I was advised by staff to start a thread for nurses pertaining to graduate school until staff decides if there will be a forum just for graduate school.
I thought this could be a place for nurses interested in going to graduate school, nurses in graduate school, and nurses who have finished graduate school to share their experience and questions. Maybe those in graduate school or who have finished graduate school can help those interested in it.
So, what specialty are you interested in, where do you go or want to go or have graduated from? Online or traditional? What is the experience like? Anyone in direct entry MS programs? Are you in a nurse practitioner MS program or a different type of nursing MS?
I am a retired school nurse teacher and elementary educator looking to go to graduate school for nursing. After taking a refresher course in med surg, I have been considering many options including school nursing MS, pediatric nurse practitioner (Can you do this without hospital experience since nursing school?), informatics, administration, child psych.(have not been able to find such a program?), case management, patient education (PARTICULARLY FOR CHILDREN). I have looked into so many things that I am totally confused. I have even looked into a direct entry MS proigram, because my BSN is so old. So any comments or suggestions on my situation would be appreciated. For personal reasons, I cannot work right now, but I am able to go to school online. I am considering the online Stony Brook Pediatric Practitioner and Clinical Specialist Program. Anyone familiar with it?
I am very interested to get answers to my questions and also to hear where you are and what you are doing in the world of graduate education for nurses. I hope we can all help eachother.
I am about to finish my first semester of grad school!! I am taking graduate statistics, theory, and a transition to advanced practice course. The latter has already finished, was only a half semester course.
I have not found this first semester to be that demanding, of course I am only part-time school with 7 credit hours. I work full-time nights on a busy tele floor; I have found nights work well for my schedule, husband teaches during the day, so I can sleep, and my other two classes only meet once a week. My days off I can work on school, but there's really not been that much work at all so far. I've been pleasantly surprised. But I know it will get busier, I am taking a 2 week online course that counts for my one required elective, this is in Jan. Then in spring I have research and advanced pharm. Those will be busy I know.
Like someone else mentioned, I too, am going to either save up and use my PTO for my last semester of clinical-we have to get in 300 clinical hours. Or I am going to go per diem. But that's still pretty far off, the other semesters I am required either 60-120 clinical hours, pretty doable with a work schedule, I believe. We'll see...I just can't wait to be finished!!
I would love to participate. I am enrolled in an online MSN program. I found one other student who is attending Indiana State Online Nursing Program. Are there any others? Do you know of any good online programs out there? Would like to hear from you. Another question I have is about non thesis options. Does anyone know anything about that? Thanks
I would love to participate. I am enrolled in an online MSN program. I found one other student who is attending Indiana State Online Nursing Program. Are there any others? Do you know of any good online programs out there? Would like to hear from you. Another question I have is about non thesis options. Does anyone know anything about that? Thanks
I am attending Missouri University online graduate school, and I like it very much. There is no thesis.
BUT: It's very important to know what your goal/dream is before you start.
That's the thing....what if you just don't know what you want to do. I am anxious to apply to grad school but I can't seem to decide what direct to take. In fact, I seem to be paralyzed by the decision. Now would be such a perfect time for me to return to school but I really can't decide. I feel like if I commit to becoming an NP, then I rule out management opportunities and waste lots of time/money. And what if I really am not cut out for management? Am I thinking about this in the right way?
I knew that I wanted an MSN in "something", just wasn't sure what. I went ahead and did my MSN with a concentration in management and leadership. However, I then realized that I wanted a clinical MSN so I opted for a post-MSN certificate as an adult clinical nurse specialist. With the MSN though I could teach, go into management, etc., its just I wanted a clinical component. What I'm getting at (in a rather convoluted fashion), is that an MSN might not be the end all - you still have more options.
I just started an online program for my masters in Nursing Education. I try really hard to keep my head down and just plod forward but OMG there is SO much work. And so much of it seems really unnecessary. Like, someone with an advanced degree writes a book or develops a theory and the nursing community embraces it because we are so hungry for professional recognition that everyone seems to miss the fact that its CRAP!!!
So I will move forward, get MY advanced degrees, and then write so you that follow can pay money to hear MY ideas. Apparently it doesnt matter if its relevant or needed, or not.
I just started an online program for my masters in Nursing Education. I try really hard to keep my head down and just plod forward but OMG there is SO much work. And so much of it seems really unnecessary. Like, someone with an advanced degree writes a book or develops a theory and the nursing community embraces it because we are so hungry for professional recognition that everyone seems to miss the fact that its CRAP!!!
So I will move forward, get MY advanced degrees, and then write so you that follow can pay money to hear MY ideas. Apparently it doesnt matter if its relevant or needed, or not.
Hi,
I am also taking an online graduate program. My specialty is psych. I am almost finished with my first course-theory. I enjoyed learning about what different theorists had to say. I hope I can apply what I liked to my practice. But , I am looking forward to getting into the pathophysiology, pharmacology courses and the clinical work.
I just finished my third semester and I can honestly say I do not like the theory component. Next semester I start Research and that really scares me. I am in the Adult NP program, online and my clinicals are arranged in the area I live in. I cannot believe I am halfway through.
I just finished my third semester and I can honestly say I do not like the theory component. Next semester I start Research and that really scares me. I am in the Adult NP program, online and my clinicals are arranged in the area I live in. I cannot believe I am halfway through.
Luanne
How many courses at a time did you take? I am only in my first semester. I have to take graduate statistics this summer and then research in the fall. So far I have just taken theory this semester. I can't imagine taking more than one course at a time. Are you working too? Krisssy
I am only taking one course at a time as well. I am torn between education and FNP tracts. I am presently teaching in a junior college, so I know I love teaching, but believe I would like the FNP as well. My school is univ of Indiana online. I am very pleased. It is a great value tuition wise and is NLN accredited. My next course will be theory. Did you write a paper in theory. What kind of assignments did you have? Do you have good advisors?
I am only taking one course at a time as well. I am torn between education and FNP tracts. I am presently teaching in a junior college, so I know I love teaching, but believe I would like the FNP as well. My school is univ of Indiana online. I am very pleased. It is a great value tuition wise and is NLN accredited. My next course will be theory. Did you write a paper in theory. What kind of assignments did you have? Do you have good advisors?
HI,
Perhaps you could get your masters in one followed by a post master program in the other. I am very pleased with my school too. (University of Missouri-Columbia) My advisor is wonderful. She planned my entire schedule and helped me when I was concerned about something. My theory course was so interesting. We were put in small groups according to our area of specialization. Each week, we had to read and discuss with our group. The teacher would have questions to start off the discussion like, "Read these articles about these two theorists and tell the similarities and differences." Or, "Tell how you would apply this person's theory with one of your patients." I liked talking in the groups. It wasn't chatting. It was more like leaving emails and posting on a board. The final paper is a concept analysis of a subject that we pick. There were no multiple choice type tests. We also wrote a letter to an editor after reading a journal article (as a group) and we wrote questions to a theorist about her theory, and some of the local people got to spreak to the theorist. It is a lot of work but very interesting. What is statistics like?
What were your other courses and what were they like? Krisssy
Hi all! I just completed my first semester at Indiana State University - FNP track and love it! Although it seemed at first it would only take 2 years to complete, it now appears that it'll be another 2 years before it's all over. I can't wait to start clinicals in the Fall... this is going to be a great experience. :)
HillNPStudent
90 Posts
I am about to finish my first semester of grad school!! I am taking graduate statistics, theory, and a transition to advanced practice course. The latter has already finished, was only a half semester course.
I have not found this first semester to be that demanding, of course I am only part-time school with 7 credit hours. I work full-time nights on a busy tele floor; I have found nights work well for my schedule, husband teaches during the day, so I can sleep, and my other two classes only meet once a week. My days off I can work on school, but there's really not been that much work at all so far. I've been pleasantly surprised. But I know it will get busier, I am taking a 2 week online course that counts for my one required elective, this is in Jan. Then in spring I have research and advanced pharm. Those will be busy I know.
Like someone else mentioned, I too, am going to either save up and use my PTO for my last semester of clinical-we have to get in 300 clinical hours. Or I am going to go per diem. But that's still pretty far off, the other semesters I am required either 60-120 clinical hours, pretty doable with a work schedule, I believe. We'll see...I just can't wait to be finished!!