Not just another Online vs. Gound program question.

[Jo Dirt]

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.

[zenman]

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

Depends on whether it's yellow from spilt beer or not...

[jeepgirl, LPN, NP]

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!

Also at MU, you don't have to pay in or out of state tuition. you just pay the fee - its the same for everyone in and out of state if you do the online program. and its taught by the same teachers that teach on campus. its great!

[jeepgirl, LPN, NP]

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.

if you are going to work for a government entity where education qualifies the paygrade - yes. you will get more money starting out if you have a doctoral degree over a master's. thanks