PreceptorLink
  • About
    • Why Is PreceptorLink® The Best Preceptor Matching Service?
    • How it Works
    • How To Precept an NP Student
    • FAQ
    • The Preceptor Problem
    • Our Team
    • Testimonials
  • Find a Preceptor
  • Become A Preceptor
  • Blog
  • Resources
  • App Learning Videos
    • App Learning Videos for Students
    • App Learning Videos for Preceptors
  • Schools
  • Contact

​Lynn's NP Blog: blogging about and by nurse practitioners

Online Program Management In NP/APRN Education

10/9/2023

0 Comments

 
Picture
Education remains the cornerstone of excellence for the ever-evolving world of nursing professionals. Over the past several years, Nurse Practitioner (NP) and Advanced Practice Registered Nursing (APRN) education has been reshaped by the rise of online education. Additionally, online education for APRNs has been reshaped by Online Program Management (OPM) companies. As with all innovations, OPMs have brought both opportunities and a set of unique challenges. Understanding this landscape can be crucial for nursing professionals seeking to upgrade their expertise or enter the field of advanced practice nurse.

The Rise of Online Program Management in NP Education
Online Program Management companies have become integral partners for many universities and educational institutions. The goal of an OPM is to help in the design, administration, and delivery of online courses and programs. Traditionally, NP/APRN programs have been bound by geographical limits. However, with the assistance of online education, institutions can now reach aspiring NPs/APRNs from virtually anywhere, thus broadening their student base and increasing accessibility.

Pros of OPMs in NP/APRN Education:
Expertise and Resources: OPMs bring technological know-how and resources, helping institutions launch sophisticated online platforms that might have been out of reach otherwise.

Marketing and Recruitment: With expertise in digital marketing, OPMs can attract a broader student base, enhancing enrollment and diversity.

Data Analytics: OPMs often utilize analytics to improve course offerings, tailoring them to students' needs and potentially improving outcomes.

Cons of OPM in NP/APRN Education:
Quality Concerns:
With the rapid proliferation of online programs, there are concerns about maintaining the caliber and rigor, especially with NP education. As OPMs focus on scalability and profitability, there's a concern that the quality of education might be compromised. It's essential to ensure that online courses uphold the same standards expected for any quality NP educational model. 

Financial Implications: While OPMs can expand a university’s reach, some OPMs operate on revenue-sharing models, which might take a significant portion of tuition fees. This arrangement could potentially inflate tuition costs and raise concerns about online programs' cost and value proposition. 

Loss of Institutional Autonomy: Partnering with OPMs might mean relinquishing some control over course creation and management, potentially diluting the institution's unique value proposition. This could prove frustrating for faculty and students alike. 

The entrance of OPMs into the advanced practice nursing arena has amplified both the opportunities and concerns. As highly educated nursing professionals, it's imperative to approach online education critically, recognizing its strengths and limitations while still advocating for standards that uphold the esteemed tradition of the nursing profession. Ensuring the maintenance of rigorous standards, pushing for a blend of online and in-person experiences, and making informed choices about program selection will all play a part in leveraging the best options for the future of NP and APRN education.
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    About Lynn:

    As a longtime NP with a desire to help and make positive changes to her beloved profession, Lynn often writes opinion pieces about the NP profession. 

    She has written articles for KevinMD as well as several posts on LinkedIn. Her writings have been shared over 50,000 times, and her article entitled "A Message for FNP Students Doing Their Pediatrics Rotations" is often shared by schools of nursing to FNP students. 

    Lynn would love to connect with others who want to make positive changes to the NP profession,  especially related to the preceptor problem. She can be reached at: 
    ​[email protected]

    Archives

    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    June 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    March 2020
    March 2017
    September 2016
    March 2016
    November 2015

    Categories

    All
    Job Search
    Nurse Practitioner Life
    Precepting Blunders

    Preceptor
    ​"Why NPs train on the backs of physicians"
    from KevinMD
    Read Kevin MD Article

    RSS Feed

PreceptorLink®️
[email protected]
www.PreceptorLink.com
888-418-6620
​760-604-0913
preceptorlink-partner
Mission & Vision
Careers
Terms & Conditions
Cancellation and Refund Policy
Sexual Harassment Policy
Contact Us
Jeremiah 29:11
PreceptorLink, Inc.®️ All rights reserved.
Website Design by WCW Designs
preceptorlink-preceptor-matching
  • About
    • Why Is PreceptorLink® The Best Preceptor Matching Service?
    • How it Works
    • How To Precept an NP Student
    • FAQ
    • The Preceptor Problem
    • Our Team
    • Testimonials
  • Find a Preceptor
  • Become A Preceptor
  • Blog
  • Resources
  • App Learning Videos
    • App Learning Videos for Students
    • App Learning Videos for Preceptors
  • Schools
  • Contact