are online MSN programs respected?

tridil2000, MSN, RN · Sep 29, 2008

actually, the msn program at tesc is not accredited yet. only the bsn program is.

thomas edison state college is regionally accredited by the middle states association of colleges and schools. this prestigious accreditation is part of a national system of quality assurance which requires colleges and universities to reach a common understanding and agreement as to the standards of quality for american higher education.

the college's rn-bsn degree program is accredited by the new jersey board of nursing and the national league for nursing accrediting commission. additionally, a letter of support from national league for nursing accrediting commission to develop the rn-bsn/msn program at thomas edison state college is on file.

allnurses Guide · Oct 3, 2008

My MSN in nursing ed is through UNM, all the classroom courses are online with the field work set up where you are, if the local college has a contract with UNM. Contracts are not hard to arrange, mine was already established. My local one is affiliated with UNM and has precepted quite a few grad students from UNM.

Being a night shifter and lifelong night owl, I really liked the freedom to do my online class work between 1 and 4 AM.

Since it is through a major university, I have the same professors as the on campus students, access to the online library at any time of day or night (save the once a week few hours for system update). Nowhere on my diploma will it say "online" or "lived on campus", lol.

45044572 · Oct 7, 2008

Have you ever heard of Drexel University? I am about to enter a MSN program Jan 2009, and am researching a few different schools. Walden has popped up a few times and so has Drexel and Indiana Weslyean.

Thanks and Congrads on graduation.

lynswim · Oct 8, 2008

I have an MSN - nursing education from Saint Joseph's College in Maine - it is an accredited online graduate school, and I have had no problems whatsoever finding a job :)

BTW, the NC BON requires that by 2010, nurse educators that teach in a program for initial licensure have preparation in adult teaching/learning principles, curriculum development, etc.; this requirement may be met in several ways - by 45 CEU hrs., a certificate in nursing education, 9 semester hours of education coursework. I just figured it would be easier just to go ahead and get my MSN in education :)

45044572 · Oct 8, 2008

thanks for the information. do you teach now? as i get older, my ra gets the best of me when i am working at the bedside and the meds make me so weak.

i love teaching and just wish i would've went to back sooner. thanks !!

lynswim · Oct 10, 2008

I'm currently teaching at a rural community college and love it. I have taught at several schools and truly enjoy doing it. Just wish, like you, that I had done it sooner!

My advisor said, when I was first thinking about going back for my MSN, that no matter how long it took, I would still be getting older; better to be getting older working on my MSN than not.

Have you decided on a school yet?

lyn

45044572 · Oct 10, 2008

no, i haven't decided on a good msn school. i also enjoy psych and would also like to maybe later do np in psych.

did you have any trouble with finding preceptors? was it a difficult process?

thanks !!

magnolia nurse · Oct 25, 2008

I got my MSN/MBA from University of Phonenix and it was very challenging, I must say. You must be motivated and determined to complete an one line course. IT can be stressful , especially in the beginning, I thought I had to be on the computer all the time..and it drove me crazy but after I developed my own pace and pattern I was okay.

I have not applied for a position as an educator but feel confident that I am qualified to teach.

Now I look for a job and everyone wants a NP , but I am not sure I want to do that either..

jlcole45 · Oct 25, 2008

I got my MSN/MBA from University of Phonenix and it was very challenging, I must say. You must be motivated and determined to complete an one line course. IT can be stressful , especially in the beginning, I thought I had to be on the computer all the time..and it drove me crazy but after I developed my own pace and pattern I was okay.
I have not applied for a position as an educator but feel confident that I am qualified to teach.
Now I look for a job and everyone wants a NP , but I am not sure I want to do that either..

It's funny how each state differs in requirements. In NC now want you to have the nursing education MSN and not NP or CNS to teach. How flexible are you? Can you move out of the area in order to find work?

jlcole45 · Oct 25, 2008

I don't say this in any way to denigrate MSNs in education, but I disagree with you that it is a "must" in order to teach. Schools of nursing strive for a "well-rounded" faculty, with faculty members from a wide variety of backgrounds, including a wide variety of clinical backgrounds. Typically, position postings willl specify that they are looking for a particular variety of NP, or a CNM, psych CNS/NP, etc. (Come to think of it, I'm not sure I've ever seen a posting that specified that the school was looking for someone with an MSN in education.) In my experience in nursing academia, the vast majority of my colleagues (and myself) have had our MSNs in an advanced pratice specialty. I've encountered only a few people who actually had their degree in nursing education. Perhaps that will be different in the future, as more programs with an education concentration produce more graduates ...
A little off-topic; sorry! I didn't mean to hijack the thread.

I think the point was that a MSN with an education focus is just that it focuses on teaching you how to TEACH.

Just because you are a great NP or CNS doesn't make you a good teacher. Being a good teacher takes training, education, and experience. And let's face it, beginning nursing students don't need to know how to be a NP or CNS, they need to know how to be a competent, compassionate bedside nurse. This of course does not apply if your teaching in a graduate program.

In some states it is a requirement that nursing instructors either have a degree in nursing education or have earned a post masters certificate in teaching, NC has recently has made this a requirement.

WHY?? Because there were many teachers out there who were great advanced nurses but lacked in teaching skills. It really is a art and science in and of itself. Don't you agree?

That said, I totally agree NO ONE should ever be allowed to teach nursing without having had solid clinical experience. And I think all teachers should be required to maintain a certain number of current clinical hours. How can one teach students if you are totally out of touch with current conditions? :confused:

jlcole45 · Oct 25, 2008

Hi elk -Actually, in North Carolina, the BON recently adopted rules that require that nursing faculty have an MSN in Nursing Education. I believe these rules will become effective sometime in the near future. For me, I am attending Walden University. The program is accredited and has a wonderful research focus. Like some of the other posters have said, online learning can be difficult if the individual is not self motivated. I expect to graduate in December of 2008. But I did want to clarify that some States are beginning to require an MSNeD to teach. But, I also agree with you - some colleges are in such need of nursing faculty that they will hire an MSN regardless of the concentration. This is NOT the case in my area - very few faculty opportunities at all.

Have you looked at jobs recently here in Western NC?

Western Carolina University currently has 3 positions open - now one of them is administrative and one for the graduate program. And many of the community colleges are advertising for at least 1 position. I've been watching for about a year now and there have been several positions advertised.

Oh and South College - a new private ADN program in Asheville just opened, they have their initial NCBON approval, and last time I checked they were looking for a MSN.

lynswim · Oct 25, 2008

At my community college, we either have to have an MSN/education at time of hire, or complete it during employment. Of course, the college pays for classes.

I didn't have any problem finding preceptors, either, even though my husband and I were moving around at the time :)