| Author | Message | ||
     Naughtynurse |
Well I am doing it!!I am going back to college!!! Going to finish my BSN degree and bridge to my MASTERS in NURSING. This will take a few years. As many know, there is a SHORTAGE of Nurses and I in the future want to leave the bedside and TEACH!! All enrolled for this fall. Decided to start this route since I work Full-time nights presently. Just taking a couple of courses on-line and wanted to know if any of you badwebbers have taken any online courses and what advice you can give me. My clinical will be I believe in the spring. Thanks guys and gals! Look forward to hearing your ideas and comments. The positive points I have come up with... 1. I know how to use the computer and programs for school. 2. I can attend school in my PJ's LOL  3. Work at my own pace!! Go ride and then come back to the puter... HEHE (Message edited by Naughtynurse on August 19, 2006) | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
Having just had 2 stints in hospital, I'm full of admiration for nurses, & wish you all the best. | ||
| Oldog |
Be certain that all "on line" credits are accepteted by the various institutions. and check the credentials of the school in question to be sure that they are fully accredited Too. Best of luck NN | ||
| Brineusaf |
Indeed, make sure the credits are transferable. I take classes through Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and I must say they are WAY better than having to sit in a class, but on the downside the duration is usually longer than "in-class" classes. It ables you to start/stop when you want. Enables you to juggle life better (kids/school/transportation/work/ect) You can do work ahead incase you are going to on vacation (with Instructor approval) Access classroom anywhere Meet new people, learn about others Classmates can help each other with assignments I have had the luck of having very very nice instructors who will take calls at home in their "time off" to help with a problem. Classmates have offered the same. Online Classes are alot like the "good threads" on here, everyone will post their input to help you along, and make possible suggestions/corrections. I was hesitant at first, but I feel enrolling in online courses was one of the best decision I have made. (they are free for me with 100% TA..., and I have taken multiple classes) | ||
| Pwnzor |
My better half is currently pursuing her Masters' on line, at Walden University. She's also working her way up the clinical ladder, currently rated Clin 3. Also, she has Orthopaedic, Med/Surg, and Oncological Certifications. On the subject of working at your own pace, don't forget you have time limits and when you sign in to take a test, you're generally given a 2 hour timer to complete it. I was very impressed when I saw the amount of work she puts into it. It requires just as much time as going to school, but with no driving to and from. She is finding the experience to be very rewarding, and class interaction is really quite good. There is definitely a BEDSIDE nursing shortage. Yesterday, as my Maggie was arriving at the hospital, 23 RN's received pink slips. Budgetary concerns at the hospital cut a wide swath through administration. They were all given the opportunity to apply for bedside positions just like any other nurse that walked in off the street. My advice to new nurses is this: remain at the bedside, even if they offer you a few more bucks to move down the hall into an office. Bedside equals job security. An office puts you right on the chopping block. Being charge nurse is one thing, but when they want to "fill a gap" in administration with a nurse, it's invariably that "gap" that gets paved over with a new parking lot. Incidentally they are building a new parking structure to accomodate the new WING of the hospital being built. Many of the laid-off nurses had no idea it was coming because the new building meant more patients, more money.... right? There are plenty of ways to make more money at the bedside, one is to do what you're doing and get mastered. Maggie's hospital offers all kinds of bonuses and incentives for RN's to get their BSN. Good luck and Godspeed to you in your quest. | ||
| Spiderman |
Congrats!! At the school I am at now I have one on-line class a quarter. First off, Online classes can be fun if you know the material. If not it can be hard! Right now I have physics, which I am pretty good at, but the book we have sucks and the teacher we have sucks even harder. IMHO is that some classes are OK on-line others need to be a real class. Like Pwnozor said you do have a due date so it may not be really at your own pace. Good luck being back in school rocks! | ||
| Court |
Congratulations. Regardless of what pundits may say. . . more education is always better. By the way, I'll stand by that. Great job and we'll all be rootin' for you. Court | ||
| Blake |
Cool. Will you be trying out for the cheering squad? | ||
| Tramp |
for any medical continuing ed., online ed. is great when there's a practical at the end of the tunnel. being you're already an RN (umm..i think?), the masters work is largely academic, and therefore an online curriculum should be fine... um.....what's the difference between having your master's in nursing and being a nurse practitioner? I believ the courseload is the same, yet an NP has essentially the dame duites and powers that a PA has, which is just shy of being an MD. why not have NP as your ultimate goal? | ||
| Slaughter |
Brineusaf, If/when you get out, if you have an Embry-Riddle degree, get me your resume! We pick up LOTS of ERAU folks at Lockheed! A lot depends on the educational institution and its reputation AND (like everybody mentioned) - whether the credits tranfer (if you're not going through to a certification without intending to transfer) | ||
| Brineusaf |
Slaughter, Awesome, I've been considering getting out, but have been hesitant since I am unsure of jobs available and locations. I'll be sure to make a note for myself for when the time comes. I'm rather anxious to explore this option. Could you PM me with some info? I would appreciate it, thanks. When I mentioned work at your own pace, I meant work when you are interested and stop when you lose interest to take a break; of course you have time constraints. And another note: I've discussed this with ERAU head tech guys, when you take a test, make sure you are doing it on a FAST CONNECTION, as you are timed, and the time keeps going while the page loads. I almost went over once because the computer at work was taking forever loading, and a few times wouldn't completely load the page, and the time counter kept going. | ||
| Skyguy |
Congrats! Big decision but it is a lucrative growth market and should be very profitable. If you wanted to play doctor I could help!  | ||
| Bads1 |
And Skyguy I can give ya the fat lip she can help ya with.lol | ||
| Lost_in_ohio |
Manage your time....don't get behind. I did that once and completed a technical writing course in a weekend. Make sure you set goals because there really isnt a time table on the sylabus. | ||
| Ulywife |
My husband takes on-line courses working towards his degree. One very important thing is not only managing your time, but being disciplined to pace yourself and as LIO said, don't get behind. Stay with it as it will certainly benefit you and the patients that are in your future. My sister has been ill her entire life, but had several critically acute episodes in the last 10 years. My Mom and I always appreciate good nurses who not only know their job, but truly have a passion for their work. It's not for everyone, so I'd like to thank people like you who are nurses. Best of luck to you. | ||
| Newfie_buell |
Go for it!!!! And Grumpy - you have an appreciation for any gal in a uniform!!!!! | ||
| Naughtynurse |
Thanks to all for your kind words and encouragement. I am up for the challenge..time to advance in my career!!I think this will get me back into the GROOVE of things. I did check into this college to be sure it is accredited..University of Phoenix. I also have my application pending at UW-Milwaukee for the spring...closer to home I can take "Real" classes there or Online as well for the MSN degree. I know there are deadlines..everyone has warned me about that...so I feel confident about being organized!!  I chose to teach instead of being a NP for the simple reason of what I have been doing at work already. I work in an ICU/CCU..I am one of the Senior Nurses(no not that old HEHE)..so I precept/instruct the "New Grads" or "New employees" that have nursing experience and orient them to the job and the Unit. I do love doing this!! I know our future is running into "trouble" with the nursing shortage..alot of nurses will be retiring and some of those nurses are instructors. The government recognizes this and are willing to re-emburse tuition. I have been a nurse for 11 years now..and its time for the next step. Someone has to share their knowledge to the future nurses!! Besides doing this..I have also been educating myself and preparing for my Certification in Critical Care. I do not plan on leaving the "Bedside" totally..like to keep my skills up. Nursing is an ongoing learning experience. I just know later in the future I will get "Burn-Out" doing the same thing...I love my job and like to make the most of it!! I am ready for the challenge...anything else I should know?? I kind of figured that some of you gents have wives or that some of you are knowledgeable about ONLINE Classes etc.(the internet evolves around everything now days) or have been in the same situation. And this board has A LOT of great people who are very knowledgeable not only about BUELLS but about stuff like this. Blake, thanks but I will have to cheer at home for now...  Dana will be my audience!! Spidey, did not know you were doing this I would have called ya | ||
| Spiderman |
you got the number babe, call anytime. Just remember you are a hour earlier than me  Like I said some classes are cool. Last quarter I had Comp2, I tested out of Comp1. Comp2 was EASY, I passed the class with a 99% and didn't even try that hard. Now the Physics is kickin my asssss! But the internet and clifs notes books are a godsend! Of course I work better a few hours before deadline | ||
| Naughtynurse |
Thanks Spidey! The classes so far are nursing related classes to bridge for now. Most of my old PreMed classes (back in the day )when I was thinking of Pharmacy school will transfer to some of the other areas needed. I guess I have to take a "Critical Thinking" course....interesting. Physics..eewwhhh that class sucked!!!  I don't know if that class was worse or better than all the Calculus I took in college!!! | ||
| Naughtynurse |
Hey Newfie are you planning on coming to the states any time soon??? | ||
| Tramp |
f'in spidey!  -impressed in the oc | ||
| Cochise |
I have no answers (it looks like it has been covered anyway), just a good luck. My step-son graduated last year from Surgical Tech School, tomorrow he starts on Nursing School, to raise money to go to Medical School to become an Anesthesiologist. The Sky's the limit, M'lady. Ok, he didn't reach for the sky, but he should at least be farely well taken care of in the monetary department. | ||
| Vegasbueller |
Since my accident I tarted working on my EE degree from home. There are lost of great distance learning opportunities out there and many from accredited schools. To echo everyone else, it takes dedication and discipline to do it from home. Good luck! Nick | ||
| Rocketsprink |
Andrea, you don't need any input from this peanut gallery!  Do what YOU think is best. Good luck. You'll do fine. Remember, if you have a class that requires completely useless knowledge, I'll tutor you! | ||
| Tramp |
????? input's always good. plus, if she pursues her NP (same level degree, i believe) she can prescribe meds..... i dropped outta premed cause o' the workload, and 'cause i got a better offer to study language.... i give huge-ass props to anyone who sticks with any nursing/med/surg. tech, etc. school. premed was a chore for me, esp. when the swells were up and booming off campus.... | ||
| Spiderman |
SO can I get a prescription for vicoden or what | ||
| Naughtynurse |
Classes start for me on Sept 5th!!!! So excited  Spidey I keep telling ya No....LOL Rocco, I will always be blown away with How MUCH you DO know!!! | ||
| Naughtynurse |
Got my first A on my first assignment I love going to college this way!!! Spidey how are classes for you??? |
