Online college courses

[Vanquisher]

Do any of your have any recommendations for colleges that offer A LOT of classes online?

Specifically, I already have a Bachelor's degree, and I will not be degree-seeking, but I need to tailor a premedical program, as it were, so that if I so desire I can get into PA school. I haven't decided that I for sure want to do this, but I want to definitely look at my course options.

I will need Chemistry, O-Chem, Physics, Genetics, Biochemistry as my main courses. These types of courses are hardly ever, if ever, offered online. I know that I would not be able to take the lab portions of these classes online (though that would be cool).

I would prefer if this was a "real" university that was accredited and not some hokey internet college. I would like, when applying (if it comes to that) for the people who review my application to have heard of the school.

So, does anyone have any recommendations?

[planet]

http://ocw.mit.edu/index.html

Profs are happy to hear from people actually interested in learning!

[Vanquisher]

Thank you. That is very cool. I do need "proof" that I have taken these courses, and so I do need to actually register. I definitely have the materials to self-study these courses, but I need to motivation of being in an online class and the proof that I attended on for application purposes.

But, thank you, this is a great resource!

[Meenah]

Check out .Seton Hall University.
http://WWW.SHU.EDU

Luanne

Re: Online college courses

Do any of your have any recommendations for colleges that offer A LOT of classes online?

Specifically, I already have a Bachelor's degree, and I will not be degree-seeking, but I need to tailor a premedical program, as it were, so that if I so desire I can get into PA school. I haven't decided that I for sure want to do this, but I want to definitely look at my course options.

I will need Chemistry, O-Chem, Physics, Genetics, Biochemistry as my main courses. These types of courses are hardly ever, if ever, offered online. I know that I would not be able to take the lab portions of these classes online (though that would be cool).

I would prefer if this was a "real" university that was accredited and not some hokey internet college. I would like, when applying (if it comes to that) for the people who review my application to have heard of the school.

So, does anyone have any recommendations?

University of Oklahoma allows you to do all of these online. The classes go fast but they do also provide work at your own pace "paper courses". The self paced classes are from home and they allow 9 months to complete them with the ability to purchase a three month extention. I would know that is the only way I am going to be able to continue my education :|

[Cumberland]

Can I put in a plug for a Nurse Practitioner program? If you already have a bachelor's degree, many universities offer an advanced standing degree, where you can complete the requirements to become an RN as well as receive a master's in nursing in as little as 16 months full time. None that I know of require the prereqs of the PA prgrams. Also, the big difference with PAs is tha alot ( but not all) are Bachelor's prepared whereas NPs are all Masters prepared. NPs can work in a variety of jobs including clinical, administration, or academics whereas PAs are usually ( but not always) just clinical which can get old after a while.

I have been an NP for almost 7 years, and in that time I have always been paid at or above what a PA makes. One example is Emory health system- PAs and NPs are hired and promoted at the exact same pay grade. I have also always held identical jobs to a PA- mostly as an ER NP- doing procedures like suturing, lumbar punctures, nail removal, incision and drainages, etc as well as doing history and physicals and prescribing medicines.

My point in butting in, and the bottom line is that the prereqs are less work, the degree is less work and less time, and the end result is essentially the same- same pay, same job. I wont swear this is universally true-some places are more NP friendly, and some are more PA friendly.

[Vanquisher]

Sueanne (sorry if I got your name wrong ),

I was under the impression that an NP would be harder. I thought I would have to get an RN first, possible BSN, which would be two years, and then the NP program, but I was also under the assumption that getting into an NP program requires a few years of full-time ICU work as a nurse. I am pretty sure that is how it works for Nurse Anesthetists.

With PA, I already have my Bachelor's and I could just take some refresher courses and apply. I may need clinical work experience, but it may not be necessary. Please fill me in if I am wrong! The idea of being a CRNA sounds great to me, but also I would love to be a NP in a Peds office. I really don't like the idea of nursing though. The clinicals is what I would be in it for. I'm not interested in management or academics really.

So, fill me in. I am all ears!! I want to do whatever is easiest and gets me where I want to go!

[Cumberland]

I answer to almost all two name sequences-Joanne, Sue Ellen, Mary Ann, etc......

I think it will boil down to what programs are available in the town where you want to go to school as to whether the NP or PA would be better. I know for me, commuting to a school out of town just isnt an option. But still, it is good to know what the options are I guess.

A CRNA is a much different role than a NP or a PA. There are not too many CRNA programs, they are highly competitive and all require critical care nursing experience. But they do make big bucks and are really in need.

At most universities ( including USC : it looks like), it is prereqs plus 2 yrs to get a BSN, then 4-6 semesters to get an MSN as an FNP. But because of the nursing shortage, a lot of schools are offering accelerated bachelor's and master's degrees. There is an accelerated MSN where I work ( commuting distance!) which is 16 months total but it is not the FNP track. You start with a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field and come out 16 months later with an MSN.

Here is a list of schools that have accelerated programs:
http://www.nurseuniverse.com/articles/A ... ursing.htm

And here is an example
http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/son/Accelerated/AMPNN.cfm

[Meenah]

Heidi,
I also answer to any two name combos!!!!! I have been a nurse for 15 years and am finishing up my masters (Nurse Practitioner) at Seton Hall University (semester 4 now, two more to go). SueAnne knows much more than I do, but I can say I love nursing and I cannot wait until I am done and can practice as an NP. I am in the Adult Primay Care Tract.

[Vanquisher]

At the completion of the specialist curriculum, students are awarded the master of science degree and are eligible for nurse practitioner licensing and credentialing.

So, if I did an accelerated MSN, for example, what would I have to do to get licensed and credentialed as an APRN or NP? I think I would like to work in a pediatrician's office, for example. Would it just be a matter of taking licensing exams?

I do not see any accelerated programs within commuting distance.

What to do, what to do? We will be here for three more years. After that, who knows? Next fall (2007) my daughter will probably attend preschool. It will be much more feasible for me to attend courses starting then, and I would like to have a plan. There is a PA program at MUSC, but I don't think that would be doable while DH is still in residency. There is also one at MCG. Both are 1-1.5 hours away. I just have no idea what to do!