ACNP Program Structure and Clinical Questions

Advanced Practice Columnist / Guide · Jun 27, 2008

this question is directed at those of you who are acnp's.

where did you go to school?

attended one of 2 acnp programs in existence in the state of michigan.

what did you like/not like about your program?

liked the close proximity to home as well as affiliation with multiple large hospitals in the area. liked the college's linkages with the university's school of medicine (pathophysiology course was taken at the med school) and college of pharmacy and health sciences (advanced pharm course was taken in the pharmacy school). however, recent change in the college transferred the advanced pharmacology course back to the college of nursing and taught by nursing professors. liked the large pool of acnp alumni from the school who are in practice in the metro area where i live - great source of mentors and preceptors. liked the affordable tuition. liked the availability of scholarships for students and the fact that i did qualify for one of them (received an advanced nursing education traineeship award that paid for over half of the cost of tuition for the entire program). liked the fact that lectures are scheduled in the evenings -- great for working rn's.

the program could use some organization in how didactics are organized. lectures were presented by practicing np's in specialty fields - some were great, others not as much. would like to see the didactics arranged in such a way that it stays very true to the ancc acnp exam test blueprint.

how were clinicals arranged in your program?

preceptors can be arranged by the program director if the student wishes but students can also choose their own as long as practice setting has a contractual agreement with the college. school does a poor job keeping track of who graduates and ends up working where. some np's the school offered as a preceptor had combined cns and np roles -- many of us wanted a strictly np focus. it was best to ask previous students who were good and who weren't as far choosing preceptors in order to plan ahead and not get disappointed. i personally didn't have a bad experience with my preceptor choices. there is now a new program director and the word is clinical placements will be more organized and planned ahead of time and clinical placements will be reviewed on their merit for adequate student learning in the acnp role.

allnurses Guide · Jun 27, 2008

I'll be interested to hear, too.

medicrnohio, RN · Jun 28, 2008

I really wanted to attend the information session yesterday. Unfortunately I had a commitment for today here in Ohio and couldn't be out of town yesterday. They have been sending me lots of information. Good luck to you. Hopefully this thread will bring both of us some interesting info.

medicrnohio, RN · Jun 28, 2008

PinoyNP,

Thank you for sharing that info. I think I know which program you are speaking of but I can understand not sharing the name for privacy purposes. I have considered that program and may continue to do so if our move to PA does not work out.

Advanced Practice Columnist / Guide · Jun 28, 2008

PinoyNP,
Thank you for sharing that info. I think I know which program you are speaking of but I can understand not sharing the name for privacy purposes. I have considered that program and may continue to do so if our move to PA does not work out.

I'm not sure if it is still in place but at the time I was a student, residents from certain Northwestern Ohio counties as well as Southwestern Ontario (Canada) counties were being offered in-state tuition at this university. Worth it to find out if you decide to pick this school.

medicrnohio, RN · Jun 29, 2008

I'm not sure if it is still in place but at the time I was a student, residents from certain Northwestern Ohio counties as well as Southwestern Ontario (Canada) counties were being offered in-state tuition at this university. Worth it to find out if you decide to pick this school.

Thanks for sharing this information. I will definitely look into this if I end up choosing this school.

JDCitizen · Jul 6, 2008

This question is directed at those of you who are ACNP's. Where did you go to school? What did you like/not like about your program? How were clinicals arranged in your program? I am currently looking at ACNP programs. The programs I am looking at specifically are Drexel University and the University of Pittsburgh. I would appreciate any feedback that you can give. I want to make a good decision regarding my graduate education.

I am way down south in good old Georgia. Anyone know of post masters programs for ACNP certificates or degrees? Online programs?

Advanced Practice Columnist / Guide · Jul 7, 2008

I am way down south in good old Georgia. Anyone know of post masters programs for ACNP certificates or degrees? Online programs?

I could be wrong but it looks like Emory is the only program offering the ACNP option in Georgia.

There a few on-line ACNP program options out there and I listed a few of them below. Don't know much about the individual schools but maybe other members who attend these schools can give their feedback:

http://health.usi.edu/acadprog/nursing/grad/acnp.php

http://www.slu.edu/x19812.xml

http://www.uab.edu/images/sonimg/academic/msn/Acute_Continuing_Care_Adult_NP_11.07.pdf

program did not specify if it's completely on-line but there is a statement in the info sheet that says didactic portion is "distance accessible"

http://www.southalabama.edu/nursing/acutenp.html

mrspopeye · Jul 7, 2008

I think the online post-Master's at Saint Louis University is well regarded, although expensive. I graduated form thier ANP program a few years ago and I had an opportunity to interact with the ACNP program director at residency - she was great, very knowlegeable.

Hekate · Sep 27, 2008

where did you go to school?

attended one of 2 acnp programs in existence in the state of michigan.

why so much secrecy about the name of your program?

not that i want to be nosy, but i spend several hours per night reviewing all the programs in the country to figure out the ones best suited to my needs...i currently live in mi, so i am quite interested in knowing the school you went to, if it isn't too much to ask :rolleyes:

for those who have information or insight on the st louis university online acnp program, pretty please :saint: do share your opinion/suggestions with me

a thousand thanks in advance.

Advanced Practice Columnist / Guide · Sep 27, 2008

where did you go to school?
attended one of 2 acnp programs in existence in the state of michigan.
why so much secrecy about the name of your program?
not that i want to be nosy, but i spend several hours per night reviewing all the programs in the country to figure out the ones best suited to my needs...i currently live in mi, so i am quite interested in knowing the school you went to, if it isn't too much to ask
for those who have information or insight on the st louis university online acnp program, pretty please do share your opinion/suggestions with me
a thousand thanks in advance.

ok, sorry about that...wayne state university (http://wayne.edu) graduate and very proud of it just so you know. great program in my opinion and a very "real world" kind of experience with a moderate amount of fluff. currently, i am precepting a university of michigan-ann arbor acnp student. their program is different in that clinicals are spread out in two 120 hour semesters and a final 400+ hour semester. also they have 2 semesters of advanced pharm in addition to a requirement for a master's thesis. pretty rigorous in my opinion. very expensive tuition too. i also didn't realize that madonna university in livonia has an acnp program now - that's a private school run by catholic nuns, that's all i know. one of their acnp students is being precepted by one of the np's in our group. we actually have three students with us this fall, the third one is a wayne state student - yay!