Nightingale260

Don't forget, you have to take into account not just the dollars per credit, but the total number of credits required. UoP required 14 fewer credits than Walden for the MSN/Ed, so it came out to less money for me. Apply for student loans, too. Even if you don't think you qualify, get the application in (FAFSA), because you can still apply for scholarships.

Hi all fellow UOP students, I started the MSN/Ed program last October. It's far more intense than I expected but I have found that, as in most worthwhile endeavors, you get back what you put into it. Reading over the posts in this thread, I have to agree with TraumaRN's guidelines for team charters. I, like most students I've met on this journey, thought of the charter as a nuisance at the beginning. Then recently, I had a class where 2 of my learning teammates were absent most of the time, missed every deadline and then, just when we thought things were going to come together, turned in plagiarized work. Luckily, the three of us who actually took the program seriously were able to spot it and submitted it to writepoint and the instructor. I've heard horror stories about teams that didn't check their group work and all members suffered. It was an eye-opening experience that made me realize that setting up a detailed charter is more about protecting the team as a whole and the integrity of our work than it is about questioning people's honesty. I've taken 6 classes so far and I've really gained a lot. I've been really lucky to meet several "keeper" classmates and we try to take as many classes together as possible (reducing the risks of teammate nightmares as described above). The academic counselors are pretty good about granting requests of this sort. The flexibility of online education is so incredibly appealing. This is by no means an easy route, what with working, single momming and now, buying my first home and moving. But I am getting so much out of this program and already seeing new opportunities. Although I registered for the MSN/Ed program, I am now interested in pursuing FNP as well. I haven't done any solid research yet but if anyone has some info about post grad certification programs that can be completed online, I'd appreciate a heads-up! P.S. An earlier post asked about Vicki Milazzo and CLNC...I did it a couple of years ago and found it extremely worthwhile. However, the actual work was tedious and boring for the most part. I managed to hook up with a local attorney who fed me plenty of work but we had a parting of the ways when he was defending a drunk driver and I simply couldn't, ethically, help. Just a personal note there.

Hi, I had the same situation...a BA in History (from a lifetime ago) and a more recent ADN. I looked at Walden U (they want 65 credits!) and Excelsior College. I chose U of Phoenix because the program is set up for one class at a time, each taking 6 weeks. The pace and scheduling work better for me (I'm a single mom with an 8 year old at home and I work full time). Good luck!

I've just enrolled in the MSN at UOP with specialization in NsgEd. I'm 51, nervous about this journey and oh so grateful to see others in the same situation. I have nothing to add to the discussion yet, but I'll check in frequently. Nice to meet you all!