Validation needed

I have been considering going back for my BSN/MSN for a while now. I have come close to making a decision and was discussing it with my sis-in-law. She is also an ADN but works for a pharmacy benefits managment company and has been out of the clinical arena for several years.

As I outlined my plan - her immediate response was "make sure it's not a diploma mill like University of Phx. I asked her what she meant as my younger sister's husband completed his MBA and has a great job because of that - well that and his incredible personality and people skills.

I considered this a knee-jerk reaction but the more I think about it the more I wonder. Are there any distance educated RN's out there (ie Excelsior, Regis, Chamberlain etc) that have experienced prejudice because of their non-traditional education?

I'm 45 and have had a nontraditional education from the beginning of my nursing career. I attended vocational school concurrent with high school and received my LPN diploma the night before High School graduation. I worked full time nights as a house float - mostly in ICUs -for 7 years while taking basic college classes toward my ADN.

For the past 27+ years, I've worked in PedsICU, Peds Cardiac Cath lab, Neo ICU, ER, Telephone Triage / Triage Supervisor, Cruise ship nurse, adult Cath Lab and of course as a travel RN for 15 total assignments over different time frames.

It occurs to me that I have never been questioned about my education other than he occaisional ADN v. BSN debate.. Even then it was more of a generic comparison. Clinically, I can and do take pretty much whatever type of patient I'm assigned with confidence - my favorite being Peds Hearts.

With all that said my questions are:

1. Is knowledge or where it came from most important?

2. Anyone experienced issues for having acquired said knowledge in a non-traditional manner?

3. Anyone have any do's, don'ts or other suggestions?

Thanks

MARY:banghead: