Online programs

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I am currently a diploma RN looking to go back to school. Has anyone had any experiences with the online schools? What are the clinical requirements? Any advice is appreciated

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I did the online University of Phoenix ADN to BSN and then BSN to MSN. The clinical is relatively benign. For the BSN - I did a total of 110 hours and did time with my crisis mental health team, spent time with a family and went to another outreach facility.

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I am starting the online MSN program at South University next month . All I can hope for is it to be uneventful. I am nervous about doing the whole thing "online"...not exactly sure how the clinical portion works yet...

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Specializes in med surg.

I was also a diploma grad with little to no computer skills and did my BSN from Phoenix....I'M a Phoneix! Msn from Walden

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Specializes in NPD; Administration; M/S; Critical Care.

I did the online RN-BSN degree program at Regis University in Denver, CO. That program had 105 practicum hours. For the Community Health class, I spent 40 hours with a local school nurse. It was a high-quality program.

I went on to get my MSN degree there, and am now in their DNP program in Nursing Leadership. It has been a positive and satisfying experience learning online. I would highly recommend it.

Hope this helps,

Sunflower3

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Thank you all for your responses. How did you go about finding your clinical site? I am going for nurse educator so I am assuming I would need to teach. We just moved to a new state and I unfortunately have no connections here.

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Specializes in NPD; Administration; M/S; Critical Care.

Your school will give you ideas for sites that would meet the requirements. For my MSN, I was in the Nurse Educator track, and I spent some time in the Staff Development dept of another hospital, developing inservices and participated in their annual competencies.

For academia experiences, you would contact the clinical coordinator of the college/university where you would want to gain the experience, asking them for their recommendations. They are usually glad to do this, and the experience is invaluable.

Lastly, do know that you may need to initiate the contract process between the school and the clinical site, if this is required, for you to perform the clinical on-site. The school will provide the documents needed, you would simply need to follow up to ensure that the process is completed before your clinical is due to begin. Again, your school will assist you with this process.

Best of luck with your future educational pursuits!

Sunflower3

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Oncology, IV Therapy.

Sunflower3,

I'm looking into a online DNP program. I have never done an online program. What are the negative and positive aspects to an online degree? Please advise.

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Specializes in NPD; Administration; M/S; Critical Care.

AnnieB2,

When shopping for an online degree, first ensure that it is CCNE-accredited. After you've established this requisite for quality, then look at the curriculum and it's focus (there are schools that provide two tracks: Advanced Practice for NP's and Nursing Leadership for all others). Then, decide if the program meets your own qualifications. For myself, that included studying at a school that had already established itself in the 'brick-n-mortar' format; essentially, I wanted the online program I attended to be an extension of the ground university, reflecting the same curriculum but provided in the online format.

Pros: Online degree programs offer the most balanced approach to graduate learning-you can

log onto your class from the comfort of your home, without interrupting your schedule

for your job or family obligations to attend classes. As long as you meet the required

weekly assignments, you will progress just fine.

Cons: In order to be successful in the online learning environment, you must be self-driven

and goal-oriented. You will be provided time frames for assignments that must be

met, and it is up to you to actually follow thru with the assignment. Also, online

programs tend to be more expensive in cost, since you are paying for the convenience

factor associated with flexible schedules. For some learners, online degree programs

can be isolating, since you are not attending a physical classroom, so learning from

others can be limited. Lastly, most online graduate programs are fast-paced and

accelerated, with a lot of information being covered in the 8 week session. Again, being

an independent learner is the requisite for success with these programs.

Evaluate your own learning style, job requirements, and family responsibilities when deciding if the online environment is right for you. I have been successful in the online classroom because I meet the above requirements for independent learning. I like the flexibility to tailor the weekly assignments around my children's school schedules/my work schedule. The support of my husband, academic advisor, faculty, and IT dept. have made for a successful journey in the virtual classroom.

Hope this helps,

Sunflower3 :)

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Specializes in ICU, ER, RESEARCH, REHAB, HOME HEALTH, QUALITY.

I got accepted to Tennessee State for their FNP program but did not go because the fees were $1000 per credit hour.. a little steep, but found out too late the online fees were half that after you have to fill out a waiver.. so will try again in the spring.. I have been an administrator now for 3 yrs I miss taking care of patients.. its been a challenge.. get a NP or go get an PHD... looks like with the NP I'll have to get the DNP anyway LOL..

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Specializes in NPD; Administration; M/S; Critical Care.

MagnoliaNurse,

Yes, $1K/credit hr is steep. The good news is at the doctoral level, there are scholarships and grant funding that your school has access to, to assist with tuition for students at this level. After inquiring about this at my school, I was supplied with two different sources for scholarships, in addition to my student loans, so I will end up paying about half of what the original cost was stated, for my DNP degree.

Sunflower3

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Specializes in ICU, ER, RESEARCH, REHAB, HOME HEALTH, QUALITY.
MagnoliaNurse,

Yes, $1K/credit hr is steep. The good news is at the doctoral level, there are scholarships and grant funding that your school has access to, to assist with tuition for students at this level. After inquiring about this at my school, I was supplied with two different sources for scholarships, in addition to my student loans, so I will end up paying about half of what the original cost was stated, for my DNP degree.

Sunflower3

are you a NP as well, in what area.. I did not want that kind of debt this time in my life.. the jury is still out on that one, ...

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