nizhoni

Hi PurpleCali, Did you enroll at SNHU to study the MSN in Patient Safety and Quality? If so, how did you feel about the program? Specifically, I would like to know how student progress is assessed in this program. Are assessments based primarily on quizzes and exams or through writing papers? How did you feel about the quality of the educational experience? I appreciate any help you can provide.

Checking to see if anyone out there has attended NAU's competency-based MSN program.

Hi Dom, It looks like you and I are the only two people interested in a Pediatric CNS program. Hmmm. I have researched this subject thoroughly and, like you, I am leaning toward the CNS programs. I like the breadth of the role in comparison to the NP approach. I am nearly at the end of a very successful career and have some very specific goals, especially in research, and feel as though the CNS pathway will be best for my needs. So far I have found only a few online CNS programs that offer a specialty in Pediatrics (which I assume is your interest, given your background). Of the ones that I have found, Old Dominion appears to me to be the strongest program. What are your thoughts so far? I am wondering why you prefer the CNS route. In light of the paucity of responses here, I wonder if being a CNS has a future. It would be a shame to close down this pathway for future applicants.

Actually, elkpark, the American Board for Specialty Nursing Certification accredited the certification programs of the American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Center in 2014. The ABNSC is also the accrediting body for the ANCC. For documentation of this fact, please refer to: Approved Certification Programs | ABNS – American Board of Nursing Specialties

I registered at Frontier Nursing University as a non-matriculating student and took Statistics (Nursing 404) online. I was so afraid that I would be the first student at FNU to fail the Stats class. Instead, I got an "A!" The class was difficult at first (largely because the information was new to me and I was, as I said, anxiety-ridden about it) but it got easier as I went along. There were 5 modules, each with an open-book graded assignment (i.e., a quiz) with no time limit for completion once the quiz started. There were no formulas to memorize; instead, the statistical work centered on uses of the well-known SPSS computer program. There was also an opportunity for an application to a clinical situation--I got worried about this, too, but as it turned out it was key to really understanding and applying the learning. The final quiz was not open book but some notes were allowed (there are specific criteria for notes for the final exam). I have to say that this was one of the best classes I have ever taken and I was genuinely sorry when it was over. Highly recommend that you consider this route to a Statistics class that is specific for nurses and carries a Nursing academic designation (rather than a math or social science designation, if that's important to the program to which you are applying). It was a little pricey out-of-pocket but ended up being worth every last penny. My peers seemed to feel mostly the same way.

Metroishka, Evidently you and I came to the same conclusions after doing our respective "due diligence." For me it also was either Aspen or WGU. Aspen won out by virtue of my projection of cost and time investment. I am very happy in the Aspen program; I am far from graduation but have learned so much thus far. I recommended WGU to my daughter, a Business Marketing major, and she is enrolled in her first class and loves it. I saw the "inner workings" of the program and it is definitely excellent. Lots of mentoring, but Aspen offers the same--a very personalized experience. I think you will just have to make that hard choice--but either way you choose, I believe you will be pleased.

Good for you, metroishka! I think you will be very happy with the program. I am so relieved to be getting my MSN. The Aspen program is challenging (because you are actually learning new things!) but not crippling (nearly everyone's concern). Let us know about your experience!

So glad you are enjoying the program! I was confident you'd love it! I am in Nursing Theory right now. Send me a message via Aspen if you'd like!

I work with a company that dovetails nicely with my nursing expertise. For me, this is much more about helping provide preventative and restorative health care than it is about driving sales.

Hi Steeleworks, Your post was very interesting, as I have been highly involved in midwifery and holistic nursing (primarily homeopathy) for many years now. I would like to offer a differing point of view regarding MLMs and network marketing, however. Direct marketing has allowed me to have additional income that also utilizes my knowledge of nursing and nutrition. I am able to assist a subset of individuals whose needs for improved health and vitality are usually unmet, utilizing technology that exists because of new research in genetic science and micronutrients. Direct marketing is just a way to market a product--that's it. Trust people and free market enterprise to work.

Hi Mtsteelhorse, You will receive an email a few days ahead of the start date giving you the information on getting started in the class. It's pretty straightforward! It wouldn't hurt a thing to start reading now, though your reading will also be directed via the assignments. I really enjoyed 490, and the instructor, Fionda, is excellent in terms of giving feedback. As I recall you were worried about APA formatting, and she will give you good feedback about that too. My best advice is to plan to do one module per week. You can do this! See you soon!!

Dear Quiet1, So happy to hear you were accepted! It's great to find a program that is what it says it is! See you on the Aspen message boards!

Hi Skyyy-- I am not sure what kind of work experience will allow them to waive the usual requirement, but they are fairly generous about other aspects of the process. Recommend you call Aspen and ask for the Admissions Coordinator for more information on the specifics of this. Good luck!

Dear Mtsteelhorse! Congratulations on your acceptance to Aspen! For APA style formatting, I have primarily been using the 6th ed. of the APA Publications Manual of the American Psychological Association. I have not used a computer program because my needs are being met by using the book. Occasionally I refer also to the information that Fionda has provided. You will find her to be very helpful! And we have a friendly and helpful cohort of nursing students in the program. No worries! It did take me awhile to write the papers at first and it worried me because of other time constraints, but I have gotten much faster, especially now that I am accustomed to the format. You will, too! For word processing, I use Word on a Mac computer. It's been just great. We will see you in June!!! Congratulations once again!

Hi nlmoore, To answer your question, the Nursing program at Aspen is already CCNE-accredited. I know how important and arduous the accreditation process is because I direct an accredited direct-entry midwifery school. Student interviews are a critical aspect of accreditation; the accrediting agency representatives want to know that the school actually does what it purports to do. The fact that the Nursing program has received CCNE accreditation and that Aspen University is DETC-accredited (i.e., nationally accredited rather than regionally accredited) is noteworthy.

Hi Mtsteelhorse, I am very excited to hear that you are applying to make the move to the "Aspen Club!" Great name, by the way. See you on the message boards!

Hi Mtsteelhorse, Congratulations on making your application to Aspen! I think you will really love the program. Since you mentioned it's been awhile since you have been in school, just remember you can do this if you will just keep at it. I work on my assignments nearly every day for at least a little while, and that feels less overwhelming than attempting to blitz it all at once. That was possible years ago when I had nothing to do but school, but things have changed a lot since then! I don't think I had to pay a $75 application fee; I seem to recall that I applied at at time when they waived it. You should perhaps check with Emma in Admissions. As far as the goal paper, I think you just need to let them know what it is that you want to glean from the program. I asked 3 co-workers to provide recommendations. Think carefully about your references: it is best to ask folks who will do this for you without you having to lean on them all the way to the deadline as you are doing things like . . . writing your goal paper! You will find a great group of talented nurses in your online community at Aspen. Make sure you ask for assistance if you need it! See you soon, I'm sure!

Hi Mtsteelhorse, We used APA formatting when I was a nursing student--at about the same time dirt was born! Aspen provided templates and samples which made updating my knowledge base quite a bit easier, but just recently I went ahead and purchased the latest APA publications manual (6th edition). It helped me with the unusual situations regarding citations, etc. Since the purchase I have read that there are a few errors in the 6th ed., so when I find out what those are, I will be happy to pass that information on to you. The modules are graded, but not quite as quickly as I am moving through them. But that's ok; the modules are constructed very similarly to one another in this first course, at least, so what I learned from doing the first module I have simply applied to my subsequent work. The grading rubric is very clear and the instructor feedback is specific and really helpful. Our instructor even provides an audio assessment of our work, as well as written feedback. I made a lot of APA errors in my first paper but only a few since then. I am not using any online aids for APA, just learning along the way. That seems to be working well. Hope I see you on the Aspen message boards! A few more students have already signed up over the last few days. I believe you mentioned that you are going for your NP after this. Which NP program are you planning to attend? All the best to you!

I believe that Aspen's CCNE accreditation carries at least as much weight as regional accreditation in a transfer situation involving nursing education classes. Aspen is accredited by DETC, a nationally recognized US Dept. of Education accrediting agency. Their nursing program is the first DETC-accredited program in the country to receive CCNE accreditation. And in case anyone on the forum wonders--no, I am not employed by Aspen, LOL! I am a registered nurse and licensed midwife as well as Co-Executive Director/Program Manager of a U.S. Dept. of Education accredited direct-entry midwifery education program. I am also a satisfied Aspen RN-MSN student. The folks you see posting their favorable opinions are simply sharing their experience and perspective.

I am really pleased with this program. There is no other "shoe" to drop; all the good impressions you get through the inquiry and admissions process carry over to the academics. There are no group projects and you can enter the program about as soon as you are accepted (courses begin on the 1st and 16th of each month). I was scared to death for about two weeks because of all the other "irons in the fire" that I am currently tending. I mentioned my concerns in the online discussions and my instructors and fellow students offered tangible support, humor, and a myriad of good suggestions. I have found hat if I work to complete one module (set of assignments) per week I stay on top of it. This MSN program is CCNE accredited, interesting, practical, inexpensive and attainable. It is small and personal. I can thank allnurses.com for the discussions that made me aware of Aspen; I had no knowledge of it till I found it mentioned here a few months ago. By the way, Emma in Admissions is so helpful and was very patient with my hundred questions. :)

Amen! All the best to you in whatever program you choose . . . maybe we'll see you on the boards at Aspen! : )

Yes, I am in the bridge, and I will definitely be taking one class at a time for the foreseeable future. The classes last about 10 weeks. At the rate I am going, I calculate that I will be about 61 when I am done with the entire program (don't panic--you can see by my profile that I am not 27 years old, lol!!). But I figure that I can be 61 with a Master's degree or 61 without one, and I am voting myself IN for the degree! My experience is that circumstances did not get any easier by waiting this long to return to school. I don't know precisely how Aspen evaluates transcripts, but the process was efficient and I was accepted quickly. You can certainly call and talk with the admissions coordinator about the math issue. My general ed was done in the 1970s and I was accepted. This program has turned out to be nearly perfect for me. I encourage you to consider applying!

I am in my first class of the RN-MSN program at Aspen so I am most definitely a newb! But I have to tell you, I am impressed. The faculty and online student support is wonderful and I am learning a lot--especially for an "old dog!" My biggest challenge is finding the time to work on the modules, but that is a function of how crazy-busy my life is, not the program. I don't think that another program would be easier--and if it were easier, it wouldn't be worthwhile. This program is soooo worth the money, and it happens to be a tremendous bargain. I am really glad to be at Aspen.

Hello, I too am just about to start my MSN with Aspen. So far I am very pleased with what I have heard about their program and I find their staff to be very personal and helpful. Finally, an affordable, CCNE-accredited MSN with a personal touch. So glad I waited to find this program!!

I am stunned that it is possible to obtain a CCNE-accredited MSN so inexpensively. Does anyone else have feedback re: Aspen?