Online NP Schools in New Jersey

Dr. Shantha Franks is an associate professor of nursing at Ramapo College of New Jersey, where she teaches in the family nurse practitioner and adult-gerontology nurse practitioner programs. 

Dr. Franks received her BSN and MSN degrees from William Paterson University and her DNP degree from Seton Hall University. She holds dual certification as an adult nurse practitioner and gerontological nurse practitioner. Her clinical experience as a registered nurse was in critical care nursing, both in the coronary care unit and the medical intensive care unit. As a nurse practitioner, she has worked in college health, long-term care, subacute care, and for the past several years, internal medicine. Her current practice site is affiliated with Holy Name Medical Center in Teaneck, NJ.  She has served as a mentor and preceptor to multiple NP students over the years. Her clinical scholarship in the DNP program focused on educating health providers regarding the management of heart failure in the long-term care population to reduce 30-day readmissions. 

NPSchools.com: What do you wish the public understood about online nurse practitioner programs in New Jersey?

Dr. Franks: We prepare our students rigorously so that when they graduate, they are prepared to provide primary care across a variety of settings. Here at Ramapo College of New Jersey we do that by ensuring excellent communication in our program. 

We are a hybrid program, meaning students come to campus once a month, and then the rest is done online, asynchronously. Because we have that connection with them once a month, we can stay in direct contact with our students. We also monitor their progress throughout the course to ensure they have the support to succeed. 

NPSchools.com: What advice would you give to aspiring online nurse practitioner program students?

Dr. Franks: Ask the program you are entering if there is strong faculty support. How accessible are the faculty? 

At Ramapo College, every student entering our program is assigned an MSN advisor. From the beginning of the program to the end, this advisor will get them registered for courses and answer their questions about the program. We have found that having one dedicated advisor really helps the student succeed. Students who transferred from other programs tell us they often didn’t know who they could talk to if they had questions and that no one responded to them if they did reach out. I think one of the most important things you need to look for in a program is that you are assigned a point of contact and that they are accessible. 

Dr. Kaneez Odgers was born in Kenya, grew up in Canada, and has spent most of her career in the USA. She is a nurse practitioner, educator, and healthcare leader with expertise in clinical practice, research, and evidence-based performance improvement. She earned her BSN from the University of Calgary, her master of nursing as a family nurse practitioner from UMDNJ (now Rutgers University of New Jersey), and her doctor of nursing practice (DNP) from William Paterson University, focusing on primary care and evidence-based practice.

Dr. Odgers is an assistant professor of nursing at Ramapo College of New Jersey, where she designs curriculum and teaches at both the baccalaureate and graduate levels. She also practices as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) at University Health and Urgent Care in Totowa, NJ, providing primary, urgent, and chronic pain management care. Her clinical experience includes pediatrics, providing care in underserved communities, and care of the elderly. She is an active member of Sigma Theta Tau, the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, the Transcultural Nursing Society, and the American Nurses Association.

Beyond her professional work, Dr. Odgers is a dedicated wife and mother of two sons. She remains passionate about healthcare education, patient-centered care, and advancing nursing practice through research and mentorship.

NPSchools.com: What do you wish the public understood about online nurse practitioner programs in New Jersey?

Dr. Odgers: Online education can be quality education when it’s done properly. There’s controversy around how some programs deliver online education, but we have experience in multiple educational modalities and have seen online NP programs done well. Sure, the program has to be diligent in providing rigorous standards, but in this day and age of technology, it’s not that hard if you have the proper processes in place for an online program to excel.

NPSchools.com: What advice would you give to aspiring online nurse practitioner program students?

Dr. Odgers: You must be very self-motivated. I believe this is true for nurse practitioner education in general, but you need to be even more self-motivated to complete an online program. You have to genuinely want to be a nurse practitioner and understand the role. The online path of education must be the right choice for you, as it certainly isn’t suitable for everyone. Be self-aware of your learning style and how you can best pursue this type of education degree.