Too many online NP programs

Nursing Students NP Students

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I will be applying Fall 2015 to an FNP program but am noticing just how many schools have gone to online/distance education only. WHY? I want to sit in a classroom, get to know my professors, and go to clinicals in the area of the school, ESPECIALLY if the school is affiliated with a large university hospital system. Is this too much to ask? I think the nursing profession is selling itself short by creating so many online NP programs. How are people going to take us seriously if this becomes the normal way to pursue our education?

Please, this is not a personal attack on nurses attending online NP programs. There are reasons people do online (personal/family responsibilities in home state, can't leave job, etc) but for people that CAN and are WILLING to move to attend an FNP program full time (and I do think this should be the normal and preferred way)...why aren't these available anymore?

I would love to discuss this trend and read the opinions of traditionally educated vs. online-educated NPs.

Eh oh well. Many of the online only peeps will be like ZOMG I CANT FIND JOB PLZ HELP ME IM PRO AT WRITING PAPERS HIRE ME PLZ two years down the line. Bummer.

Don't think that it is helpful to look down on anyone who is in an NP program. For profit, B & M, non-profit, etc. We all have opinions on what is best (of course, it is usually what WE did that fits the standard). You may think you have it all figured out and will be the smartest provider upon graduation because you physically sat in a classroom to listen to people read PP (which is usually what happens), but your attitude makes me wonder what type of provider you will be (rather have a compassionate, non-judgmental provider who is competent than a egotistical one who is a genius). And NONE of us are 'online only'. To be certified, you have to have the required amount of in person clinical hours. Making fun of people is pretty immature...but if it makes you feel better to look down on future colleagues, maybe there is something within you that is lacking confidence or pride in the program that you are aspiring to attend to. You are not currently in any NP program, correct? So you are hardly an expert on analyzing the merit of the pedagogical delivery systems of NP programs. Hopefully you will learn in grad school (and in life) that ad hominem attacks are not scientifically based and really do not contribute anything to a conversation. Maybe you should chill, nurse;)

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Specializes in OB.

I'm at chamberlain online and my courses are in line with my friends who attend class. I assure you it's not easy, having the knowledge to pass boards and practice safely is everyone's end goal.

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Specializes in Internal medicine/critical care/FP.

I've already finished school and many of these people are doing exactly what I said they will do. Whine about not having a job. I don't consider my program the best. If I could go back I would have done a state university and not a private non profit as I did to save money. All I know I'd that many online for profits don't help much with job placement. You'll see lol.

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I've already finished school and many of these people are doing exactly what I said they will do. Whine about not having a job. I don't consider my program the best. If I could go back I would have done a state university and not a private non profit as I did to save money. All I know I'd that many online for profits don't help much with job placement. You'll see lol.

I'm not attending an online for profit, but I don't look down on those who do. I do not thing they are good for the profession for a slew of reasons, but that is an entirely different can of worms. I know a lot of FNP students that went to well respected B & M schools that can't find a job...as well as recently graduated lawyers that are working as glorified legal secretaries. Do not ever be so sure that your lifestyle is guaranteed...never know when life is going to throw you a curveball and you'll be the one on the outside looking in....life is funny that way. Just might want to think how your words may hurt or discourage people that are just trying to advance their careers and better their lives...

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Specializes in Internal medicine/critical care/FP.

Me either. But I do think peeps need to understand the risk of going to one

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Specializes in Emergency.
Me either. But I do think peeps need to understand the risk of going to one

So do you have any statistical evidence to back up your claim, or is it like the many others that you have just made up in the past?

There is nothing wrong with trying to be informative, but if you wish to do so, you should at least provide factual, evidence based information instead of making snide, condescending, derogatory remarks that demean many others who are on this board.

I cannot find any evidence that determines the quality of NP education is tied to the mode of delivery (online, B&M, hybrid) nor can I find any evidence that the school provided preceptor model produces better NPs than if the student helps to pick the preceptors. If there is evidence to either, please feel free to share it.

Sans evidence to the contrary, the only evidence we have to determine if the program is "quality" is silly rankings from magazines and similar (which are of minimal to no value), pass rates on entrance exams (which are probably the most quantitative but set a very low bar).

I know my school's graduates seem to be having no problem finding many offers (usually prior to graduation), and having the schools name on your CV is considered a positive. My school is a totally online school with many gainfully employed graduates in both midwifery and nurse practitioners. I'm very comfortable with my choice of school, and glad I'll be able to put their name on my CV when the time comes. Oh, and yes, I have been approached about several possible offers when I graduate.

Every job market is unique, so there may be regions where finding a job is difficult. It is typically always difficult for new grads to find jobs in most careers, so finding your first job is likely going to be difficult in some/many/most regions unless the job market is extremely skewed in the applicants favor. I have found in both my past career and in discussions with many providers that the most important aspect of finding a job is having a good network to draw upon. I've yet to see or hear of someone posting a job offer, "new grads welcome except from school xxxx, or except from online schools, or except from that school the loud mouth on all nurses thinks is bad". But I have received correspondence from just about every region of the country trying to get me to be interested in their jobs. So, I'm hopeful there will be jobs available when I graduate.

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Specializes in Psych/med-surge.

I have noticed that the people on here that dog other NP programs are not NPs. The few NPs that do have nasty remarks about other NP programs are generally very insecure. Making fun of a colleague is tacky, period. There is a special place somewhere for people that keep others from putting food in their mouth. Karma is very real. What you say about someone else today is likely what you will be living in the future. Just a thought.

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I am starting an online NP program in the fall and am very excited about it. I am thankful with my busy schedule and family I can attend such a program. I am not one that mingle in negativity but I feel that online programs were intended for the people that needs such a forum. If its not for you, that's fine. We are all intelligent individuals or at least I want to believe so. If its not for you move on and leave it alone.

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.
If its not for you move on and leave it alone.

Remember you are speaking from a position of a perspective student looking for a convenient NP program that doesn't interfere in your life.

Others come from a perspective that puts APN as a whole as more important than the convenience of an individual, and don't want to just move on and leave it alone because they feel it's important for the future of APN.

Personally I think there are good and bad online programs, I don't think that they are best for APN, save for very rural students that don't have local access to NP programs, not just for convenience.

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Everyone has a choice. We choose what's is best for us. That is just the below line. If online NP program works for you that is fine. If it doesn't that is fine also. All am saying is choose what is the best for you and if something doesn't work for you, don't criticize it. It may be what is best for some one else. Convenient or not in the end people make choices that is best for them.

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The future of education is going to involve more online programs. Just wait and see. Convenient or not that is where its heading.

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Specializes in Psych/med-surge.

I don’t think it will be long before most programs go to online with the exception of a few campus visits. Some backward professors are stalling this transition (at least in my program).The programs some of you graduated from that are hybrid will be online before long as well. The professors holding back may be looking for another job. Definitely looking into distance learning for my FNP.

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