I am just trying to map out my future right now and I had a couple questions.
For those of you that have done distance learning for your advanced practice degree, do you feel that you were properly prepared to enter clinical practice once you graduated?
Looking back, would you have preferred the face to face format?
What were some of the challenges that you faced doing distance education and how did you handle them?
TheOldGuy Thank you for the advice. Unfortunately the inpatient position is no longer available but I did accept the position in the outpatient clinic( The only job offer I have to date). But I will be looking to broaden my experiences in order to better prepare me for graduate school.
Also, I apologize for not getting back to you sooner. I have been in NCLEX mode and just took it yesterday.
Just finished up an online MSN-FNP through Duke University. The online didactic portions were nice. I liked listening to lectures in my PJs! Physical assessment skills were taught on campus and each speciality course had at least 1-2 days on campus per semester. I think you HAVE to have that in person component for a clinical degree. We also saw standardized patients and were taped doing so to review with the faculty. I also recommend finding a program that assigns preceptors and clinical sites for you...that part was invaluable to me.
I was a little sad at my lack of connection with the university, so for my elective, I went on a short-term medical outreach with the school...problem solved!
Thank you Curlygirlie. I hear preceptors are hard to obtain on your own. Hopefully I can find a school that provides this.
I am in a hybrid program- and I've found some of the online classes very disappointing. I did an entirely online program for my RN-BSN at Frostburg and I loved it, great experience, and I learned a lot. In my graduate program (which is NOT at frostburg, but another university), some of the online classes are very confusing and communications with the instructors is frustrating, for example I write 3 questions in an email and get a response back to 1 of the 3 questions. Posting a syllabus that is outdated. Professors who don't understand how to use canvas or quizzes that are incorrect. No voice over powerpoints, just book learning.
That being said, I think it depends on the school. If they are diligent about hiring professors that are tech savvy and able to teach effectively through the online format then you may get a great education online. If your school has some professors that are lacking, you will probably struggle and be frustrated and feel you aren't learning as much as you could. For me, I need lectures. It can be voice over powerpoint or video but I want someone to offer anecdotes, highlight key points, etc. Two of my online classes don't offer that. It leaves me wondering why I am paying thousands of dollars per class to basically read a book and make a discussion board post.
It might be worth mentioning that the professors I am unhappy with also teach NP classes at 2 other major universities online.
NurseLyndsay, thank you for your advice. When it comes to didactic learning, I am an independent learner, meaning I like to read and digest the information. That being said, I still would want my program, online or not, to be organized.
I'm sorry that your experience in graduate school is not pleasant. I guess I have a lot of research to do regarding schools.
ItsYourJourney
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TheOldGuy Thank you for the advice. Unfortunately the inpatient position is no longer available but I did accept the position in the outpatient clinic( The only job offer I have to date). But I will be looking to broaden my experiences in order to better prepare me for graduate school.
Also, I apologize for not getting back to you sooner. I have been in NCLEX mode and just took it yesterday.