Not just another Online vs. Gound program question.

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Well, I'm killing myself trying to finish a BSN by May 2009 so I can go to NP school (I should be studying right now but I've jumped through so many hoops and I'm feeling burned out so I'm taking a break.) I'm doing this online through the local university(though I still have to go to clinicals) and I am finding online to be very time-consuming, and probably moreso than on-campus classes in the long run.

I want to go to NP school, I'd like to even take a graduate level class next summer, but I'm having a dilemma. The closest NP program is in Nashville (Vanderbilt) but I have been talking with a PMHNP who comes to the nursing home. He went to Vanderbilt and says he would not suggest it, due to the cost (I'm big on cost, who wants to owe a bunch of money?)

I can either move 4 hours away to go to a state school with a NP program (about 15K), move to my homestate of Arkansas (though I'd have to re-establish residency for 6 months to get in-state tuition-about 15K) or go through an online program, like Frontier School of Nursing (about 25K.) I also hear the board of Regents has an online NP program for 15K.

I know moving is expensive, but I know online can be draining. I am just wondering what you who have gone through this would do in a situation like this? Maybe I shouldn't even think about it, but I like to have a plan of some kind instead of just wandering around. I know you can't just pick a program, you have to be accepted, but I don't anticipate any big obstacles that way.

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Well, it's good that you are planning. If cost is an issue then pick the best value for the money. Is there any reason that online study is so time-consuming for you? Usually you save time, effort, and cost with online programs. No driving (less gas and time wasted = more time for study), no looking for parking, no dealing with those frustrating students who seem to be in every class and can't read the syllabus, etc..

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Specializes in General.
Well, it's good that you are planning. If cost is an issue then pick the best value for the money. Is there any reason that online study is so time-consuming for you? Usually you save time, effort, and cost with online programs. No driving (less gas and time wasted = more time for study), no looking for parking, no dealing with those frustrating students who seem to be in every class and can't read the syllabus, etc..

I agree with you zenman. I went to a brick and mortar school, drove 45 min each way 3 times a week. the notes were read verbatim from which we printed off at home. No time for ?. They wanted to leave and go home, I hated the school, now on-line, love it I have had more interaction on the BB than I ever did in the typical classroom.:up:

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Specializes in PNP, CDE, Integrative Pain Management.

The University of Missouri-Columbia has a great online program. There are students from nearly every state in the NP courses. GoLytely, I agree with you that the interaction on the BB can be very time-consuming, but also very enriching. You have to be very "present" online, constantly posting relevant material or comments. You can never just hide out in the back of the "room" and stay quiet!

When I went through my program at Mizzou, there was a student who actually works at the hospital at Vanderbilt, as well as a student who lives in Arkansas (and Alaska, and California, Denver, etc....) You travel to campus for a couple of days once per semester, then your clinicals are arranged where you live. The actual coursework is all online.

http://nursing.missouri.edu/academics/msn.php

Good luck to you!

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

You might also want to consider a DNP program as this requirement is going to be necessary in the not-too-distant future.

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You might also want to consider a DNP program as this requirement is going to be necessary in the not-too-distant future.

Would that be online?

What about those who are NPs already, are they going to have to start going to school again?

Is a pay increase going to come with the added schooling? (I'm thinking no.) I'm thinking it will be the same as giving a worker at Mcdonald's the title of "head french fry maker," or something like that. They get to have a title by their name to try to make them feel important but it means little else.

Seems they keep dangling the carrot a little further and a little further, and what for? Couldn't mean more money for these schools, could it?

I also can't see the medical doctors would accept sharing the title of "doctor" with a nurse.

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
Would that be online?

What about those who are NPs already, are they going to have to start going to school again?

Is a pay increase going to come with the added schooling? (I'm thinking no.) I'm thinking it will be the same as giving a worker at Mcdonald's the title of "head french fry maker," or something like that. They get to have a title by their name to try to make them feel important but it means little else.

Seems they keep dangling the carrot a little further and a little further, and what for? Couldn't mean more money for these schools, could it?

I also can't see the medical doctors would accept sharing the title of "doctor" with a nurse.

Reading through this thread will answer all of your questions: Doctoral degree to become an NP???

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

GoLytely, I have to respectfully inquire as to why you wish to become an NP since some of your posts seem to point to quite a bit of disdain for the profession as evidenced by some of your remarks regarding the educative process and other disrespectful input such as the following:

Is a pay increase going to come with the added schooling? (I'm thinking no.) I'm thinking it will be the same as giving a worker at Mcdonald's the title of "head french fry maker," or something like that. They get to have a title by their name to try to make them feel important but it means little else.

???

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Specializes in CTICU.

Siri, I'm glad you were able to state that much more tactfully than what I was thinking!

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Siri, I'm glad you were able to state that much more tactfully than what I was thinking!

Why is this something to get defensive over and pull out the boxing gloves? Is it not the truth? Why is a master's prepared NP inferior to someone who has a doctorate, as far as being able to practice clinically?

And, well, is a DNP going to mean a bigger salary??? I still say no.

I'm not going to beat around the bush. I'm not in love with nursing, but it's something I've invested way too much time in to quit now. I'm a little frustrated in my BSN program, some of the courses have not been useful in helping me grow as a nurse. I'm old and tired and don't have much patience with frivolity, anymore. I can see why a BSN student who has never worked as a nurse would need take community health nursing, but after 8 years as a nurse, what is driving an hour each way and spending 4 hours giving flu shots at the senior citizens' center going to teach me, except that I was being used as free labor (was there with two nurses from the health department and one other student, we gave about 500 shots.)

It would be unfair to say because I feel a certain way about certain aspects of nursing that I shouldn't continue on. I can't believe there isn't anyone who isn't fed up with some of the things that go on in nursing.

I see what a dead-end job floor nursing is as far as career advancement. I've seen too many aging, burned out nurses with bad feet hobbling up and down the halls and they have nothing to show for it. They're still working holidays and nights and having to do the other crummy things shift workers have to do.

This is why I try to keep things in perspective. But I've jumped through so many hoops it's hard see even more added and not become cynical.

I still don't think the DNP deal is a good thing.

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
Why is a master's prepared NP inferior to someone who has a doctorate, as far as being able to practice clinically?
Master's prepared NPs are not inferior to the DNP prepared APNs. No one ever said that......??

If the DNP becomes the terminal degree, all pre-2015 NPs will be "grandfathered". They will not be disenfranchised.

And, well, is a DNP going to mean a bigger salary??? I still say no.
Highly doubtful in the beginning. As all NPs are required to receive DNP in order to practice, look for that to change.

I'm a little frustrated in my BSN program, some of the courses have not been useful in helping me grow as a nurse. I'm old and tired and don't have much patience with frivolity, anymore.
It can be frustrating entering into a nursing program and having to learn things that are foreign to the individual. Just try and accept the fact the courses are required, complete them, and move on to the next one. I know that's easier said than done, but you will drive yourself crazy if you do not attempt a different mindset as you take these courses.

I still don't think the DNP deal is a good thing.

Many are of the opinion the DNP is not necessary.

Many embrace it as natural progression of the career.

Again, I ask you to please read through this thread about the DNP: Doctoral degree to become an NP???

Most, if not all of your questions/concerns, will be addressed and you can carry on the discussion of the DNP on that thread. Maybe some of the responses will even help you as you consider furthering your education.

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Thank you. I will look at that thread.

I think I just need a break.

As hard as life gets, it makes it easier when you don't eat yellow snow.

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