online vs. distance

Nursing Students Online Learning

Published

I took my BN (in Canada), through Athabasca University, a distance learning program. I absolutely loved it! I got all my course materials, and was given 6 months to complete the course (for a 3 credit course). With working, and a family, it worked great. I could go in "spurts", so when I had time, I accomplished a whole bunch in a short period of time. Now, I've enrolled in the MSN program at University of Phoenix Online. I've found it more difficult, as you have to "check in" every day, post your assignments online, read other's work, and participate in group projects. This just doesn't seem to work well for me. Any ideas? Another factor is cost, but isn't that the story of everyone's lives?;)

Specializes in MS Home Health.

That is one of the reasons I did not enroll there. I thought it did not fit in with my life. I got my BS/MS from Clayton which worked out great for me.

renerian

Hi Kimmy2

I have taken courses through UOP, they are tough to say the least. Well let me re-phrase that. They require constant communication and posting. The good side is they are done in 5 weeks!!! That is the part I like.

How about the "group assignments?" They can be a real thrill ride depending on the group you are assigned too.

At any rate, good luck with your classes.

C

I have been having some very bad luck with UOP (University of Phoenix). Enrolled there a couple of years ago, with the help of govenment student loans. Last year I was put on "financial probation" because I did not complete enough units required for keeping my student loans. This was due to losing my father, taking care of my mother and daughter who became quite ill, etc. I was told that I could not get another student loan for one year. UOP informed me that I would need to pay them for imcompleted classes and I disagreed with the amount they were quoting me. I told them to review my records and give me the "correct" amount due. They turned me over to their collections department and I did not argue the amount, just paid it. Now, almost one year later I have approached them about returning and wanting to start resumption of the student loans. They informe me that even if I had student loans resumed they would demand I pay cash only due to the fact that I was "once turned over to collections." I asked "so, if I have student loans you will not accept that and I must pay cash?" She said "yes." I have not completed the program and am wondering if any other university will accept the credits from UOP. Some universities, I heard, will not. Does anyone have any suggestions? (I also have outstanding government loans in the amount of almost $10,000).

Why don't you do your MSN through Athabasca too? If you enjoyed doing your BN there, why not. I have taken some courses through Athabasca too.

Specializes in Med/Surg, ER, L&D, ICU, OR, Educator.

I tried UOP (MBA/MSN) as well and it was not for me! Requires way too much time physically on-line, and the group projects sucked!

Anyone studying for MSN elsewhere on-line where they enjoy the program?

I started out at UOP in 1998, before all the on-line communication requirements, and I still felt that I didn't have time to do anything else while taking a course. I did not continue as my husband was starting his own business and I needed to pick up slack at home. I contacted them again to get information about reapplying, and the sales pressure, cost and intrusive questions turned me off from returning. Also the MSN is generic with a strong administrative focus.

I have since been accepted and am attending St. Joseph's College in Maine. I did not have a BSN but through college transcripts, work experience and doing 2 learning profiles I was accepted. SJC has a 6 month class schedule. The classes are not on line, but are distance learning. The cost is also quite a bit lower than UOP. There is one two week residency required during one summer, there are several sections available. I have not done the summer session yet. SJC offers administrative, education and parish nursing specialties beyond the core courses, a total of 40 credits.

I took my BN (in Canada), through Athabasca University, a distance learning program. I absolutely loved it! I got all my course materials, and was given 6 months to complete the course (for a 3 credit course). With working, and a family, it worked great. I could go in "spurts", so when I had time, I accomplished a whole bunch in a short period of time. Now, I've enrolled in the MSN program at University of Phoenix Online. I've found it more difficult, as you have to "check in" every day, post your assignments online, read other's work, and participate in group projects. This just doesn't seem to work well for me. Any ideas? Another factor is cost, but isn't that the story of everyone's lives?;)
How hard is it to get in to this program and do you have to be a nurse already and live in Canada, I live in the United States in Utah.
I took my BN (in Canada), through Athabasca University, a distance learning program. I absolutely loved it! I got all my course materials, and was given 6 months to complete the course (for a 3 credit course). With working, and a family, it worked great. I could go in "spurts", so when I had time, I accomplished a whole bunch in a short period of time. Now, I've enrolled in the MSN program at University of Phoenix Online. I've found it more difficult, as you have to "check in" every day, post your assignments online, read other's work, and participate in group projects. This just doesn't seem to work well for me. Any ideas? Another factor is cost, but isn't that the story of everyone's lives?;)

Hi Kimmy. There are so many options available for you now. Most distance programs (correspondence) have gone over to online classes, with specific start and stop dates and specific weekly assignments. The good news is that there are many more opportunities for online nursing degrees now, so you should be able to shop around and find a program suitable to your needs. U of P is great in that the semesters are very short (but intense), so students are able to finish a lot of courses in a year. There are other programs with semesters that are longer and less intense so that might be a good option for you. Most graduate programs will only allow 3-6 credits to be transferred in.

I have been having some very bad luck with UOP (University of Phoenix). Enrolled there a couple of years ago, with the help of govenment student loans. Last year I was put on "financial probation" because I did not complete enough units required for keeping my student loans. This was due to losing my father, taking care of my mother and daughter who became quite ill, etc. I was told that I could not get another student loan for one year. UOP informed me that I would need to pay them for imcompleted classes and I disagreed with the amount they were quoting me. I told them to review my records and give me the "correct" amount due. They turned me over to their collections department and I did not argue the amount, just paid it. Now, almost one year later I have approached them about returning and wanting to start resumption of the student loans. They informe me that even if I had student loans resumed they would demand I pay cash only due to the fact that I was "once turned over to collections." I asked "so, if I have student loans you will not accept that and I must pay cash?" She said "yes." I have not completed the program and am wondering if any other university will accept the credits from UOP. Some universities, I heard, will not. Does anyone have any suggestions? (I also have outstanding government loans in the amount of almost $10,000).

Most graduate programs will accept a very limited number of transfer credits. It is usually 3-6 but I have seen 9 and sometimes a few more. Graduate programs are also more picky about what courses they will accept in transfer, so you will have to shop around. There are so many online nursing programs now that you should be able to find one that better fits your needs. Good luck.

I started out at UOP in 1998, before all the on-line communication requirements, and I still felt that I didn't have time to do anything else while taking a course. I did not continue as my husband was starting his own business and I needed to pick up slack at home. I contacted them again to get information about reapplying, and the sales pressure, cost and intrusive questions turned me off from returning. Also the MSN is generic with a strong administrative focus.

I have since been accepted and am attending St. Joseph's College in Maine. I did not have a BSN but through college transcripts, work experience and doing 2 learning profiles I was accepted. SJC has a 6 month class schedule. The classes are not on line, but are distance learning. The cost is also quite a bit lower than UOP. There is one two week residency required during one summer, there are several sections available. I have not done the summer session yet. SJC offers administrative, education and parish nursing specialties beyond the core courses, a total of 40 credits.

Melanie,

I hope that you enjoy St. Joseph's and I am glad that they accept non BSN students. I am a graduate of St. Joseph's with a BSPA in 1984. This was the only degree they offered at that time. The summer residency was very tough (3 weeks then), but I still remember with great fondness all the nice people I met there including fellow students, professors, and the nuns. The staff really loves the adult summer students and treated us with great respect. Two of the instructors took us on day trips on the weekend and shopping trips during the week for students without cars. They were just so kind to us.

The food was great but apparently they have a better menu for the summer students (according to a regualr student who was working the summer). Maine weather in the summer is great and the college is right on a lake. The campus was smaller then. I keep getting invitations to help pay for all the new buildings. :chuckle

+ Add a Comment