What to Expect from an Online MSN Program

One of the most common questions for new MSN students, whether enrolled in online or face to face classes, is how much time will going back to school take out of my current busy life?  The average time online MSN students spend working on school related tasks is 8-10 hours per week per course.  This may be higher for the first few weeks as you adjust to the technology and the rigors associated with graduate school work. With an online program, the time spent will decrease somewhat once acclimated to the technology.  

Most students adjust their schedules to accommodate the hours required to successfully complete an MSN program.  Adjustments can occur in various ways:  decreased work hours, family time, social time, pretty much any personal time in your schedule now becomes school time.  Many students have supportive family and friends to help with household chores to accommodate the hours the student will need for class work. The key is to build a support network to help adjust your schedule to allow for class time/work of about 8-10 hours per week per course.

Graduate nursing programs require copious amounts of reading and writing, especially searching the literature and writing papers in the early courses of a program.  The time each week for school work includes this reading,  and writing for assignments and discussions whether online or on campus..More about how to write effectively in graduate nursing programs later………

Dr. Maggie

Selecting an MSN Program

Selecting an MSN program

One of the first things when considering going back to school for your Masters in nursing degree is to determine what type of MSN program you want to pursue. There are Masters in nursing administration, Masters in nursing education, and Masters in nursing for clinical leader or clinical nurse specialist.  The second thing to consider is whether you want to enroll in an online program or a face-to-face Masters program. The third consideration is the mission and values of the MSN program.

MSN Program Specialties

When selecting the type of specialty MSN program, think about what type of work you enjoy. Do you enjoy patient care and dealing with patients and their families? Do you enjoy teaching novice nurses? Do you enjoy the challenges of nursing leadership?  Next, do some investigation about the job opportunities and educational requirements for those jobs in your area.

The websites below list various nursing positions along with educational requirements. Do a search for the specific type of position you are interested in to help you enroll in the right program for your degree to be qualified for the position(s) which interests you.

http://www.careerbuilder.com/Jobseeker/Jobs/JobResults.aspx?IPath=QH&qb=1&s_rawwords=nursing&s_freeloc=&s_jobtypes=ALL

.http://jobsearch.monster.com/jobs/?q=nursing

You may even want to do some informational interviewing to meet with individuals who have the position you are interested in or hire the position you are interested in to discuss advanced degree recommendations.

Online or Face to Face

Contrary to popular belief, online education does not mean easy education. Online programs can be  more convenient; however,  many nurses need the built in structure of face-to-face classes.  If you are self-motivated, self-directed, and an independent learner, online classes are for you! Some of the benefits of online MSN programs are the convenience and flexibility of going to school. Be careful to confirm that  the online program  is accredited.  Second, if it is flexibility and convenience you desire, then  make sure the online program does not require regular synchronous learning sessions or web meetings that call for students to show up at a certain time on a certain day each week. 

Many well established, traditional campus programs, now offer online programs.  Select a program you can be proud of putting on your resume. Lastly, look for the mission and values of the MSN program, and ask yourself if these values and the mission of the program align with your own values and beliefs.  Chances are faculty in programs with similar values to your own will be a good “fit”.  

Dr. Maggie

Support for Online MSN Students Here

Greetings MSN students, and those who are thinking about returning to school!  I am writing this blog to help those of you who are interested in getting the most out of a Masters of Science in Nursing education.  I am available to answer questions and support advanced degree nursing students in their quest for an MSN degree. 

Feel free to post comments and questions regarding the topics which will be regularly posted on this blog site.  Some of the topics covered will be:

1.           How to select an MSN program

2.           What to expect from an online MSN  program

3.           How to succeed with the volumes of written work required in an MSN program

4.           How to get the most out of online MSN faculty

5.           Dealing with family, school, and work life balance

These topics are just some of the issues dealt with here  in this blog.  Stay tuned.......

Dr. Maggie