Kathy H

Hi Proverbs 16:24, I was giving one last look at programs and continue to confirm that NIWH is probably the best fit for me. Start next month!

I worked part time for a pharmaceutical company in the past, entering labs for a high risk medication in a national database. You can also work sales especially for meds you are familiar with - cardiac meds/CCU nurse, psych meds/psych nurse, etc. There's lots of money in sales and decent money if you work as a consultant, eg entering labs and coordinating with the docs and pharmacies (what I did). All the while I worked a full time nursing job too but the work was different and a nice diversion.

Salmo23, Great to hear you've decided to do this, you won't regret it. So for Biochem I would take my time with this course, it's not a course you want to rush through like some of them, especially if you don't feel knowledgeable about the subject. Email the course mentor when you start the course and sign up for any cohort webinars. Usually when you sign up for cohorts you get an email with lots of helpful info and links that you don't always find in your course of study. There are also FB groups that are very helpful. Once you get your WGU email you can join. I was in RN-MSN but I joined both the BSN and MSN FB groups because when you start alot of your courses are at the undergrad level. Good Luck to you!!

Just did some diggiing and it's $6000. There's also quite a few complaints I found as well as a few staunt proponents defending against the criticisms. Decided not to go with it or continue to look into it.

I just finished my BSN at WGU. The totally asynchronous format and no discussion boards were a definite plus for me. If you don't want to take biochem with WGU, take it at a community college and transfer it in, but any courses transferred in must be completed and transferred before you start the program. I definitely recommend WGU.

I have been researching different programs on health coaching, health educating, nutrition, etc. Recently I was looking at IIN, an online program, and although they seem reputable and have affiliations with a few colleges that will grant you about 6 credits towards a BA or MA, they do not disclose their tuition anywhere on their site. I googled the tuition question and came up with a Q&A, with answers from the program, basically stating that they don't provide it because they have different financing plans and grants. Since the cost will be different for people you must call them to find out. Does anyone know what the tuition is? I tend to steer away from any programs that are not transparent, but thought maybe someone here might have some answers or insights. Thanks in advance

Hi PocketSize I just got my BSN and I highly recommend WGU. Biochem is biochem, you need it and can take it elsewhere if you want but it has to be before you start in order to transfer. Probably easier and makes more sense to take it at WGU since you're paying for time not credits. It's definitely a legitimate and reputable program and very affordable- approx $3300 for 6 months - you'll need to complete 12 credits per term but if you want to get more done you can without paying more. As far as your BON and your credentials, I'm sure you can update with them. I'm in CT so when I renew my license they ask about current degree, etc. Good Luck and if you have any questions feel free to ask.

I just completed my BSN at WGU. Loved the program and some courses are just more difficult than others- like biochem. The online platform is very flexible and there are no mandatory discussion boards or synchronous classes, everything at your pace and schedule. They do offer cohort webinars for most courses and you can attend live or view recorded webinars. Statistics had very good cohort webinars throughout the course and that really got me through it. I am currently looking into a clinical masters program or I would have stayed on for the MSN. The word out is that within the next year or two they will be offering an online NP program.

Proverbs16:24- The whole health educator for nurses looks like the best bet since you qualify to take the certification test for CCP and you get an NPI number recognized for billing nationally as an educator (not billing as a nurse). I'll likely take advantage of the Behavioral Health course, and possibly expand on the wellness inventory training that is offered now within the cirriculum. The WH Nutrition Educator Program requires that you work in the nutrition field and nsg credentials don't fit the bill. There's also a Nutrition certificate but many of those courses are part of the Nursing Educator program and it is not as comprehensive as the program for nurses. As far as what I want to specialize in later once I get through a program, I am not 100% sure. I will see where this learning process leads me. I recently retired from a full time +, stressful nsg management job and now want something more flexible, part time and in line with my interests. I worked in psych at all levels over the years so wellness and behavioral concepts are areas that I have an interest in, value and feel comfortable with. I spoke with someone at NIWH and they were informative and zero pressure. They sent me an email with alot of additional info and links (a bit more than you'll find on the website). I'm going to look at a couple more programs before I decide but NIWH partners with some of those other programs in that you can get big discounts if you want to do portions of their offerings. I will let you know what I decide. Keep in touch and good luck!

Patient Engagement and Behavioral Health Change Workshop for Medical Professionals | National Institute of Whole Health I know you mentioned behavioral change, this is offered but it is separate from the Whole Health Educator for Nurses cirriculum.

Thanks Proverbs16:24. I have done some research online and have spoken with NIWH. There are many benefits I like about this program and they are recognized by ANCC, and others. I checked the BBB and are rated A+. Have you checked them out and if so do you have any reservations about their program?

Are there any programs you've done or researched that you would recommend? Thanks

CBD oil has recently been deemed a schedule I drug.

Have you checked out the thread in Holistic Nursing titled "Has Anyone Done the NIWH Whole Health Program"? It's very interesting and looks like a viable option. I started looking into it after seeing comments and I am seriously considering this.

Conor, Thanks for all the info. Would you happen to know whether there are any limitations to this in Connecticut? Thank you Kathy

Interesting info. How can I go on the program's monthly call without being registered in the program? I'd love to get an idea of the program before committing. Thanks

I currently attend WGU RN-MSN program and just now planning to switch from leadership concentration to informatics (just got through BSN part of program) so I can't tell you about finding a job post grad, however, I can tell you about WGU. I really love WGU, it inexpensive ($3400 per 6 month term), you can add classes without incurring more tuition if you complete your assigned term courses early, work at your own pace, and you get an assigned student mentor throughout the program who gives you support and helps to keep you on track as well as course mentors for each specific course.

I am currently in the RN-MSN Leadsership at WGU, and just got through the BSN portion, I'm planning to switch to Informatics, still have MSN core to complete which is common to the different MSN tracks. Are you doing RN-MSN or BSN-MSN?

What's the tuition at Excelsior?

What programs have you looked at so far and are you looking for Nurse Informatics or Health Informatics? Usually if youre looking for strictly health informatics you need some prior IT experience or education unless youre starting from square 1.

WGU offers an RN-MSN and a BSN-MSN in Nursing Informatics. Tuition is approx $3400 per 6 month term. They also offer other programs that are not specific to nursing, e.g., BS in Healthcare Informatics and MBA in Info Tech Mgmt or MS in Data Analysis.

If you want an online program try Western Governors (WGU). They just added an Informatics degree which you can do as RN-MSN or BSN-MSN. They also offer other informatics without the nursing degree. They also have a BS in Health Information Management but its not specifically nursing. I am going there now and thinking about the MSN informatics program vs leadership. WGU is very flexible and inexpensive as well as CCNE accredited. I really love the program because its totally asynchronous and you can work at your own pace over the 6 month term and add more courses if you have time without incurring additional tuition. It's wgu.edu I would go with nursing vs healthcare informatics because it highlights your license. I don't have all the info but you might want to look at and explore the programs WGU offers to give you a better idea of which one is a better fit for your career choices.

That's fantastic! May I ask if you're studies are online and where you are going to school? I am currently at WGU online in their RN to MSN program and just completed the BSN portion of the program, I'm in the Leadership/Management concentration but I can change to an Informatics concentration, which is new at WGU. Thanks

Are there any masters prepared nurse Informatics Specialists here? I'm thinking about it and I know it's up and coming but I don't know what the current job prospects are for this specialty.

I was just looking at the site and it says degree or license.