Online program recommendations

Dr. Tammy, FNP/GNP-C · Dec 1, 2008

Tammy, come on. What have you been smoking? Comparing prejudice against online education consumers to that against african americans? Puhleese!

A bit of a stretch for sure, but I fell short in citing examples where people wantonly and openly discriminate against others and make such outrageous and unsupported generalizations while claiming to be members of a profession that uses best evidence to guide, direct and inform behavior.

Clearly, if this individual had their way, anyone with a distance education degree would be precluded license and opportunity to work in the profession based only on the mechanism by which they obtained their education, and not on their ability to practice competently. To me, this is the essence of discrimination.

just_cause, BSN, RN · Dec 1, 2008

The navy has recently stopped accepting those with an online BSN from applying to becoming a commissioned officer in the navy nurse course.

(for students who were ADN RNs and then did online coursework).

Military often has a good pulse on the education system as they can react without worrying about the admin and unions and etc.

Thus the military's ability to push the PA and CRNAs into theory to use so quickly.

Dr. Tammy, FNP/GNP-C · Dec 1, 2008

The navy has recently stopped accepting those with an online BSN from applying to becoming a commissioned officer in the navy nurse course.
(for students who were ADN RNs and then did online coursework).

Please provide a source for your information. For example, here is what is on the US Navy's Web site for eligibility criteria for nurses:

Specific Requirements

To qualify for Active Duty employment consideration in the Navy Nurse Corps, you must:

* Be a U.S. citizen

* Be a student or graduate in good standing of a U.S. education program granting a Bachelor of Science degree and accredited by the appropriate state board of nursing or the National League for Nursing

* Be licensed to practice in a U.S. state, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or a U.S. territory (new graduates must obtain a license within one year of beginning Active Duty service)

* Be willing to serve a minimum of three years of Active Duty

* Be between the ages of 18 to 42

* Be in good physical condition and pass a full medical examination

Source:

http://www.navy.com/careers/healthcare/nursing/#specific-requirements

In no way shape or form does it state what you have just provided. Please clarify with a reference source.

Dr. Tammy, FNP/GNP-C · Dec 1, 2008

The navy has recently stopped accepting those with an online BSN from applying to becoming a commissioned officer in the navy nurse course.
(for students who were ADN RNs and then did online coursework).

I just spoke with senior navy nurse recruiter for New York. She has absolutely no clue what you are talking about. So long as the graduate has a BSN from a NLAN accredited institution, then they are accepted. For the recruiters name and number, please request and I'll send a PM with her contact information.

Again, please provide a reference.

BChapp3182 · Dec 1, 2008

I have to chime in with my two cents here. I'm still an FNP student and once shared a preceptor with an online only student who was in her last semester. To put it in a nice way the girl was not prepared to be an NP. I knew more than her as a first semester student. Maybe this was a coincidence, and I do hope so. However, most of the general public views online degrees as "less" and "easier" to obtain. When it comes to making life and death decisions do you want a provider who earned the degree online or spent the time in the classroom/labs? I am old fashioned and believe that NP programs should not be 100% online, it takes away from the credibility of our profession. Like someone else said you don't see online MD programs.

Online programs may be just as hard as attending class based programs, but you have to realize that mainstream America still views it as easier.

No I'm not going to "back it up with statistics" because unlike you Tammy, who must have ample free time in your online program, I don't at my brick and morter program, and can't spend countless hours on message boards...

just_cause, BSN, RN · Dec 2, 2008

Tammy, Thanks for the feedback.... You've talked to someone and I've talked to someone - both recruiters and both with different results. :)

I value the online concept but hope to see programs come to a more unified curriculum and maintain a less varied standard of excellence.

v/r

2blueyes · Dec 2, 2008

ANPFNPGNP, there is no such thing as a 100% online NP program. Period. The didactic content may be delivered online, but they all have clinical requirement which (obviously) are delivered traditionally. I think everyone is quite clear on your opinion on distance education, no need to hammer the dead horse.

Yep, I agree and do believe that it's time to bury that poor dead horse:lol2:

zenman · Dec 2, 2008

I have to chime in with my two cents here. I'm still an FNP student...

So, what you you do for a lady who has chronic sinusitis, has seen multiple specialists in many countries, three sinus surgeries, every antibiotic known to mankind and still suffering?

I am old fashioned and believe that NP programs should not be 100% online, it takes away from the credibility of our profession.

There are no 100% online NP programs. There are no 100% online NP programs. There are no 100% online NP programs. There are no 100% online NP programs.

No I'm not going to "back it up with statistics" because unlike you Tammy, who must have ample free time in your online program, I don't at my brick and morter program, and can't spend countless hours on message boards...

That's one of my points. Brick and mortar is inefficient and costly. I don't have to "waste" time driving to and from class, try to find parking, burn up gas, and add miles to my vehicle, waste class time with students who ask stupid questions, etc, etc.. With all the extra time, I can spend many more hours studying...which is one reason I know that there are no 100% online NP programs.

BTW, I've taken the same class (Major Psychopathological Disorders) twice at two different universities. I just finished the distance education one and I thought it was much better than the class room one.

txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN · Dec 2, 2008

i am not a np but would like to be one day. however, i am a very experienced distant learning student and want to say i agree 1000% and could not have said this better...

that's one of my points. brick and mortar is inefficient and costly. i don't have to "waste" time driving to and from class, try to find parking, burn up gas, and add miles to my vehicle, waste class time with students who ask stupid questions, etc, etc.. with all the extra time, i can spend many more hours studying...which is one reason i know that there are no 100% online np programs.
.

graceofone · Dec 2, 2008

As an experienced NP who precepts NP students from a 100% online program...I don't recommend it! I've been very disappointed in the preparedness of my students and the majority of them have years of nursing experience. All that hospital experience has NOT prepared them for outpatient practice! I'm sure online programs are great for business degrees, but certainly not for our profession. It always surprises patients when they find out these NP's are taking all their classes online. It would be very easy for them to submit papers someone else has written and have someone else take their tests. I'm floored that there isn't more oversight.

I think not only are you insecure about your position but jealous of those that choose to work smarter and more efficently with an online based program-it's 2008 GET ONLINE! Maybe you wished you should have done the same?!? There is no need to compare PAs and MDs with NPs they are all totally different. There may be no online programs for PAs but there is no way I would consider someone with 2-3 years (if that) of medical training to treat me (I am referring to PAs). If the public knew that some PAs have only the equivulant of an associates degree would they see them? I also wonder if you graduated from second rate brick and mortar school and feel like the only way you can feel secure about yourself is to throw off on online NP programs-There are a lot of wonderful NPs in my area that graduated from USA (an online based program) and are highly sought after upon completion of their degrees. :rolleyes:

Dr. Tammy, FNP/GNP-C · Dec 2, 2008

Tammy, Thanks for the feedback.... You've talked to someone and I've talked to someone - both recruiters and both with different results. :)
I value the online concept but hope to see programs come to a more unified curriculum and maintain a less varied standard of excellence.
v/r

No problem.:nuke: But that's not exactly the sum of our dialogue related to this matter. That's OK, though, because I'm here to help you.

First you stated that those with distance ed BSN's are ineligible to become commissioned officers in the navy. I think your exact words were:

The navy has recently stopped accepting those with an online BSN from applying to becoming a commissioned officer in the navy nurse course.
(for students who were ADN RNs and then did online coursework).

In response, I pointed out this was an inaccurate statement and was completely false. I provided a reference, which I will provide again that provides minimum eligibility requirements to include:

"Be a student or graduate in good standing of a U.S. education program granting a Bachelor of Science degree and accredited by the appropriate state board of nursing or the National League for Nursing"

http://www.navy.com/careers/healthcare/nursing/#specific-requirements

I also provided a name and phone number for the lead naval nursing recruiter in New York in which she would provide verification that the above resource is accurate and that your claim is false and without merit. I have her name and phone number and can PM anyone upon request.

Now you try and backtrack by claiming that we have both "talked" with people. Again, what you have claimed is false, misleading and cast aspersions on distance education programs and those consumers of distance education by implying that distance education programs are inferior as manifested by the United States Navy not recognizing such programs, CCNE accreditation notwithstanding.

I value the online concept but hope to see programs come to a more unified curriculum and maintain a less varied standard of excellence.
v/r

Great. You can start by valuing the process by not spreading misleading and false claims. Again, my challenge to you is to provide a resource, either written from the Navy or PM me the name of your source, to support your claim.

Dr. Tammy, FNP/GNP-C · Dec 2, 2008

I think not only are you insecure about your position but jealous of those that choose to work smarter and more efficently with an online based program-it's 2008 GET ONLINE! Maybe you wished you should have done the same?!?

Someone had to say it. Thanks.