NP program

Buyer beware, BSN · Nov 13, 2016

OP:

That's right. It's just like teaching yourself and just like ground school they charge you the same tuition for the convenience.

What a deal. It is for them.

No infastructure to speak of along with the personnel, heating and a/c costs.

It's a dream come true.

So make sure you post on the message board twice a week as required and submit all papers to "turn-it-in" to ensure everything is on the up and up and the moderator gives you the thumbs up.

Buy the way, find out about the preceptor situation now before that pie hits you in the face.

I hear-tell that the Samuel Merrit University online program is but $50, 000 per year; but for that they are gracious enough to provide the preceptors for you.

So don't get caught like many do scrambling at the last minute to find this rare commodity.

And don't depend on the school to have your best interests at heart.

In fact have them put it in writing and see what they say.

KatieMI, BSN, MSN, RN · Nov 13, 2016

Well, if you're made it to Master's studies level, then get ready to teach yourself... in any case, to the end of your career. This is a part of being provider. Time of mandatory ed and all other kinds of spoon-feeding knowledge is over, now it is completely up to you to keep abreast with ever-changing medical knowledge. Get used to it.

It is also the end of groups, meetings, get-together in library, etc. As a provider, you'll be most of the time expected to run alone in the cold wind. Get used to this, too. Close your Facebook account, do only group work that is required. DO NOT get pulled into "group studies" practice from the beginning - it is a very poor habit anyway, and leads to many potential problems (if all group found and therefore cited the same articles, then the individual papers can be seen as "cheating" even though every student wrote his or her own).

You need to remember the way you learn best and use your skills to gather and synthetize information. It is OK to use, or not to use, ANY book, whether it is "recommended" or not, as long as you're getting to know your stuff. ALL medical book contain the same information in essence, thanks to EBM - therefore, if "required" book doesn't seem to work for you, use any other that does.

Even if your exams may be "open book", do not take them lightly. Where I am, some first semester theory exams were "open book", the problem was that there were no clear answers in that book. One had to understand the stuff very well in order to pass.

Get the computer with exact specifics the school wants. Better yet, get a new one and use it only for schoolwork, if you can afford it. Save everything. Purchase APA 6 formatting software like PERRLA.

Your professors have to be available within 24 hours by phone or online; more often than not, it is the case. But, please, before you hit panic button, read syllabus and do your homework. Questions like "should I REALLY read this and that paragraph for exam" are not seen as appropriate at Master's level.

Start preceptor search early and be proactive. If there are some providers - MDs or any other - in place where you work, with whom you are on excellent terms, they may be the right first ones to ask. Try not to "concentrate" - get exposed to everything and every level of medicine you can.

IMHO, some of beauties online learning allowes are taking proctored exam in cuddly pajamas with cosmetic mask on my face, and not being exposed to lazy, whiny, prone to status dramaticus classmates anymore.

Lonnie48 · Jan 1, 2021

On 11/6/2016 at 3:47 PM, mdsrgnrs said:

I just got accepted to an online nurse practitioner program at Spring Arbor University. It's been 14 years since I was in school. I have never taken an online class before and I am really apprehensive wondering if I can do this. I feel like I will be self teaching myself. Can anyone please give me some advice?

I know this is an older post but I start Spring Arbor in just a few weeks. Any advice or tips that you would recommend? I also am new to online learning. Thanks!

Editorial Team / Admin · Jan 1, 2021

Moved to Student NP forum

Lonnie48 · Jan 2, 2021

Thank you!

Amber Hamill-Bojorquez, ADN, ASN, BSN, CNA, RN · Mar 13, 2021

On 1/1/2021 at 4:02 PM, Lonnie48 said:

I know this is an older post but I start Spring Arbor in just a few weeks. Any advice or tips that you would recommend? I also am new to online learning. Thanks!

Have you started? How is it? I’m thinking of picking this university as well.

Amber Hamill-Bojorquez, ADN, ASN, BSN, CNA, RN · Mar 13, 2021

On 11/6/2016 at 1:47 PM, mdsrgnrs said:

I just got accepted to an online nurse practitioner program at Spring Arbor University. It's been 14 years since I was in school. I have never taken an online class before and I am really apprehensive wondering if I can do this. I feel like I will be self teaching myself. Can anyone please give me some advice?

Hi! Did you complete your program?

Lonnie48 · Mar 14, 2021

19 hours ago, Amber Hamill-Bojorquez said:

Have you started? How is it? I’m thinking of picking this university as well.

Hi Amber, I was accepted but decided to delay my start date to get some electives out of the way. I still needed four classes that I didn’t want to add to my main courses. I believe at this point. I will wait until Fall 2021. Good luck on your journey!

Amber Hamill-Bojorquez, ADN, ASN, BSN, CNA, RN · Mar 14, 2021

3 hours ago, Lonnie48 said:

Hi Amber, I was accepted but decided to delay my start date to get some electives out of the way. I still needed four classes that I didn’t want to add to my main courses. I believe at this point. I will wait until Fall 2021. Good luck on your journey!

Thank you so much! Good luck to you as well!