Has Anyone Completed a Nursing Program Online???

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Hello All,

I am a mother of a nine month old, a wife, a daughter, so on and so forth... so needless to say I am very busy. I have been looking online for a nursing program that will fit in with my life. Can anyone give any advice as to their experience or knowledge with online nursing programs? Suggestions on online programs? Do you feel that you gained a lot of experience? Difficulties finding a job? Any information is appreciated!.

:redpinkhe

Thank you all!!!!

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Specializes in Critical care/trauma.

Well I researched some online programs before I started my traditional generic classroom program. However, I decided not to go that route....but hey that was just my personal preference. I completed my classroom program successfully! I graduated Dec 09 and passed boards Feb 10(btw most new grads are having difficulties finding jobs these days no matter what type of program...but that's another topic) The point I'm trying to make is any nursing program is going be difficult and is not something you will be able to do in your spare time! Being a nursing student is a full-time job which requires a lot of personal sacrifices in order to be successful! Tons of studying, projects, clinical hours in a hospital(my program required close to 900hours)etc. Even if you do online lectures you will still be required to go to clinical sites for your hours. If you really want to be a nurse go for it! I did it with two small children....but I had to rearrange my life around school not the other way around! It takes a lot of discipline to accomplish a nursing degree I think it will take much more to do it online. If you feel like this is something you can handle then do it. I just think you should go into this prepared to make some changes in your life in order to adapt to nursing school! You have to live,sleep,eat,nursing lol!(seriously) You will probably need your family to be your support system. There were many nights I could not do my normal daily home activities and my family helped me out soo I had time to study or they would drop the kids off/pick them up from school while attended clinical rotations at hospital(12hour shifts 2days a week from6:30am-7:00pm). My intentions are to give you the heads up I hope this helps! Good luck with whatever path you choose to take!

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

are you asking about an ADN-BSN?

or nursing program online to get your RN?

I don't see how it would even be possible to get your RN online as most of your learning takes place in the lab and clinical hours

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Specializes in Critical care/trauma.
are you asking about an ADN-BSN?

or nursing program online to get your RN?

I don't see how it would even be possible to get your RN online as most of your learning takes place in the lab and clinical hours

There are some schools that have the lectures online soo you don't have to go to the classroom for lecture but you still have to go in for clinical hours. Its not fully online...

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Specializes in NICU.

I'm in an online accelerated BSN program right now, and while it's definitely a lot of work there are several moms and dads in the program that are doing just fine. I believe they all have good support systems in place though. I actually really like the flexibility of doing the work online in my own time, but you do have to be organized and self-disciplined...as well as able to teach yourself to a certain extent. We are required to complete clinical hours in the hospital setting, and the minimum number of hours is determined by the state BRN so it will depend on where you go to school. We don't have any real choice about when our clinicals and lab classes are but the rest we can fit into our schedules. Good luck if you decide to go for it! I don't have any info about applying for jobs because I'm just finishing up second semester, but I heart it's rough out there right now.

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Specializes in Gyn/STD clinic tech.

you will not be able to obtain your rn 100% online. you might be able to find a school that will offer lectures online, which then includes lab and clinicals during the week, but there is nothing 100% online. all nursing programs, rn, lpn, require that you attend clinicals and lab during the week, the only difference would be if you can find a program which delivers lectures online.

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Specializes in M/S, MICU, CVICU, SICU, ER, Trauma, NICU.

If you are an extremely busy person, I highly suggest you review your support systems and make sure they are in place before you think about school.

It is a MAJOR commitment, and if you are not into it 110%--you will be setting yourself up for high stressors and potential failure.

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Specializes in NICU.

Since you didn't specify, and didn't make mention of already being a nurse, I'll assume that you are referring to a program to become an RN or LPN.

I know what you mean about being busy. I planned my wedding and got married during the end of my pre-reqs, I was pregnant for my first term, and through all of the rest of nursing school I had an infant and my husband lived 800 miles away, so most of the time I was a single mom, plus really involved with my family and community activities. Nursing school is a huge commitment, but if you really want to be a nurse, you will find a way to rearrange everything and make it work.

I had the option to take some of my courses online during a few of my terms. I did it once and HATED it. It took me so much longer (and much more work) to complete everything online, rather than just showing up in the classroom. I never did it again. It just isn't like taking any other classes online. Everything didn't translate as well as in real life. Anyways, that's just my personal opinion.

You can go part time at many schools, but there's just no way to completely control your schedule. There are lab times and clinical days weekly, as well as other off the wall things that suddenly pop up that you MUST attend. At least, this is how it was at our school. We would be expected to drop everything and show up to something with a day's notice. It was really aggravating, to say the least.

I'm not trying to discourage you, just being pretty blunt that trying to make nursing school fit into your life may be very difficult if there isn't a high degree of give and take in your schedule, and a great deal of support from your family. Think of it as if you are getting a full time job (or part time, I guess, if you go part time), rather than something you can work on in your free time.

Good luck on whatever you choose!

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

moving to our distance learning for nursing forum ...check out the info posted by our savy members.

our pre-nursing student forum offers great advice too.

you are smart to do the leg work to decide what type nursing education is best for your situation.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
There are some schools that have the lectures online soo you don't have to go to the classroom for lecture but you still have to go in for clinical hours. Its not fully online...

Yep, that's what I was going to say. I know one of the Virginia community colleges has online classes with in-person clinicals, for example, but for prelicensure people (not an LPN, etc., already), there are no 100% online programs. Even Excelsior College's distance program has an intense clinical exam that requires a person be present in the flesh. :)

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Thanks all!!! I appreciate everyone's response. I am soo dedicated to my pursuit on becoming a nurse and am willing to have some sleepless nights and tiresome days! The great thing about it is that I do infact a superb support system who wants to see me succeed. I am not only doing this for myself, but for my family as well. So I am extremely determined. I know that the nursing program is not 100% online, but I was looking for something that offers maybe the lectures online. Just something that I wouldn't have to go to for all classes. Just for some clarification, I am not a nurse yet and have completed all of my prereqs minus micro and a&pII. I wouldn't even mind taking those two classes online if anyone has any suggestions. I was just pretty bummed out that I did not get accepted into a local CC because I didn't take these two courses and I did not want to wait around till next yr. I would actually prefer to take the nursing program at college rather than online. So with that said, please keep the suggestions coming (with the micro and a&pII online as well) and any advise and experiences with the online classes.

Thanks a bunch!!!!!

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Specializes in Psychiatry.
I'm in an online accelerated BSN program right now, and while it's definitely a lot of work there are several moms and dads in the program that are doing just fine. I believe they all have good support systems in place though. I actually really like the flexibility of doing the work online in my own time, but you do have to be organized and self-disciplined...as well as able to teach yourself to a certain extent. We are required to complete clinical hours in the hospital setting, and the minimum number of hours is determined by the state BRN so it will depend on where you go to school. We don't have any real choice about when our clinicals and lab classes are but the rest we can fit into our schedules. Good luck if you decide to go for it! I don't have any info about applying for jobs because I'm just finishing up second semester, but I heart it's rough out there right now.

Which school are you attending?

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