Online program recommendations

Trauma Columnist · Dec 5, 2008

In the end, employment is the goal. I have done both traditional and online education and sorry, but I've never found a 100% online APN program...does the pt pop out of the dvd slot to be examined? (Sorry, couldn't resist that one).

As to graduatel level education in general, much of the clinical experience is what YOU the student make it out to be. My major nursing experience (10 years) was ER. Therefore, I deliberately chose other clinical site in order to challenge myself. Anyone can take the easy way out with clinicals, but if you are a serious student (and believe me, the $$$ I'm paying makes me serious), you look for experiences that will challenge you and give you the widest range of new experiences possible.

magnolia nurse · Dec 6, 2008

wow robust conversation, but online is not for everyone, but I did go to both and one has to decide what is best for them and make the effort to do what you need to enhance your learning in both types of education....

zenman · Dec 6, 2008

Jackson, MS. Sure wish I could eat at Hamils today!

Jo Dirt · Dec 6, 2008

It sounds to me that distance education was a poor fit for you, as my experience has been the opposite. I'm curious, since you are about to graduate, exactly how long did it take for you to become aware of this?

I only needed two semesters to get a BSN. I am finishing up the first semester, so I may as well not stop now. Next semester I will be finished.

Dr. Tammy, FNP/GNP-C · Dec 6, 2008

I only needed two semesters to get a BSN. I am finishing up the first semester, so I may as well not stop now. Next semester I will be finished.

Why not transfer to a school that does both? For example at my school the the only difference between the two as far as lectures, assignments, exams, clinicals, etc is whether you chose to watch class live in person, or watch class live via internet. That way if you feel you are not getting enough out of interaction with others via the chat during live lectures, you can go to the class and interact with people in person.

Jo Dirt · Dec 6, 2008

Why not transfer to a school that does both? For example at my school the the only difference between the two as far as lectures, assignments, exams, clinicals, etc is whether you chose to watch class live in person, or watch class live via internet. That way if you feel you are not getting enough out of interaction with others via the chat during live lectures, you can go to the class and interact with people in person.

I'm old and tired and can't see it would make a lot of sense to go through the hassle of transferring when I only have one semester left.

ANPFNPGNP · Dec 6, 2008

The goal of any NP degree, whether online or traditional, is employment. Because physicians are the primary employers of NP's, I think that it is more important to consider their opinion on degree format. Do most physicians have favorable views of online NP degrees or traditional ones? Since there are no online MD degrees and most physicians know that learning medicine requires clinical time and experience with a knowledgeable and competent preceptor, I would argue that most physicians would not look at online degrees favorably. Don't believe me? Why don't the online degree supporters ask the physicians over on SDN for their opinions? They are, after all, most likely the future employers for NP's and PA's.

Yeah, let's get someone to post on the SDN forum and see what they think about online NP programs. They will be our employers in the near future. I wonder if they are even aware there are online programs for NP's.

oldiebutgoodie, RN · Dec 7, 2008

Yeah, let's get someone to post on the SDN forum and see what they think about online NP programs. They will be our employers in the near future. I wonder if they are even aware there are online programs for NP's.

Ooooh, yikes! The flames would be SCORCHING.

Oldiebutgoodie

just_cause, BSN, RN · Dec 7, 2008

I see no reason anyone would even 'blink'.

What could be odd about an 'online clinical doctorate degree'.....

What is odd about asking to be called 'doctor XYZ' your nurse practitioner....

Dr. Tammy, FNP/GNP-C · Dec 7, 2008

yeah, let's get someone to post on the sdn forum and see what they think about online np programs. they will be our employers in the near future. i wonder if they are even aware there are online programs for np's.

yeah, make sure you let them know about the online medical schools too.

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/443292

"the association of american medical colleges, which represents u.s. medical schools, supports the use of technology to offer such education, according to m. bownell anderson, senior associate vice president for medical education. however, she warned, it cannot substitute for a face-to-face physician-patient interaction or relationship."

n_g · Dec 7, 2008

yeah, make sure you let them know about the online medical schools too.
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/443292
"the association of american medical colleges, which represents u.s. medical schools, supports the use of technology to offer such education, according to m. bownell anderson, senior associate vice president for medical education. however, she warned, it cannot substitute for a face-to-face physician-patient interaction or relationship."

no accredited us medical school is mostly online. they may have some online components here and there like any modern educational institution, but the vast majority of the time in the classroom.

in fact, you will not get a license in many states even if your pre-clinical years were mostly online. why is this point important? because some carib md programs tried this and their grads are not able to get us licenses.

n_g · Dec 7, 2008

yeah, make sure you let them know about the online medical schools too.
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/443292
"the association of american medical colleges, which represents u.s. medical schools, supports the use of technology to offer such education, according to m. bownell anderson, senior associate vice president for medical education. however, she warned, it cannot substitute for a face-to-face physician-patient interaction or relationship."

this still doesn't address the central question.

who do physicians prefer to hire? traditional or online np's?

if you're so proud of your online pedigree, make sure you repeatedly point this out again and again during your interviews and see how they receive it.