PharmD distance learning

[baggywrinkle]

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Anyone here doing one of the distance learning PharmD programs? I'm flirting with the University of Idaho with an aim toward working under the expanded scope of practice option available in Washington law. I have seen several hospitals that operated coumadin clinics and hospice programs run by pharmacists and I am sure they would prefer a pharmD to my humble B.S. There are several tribal clinics looking for help also

btw, I passed the MPJE. I dunno how because the exam I studied for was not the exam they gave me. That computer testing format really sux. Can't go back & change answers. Can't use the exam as a reference. Can't leave a question for later. I do not envy you taking the NABPLEX in that format You get the question slammed in your face and you either know it or you don't. Otherwise the **wag** is always "B" If you take the exam in the state you went to uni in, no worries. But if you are going cross country to another state - beware. You will be not much better off than I was. The federal stuff saved my hide. It was the state law that killed me - no study guides or test questions available. Just the freakin boring law book.

 

[Caverject]

I dont do it online, but I do know that Crrighton University in Nebraska offers the whole PhamD program online.

 

[dgroulx]

I'm at a distance learning campus at UF, but it is different than the other distance programs.

All lectures are watched online. UF records them and puts them on blackboard. You can watch them at whatever time you want. Many of the students at the main campus choose to watch the videos instead of going to the lecture. Other schools, like Nova Southeastern broadcast live via streaming video. I don't know what they do if they lose their connection.

We are at our remote campus about 3 times a week for tests, quizzes, presentations, reviews, etc.

 

[baggywrinkle]

Originally posted by dgroulx
I'm at a distance learning campus at UF, but it is different than the other distance programs.

All lectures are watched online. UF records them and puts them on blackboard. You can watch them at whatever time you want. Many of the students at the main campus choose to watch the videos instead of going to the lecture. Other schools, like Nova Southeastern broadcast live via streaming video. I don't know what they do if they lose their connection.

We are at our remote campus about 3 times a week for tests, quizzes, presentations, reviews, etc.

how do you like that format, Dana, compared to live lecture and what will you do for your rotations

 

[Caverject]

Dana,

as far as Nova, from what I understand (I used to live next to the school and had many friends in the program) if the signal is lost, its lost and the main campus moves on. In the mean time, West Palm Beach and Peurto Rico do their best to reconnect the students to the lecture but due to time constraints, they can not at the main campus lose time because of a video outage. That is a real cool thing that they do at Florida. I wish we had that at my school as just a general referance when I can't write down everything that the professor says in class!

 

[dgroulx]

Before I watch a lecture, I download the power point presentation from blackboard and print it out. During the lecture, the camera is on the lecturer, on the screen if he/she is pointing to the power point, or on the chalkboard if they are drawing or writing something. I don't have very good eyesight, so it's actually easier for me to see the board. I listen with a good set of headphones and don't miss a thing.

Lectures are viewed using Media Player, which has the option to pause, rewind, play at faster speeds (a good way to watch, if your lecturer speaks slowly), etc. When you look at the biochem class lecture, there are about 10-15 students in the classroom out of 130. That class is right after lunch, so most students just watch the video later on.

Today I have to be on campus for the biochem exam at 7pm. Tomorrow, I'll be on campus for an ASP meeting, a quiz on the renal system and biochemsitry lab presentations. I'll also be meeting with my PSR group to discuss strategy for our ethics debate next week. Then on Wednesday, we'll be finishing up our last integrated case study. That evening, I will be visiting with my assigned family for Keeping Families Healthy. That is fairly typical of my week. Although, some weeks there are 2 exams instead of 1.

The 2nd year students are usually on campus every day. Rotations don't start until spring semester of year 3. Those are handled the same way as the main campus students. We will be sent anywhere in the state for 6 weeks at a time. All remaining electives are taken the last semester. I'm not sure what I do for those.

I really don't think it's much different than attending in Gainesville. The classes are the same, the assigned projects/presentations are the same, the exams are the same, etc. I can go to Gainesville to watch lectures if I want to, but I'd rather stay at home.

 

[Triangulation]

Intriguing Dana. That's one he!! of a system. I enjoy watching my classmates fall asleep in class too much for distance learning, but that's cool that they have such a program. That's great for expanding possibilities for peeps. I love some of the aspects of your programs: Ethics debate sounds hella cool!!! I'd love to square off with some of the a-holes in my class.

 

[GatorRX]

Rotations don't start until spring semester of year 3. Those are handled the same way as the main campus students. We will be sent anywhere in the state for 6 weeks at a time. All remaining electives are taken the last semester. I'm not sure what I do for those.

I really don't think it's much different than attending in Gainesville. The classes are the same, the assigned projects/presentations are the same, the exams are the same, etc. I can go to Gainesville to watch lectures if I want to, but I'd rather stay at home.

Dana -

Regarding the rotations in year 3: that means that you are constantly moving ever 6 weeks? What if a student wants to request to stay in their hometown (such as St. Pete for you or Orlando for me) for the rotations? Is that possible? Being sent anywhere in the state is a pain in the rear!

 

[dgroulx]

Dana -

Regarding the rotations in year 3: that means that you are constantly moving ever 6 weeks? What if a student wants to request to stay in their hometown (such as St. Pete for you or Orlando for me) for the rotations? Is that possible? Being sent anywhere in the state is a pain in the rear!

We can be sent anywhere. They give preference to those who are married and have kids to try and keep families together. Since I don't have kids, I'll have to get used to extended stay hotels. Some rotations are 12 weeks, so you don't have to move real often.

 

[GatorRX]

We can be sent anywhere. They give preference to those who are married and have kids to try and keep families together. Since I don't have kids, I'll have to get used to extended stay hotels. Some rotations are 12 weeks, so you don't have to move real often.

Are they paid rotations? If not, they better pay for the hotels at least! Seriously --- if you have some other issues and you need to stay in your hometown, will they allow you to (besides married with children)? Where are these rotations (hospitals or retail or both) ?

 

[dgroulx]

Are they paid rotations? If not, they better pay for the hotels at least! Seriously --- if you have some other issues and you need to stay in your hometown, will they allow you to (besides married with children)? Where are these rotations (hospitals or retail or both) ?

No, we are paying them. I attend a lot of Mensa gatherings in the state. I'm hoping to use their SIGHT program, which will put me up in someone's house for free. I'd like to commute, but it may not be possible.

There are some mandatory rotations, but you get to choose others such as nuclear pharmacy, oncology, geriatrics, pediactrics, etc. If you choose a specific area, then you are lower on the list for choosing location and vice versa. You can choose location first, then end up with a rotation that doesn't really interest you. This all might change once the distance learners start on rotations. Instead of 100 students on rotation, you now have 250. The choices may become limited. We'll find out in a year.

 

[imperial frog]

Regarding the blackboard system at UF...how big does the image get? Is it in a window or can it go full-screen?

 

[dgroulx]

Regarding the blackboard system at UF...how big does the image get? Is it in a window or can it go full-screen?

The videos require media player 9. You can size the window all the way up to full screen. Also, you can increase the speed. If the professor talks slowly, you can easily watch a lecture at 2X. I watch all the lectures at 1.4x, but pause the lecture to copy something off of the board.