Student Testimonial
Why did you decide to pursue your master's degree?
Obtaining my Master's degree in Nursing had been a lifelong dream and pursuit. Unfortunately, I found with working full-time and family obligations many traditional graduate programs were either exclusively during the day or there were few evening classes offered. I started twice in two different programs but with feeling exhausted after working full time it was just too difficult to either work on all the "busy work" assignments or scheduling changes at work made mandatory attendance too difficult. I selected the Master's degree program at Samuel Merritt College (SMC) as the program offered an organized curriculum with a definitive timeline at an affordable price, without the commuting constraints and rigid class time schedules of a traditional graduate program.
Why did you select Samuel Merritt College to pursue your degree?
The SMC nursing program is extremely appealing as it has an established history as a higher education provider. The cost is reasonable, and the flexibility of attending an accredited online program, taught by faculty who are established as researchers, and many of whom are health care providers, was an important factor. For me, this was an extremely important issue and the faculty at SMC are abreast not only of current administrative nursing issues but of real life working situations.
How much time do you spend each week on coursework?
Each online course is designed, basically, in the same format as you would find in a brick and mortar institution. Due to the fact that an on line program does not have the commuting issue factored into it, more time can actually be spent on learning. Therefore, this gave me the opportunity to devote as many hours as I wanted or needed on my graduate courses. With 24-hour access and availability to the online program, one can spend as much or as little time as is minimally needed to complete assignments. I found that many times even when I didn't need to "study," it was actually a pleasure to go online, post and/or exchange information, research, exploring the full range of sites suggested for review by colleagues and professors.
What have been the advantages and challenges you have experienced in this program?
There are a multitude of advantages attending the SMC online distance education program. To name a few, sharing of ideas from nurses all over the country, who come from various nursing backgrounds. The competitive nature of not sharing information is totally eliminated. Instead, I found myself with a renewed commitment to nursing that initially brought me to this profession. The biggest challenge that I found was once I was placed in a total online community my mind set and definitely my computer skills became fine tuned. The availability, accessibility, and ability to communicate with nurses all over the country day or night (sometimes almost instantaneously) expanded my perception of the profession we call nursing. There was a multitude of information incoming and it was truly a challenge at times not to "surf" or attempt to email/converse on the computer while at work.
What level of computer literacy do you think is needed to be successful?
I can tell you when I started this program I had a minimum level of competency, utilizing the computer. Initially, I felt hesitant, maybe even resistant, to potential change. After going through this initial phase of resistance and actually acknowledging the fact that I could do this, I have now become quite proficient with my newly acquired expert computer skills.
Are there specific strategies for success you employ?
Allow yourself to change with all this new incoming information. I set up an area, exclusively, for my online endeavor. My desk has a small portable computer with a printer, Kleenex box, sharpener, fresh box of chocolates and a vertical paper clip board holder all placed in their respective strategic positions. I also opted for all online studying, communication and homework to be done at home and not at my workplace utilizing a personal email address and not a work email address. I have two bookcases, directly behind my computer chair for easy access to my books and articles. I elected to take two graduate courses at a time. After buying all the required books (some used) and receiving all the information from each class I bought one (large) notebook for each class. I then organized my online course material around my computer workstation. A MUST HAVE is the software to write graduate papers in APA style format. This software can be bought online for less than thirty dollars. Another suggestion, but not necessarily a must have, is voice recognition (dictation) software. These programs have come down considerably in price and can be purchased for approximately 190.00 dollars, per user. The availability of an online library 24 hours a day as well as the multitude of information readily available on the internet made learning a dynamic experience. Getting organized is probably the most efficacious way to approach any graduate educational endeavor, whether one attends an online program or a traditional program. Luckily, being a nurse is synonymous with being organized.
What level of support has been available to you?
There was and continues to be such a high level of support within the online community established during the first phase of my MSN program. It has been almost two years since I graduated and the bonds that were established in our on line program continue to prevail. Some of the most wonderful, influential nurses that I have met are without a doubt those individuals that attended SMC and teach at SMC. Support by and from the staff at SMC are phenomenal. Although, as I mentioned I graduated two years ago I still utilize the expertise of those who teach at SMC.
How did you get support in the program, so that other students will know about other resources than faculty?
There are no words to express my sincere gratitude to all the nurses that attended the online SMC program, while I was in attendance. We became, and still are, a very cohesive group, exchanging emails, phone calls and an online support system that has endured over time.
What is your professional background?
I am a psychiatric mental health nurse/provider who works full-time in an outpatient clinic.
Other comments.
Nursing is moving into the digital age as are other health care professions. In the field of community psychiatric mental health nursing, delivery of health care via distance computer video conferencing is becoming a realistic alternative to some of the older traditional models. Change is difficult but a reality of the way we will deliver health care in the future. I truly feel that the matching of a graduate nursing program complimented by learning new computer skills will better prepare nurses for this inevitable transition.
-Zaida F.
MSN 2003