I did it! I made my first application to a Masters

I know this is probably not a big deal to some further up the educational chain, but it's a huge step for me. Thanks to the people on this board (Myoptimism especially), I made application last night to the University of Wyoming to their Masters of Nursing Science degree (Nursing Educator).

It's entirely DL, fully accredited including CCNE, and would be a good foundation for eventually teaching either in nursing schools or in the public health area of government.

I started on this board in November 2003 with no clue about DL. Now I'm on my way to a completion BS by late summer, will take 4 pre-reqs at UW in Fall,2004 and Spring, 2005, and will be (hopefully) starting a 2 year DL master's in Fall, 2005. Seems like a long way away in time, but at least I have forward momentum that I didn't have before.

A great thing about this program, besides the fact it's DL and the staff at the school are WONDERSFUL is that it's around 200/hour, unlike U or P which is 450/hr. My employer will cover the entire cost.

Thank you all. Now I have to take the GRE sometime this summer, score my best in the subject GRE in April, and get those last few tests out of the way, but it's onward and upward. I would not be in this position without all of you. Thank you so much.

 

It's always a "big deal" when someone furthers his or her education! Congratulations and it sounds like you came across a real tuition bargain! Good luck to you and many blessings in your studies!

 

I agree with Jimmy...

it is always, always (I one-upped his always) a big deal when someone works to better themselves through education or anything else. Congratulations!! I am sure the University of Wyoming will work out great for you. It is a flagship state university and with all the accreditations is I am sure a quality program. The cost is icing on the cake!! We seem to get some interest in programs related to nursing on this board so we will refer them to you in the furure. You have become the expert!

 

Good luck and keep us posted on your success!!!

 

Don't worry about the time, it will pass fast any way. If you did not apply, 2 years from now you would still be at the begining of 2006 with your AA and BS, but not part way into the MS program.

I am in the begining of the 5th semester of my program and time has just been flying.

 

Congratulations, and best of luck with your program!

 

you applied to MS without completing your BS ?

 

Of Course...

Millions of high school kids apply to their undergrad schools before they have graduated high school. Thousands of undergrads will apply to graduate programs their last year of undergraduate school. That is the way things work for everyone but us late bloomers who do things later in life.

 

CONGRATULATIONS!

I too have found GREAT inspiration here on this forum! Two weeks ago I found it, I have already submitted my transcrips for evaluation to four different RA institutions to find the best deal I can on finishing my BA after 25 years away from school.

I've been using the interevening time to explore what is available in MA and Phd programs.

PLEASE keep us all informed of your progress!!!

It is hearing of the successes of others that has given me so much inspiration and self-confidence to pursue my dreams. You've gained inspiration here, now spread it around. This forum is a terrific resource!!!!!!!

 

Re: Of Course...

I knew for high school leavers but not for undergrads specially if they are doing DL degree. how do you determine if you are in last year. anyway thanks for the info.

 

It is simple...

will you complete the required prerequisite degree for the program to which you are applying prior to the programs start date? If you are enrolled in in the spring with a projected graduation in May and want to enroll for your graduate program in the fall, you would apply in the spring. In some cases you may even apply the previous fall. However, there are some programs which can make this difficult. For example, some MBA programs require some number of years work experience. Also, you would actually have to graduate unless the program did not actually require a diploma

 

Best wishes. I've never had an employer that paid for schooling, and it tickles me to hear of such cases. More power to you!

 

Sometimes the hardest part is just completing the application. But the best part is when you put the letter in the mail - the time for weighing the options is over.

Best wishes on your new venture. And keep spreading the word on the benefits of DL.

 

Re: I agree with Jimmy...

Dear Seekinghelp-

I have been to Laramie, sat in on UW classes, used the library, and (for historians) used the American Heritage Center there.

It's a small town which seems bigger because its in such a small state: along with Montana, two senators but only one house member (which is apportioned by population.) It has real western ambience (eg "The Virginian" got off the train just West of there, circa 1901.) but the state keeps the school well-funded through taxes on oil and gas extraction.

UW is a medium-sized state school, around 15,000 (+-2 0r 3,000?), with a law school, college of business, engineering - and in medicine, they send in-state students to Creighten Univ in Omaha for MDs. (Veterinary training goes to either CSU or Univ of Nebraska at Lincoln, I think; cattle and horses outnumber people.)

If they do have a nursing school (I'm just unfamiliar about it), I'm sure there's much pride in being the highest level of medical education available in the state. Think of "first responders" in New York City; divide their numbers and spread the remainder out over a state with the highest desert in North America in the center, and you'll get an idea of how important communications and comeraderie are to any professional in health care. And loyal. (And more tolerant than recent year's press might admit: the state AMA president was (is still?) a black rancher-doctor....)

I hope my little picture enlightens you, should you be unable to visit. Check out Frontier Days in nearby Cheyenne in July if you ever go. Otherwise, Laramie is famous for its never ending wind - at 7,000 feet! People are friendly, warm, and helpful. (ya gotta be when there are so few of them.)

--Orson
PS You can actually get some surprisingly good beer, wine, and food in Laramie - but mostly its just plain and simple American. You go girl! (Guy!)

 

Everyone, thanks for the encouragement.

Orson, thank you for taking the time to write about the school. After I looked specifically at the nursing program I looked over the other programs at the school just to get an idea of what they offer and who they are. Their College of Business is AACSB accredited, which from reading here, seems to be one of the things business majors look for. They have a wide array programs in most areas. Their programs seem extremely straight forward, without putting hurdles in front of every student with requirements of multiple classes outside the area of a student's interest/vocation (my complaint about my employer and alma mater, the University of Kentucky).

But what really really raised my interest was their warmth and attention when I placed the first call to them. From my other post when I asked for help from the google gurus here to help me find a program, I called 7 schools on the list friends here found for me. Not one had much interest in talking to me beyond just sending me information yet each one sent me an email to "ENROLL NOW". Some I couldn't get a live person on the phone to speak to.

But from the first phone call, I found all the staff at UW, right down to the Ph.D who runs the nursing program to be helpful and interested in me, as a person, not just a student. I couldn't believe it when the admissions specialist told me to call the chair of the department with my questions, she gave me her direct phone line and I reached her on the first try. The chair then followed up with a personal email to me, encouraging me and giving me tips on my application. I was stunned. Then I recieved a call from the department's student administrator giving me instructions on how to set up my application site, that followed by another email that she will be responsible for helping me complete my application package and will track everything for me. At UK you can't get a person within administration to speak to you, you only get clerks who transfer you to other clerks, who then don't know the answer to your question. Help you with your application? UK doesn't help you with anything.

I have to believe that this attitude will carry through to my instructors. I will need help, I'm not ignorant of the fact that testing out of my BS is not a good basis for being prepared to write extensively in this master's program. I am smart enough to do it as long as there are resource people there to answer my questions. In just a few conversations with this staff I believe I have found a perfect match in terms of quality, subject matter, scope, and mission. One of the topics for UW student's looking for a thesis topic is "Nursing Education by Distance Learning". Heck, that may end up being my thesis. You all may very well participate in my program's end project.

Again, thank you all, thank you Orson, thank you Myoptimism, for your help and direction. I am so exciting by all this, I owe you all much gratitude and appreciation.

 

Congrats!!

 

Congratulations, it is a big deal !!!

 

This Is A Big Deal

I totally understand your feelings. The decision process to start back to school is hard enough, and to plan your masters also is definitely noteworthy. I've just began my masters this month and the old excitement of academia is filling the mind and soul.


Good Luck!!