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. ?
Oh wow. That is very unfortunate. Have you since completed the program? Or are you still enrolled? Which particular path did you choose?
I’m done with all of the courses as if 12/29/20. Currently, I’m working on arranging my practicum experience. I watched a Youtube video where a former student completed her MSN in education track in 5 months. This is what guided my decision to go with Capella. After enrolling, I found out that my employer has a care coordination department, which is more aligned to my goals than the education track. Little did I know what that change would mean for my stress level. But the hardest part, as easy as it was, is over.
Specializes in Psychiatric/mental/behavioral/substance abuse.
OK that is wonderful to know. I'm going to look for that video. This is so motivating. 2021 here I come. For your practicum do you need a preceptor? I have colleagues that are paying for preceptors. They are both in a NP programs.
Yes, I do. It’s been challenging to locate the preceptor. I have a facility, but have no names. But I’m patient because the bulk of the program is behind me.
Specializes in Psychiatric/mental/behavioral/substance abuse.
I was surprised about it too. I guess the shortage of preceptors is worst than the shortage of nursing instructors. I'm not sure how long the trend of paying for preceptors has been going on. I've heard of people paying up to $2k a semester for them. There's forums and fb groups with leads on preceptors. Oh does Capella help at all with the process of finding a preceptor?
No. We have to find our own preceptors. But they do, upon request, provide you with a list of organizations that they’ve entered into affiliation agreements with in the past in your specified state. That list in for me was three pages long. I’m reaching out to more local organizations first, before deciding to hit the interstate or cross state lines. But if that’s what it takes, that’s what I’ll do...hey, it’s only for 100 hours (2 1/2 weeks). I can use a legitimate reason to break from cabin fever.
Whether or not you pay someone depends on your level of desperation to get this done. I’m reaching out to personal professional contacts for names and sent emails out on Thursday before I left work. It helps that we all have the same ‘.gov’ professional email.
I’ve built a rapport with quite a few disciplines since starting my new job and I now see that paying off. I’ve received at least one unsolicited personal phone number to link me to contacts in s sister-facility two hours from where I live. This is quite an accomplishment for an introvert such as myself.?
If your employer agrees to it, yes. Mine would not unless I allowed them to choose the educational program for me. There choices would have had me in school for at least another two years, no guarantee of a position in my chosen area, and owing them my life if I tried to leave. There is still no guarantee that I’d be given a degree-appropriate position; but at least I can walk away without owing them a dime if I so choose.
To have a preceptor with your employer from a Capella standpoint means that the preceptor cannot be a current supervisor or Capella student.
Thanks for posting this! This is very inspiring. I am currently doing my RN to BSN at a state university with 16 week courses, and I am so burnt out already LOL, with work, school and this pandemic. I am not sure if I want to continue past my BSN, but your post has certainly inspired me to look into Capella University if I decide to. Thank you so much for sharing!
I am still waiting for the preceptorship to start. In another month, I will have waited as long to start the practicum as it took to work the program. I am not happy about that at all. The first location backed out once they realized I was employed with the sister facility and not with them. Another sister facility has agreed to do it with full awareness that I am not employed with them; but they have me just waiting with no updates, no emails, no phone calls...NOTHING!! In the meantime, I'm no longer a Capella student until I can apply to the capstone course, and I can't apply to that without the name and full documentation of the location and actual preceptor. Regrets??? You better believe it! One would think that Capella would make provisions to offer an online practicum experience since the pandemic seems to be the going excuse these days.
NotMyProblem MSN, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN
2,690 Posts
I’m done with all of the courses as if 12/29/20. Currently, I’m working on arranging my practicum experience. I watched a Youtube video where a former student completed her MSN in education track in 5 months. This is what guided my decision to go with Capella. After enrolling, I found out that my employer has a care coordination department, which is more aligned to my goals than the education track. Little did I know what that change would mean for my stress level. But the hardest part, as easy as it was, is over.