Online vs residential

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Which is better? I feel like online would be cheaper. Any thoughts? I want a quality education but also affordable. Thanks!

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Specializes in Adult Nurse Practitioner.

A full online programs takes a LOT of discipline and your own drive to expand on the assignments. There is a LOT of writing and discussion forum involvement as there is little to no face-to-face interaction between students and instructors, though they are available via skype, email, and telephone. You get the basics, but your actual skills will need to be honed in your clinical rotations. It is important that you do rotations that encourage EBP and provide a good experience in which the student is encouraged to "get your feet wet". I have been very fortunate that my preceptors were instrumental in tell, show, observe, do on your own. Three of my rotations had multiple practitioners so I was able to get a wide and varied experience..."here come see this", "here come do this", "have you done this yet". Programs that have physical labs give you the opportunity to practice in that environment prior to and in addition to the clinical site. Hope this helps.

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Hi Inflanurse,

Did you graduate yet? If so congratulations. How did your final project go?

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Specializes in Adult Nurse Practitioner.

December 10th!!!!! My capstone project was actually a LOT easier than I thought and I actually enjoyed it. Now onto studying for the certification exam in January :sarcastic:

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Specializes in Geriatrics/family medicine.
December 10th!!!!! My capstone project was actually a LOT easier than I thought and I actually enjoyed it. Now onto studying for the certification exam in January :sarcastic:

You are almost there, quick question how long of core classes did it take before clinical courses came up and is a visit to campus required before you do clinicals?

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December 10th!!!!! My capstone project was actually a LOT easier than I thought and I actually enjoyed it. Now onto studying for the certification exam in January :sarcastic:

Congrat's on finishing school! I start at University of Tampa Jan 20th. I can't wait to be in your shoes about to finish school :yes:

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December 10th!!!!! My capstone project was actually a LOT easier than I thought and I actually enjoyed it. Now onto studying for the certification exam in January :sarcastic:

Congratulations. I am so happy for you. Good luck with your studies. Do you mind sharing which study material you are using for your exam? Did you take a review course and if so which one did you take or recommend?

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Specializes in Pain managment.

I really enjoy the online format. I attend South University online for my FNP. I started in Feb and have finished 6 courses to date. The program is very intense and very self directed. I am single and work full time so I like that we only take one class at a time. I know several of my friends that attend the traditional on campus program have went part time because they have to take two classes per semester. South requires alot of paper writing and discussion posts. I feel like I am learning alot and I have recruited about 5 friends to the program whom also enjoy the program.

Best Wishes

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Specializes in Adult Nurse Practitioner.

The school recommended Leik's review book in my 2nd practicum course, then provided a direct link to Hollier's review. To complete the course, we had to pass the 2 review tests provided as well as a midterm and final. A fellow classmate took Hollier's review in person and said it was so much like what the school provided, she felt she wasted her $400.00 that she may have applied towards another course. I am thinking about doing Fitzgerald's review also. The more the merrier. The more I can cram into my thick head (it is now), the better something will click when I take the actual test.

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I really enjoy the online format. I attend South University online for my FNP. I started in Feb and have finished 6 courses to date. The program is very intense and very self directed. I am single and work full time so I like that we only take one class at a time. I know several of my friends that attend the traditional on campus program have went part time because they have to take two classes per semester. South requires alot of paper writing and discussion posts. I feel like I am learning alot and I have recruited about 5 friends to the program whom also enjoy the program.

Best Wishes

Thank you for sharing. I will begin my classes in January and am looking forward to them. We have an onsite campus where I live so my classes will not be on-line. I wonder if the format differs any??? Do you mind sharing which clinical rotations you have completed so far and your experiences?

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The school recommended Leik's review book in my 2nd practicum course, then provided a direct link to Hollier's review. To complete the course, we had to pass the 2 review tests provided as well as a midterm and final. A fellow classmate took Hollier's review in person and said it was so much like what the school provided, she felt she wasted her $400.00 that she may have applied towards another course. I am thinking about doing Fitzgerald's review also. The more the merrier. The more I can cram into my thick head (it is now), the better something will click when I take the actual test.

It sounds like South is really preparing you for the exam..I am so excited to hear that. Thank you so much for sharing, you are always a wealth of knowledge. Good luck with your studies and please keep us updated with your progress.

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Specializes in Geriatrics/family medicine.

Cita I hope we both do as well as the others. Thanks for advice everyone

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