Help deciding if AN online/hybrid nursing program is the right choice for me

[blmom510]

I need input from someone who has taken an online course for nursing. The program I am looking at takes 30 months start to finish everything is online besides clinicals and exams. I have two small children 3 and 1 yr Olds and feel that this would be the best option for me rather than waiting until both my children are in elementary school to start school. I have taken a few pre reqs online and I did fine with my other online courses but I only took 3 classes at once. My school I am looking into is John Tyler Community college. Any opinions on the work load of these courses and how many study hours you would say were necessary to excel would be greatly appreciated.

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

I completed an MSN program that was entirely online other than the final semester practicum. It was a lot of hard work that involved having to keep myself motivated- with life getting in the way and no required class meetings, there were many times I had to give myself a mental kick in the backside to get work done. It does take a special type to successfully complete an online program. Mine actually required an introductory course on being successful with an online program, including a school-specific version of this book: Amazon.com: E-Learning Companion: Student's Guide to Online Success (9781133316312): Ryan Watkins, Michael Corry: Books which you may find helpful. One thing I would caution you to make sure of is that the school is accredited, both by the BON and by one of the two nursing school accreditation agencies: CCNE or ACEN.