Online MSN to be Nurse Practitioner

oldiebutgoodie, RN · Dec 19, 2008

Hi all,
Does anyone have any feedback on online MSN programs? Specifically, University of Southern Indiana? I will be getting my BSN this summer, and would like to start on an MSN as soon as possible. I know most programs want you to have clinical work experience, but is this carved in stone? Any advice would be much appreciated!

One thing to keep in mind is that there are a number of non-clinical classes to take in any MSN program, such as statistics, epidemiology, research...

So if you start with those classes, and are taking classes part time while working, by the time you need clinical experience, you will have it.

I have taken 1 class a quarter since my BSN graduation, so by the time I do my MSN clincials, I will have 4.5 years under my belt.

Good luck,

Oldiebutgoodie

knewb · Dec 19, 2008

One thing to keep in mind is that there are a number of non-clinical classes to take in any MSN program, such as statistics, epidemiology, research...
So if you start with those classes, and are taking classes part time while working, by the time you need clinical experience, you will have it.
I have taken 1 class a quarter since my BSN graduation, so by the time I do my MSN clincials, I will have 4.5 years under my belt.
Good luck,
Oldiebutgoodie

Thanks for responding! Did you take your classes online? Did you find it difficult to work and take classes? One last question- how will you work and do your MSN clinicals? I'm just trying to figure out the logistics of it all! LOL Thanks again, and congratulations on your progress!

oldiebutgoodie, RN · Dec 19, 2008

Thanks for responding! Did you take your classes online? Did you find it difficult to work and take classes? One last question- how will you work and do your MSN clinicals? I'm just trying to figure out the logistics of it all! LOL Thanks again, and congratulations on your progress!

At my program, some are online, and some are in the classroom. I prefer the classroom, but unfortunately, more and more of these classes are being moved to online.

I have not done MSN clinicals yet, that's next year. I only work 3 days a week, and only take 1 class a quarter, so it hasn't been hard at all. I think it will get more complicated when I have to do clinicals.

Oldiebutgoodie

scribblerpnp · Dec 19, 2008

Don't forget that even if you do a NP program online, you still have to have clinical hours (working along another NP) to graduate. So your bookwork may be on-line, but your clinical hours will still be in person working with another NP (like a preceptorship almost). To sit for the NP certification, you have to have somewhere around 300- 400 clinical hours (not working as an RN, but working as an NP student).

Clinicals are more complicated. I was in MSN school full time and for two quarters worked as an NP student M-F 9-5 to get all my hours.

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Dec 19, 2008

Knewb,

BEWARE! There is a time component to many graduate programs... some classes are only 'good' for a specific amount of time - normally 5 years. If one of them goes past it's expiration date, you have to re-take it -- arrrrggghhh.

Many masters programs have a 5 year completion requirement so make sure that you get this clarified before you make any commitments.

I agree with the previous poster - classroom is much easier and better than online. You will benefit greatly from actual personal interaction with your colleagues. Advanced patho courses, stats, etc. are very challenging, but more do-able if you can interact with your professor in real time.

Many clinical MSN programs won't accept applicants who don't have specific levels of experience because they are not geared toward newbies. For example, mine was in critical care - & they only accepted people with at least 4 years experience, CCRN preferred. Get all the details up front.

NP programs have an internship requirement - length of time may vary depending on the specialty. It is treated just like a medical internship -full time work with no pay.

Be sure to check into financial aid - there's a bunch out there if you indicate that you are ultimately going to teach nursing after you get your degree. Hey - it would be worth it, wouldn't it?

Good Luck! Keep us posted on your progress.

Trauma Columnist · Dec 19, 2008

I recently (2 weeks ago) considered University of Southern IN and they are full until 2012!

oldiebutgoodie, RN · Dec 19, 2008

I recently (2 weeks ago) considered University of Southern IN and they are full until 2012!

Was this a DNP program? Wow.

Oldiebutgoodie

knewb · Dec 19, 2008

I recently (2 weeks ago) considered University of Southern IN and they are full until 2012!

O No! There goes my plan.....I can't believe they fill up classes that far in advance! Thanks for the heads up.....

Trauma Columnist · Dec 19, 2008

No - it was for a post-MSN FNP certificate.

knewb · Dec 19, 2008

Don't forget that even if you do a NP program online, you still have to have clinical hours (working along another NP) to graduate. So your bookwork may be on-line, but your clinical hours will still be in person working with another NP (like a preceptorship almost). To sit for the NP certification, you have to have somewhere around 300- 400 clinical hours (not working as an RN, but working as an NP student).
Clinicals are more complicated. I was in MSN school full time and for two quarters worked as an NP student M-F 9-5 to get all my hours.

Wow, that's hard to do two full quarters M-F 9-5! How can one work during this time? Is it possible? Does anyone know of programs in Florida? Thanks!

scribblerpnp · Dec 19, 2008

I worked PRN on the weekends and I lived VERY cheaply.

But the nice thing was that those quarters I did clinicals, I didn't have any "book learning classes" so I didn't really have to attend class on top of that or study too much. Out of my class, all but one of us worked part time. One guy worked full time 3-12's on Sat, Sun, Mon. I don't know how he managed to get all his hours in, but he did somehow.

I also teach at a BSN program. We have an MSN-FNP track and the MAJORITY of the students go to working part time or PRN during their last year because of the clinical time requirements. IN fact, I don't know of a single one who is working full time, but that is our program, so I don't know about the others.