

My Master's was a full 2 years but all-in-all I look back fondly on it. At the time not so much fondness. I learned a lot and I still love library research. There is an art to it. At my last faculty position I racked up 45 hours of post masters credits over 4 summers and loved doing it. It was in an education program that allowed you to choose your own courses and for every course you had to create something that you would use in your teaching. I was totally aware that the credits would not lead to a doctoral program. And I was able to pay the tuition as I progressed. No loans!

I am glad that nurses today can invest their valuable time on what is really important in nursing research. But I hope they can find something that speaks to them directly.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, LTACH, LTC, Home Health.

That is awesome! I don't plan on going further than the Masters; but in all fairness, I wasn't planning on going any further than an LPN, either. Who knows what the future holds. Whatever is in store for me had better reveal itself soon because in the next 6 years, I plan to be joining you on the sidelines of this rat race. Having the MSN, I may extend those plans if it affords me a lucrative work-from-home (non-teaching) position. What that may entail, I haven't a clue. But I will be more than satisfied with it being the end of the nursing road for me. We shall see..

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Specializes in Med/Surg, LTACH, LTC, Home Health.

Update...

I completed all 7 MSN core courses before September ended. I will start working on the remaining 5 MSN specialization courses on October 12th. I’m hoping to begin the practicum (100 hours) in January. Counting down...

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Were you able to use any scholarships at capela?

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Specializes in Med/Surg, LTACH, LTC, Home Health.

I’m using only student loans. I have tried scholarships. 

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I am also looking into Capella's MSN Nursing Leadership program and wondered about the "practicum" mentioned. Can you please share any info about it? Is it like a clinical? Any information would be greatly appreciated!

Also, since graduating with your MSN, what positions have you held professionally? Has having your MSN helped your nursing career? TIA

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