Cipher Daisha J, Shrestha Sachin, Mancini Mary E
J Nurs Educ. 2017 Nov 1;56(11):670-674. doi: 10.3928/01484834-20171020-06.
There is a need to better understand the demographic and academic characteristics of individuals enrolled in online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs.
This article reports a retrospective analysis of 4,079 students enrolled in one of three MSN programs: family nurse practitioner (FNP), nurse educator, and nursing administration. Demographic characteristics (i.e., gender, race, age) and academic variables (i.e., academic load, past undergraduate/graduate enrollment at the university) were examined for all enrollees.
Students in the MSN programs were younger than the national mean age for RNs, were primarily White, and were enrolled part time. The sample was composed of a disproportionately higher percentage of students from ethnic minority backgrounds than national RN profiles.
Study implications indicate that understanding the commonalities, differences, and educational experiences of students in on-campus and online MSN programs is important. The finding that almost 90% of online graduate nursing students enroll as part time has significant financial, family, and career implications. [J Nurs Educ. 2017;56(11):670-674.].
