Well, I'm doing it I'm going to school a BSN to MSN program!! Being a brick and mortar BSN recipient my experience with online is nil. I am going to a brick and mortar school with a BSN to MSN online program, so I thought it's got to be pretty good, right?
WRONG so very freaking WRONG!! I have never been so aggravated, stressed, and utterly in awe of the hurdles and problems. I'm not a rocket scientist I am pretty smart though and am stuck between wanting to drop and just amazed it can be like this.
Here is the problem EVERY online class you have a partner assigned to you by the Prof. The discussion forum is also monitored by the prof. or so it is supposed to be. In reality it seems like a easy way to get a paycheck to me.
We have a paper to write with our partner. Does my partner respond to emails, nope! Not a one, and then after 5 days and 13 emails (2 days before the paper is do) she says replies. "Hey sorry been out of town I'll write the paper and send it to you" then I get this 30 minutes later "I have NOT HEARD BACK FROM YOU????" are you kidding me. I send you multiple emails all week and you're going to get testy after a 30 minute wait.
I get the emails and respond that sounds great. She sends me freaking copy and pasted website information not in APA format it's a freaking joke clearly plagiarized!! What does the prof. say when I voice my opionion? "Well, the classes are structured around partners. Continue to focus on the material and work around each others schedule."
Huh!! I have a husband, 3 kids, and work and am supposed to wait until the last minute to do a paper? Why partners?
The second problem clearly on the Prof. shoulders is the discussion board. We all have to monitor a topic of discussion keep the conversation orderly and on task then comment. 2 posts per week per student and a reply from the person monitoring the discussion. Is there a deadline to post? NOPE!! I wait for posts, wait, wait, and then the day or two before it is to be reviewed people start posting. Again, why can't the prof. say 2 posts per week by Wednesday then let the discussion begin? It's so seat of the pants and my grade is dependent upon others input because I can't give my input until they post! It's bull! This is about my skill and learning not others, imo.
The other two classes are the same format though it's very very frustrating. Lastly, what happens when I go take a test on Blackboard? When I get finished it says "Answers 1-20 are incomplete do you wish to submit" this is a known problem, so I have to retake the test quickly before the time limit expires. I'm over by 5 minutes now I get 2 wrong off the bat because they weren't answered before the time limit expiration. This has happened 3 times and my appeals to Tech support and Prof. fall on deaf ears. Really is this how it works!!
My grade isn't dependent upon my work alone! It's dependent upon others posting, others commenting, joint papers, all waiting at the whim of some other persons life. While I sit in prison at a computer begging inside for the prof. to take control of the class.
My experience online is horrendous and I can't believe it is this bad. It truly makes me wonder if online should be a option. Any good experiences out there? I'll change schools because this is a joke and $312/hr too:yeah:
Tell me it's the school! Tell me there are better schools out there, please!
I'm almost finished with my rn to bsn which has been totally online. I was a little concerned when I first started as I have never taken an online course. However, I've been very impressed. So much so I am considering an online program for FNP sounds to me like you may want to seek your education elsewhere. There are good online programs out there.
Specializes in Nursing Education, Research, ENT, Oncology.
My University of Phoenix experience has been good overall, but the Team stuff can swing both ways. I'm almost done with the MSN, but I'm in the dreaded Research Utilization Project and feel like I'm drowning and it's only the end of week one!
My experience hasn't been too bad. I was concerned as I had never done an online class. There are deadlines and rules. Two discussion questions and two responses per topic. First is due on Wed of the week, second is due on Fri of the week. All responses and assignments are due on Sunday at midnight. I have only had one bad experience with an instructor just not being available and not responding to students. Group work is a pain in the butt sometimes but overall I have had pretty decent experiences with my groups, especially considering we are all in different areas, working different shifts, etc. My last class I had a stellar group with the exception of one person. Amazing how one person can make so much more work for the others. We ended up going to instructor saying the this person basically was unavailable and didn't contribute anything that was represented in final work because their work was always late and such poor quality. Her excuses? She went to nursing school 10 years ago and she doesn't really know how to use computers!!!!! Ummm, why are you doing online classes? She seriously told one of the group members (on the phone) that she didn't know how to check email unless her kids did it for her. I would HATE to do an entire class partnered with someone. Makes no sense to me that they can't just grade me on my work.
I got my MSN from Norwich University. All of the problems you identify as being barriers to success would not be an issue there. Norwich also has one of the highest satisfaction rates with graduates. I see many other posters have had positive experiences, so there are good schools out there. I suggest talking to the Dean, and let that person know you are dissatisfied and will leave if they don't improve.
Online degrees are definately different from going to night classes locally. From what you describe of your situation, it sounds as though this could work well for you, so I hope it works out.
To the OP, your problem won't only be with online programs - it amazes me that graduate level programs require so much crappy busy work and group assignments. Really, I'm 35yo, I know how to work in a group and I don't need my grade to depend on others. I always end up doing the assignments myself, it really annoys me trying to wrangle grown adults.
.thumb.gif.11fa0ddb3aacfb1b3953bc671abcfb7e.gif){kind=avatar}
freefalle
41 Posts
I'm almost finished with my rn to bsn which has been totally online. I was a little concerned when I first started as I have never taken an online course. However, I've been very impressed. So much so I am considering an online program for FNP sounds to me like you may want to seek your education elsewhere. There are good online programs out there.