Greetings from Afghanistan! Online MSN Question - Need Advice!!

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Specializes in ICU, Military.

Hello!

I'm a Navy RN and currently deployed to Afghanistan until Spring 2013. I'm interested in starting to take some Master's classes while i'm over here (all online format only). My Navy Tuition Assistance will pay $250/hr, without dipping into my GI Bill which I want to use later, so I'm looking for a nursing program that is reasonably priced so out of pocket expenses are minimized. I've emailed University of Southern Indiana after researching this forum but they haven't responded to my request. They seem to have the cheapest graduate rates per hour and do not charge out of state tuition. Any other institutions that have rates that would fit in this catagory?

Also I am not interested in enrolling in a program just yet, i'd rather wait until i'm back from deployment. Can any of you folks recommend a few "core" GRADUATE classes to take over here that would apply to many different MSN programs? such as Theory or Research etc. I am leaning towards FNP but could change so I would like to keep my options open while taking core classes that apply to basically all MSN programs.

I have not taken my GRE yet either and would prefer to find an institution that would let me enroll without taking it.

Sorry for the long post! In summary here is my wishlist:

-Economy priced graduate tuition rates that are not too terribly higher than $250/hr

-"Core" class recommendations for MSN programs that would apply to a broad sectrum of MSN programs including FNP

-An institution that will let me enroll without being obligated to a program to take these core clases

-An institution that will let me enroll without having taken the GRE

Thanks for all your help!!!!!

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Specializes in ICU, Military.

THank you for moving my thread to a more appropriate forum however i am not looking for military advice. I am looking for advice regarding online MSN programs, not ones that cater to military. Would it be possible for a moderator to please move this thread to a graduate nursing/MSN forum??

THanks

Hello!

I'm a Navy RN and currently deployed to Afghanistan until Spring 2013. I'm interested in starting to take some Master's classes while i'm over here (all online format only). My Navy Tuition Assistance will pay $250/hr, without dipping into my GI Bill which I want to use later, so I'm looking for a nursing program that is reasonably priced so out of pocket expenses are minimized. I've emailed University of Southern Indiana after researching this forum but they haven't responded to my request. They seem to have the cheapest graduate rates per hour and do not charge out of state tuition. Any other institutions that have rates that would fit in this catagory?

Also I am not interested in enrolling in a program just yet, i'd rather wait until i'm back from deployment. Can any of you folks recommend a few "core" GRADUATE classes to take over here that would apply to many different MSN programs? such as Theory or Research etc. I am leaning towards FNP but could change so I would like to keep my options open while taking core classes that apply to basically all MSN programs.

I have not taken my GRE yet either and would prefer to find an institution that would let me enroll without taking it.

Sorry for the long post! In summary here is my wishlist:

-Economy priced graduate tuition rates that are not too terribly higher than $250/hr

-"Core" class recommendations for MSN programs that would apply to a broad sectrum of MSN programs including FNP

-An institution that will let me enroll without being obligated to a program to take these core clases

-An institution that will let me enroll without having taken the GRE

Thanks for all your help!!!!!

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Specializes in LTC & home care.

Good morning!

$250 is at the very low end of tuition for distance graduate programs. There are a handful of programs that fall into that range (Amberton University, Wayne State College, Fort Hays State College). Fort Hays offers an FNP program that is partially online.

One word of caution though: graduate credits aren't like undergraduate - they are VERY difficult to transfer. Most institutions won't accept more than 6 credits in transfer, and core courses may be particularly touchy because the school may want all of their students to have a consistent educational base. If you take "Research Methods" but your school requires "Research Foundations", it may be rejected.

I recommend deciding which FNP program you plan to enroll in once you return, then contacting them for further information. If they will accept Fort Hays courses, then you can check with Fort Hays regarding enrolling as a non-degree student. If they won't accept any transfer courses, then maybe you can use the $250/credit for undergraduate courses to build up any weak areas you may have (stats, biochem, pharm, etc.) to prepare for your graduate program.

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Specializes in ER, ICU.

Check out Excelsior.edu. That's where I got my MSN. Credits are very reasonable, they have a whole military program (discount), and are all online, except for your Capstone project, which you do live, but locally. I don't know about transferring credits but if you completed your MSN there, you could apply for a post-masters certificate as an NP and you would only take the clinical courses. I looked into this but never went on the NP part. Thanks for serving, hope that helps.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

Moved to the online/distance forum. :-)

I'm working on my MSN through Excelsior College - very military-friendly and accredited, and it's $250 per credit hour for active duty folks.

Stay safe!

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