Walden University Students and Alumni

mtdnk · Aug 2, 2011

Hi, I graduated April 2007, MSN-Nursing Education track. I developed a conference (in-service) program. I ultimately got it approved for 6.6 CEU's by the New York State Nurses Association. I did not have to actually give it, but, after I graduated I sure did!! Make sure you have everything for your portfolio. Begin now ensuring you have all of your assignments and papers so you don't have to rush at the end.

Dude,RN · Aug 2, 2011

Make sure you have everything for your portfolio. Begin now ensuring you have all of your assignments and papers so you don't have to rush at the end.

Thanks for the reply! I have all the portfolio assignments, the plan of study, and the goal statements all saved. I have 4 weeks in this class and then one more class- after that I have the case study and the practicum. I was thinking of something along the lines of a disaster plan for my facility or an educational course the student there can take about self-care and things like that. (I work inpatient residential psych treatment for adolescents)

I am in the leadership/management tract and so I am just trying to plan early and see what I can come up with. 'Grats on your graduation! Whats life like post MSN?

mtdnk · Aug 3, 2011

Good luck. Having my Master's has opened many doors for me. I have kept my full time position as a psych nurse (I will be able to retire in 6 years with 30 years completed!). I find that I have to turn down teaching positions. I currently have 3 schools I do clinicals for (the MSN has allowed for BSN positions), 1 online tutoring, and this semester coming up will be my first lecture course (actually I have 2-both the same course). I would say the BEST return for my 41 credits at Walden! The other important issue is that the courses I took really did prepare me to be able to competently teach, they were not BS courses at all. I would recommend the program at Walden to anyone :)

suni, BSN, RN · Aug 14, 2011

One question, for my portfolio for Walden, I only need the POS and the portfolio assignments, correct? I do not need all the applications I have done. I am only about half way thru and am trying to organize everything.

Dude,RN · Aug 14, 2011

Suni,

so far- from what I have read and I have been doing, I need to have my POS (hahah that they call it that), and my portfolio assignments. Checking the website also states these things as needed for the final portfolio:

*A current resume: the first part of your portfolio will be an updated resume or a curriculum vitae (CV)

*Professional Development Plan (PDP) - written during NURS 6000

*Plan of Study (POS) - developed during NURS 6000

*Portfolio Assignments from each of the courses. S

*Continuing Education - you may include any continuing education activities you participated in during your MSN program

*End of Program Outcome Evidence Chart is part of the Portfolio. This chart lists activities and/or experiences that prepared you to meet the MSN individual student learning outcomes.

*Final Reflection - a short paper describing how portfolio assignments enabled you to meet the individual student learning outcomes and a selection of activities that demonstrate how you achieved service, scholarship, and social change.

Hope this helps. For the record, I have never seen the End of Program Outcomes Evidence Chart- so I am assuming that one is to come. I have 16 weeks left before my practicum...so I can almost taste the end!!

thecool1Nscrubs2no · Aug 15, 2011

I'm planning to attend Walden. I attended a live seminar in my area...I have been comparing different universities for the last three months. I just have a statistics and one humanities course before I can enroll into the MSN(Nursing Informatics)....do you have any suggestions and pointers you can update me with as far as statistics...any recommendations( I've line up a friend that is excellent in any type of math). Its been some time since I have take a math course, and in many cases course work expires. But then I hear...it's really not so much math. But those are the two I need...which I'm happy about that. I'm told it will take me two yrs and half to complete if I keep on target. Please hit me back to let me know...how you felt about attending, and how was support staff? And any other things you can think of. I will be paying for most of it up front, and will take a small loan the second yr...thats my plan. Been working alot to help to make that happen.Sorry I didn't answer any of your questions.

Dude,RN · Aug 15, 2011

I'm planning to attend Walden. I attended a live seminar in my area...I have been comparing different universities for the last three months. I just have a statistics and one humanities course before I can enroll into the MSN(Nursing Informatics)....do you have any suggestions and pointers you can update me with as far as statistics...any recommendations( I've line up a friend that is excellent in any type of math). Its been some time since I have take a math course, and in many cases course work expires. But then I hear...it's really not so much math. But those are the two I need...which I'm happy about that. I'm told it will take me two yrs and half to complete if I keep on target. Please hit me back to let me know...how you felt about attending, and how was support staff? And any other things you can think of. I will be paying for most of it up front, and will take a small loan the second yr...thats my plan. Been working alot to help to make that happen.Sorry I didn't answer any of your questions.

Hey Cool1-

I have been with Walden since March 2009, and I had to do some prereq's as well. I did take a statistics course, and like you, lined up a friend who was excellent in math- so that helped. I snagged a "statistics for dummies" book too. What I found helpful was that the instructor at the time told us to use "all resources available to us" for our tests and course work- so I often consulted my friend the accountant, my wife, and several books and websites for help on figuring stuff out. So- you can do it- its not as scary as it sounds- use your resources and just know it's a 6 week class...goes by super fast!

I love Walden. I can honestly say that while it is expensive (compared to schools in my area), it is worth it. The courses are challenging, immediately relevant to my work experience, and have taught me to look at nursing and the profession in different ways. I have found the support staff to be very helpful- everyone from my enrollment adviser to financial aid has been wonderful. I get my questions answered quickly and the people are very easy to contact. I use chat support as well, and frequently email my enrollment adviser for updates and to keep in touch.

I know Walden might not be for everyone, but I can honestly say that I have love it and am so excited to be almost done (16 weeks for course work and then a 16 week practicum to go!). Good for you- hit me up anytime and I'll do my best to answer your questions and help you out with what I can. You can do it! Big congrats for deciding to go back to school- thats the hard part you know :)

thecool1Nscrubs2no · Aug 15, 2011

Dude,RN:

Thank you so much(i'm going to order that book). Yes you are right about the cost. I found that many programs started out appearing cheap(both local and online) only to almost double the second yr, which brought the cost right near what Walden cost...and in many cases over. I wish you nothing but continued success.

viranimehboob · Sep 8, 2011

Hi I am planning to apply for MSN education program. I see a lot of negative remarks Abt University and faculty. Can somebody tell me how is the program, anybody who is currently attending program. Please. is it hard to find resources

Also tell me how are the assignments, paper and quiz.

Please help me before I get in.

Thanks

suni, BSN, RN · Sep 9, 2011

I am currently a Walden Student and am a little nervous about having all my portfolio assignments. I have taken 18 credits and I have my POS and I think 4 portfolio assignments which I uploaded to a folder on my Walden dashboard. So I think I am OK because I think my first class did not have a portfolio assignment. Any thoughts on this or how the rest of you are keeping your portfolio assignments safe. I have them saved in my laptop in a folder and then as I said on the Walden Dashboard as well.

Kei35 · Sep 30, 2011

Hi all,

I just applied to Walden's MHA program and am waiting to here back whether I am accepted into the program or not. I appreciate all the comments everyone has posted. My friend actually is almost finished with her courses at Walden for her MSN in Nursing Informatics. She has enjoyed the program and school so far but always tells me to be prepared for tons of reading and writing (which is fine :)).

I have a BSN and have been working in public health for almost 3 years in NYC. Looking forward to using my MHA at our company in the future. :)

Any suggestions for prepping? I would start Oct 31 if I get accepted. I currently own a MacBook Pro that I was planning to use for the course. Any other supplies I need or study tools you all recommend? (I'm just kind of giddy to do some back to school shopping)

Take care and have a great weekend!

K