Where’s the College? – How RNs in rural areas can advance their education

by Peggy Currie

As we work to build our workforce of nurses and advanced practice nurses to care for the generation of boomers, rural nursing student candidates have the interesting challenge to attain or further their nursing degrees through the use of technology advancements.

Thankfully, we’ve come a long way with distance learning access which has afforded great nursing candidates the ability to link to some wonderful, accredited programs while keeping them in their home setting upon graduation.

I visited with Mary Stucky, MSN RN, Senior Instructor for the Washington State University (WSU) College of Nursing in Spokane, WA. She has some great tips for those who are interested in becoming involved in a distance learning program. She describes the WSU program, but these tips are valuable for other choices a candidate may select.

“Registered Nurses (RNs) across the state continue their education at local community colleges or online at http://waol.org to meet the General Education Requirements and Pre-requisites for our RN to BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) program.  Outstanding courses must be finished when they enroll in the RN to BSN courses.

This works quite well:  one course at a time, or more, once the RN is updated with college online.

Student loans are available for the first Bachelor’s degree. Many of the RNs use the unsubsidized Stafford loans.  WSU requires 6 semester credits to be eligible for a loan. The 6 credits take about 18 – 20 hours a week of time.  Complete the http://fafsa.ed.gov information and note the college which has access to your information. If there are several family members in college, the awards can be better for the family.

Some RNs may take a computer course to gain the basics with Microsoft Word and Power Point programs, and a little with Excel.  There are also tutorials online without the cost; sometimes other family members or friends can coach whatever is needed.

Library Access – The RN license gives RNs access to  http://heal-wa.org  where they can learn to use PubMed and other resources to find journal articles.

ANGEL tutorials are online: just google ANGEL tutorial!”

Distance learning means goals can be pursued without commuting. One can carry on with work and family life. There are some drawbacks to distance learning. There is less personal contact with other students and less ability to join study groups. Navigating the technology may be a new venture for some.

Getting used to going to class on camera takes some time. But, distance learners still receive tremendous support from staff and instructors. They work to make students feel like they’re in the classroom by sending materials, making tapes and other activities.

Key to your search for the right match is to make sure the program is an accredited nursing program, at a cost you can afford, and it demonstrates the kind of faculty to support your education journey.

Peg Currie RN NEA-BC is a Washington Center for Nursing Board member and Chief Nursing Officer at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center, Children’s Hospital, and Providence Holy Family Hospital.