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Discussion

RN to MSN

I am looking for a totally online RN to MSN program with a specialty in Nursing Informatics. I have narrowed it down to Excelsior versus Chamberlain, and have read a lot of reviews good and bad for both schools. I am hoping that some of you could help with my final decision. Does anyone have recommendations either way? I am not looking for easy, I am a hard worker and went to nursing school while raising 7 children. I work 40+ hours a week, and do a lot of volunteer work. I just need a program that will be flexible. How is the course load and can anyone give me an example of assignments?

A lot of online colleges are out because I live in NC.

Thanks in advance.

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    • Featured Replies

    Have you looked at Duke. I am in the MSN-Informatics. It is online. I live in NC too. Tuition is not that bad-a lot of the expense of this school is on campus housing. I have a BSN but they do take RN-MSN students as well

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    • Author

    Thanks. I didn't know about them. Was it hard to get into the program?

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    Excelsior and Chamberlain are both investor-owned for-profit schools, am I correct?

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    Excelsior is NFP.

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    Thanks. I didn't know about them. Was it hard to get into the program?

    I don't know how to answer that. So far the cohorts are part time and have 10 students. Not sure if that will grow soon or not. I asked and was told about 30 applied, so the odds were better than if I had applied to an NP or even an education program. It is a growing field, so I think interest helps. First off, I work there and have had informal experience with informatics within the system. I am also involved in diabetes education (even thought I work as an ortho nurse) and data collection and optimizing the charting. I have a goal-that helped.

    I also already have a Masters, so no GRE for me, which streamlined the process as well. They have a great program and a lot of opportunities for work AND networking. I am just starting, and so far it is much easier than my online BSN which was very fast-paced.

    Like a PP said those other schools worry me slightly. I have had friends with GREAT experiences, and some not-so-much. I woudl investigate and make a pro/con list.

    Good luck!!! I am excited that more people are interested in this field. I am a very excited about it :)

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    • Author

    Excelsior is non-profit but I think Chamberlain is for-profit.

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    Excelsior is non-profit but I think Chamberlain is for-profit.

    You are correct.

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    • Experts
    Have you looked at Duke. I am in the MSN-Informatics. It is online. I live in NC too. Tuition is not that bad-a lot of the expense of this school is on campus housing. I have a BSN but they do take RN-MSN students as well
    Duke's tuition is $1,568 per graduate credit hour...yikes!
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    • Moderator

    I did Excelsior's Informatics MSN. (And yes, Excelsior is a not-for-profit school.) There are lot of papers and forum discussions, similar to any online program, but I found the workload very doable. I completed the majority of the degree, minus the capstone, while serving in the Army - that was typically 60+ hour workweeks, plus one nine-month deployment to Afghanistan, and I was able to keep up with things just fine. I doubled up on coursework once, but for the most part I took my time. I enjoyed the process and felt that the education was high quality. I am now being considered for an informatics job, too. :) Just keep in mind that you will have to find a location and mentor/preceptor (MSN-prepared in Informatics) for your capstone course/project. The school is great about helping you with this if you hit a wall. Good luck on your continued education! :)

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    • Author

    Pixie RN, I tried to PM you but I guess I am not set up for that. I would really like to ask you a few questions.

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    I am close to finishing Excelsior's RN-MSN Informatics program and have really enjoyed the experience. Courses (not credits) run about $1800.

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    • Moderator
    Pixie RN, I tried to PM you but I guess I am not set up for that. I would really like to ask you a few questions.

    I will send you a message with my allnurses email. :)

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