Becoming an NP Online
Last month during the lull of winter break, I had a sudden
fear that I would not be able to find a job after graduation. I guess it was
because of the lull, no case studies to do, clinical hours completed for the
semester, and final grade deemed passing, that I had the time to contemplate a
life after school. This month, as my classes resume and I look through my
syllabus and assignments, and the clinical hours, I now am struck with the fear
of, what if I can't do this?
After all, the last two semesters were so time consuming and
required such concentration that I felt as if I barely made it through. This semester
is even more difficult -- barely making it through may become not making it
at all. One would think after all these years of nursing education, I would be
accustomed to the marathon speed in which nursing students are required to
attain and maintain knowledge.
I think people underestimate what it takes to become an
advanced practice nurse. I have had people, both in and out of healthcare, ask
where I go to school. When I tell them, and they realize the university is four
hours away, they seem perplexed until I explain I attend class online. Then they
seem to just scoff at me, and not take my education seriously or the time and
dedication that is required to complete it. I want to tell them, "Just because
I don't go and sit in a class, doesn't me what I am doing isn't hard," but I
don't.
Taking classes online takes a great deal of responsibility,
maybe even more so than in traditional learning. It can be tempting at times to
shirk some reading or lectures to do something else unrelated to school, assignments
are given, and one must keep track of due dates, test dates, and clinical
hours. Yes, learning online may be harder in my mind, but I am glad for the
opportunity.
If I could not take classes online, I would not be where I
am in now. My children are too young and I have other responsibilities that
would prevent me from sitting in a class all day. Online learning also gives me
the opportunity to attend a school based on merit, not on location.
So, I guess as much as things change, such as how nursing
education is delivered, they also stay the same, such as the dedication required
to make it through the accelerated nature of nursing learning.