Best online Psych NP Program? - Page 2

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  1. Dec 2, '12 by
    Go to the cheapest program you can that has the best reputation where you want to work. As the NP market continues to get flooded by all the professional schools that are very easy to get into, name recognition and solid reputation of your program are going to matter more and more for employers, etc., especially a new grad w/no NP experience. One good thing is that psych is a less popular specialty, which helps keep salaries higher.

    Also, I'd recommend only attending institutions that provide the entirety of your training (clinicals as well), considering that NP schools vary a lot in their quality, unlike PA or MD/DO school. Talk to people in the programs your considering, new grads, etc.
    Last edit by myelin on Dec 2, '12
  2. Dec 2, '12 by
    I am very worried about the number of NP programs out there - I wish our profession had higher standards and didn't allow just any online college to make up an NP program. I would love to go to Vanderbilt but the cost is just too high...I'm not sure the name recognition is worth an extra $30,000 dollars over cheaper schools. Do you think psych is pretty safe right now? I love it and I'm happy that its less popular, because hopefully psych nps will be in demand when I graduate.
    julieface likes this.
  3. Dec 2, '12 by
    There are a lot of psych np jobs now.. Likely to continue but who knows? Yes go to the best school you can afford. Work hard, get good grades, good references. Find a first job with good supervision with time to think and ask questions of colleagues . Go to conferences. Network. Psych is great and I hope I can do it for a long time.
    myelin likes this.
  4. Dec 2, '12 by
    Quote from Psychcns
    There are a lot of psych np jobs now.. Likely to continue but who knows? Yes go to the best school you can afford. Work hard, get good grades, good references. Find a first job with good supervision with time to think and ask questions of colleagues . Go to conferences. Network. Psych is great and I hope I can do it for a long time.
    I looked at the USI curriculum. I suggest you find out more about the psych theories they teach.Ie which family theorists, which psychodynamic theorists? Cognitive behavioral theory, etc. Psych has gotten very biological but psych theory is also important, you can also learn it later--on the job or at conferences..
  5. Jan 16 by
    University of Southern Alabama has a psych np online program.
  6. Mar 23 by
    When looking at cost, consider the length of the program, especially if you are having to finance living expenses. Programs range in length from accelerated one-year to 18-month and even 24-month periods.

    From a cashflow perspective, paying $60k and graduating six months sooner than a program that costs $30k is smart money as I see it. If both graduates take a $90k job, then the student who graduated six months sooner will recoup $45k while the student in the cheaper school is still sitting in class. Net cost over 18 months = $15k versus $30k, so the expensive school is actually cheaper if you look at that extra variable.

    Then again, maybe I'm just rationalizing for my own mental health
  7. Mar 24 by
    Quote from IcySageNurse
    I am very worried about the number of NP programs out there - I would love to go to Vanderbilt but the cost is just too high...I'm not sure the name recognition is worth an extra $30,000 dollars over cheaper schools.
    I would go to cheaper school. Our salary is still too low to justify $30,000 more of tuition. For high-pay CRNA school, it may be worth it. The market could get worse as the number of enrollment increases and eventually salary will fall.

    I would not go to online school unless they promise to provide help with finding preceptors. Since the settings are limited to psych, you might have trouble finding a preceptor or a good practice sites. It will be worse than finding FNP preceptor. That's a hugh stress!! I would not go to online school for this reason.
    Last edit by harmonizer on Mar 24
  8. Mar 24 by
    Quote from MrSensitivity
    From a cashflow perspective, paying $60k and graduating six months sooner than a program that costs $30k is smart money as I see it. If both graduates take a $90k job, then the student who graduated six months sooner will recoup $45k while the student in the cheaper school is still sitting in class. Net cost over 18 months = $15k versus $30k, so the expensive school is actually cheaper if you look at that extra variable.
    Then again, maybe I'm just rationalizing for my own mental health
    wrong.
    First, the salary may not be 90k. 3/4 of my ex-classmates do not get that last year. The salary and demand will probably fall sharply within the next few years since more NP will graduate esp from online school. Secondly, you did not consider tax. $45k after tax (35%) is $29. On top you these, you can work part-time as RN during those 6 months, which will make you come off ahead. Accelerated curriculum will cause you to work less due to busy schedule, resulting in lost in income. Third, think of 6.8% interest of student loan on top of these figure. I would go to cheaper school.
  9. Mar 25 by
    Wrong? Oh harmonizer, let's have some harmony to go with my sensitivity. I would agree with you that $2 is a bigger number than $1. But one should look the calculus and not just the arithmetic. That's the point.

    Pick whatever numbers you want for program cost and graduate salary. You can even throw in taxes, interest, part-time work, market tends, and speeding ticket fines (I just mention that one because I get a lot of those). There is a point of diminishing return that must be identified, but revenue is a good thing, and it can offset tuition cost and all of those other things if you can get it sooner than later. It's not an inconsequential consideration.

    Cheers
    Last edit by MrSensitivity on Mar 25
  10. Mar 26 by
    MrSensitivity, it sounds nice now but once you started working to pay off that $30,000, you will start feeling the pinch It takes months to make that money (after tax). You probably will pay even more with student loan interest. Good luck. Do not go to expensive online school.