Online vs. Brick&Mortar NP Programs

Alikatz08 · Feb 9, 2016

I don't think many employers care whether it was a degree obtained online or on campus, as long as the school is accredited and you passed your boards. There are many well known brick and mortar schools who now offer advanced degrees online as well. While there are some schools that offer assistance with clinical placement, many schools (whether online or brick and mortar) have you find your own clinical preceptors (some are more supportive than others, just have to do your research). I was just accepted to a school for FNP that is online (although they also have on campus programs), as this fits best with my work and home schedule too. You get out of it what you put into it. Just have to be disciplined and well organized with online classes (it's not for everyone, some do better on campus and this just depends on how you are as a student). Hope this helped! :) Best of luck!

Rocknurse, MSN, APRN, NP · Feb 9, 2016

I attend a bricks and mortar school, however most all of the didactic classes I have taken so far are all online. Last semester I had to do Health Assessment which required me to do a morning class on site followed by a lab in the evening. This semester I'm doing pharm one morning a week. To be honest that's a total waste of time because the professor just sits and reads the powerpoints out loud which I could do myself from home, but that's beside the point. They organize clinicals for me and it's a well respected school, so no complaints from me. Most all schools have a huge online component now, except for clinical classes.

KatieMI, BSN, MSN, RN · Feb 9, 2016

I was admitted in online (in satellite campus) and brick-and-mortar (flagship campus) and made a decision after getting stuck for hours on my way back from the latter one. Both offered assistance with clinical placement, and in any case I would prefer to find my own instead of again being "arranged" for someone suffering from power trip deprivation syndrome, stage IV. I had it as undergrad, and really do not want to pay a cent of my hard-earned money for that sort of "learning".

Online learning is not for everyone, but so far it fits my lifestyle perfectly well. It is really nice to read "the green hyppo" ( like someone named Patho text by McCance) and listen to recorded lectures while being buried into my fluffy heated bean bag sofa and without navigating slippery roads @6 am.

kvisintine, BSN, RN · Feb 10, 2016

KatieMI... what online program did you choose?

allnurses Guide · Feb 10, 2016

My two cents for what it's worth (which is probably a little less than a penny):

There are many reputable and established programs with good local and national name recognition that now offer online or hybrid programs; with your financial and personal investment in your education you are best served in matriculating at one of these institutions. You will get a quality education and clinical experience, an established network for job placement, and excellent support.

The are poorer quality programs, both brick and mortar and online. Beware the "cheap, fast, and easy" programs, especially for-profit institutions.

Don't go to a program that doesn't assist with clinical placements.

Do ask places where you would like to eventually work what they look for in hiring novice NPs; you may find that a program is perferred over others.

Best of luck.

Dranger · Feb 12, 2016

Finding an online program that will set up clinicals is next to impossible. What contacts will a school in New York have in California? You have to be realistic.

The best scenario is to have a hybrid program at local B&M school that has online lectures with hands-on labs whilst setting up clinicals for you. This scenario is rarer but the best IMO.