Questions for Online MSN Programs

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I am interested in pursuing an MSN and am looking at online programs in education and FNP. For those who have completed an online MSN program (or are still in the program), are there things you wished you had known or questioned beforehand?

For example, it seems that MSN students (particularly NP) can sometimes have difficulty finding a preceptor for their clinical hours in their own community and the school does not provide much assistance.

Or a student is not eligible to apply for NIH grants/traineeships because the program is part-time (6 hours) and NIH requires a minimum of 9 credit hours/semester.

I am attending a nursing open house at my local university in a few weeks and would like to be prepared with questions regarding their program and would appreciate any assistance!

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Hi sage2320,

How exciting for you! It sounds like you already have many questions for the open house, but I'm happy to add a few. I just completed my MSN online (with a few trips out-of-state), and it was no cake-walk. Not because it was online--simply because it's an MSN!

You're right to ask them if they would assist you in any way with finding preceptors if needed. I was lucky in that I had been working in the area for 2 years before I needed to find preceptors, and I knew many of the people I wanted to work with. However, at least half of them I found through word of mouth. Ask around for the people who LOVE to teach and love what they do. Your clinical experiences are KEY.

I'd also ask which portions of the program take place on campus--in person. Ex: invasive procedure workshops (I did acute care), special lectures, clinical time. Even though a program is primarily online, both you and they need human contact. Find a mentor who has been through the same program or who is a faculty member.

Ask about the kinds of positions graduates go for (not sure what specialty you're considering). Ask about testing vs. papers (my program was tipped in favor of papers, whereas I prefer testing as I go). Ask about board exam prep--are you on your own, or does the program spend some time preparing you for what to expect.

Ask about clinical hours--where can you do them, in what areas, how many do you need, can you focus in one area more than another if you're particularly interested, etc.

Some of these may seem basic, and you've probably already considered them, but I hope this helps. Good luck!!

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Thank you for the great tips, KMFRN5!

Where did you do your MSN?

I'm considering FNP as it seems you have many more options with that route.

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Glad to help! Did my MSN through Rush University in Chicago.

With regard to choosing your specialty: yes, FNP gives you more options in the sense that it covers the entire age spectrum, BUT if you lean toward one patient population more than any other (Adult, peds, onc, women's health, or gero), I highly recommend choosing a program that lets you focus your energy, studying, and clinical hours. If, however, you're sure you want to work in family practice or another outpatient, adult area, FNP is great. I add this because state boards of nursing are gradually requiring that NPs practice only in the area in which you have specialized (i.e., no more grandfathering of FNPs who work in pediatric acute care, for example). Just bringing this up now to spare you the need to get a post-master's after your FNP (unless you want to!).

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Has any one went to or heard of Jefferson school of nursing? How is there FNP program?

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Education.

To be honest many of the FNP programs have some online classes. The one I am in has about 5 classes on line and then the rest are in person. Now my program is our local University so my professors for my online classes are the same ones who will do the in person classes. You have to remember the FNP is graduate school and you are expected to work independently - there is no hand holding and spooning feeding like there is in undergraduate programs.

The on line classes have been very challenging and very good. Graduate school is all about what YOU put in to it. All of the programs I looked into expected you to set up your own clinicals - and that includes some of the best programs such as Duke.

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I don't mind setting up my own clinicals but I hope the FNP program provides some sort of guidance and support on how to do this. Especially if you were in an online program hundreds of miles from your home state!

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Education.

Is there not a local FNP program?

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Yes and it is one that I am seriously considering. But it requires you to have a BSN (takes 2 years). I'm an RN with a B.S.- Biology and RN-MSN bridging programs only require 4-5 classes. They are all out-of-state and some are incredibly expensive (Univ. of Phoenix comes to mind at $550/hour).

My local school also requires the GRE (which I do not want to take again). I took it more than 7 years ago and the local school requires GRE taken within the last 5 years. It is just alot of extra busy work, time and $$, especially as studies show that the GRE is not a predictor of success in graduate school!

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Education.

But I'm willing to bet you will get a better education and have a overall better experience going to the local university. I already have a Masters in another field so I know what type of work it takes to defend a thesis or even complete a final project. It is soooo much better to have your advisor in person when you are working on it rather than communicating over the net or on the phone. Yes most of the totally on line programs are very expensive. I'm paying about $225 a credit hour (including all fees) at my local state university. All our faculty are either MDs or FNPs, I really couldn't ask for better.

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