Greetings everyone--I am desperately seeking the comments and input of students currently enrolled or recently graduated from 100% online NP programs!!! As a recently accepted NP-to-be, I am trying to decide between an online program or a classic in-class program.
Did you feel like you got a quality education online? Felt prepared after graduation?
Did you miss learning in the classroom?
Pros/cons of online??
ANNYYYYY comments would be greatlllyyyy appreciated!! Thanks in advance:)
How do you judge which are the best onlne programs?? I'm in Puerto Rico and feel certain that anything online will beat a traditional school here..... but I'm not up for paying $75,000 for Georgetown! Anyone know where the online programs are rated? Thanks
I'm in a hybrid ACNP program at Loyola University Chicago. We had a one day orientation and most of the classes are available online (many classes have the option of online or face to face). I have one class that is face to face this semester. Health assessment is face to face as well. Suturing, wound management and invasive procedures is face to face in the summer. I really like the blending of formats. I'm taking patho/phys face to face and I like being able to get clarification in real time. I've also met a number of classmates from other classes while attending this class so I feel like I'm making connections with my fellow students. It's on the expensive side but I really like it so far.
I also like that they will organize my clinical placements for me. The local FNP program where I completed my BSN does not help with clinical placements at all. Several of the students expressed frustration with securing their clinical sites. I passed on applying to several programs due to the lack of clinical placements. A couple of my colleagues strongly recommended that I attend a program that offered a structured clinical that was organized by the school and affiliated with a university medical center. In fact, one who recently completed his ACNP online said that if he had it to do all over again, he would have relocated to attend such a program.
I must admit, though, that I have to kick myself in the butt to stay on top of my online work. Online course work requires some serious self motivation. It can be pretty tedious at times. One of my classes posts Power Point lectures and we're also required to post on the discussion board at least 2 different days per week and complete a detailed homework assignment each week for a 1 credit hr course. I think this class is taking up more of time than any other, lol.
I like the flexibility of online classes. I can listen to lectures at any time day or night. I work the night shift and I don't have a set schedule so that flexibility really helps. My school is about 90 mi away and I may not have been able to attend had it not been for the flexibility of their hybrid program.
I currently attend the Distance Learning Program at the University of Cincinnati. I am into my second quarter of the program. I am enjoying it. The flexibility of online classes is very helpful. I am able to work full-time and still manage to get my assignments in on time and get good grades (thus far!). Organization and time management skills is very much needed! I carry a planner with me at all times.
I do miss the whole classroom atmosphere sometimes but I know the Distance Learning is the best option for me. The thing I am not looking forward to is finding my own clinical preceptor. I plan to start REALLY early and I have spoken already to a few places in hopes to get everything in place as soon as possible.
No matter what program you decide, Distance Learning or not, you will find pros/cons for both. You have decide what will work best for YOU.
Flexibility is the biggest factor for me. I can help get my children fed & ready for bedtime, then get online and stay current. Saturday/Sunday are catch up days. As long as your program is accredited, you should be fine. An additional 'pro' is going at your own pace - you're not limited by other students (unless those in your group don't turn in assignments on time... but you're responsible for YOU, not your classmates). Our instructors reply to online posts 2-3 times per week, so they stay on top of things very frequently.
One 'con' is that, as mentioned, you're responsible for what you do. No one is there to prod you into participation (much like a traditional classroom setting, I suppose). As in life, what you put into it is what you'll get put of it.
lulu997RN
57 Posts
thank u paige for ur response!