MSN online programs in Pennsylvania?

luvdancink · Jul 8, 2007

I've heard great things about Drexels online MSN programs. I'm looking into that route too. Let me know if you find any others.

~Kristy

L&D_2b · Jul 8, 2007

I believe Clarion has an online MSN. Check them out at http://www.clarion.edu

Good luck,

Marci

llg, PhD, RN · Jul 8, 2007

I'm curious ...If the program is going to be online, why does it matter where it is based? Regardless of where it is based, it will be done in your home!

Back in the old days, when I did my graduate work, I had to actually go to the school in order to "go to school." Being single with no kids, I chose the best school for me and then had to quit my job and physically move to where the school was located. Because I was making such a big committment and personal sacrifce to go to graduate school, I wanted to be sure it was worth it. So I searched for the best program for me and also looked at the city to be sure it was a place I was willing to live for a few years.

But you are looking to do an online program. Why does it matter where it is located? Why not choose the program that is academically right for you -- regardless of where it is located?

If you have to go to campus a couple of times, it's not much harder (or expensive) to go to a neighboring state than it is to go across the state. You might want to stick to states within a day's drive to save on airfare ... and you'll need to look at the tuition costs ... but I wouldn't limit myself to Pennsylvania schools as you start your search. Spread the search out a little and you'll find a lot more options to choose from -- and maybe one of those choices will be the best overall fit for you.

I certainly have nothing against the Pennsylvania schools -- but it doesn't hurt to look around a little.

Good luck.

Havin' A Party!, ASN, RN · Jul 10, 2007

llg -- Believe the reason is that, although a high percentage of courses in an online MSN program are taken... online, there are usually other program requirements which require a local, physical connection to the school or a partnered facility.

Availability of competent supervision of the student's work with respect to those other "outside" requirements may also favor a more "bricks and mortar" tie-in with the granting university.

LUXOR21 · Jul 10, 2007

I have checked into the following programs:

Thomas Jefferson University MSN on-line (Center City)

Holy Family University MSN on-line (Northeast Philadelphia)

Drexel University MSN on-line ( University City)

All of the above are in Philadelphia

Hope this helps

llg, PhD, RN · Jul 10, 2007

llg -- Believe the reason is that although a high percentage of courses in an online MSN program are taken... [i']online[/i], there are usually other program requirements which require a local, physical connection to the school or a partnered facility.
Availability of competent supervision of the student's work with respect to those other "outside" requirements may also favor a more "bricks and mortar" tie-in with the granting university.

Yes, I know. But my point was that PA is a big state. Depending on where she lives, it might be just as easy to make the ocassional visit to a nearby state than travel to a distant place within the state. (It takes about 6 hours to drive from one side of the state to the other.) For example, if you have to drive 3 hours in the car to get to a place with a program that is not well-suited to your needs ... why not drive 4 hours to a neighboring state for a program that meets your needs perfectly?

Also, if a program is well-designed to be completed online, the number of trips to campus should be minimal. The extra hour or two of traveling to a nearby state would be well worth it if the program were a better fit. For that reason, I strongly recommend not limiting the search to in-state schools only at first.

Havin' A Party!, ASN, RN · Jul 10, 2007

An issue that may arise with attending a nearby-State program is licensure... since many MSN programs presume / mandate, not just a degree but, having passed the boards.

llg, PhD, RN · Jul 10, 2007

An issue that may arise with attending a nearby-State program is licensure... since many MSN programs presume / mandate not just a degree but, having passed the boards.[/quote']
Licensure in another state is not an issue for an online program. Any clinical work is done in the student's state of residence and licensure. But thanks for trying to help me figure it out. I still can't think of a reason not to consider an out-of-state program. Tuition might be higher in some programs, but that wouldn't necessarily be true of all programs.
I still can't think of a reason to limit your choices so much in the early part of your search.

Havin' A Party!, ASN, RN · Jul 10, 2007

llg -- Think it's easy to sit back and assume that there won't be probs with an out-of-State university arranging for clinical supervision in the student's home State.

With the ongoing shortage of instructors, I certainly wouldn't be too quick to make the assumption that logistics are nothing to worry about. MHO only.

llg, PhD, RN · Jul 10, 2007

llg -- Think it's easy to sit back and assume that there won't be probs with an out-of-State university arranging for clinical supervision in the student's home State.
With the ongoing shortage of instructors, I certainly wouldn't be too quick to make the assumption that logistics are nothing to worry about. MHO only.

You're right to bring that up. That can be a problem, but it's not with the licensure. The problems lie with the schools and the agencies negotiating contracts. I ccordinate the establishment of contracts between my hospital and the various schools that have students in our facility. Sometimes, it can be a huge problem -- but the problems have nothing to do with the State Board or with licensure. The problems lie in conflicts between the philosophies of the 2 lawyers and 2 risk managers involved. Sometimes an out-of-state school is easy to do business with, while an in-state school can be impossible to work with.

A lot also depends upon the type of clinical work invovled. The more it involves high-risk patient procedures, the tougher it might be to negotiate a contract. Hospitals are usually more willing to compromise with a school's requests in the contract if the clinical practice poses few direct risks to the patient.

And BTW, with online programs, particularly at the graduate level, it's usually up to the student to do most of the arranging. Schools rarely provide much help.

nursejcarrie · Jul 13, 2007

It's my choice to try to find a graduate school in PA. I live close to the Maryland border; I would just like to keep my tuition down so I don't have so much to pay back. It's ultimately my choice where I want to go to grad school, and I choose to stay in PA if I can. Actually I found the Duquesne University in Pittsburgh offers an online MSN for nurse education. My husband's family is from up around that area so it would be ideal for me to try to get in there. I would have places to stay when I had to go up to the school, and Pittsburgh is only a 3 hour drive from where I live. Plus, I love it in Pittsburgh so going to school through there would give me more excuses to go visit the city and take in a Pirates game or Steelers game. And it would allow my husband to have more visits with his family.

I want to thank everyone who gave me colleges to look at. I didn't realize that there was this many grad schools that do online learning in PA. And thanks for advising me to look outside of PA; it's just my choice to stay in PA to learn.