Catherine Garner, Dr. P.H., R.N., F.A.A.N., Dean of Health Professions at American Sentinel, is one of nursing’s greatest innovators. She helped to found the specialty of Infertility Nursing, becoming the first international in vitro fertilization nurse coordinator. She created the United State’s first not-for-profit Women’s Research Center for one of the nation’s largest heath care systems, Hospital Corporation of America. She wrote the first textbook on menopause and founded the nation’s first Menopause/ Women’s Health Center at Northwestern Medical Center. She established the first OB/GYN Nurse Practitioner Education Program and the first private hospital in Honduras. Her program has since been replicated throughout Central America.
With Dr. Catherine Garner’s diverse and extensive nursing background, we couldn’t find anyone better to discuss the opportunities available for nurses who are interested in leaving the bedside. The chat room of NurseTogether.com aptly called the “Virtual Nurses Lounge” was packed with NurseTogether members interested in being a part of the discussion. The following is a transcript of the live Q & A session between members and Dr. Garner.
NT Member: As Dean at ASU, can you describe your typical nursing student? I am a 40 year old with children and work full time. I would like to earn my MSN, but am wondering how I can fit school into my schedule?
Catherine Garner, Dr. PH., R.N., F.A.A.N.: If you have been working and raising kids, you know how to multi-task already. You might want to consider the online option, which allows you to fit in your school life between home and work. You can be in the “classroom” in your PJs!
NT Member: Is a degree from an online program accepted everywhere for job placement?
CG: Online schools are so pervasive that no one questions them anymore.
NT Member: I am interested in an online program, but how do I figure out which college is right for me?
CG: First, check to see if the school is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission (NLNAC) first. This means that they are recognized by the specialty nursing accreditation. Second, look at the credentials of the faculty. Third, look at the curriculum - do you like the courses? Do they fit with your career plan? Does the schedule work for you?
NT Member: Why are some online RN-BSN classes only 5 weeks? ASU is 8 weeks. Lately, I've seen 5 week classes in other colleges.
CG: Each school decides how to structure the courses. Each 3 credit hour course requires 45 contact hours in class and then an additional 30 hours of extra work for accreditation. So, take 75 hours and divide by the number of weeks and you can see how many hours you will be spending on schoolwork. American Sentinel uses eight, because we feel that this is a better balance for someone working with a family.
NT Member: For those of us who have been out of school for a long time, how hard is it to get back into the school atmosphere?
CG: It depends on whether you choose online or on-ground. Both have different environments. Look for schools with student academic advisors to assist you in the first couple of courses as you get started.
NT Staff: How do online classes work? Do you have access to your professor?
CG: Most online classes are a threaded discussion that is asynchronous. You are not all on at the same time because the class members are spread out around the country and the world (which makes for a wonderful learning environment). There may be chat rooms for discussions and separate chat areas for group projects. Many programs have videos, powerpoints, and other learning supports. The professors are available to you in the online environment and many do give you the option for speaking via telephone.
NT Member: I am currently in the RN-BSN program @ ASU. I would like to travel when I graduate but do not wish to work at the bedside. What can I do?
CG: Travel nursing has opportunities besides bedside nursing such as staffing ambulatory care clinics, disease management program education and cardiac cath lab, just to name a few. Check with some of the large travel nurse companies (www.crosscountrytravcorps.com) and talk with a recruiter about opportunities. Many times these folks will cover the cost of travel, provide housing allowance and benefits, if those are important to you.
You may also wish to speak with some of the larger telephonic case management companies, where you can work from wherever your computer is (in your RV). Check with the Case Management Society of America (www.cmsa.org) for opportunities.
NT Member: Why do tuition rates for online colleges vary so much? Is a more expensive school better? It seems like tuitions are all over the map - which ones are actually worth the money?
CG: It is up to each school to set their tuition rates. Community colleges and state-supported schools tend to be less expensive, as these schools get financial support through tax dollars raised in the community or the state. Private school rates tend to be a bit higher, but can be all over the spectrum.
In terms of finding one worth the money, do your homework. If a program is accredited, you can be sure the curriculum maps to the standards set by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, so the core curriculum will be much the same, but you should choose the specialty and the courses of interest to you. It is ultimately your decision to find the right program at the right price.
NT Member: Is it better for me to try to get financial assistance from my hospital or through a school such as ASU?
CG: Financial aid that you get through the school is often a loan that you will have to pay back, so consider the terms. If you hospital provides tuition reimbursement, generally they want you to commit some time. If you like where you work and see the opportunity to grow there, take their tuition reimbursement. As to expense, different schools have different tuitions on ground and online. Most of the online schools are not subsidized by tax dollars like local schools. Make sure the online school is accredited, as most facilities will not reimburse if it is not accredited by the CCNE or the NLNAC.
NT Member: What is the oldest (but young at heart) student you have ever met?
CG: I am often asked, “When am I too old to go back to school?” An advance degree opens up all kinds of options - teaching, consulting, starting your own business, and work opportunities you can do part time. We have a 62 year old in our MSN program.
The hottest topic right now with CNO’s is how to keep the aging nurses in the work force. So you will be employable and enjoyable in later years!
Click here to learn more about Dr. Catherine Garner.
Click here for "Career Advancement: Leaving Bedside Nursing - Part 2".
NurseTogether Note: The questions and answers above were organized for the ease and convenience of our members and readers. Dr. Catherine Garner answered these questions from NurseTogether members during a recent live instant chat session on online on www.nursetogether.com.
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