Credibility of Walden University

Specialties NP

Published

I am looking into FNP programs and have heard good things about Waldens program, but I am just interested in the credibility this University has when employers look at at your resume? I am tossing up Concordia University WI (which is completly online except a 2 week assessment course and you find all of your own clinicals. The cost is 570-620/credit.) and Walden Univerisity, which I am aware is entirely online and you find your own clinics. I am unaware of the cost of Walden, if anyone knows that would be great information too!

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

Walden only recently began its NP programs; as of yet, no one has graduated, but I have no idea what that would mean for credibility. From the Walden handbook re: tuition:

[TABLE=width: 68%]

[TR]

[TD]Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)--introductory course (per quarter credit hour)[/TD]

[TD]$395a[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)--core and specialization courses (per quarter credit hour)[/TD]

[TD]$395a[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)--foundational courses (per quarter credit hour) (RN Track Only)[/TD]

[TD]$320a[/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

Textbooks/materials are included with the tuition.

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If you're worried about things like credibility or the reputation of your program, then no, you should not attend Walden.

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Specializes in ICU, step down, dialysis.
I am looking into FNP programs and have heard good things about Waldens program but I am just interested in the credibility this University has when employers look at at your resume? I am tossing up Concordia University WI (which is completly online except a 2 week assessment course and you find all of your own clinicals. The cost is 570-620/credit.) and Walden Univerisity, which I am aware is entirely online and you find your own clinics. I am unaware of the cost of Walden, if anyone knows that would be great information too![/quote']

They have a Facebook page, check it out. They all seem pretty happy with it. Have had two instructors from there in my RN to BSN program who told me they liked it and thought they had a great education. I just heard recently that they are raising their tuition from $395/credit hour to $550 but I haven't confirmed that yet. They are now making you fill out a paper asking for prospective preceptors on admission ; that's something new. Even the brick and mortar schools in my area are asking you to find your own preceptors unfortunately.

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The price is what gets me... unless it is indeed increasing. I have not found any other programs that inexpensive and it includes books! I am just having a really hard time paying 570 a credit when it seems to me it is the same program as Concordia.

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I just got my acceptance letter from Walden, to start the FNP program in June. I had not heard yet that they were going to raise tuition, that would be most unfortunate! I am trying to verify that in my state of Ohio, they will accept my practicum hours through Walden to sit for my boards when I graduate. I also had to fill out the preceptor site form, after getting some answers from my advisor. The form is to get you thinking, or identify, where you might complete your practicum hours. These are not set in stone, and they do not contact the sites identified.

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Hi!! I just applied to walden for June, how long did it take to hear back?

Thanks

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Family Practice.

I am a current Walden FNP student and have been nothing but impressed with the program. They have been quite helpful and are the ONLY distance education program to be approved by my home state BON (Kansas). Kansas is notoriously strict with education and if Walden was able to pass the scrutiny of this nursing board that is enough for me! (They are VERY accredited by all of the important accrediting bodies as well). Lastly, their tuition, at least per my personal research, was very similar to most of the other schools I considered. I live in rural Kansas with the closest NP school being 100 miles away so there is just no other way I would be able to advance my education. God bless the internet! Good luck!

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I have worked with two Walden graduates of their MS nursing program who continued on into a FNP program at a different institution. The education received at Walde ndid NOT provide them with the same level of skills as their peers when taking same courses in the FNP program. The common theme was the level of rigor associated with the FNP program being significantly higher than Walden, causing an inability to keep up with peers.

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Family Practice.

It seems a little unfair to say that they received FNP education at a different university and blame waldens program for their shortcomings. Walden has offered a non clinical masters in nursing for some time but they haven't even graduated their first NP class yet. It's a new program.

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Specializes in ICU, step down, dialysis.
It seems a little unfair to say that they received FNP education at a different university and blame waldens program for their shortcomings. Walden has offered a non clinical masters in nursing for some time but they haven't even graduated their first NP class yet. It's a new program.

I agree. I'm trying to understand these "skills" they are lacking. If it's passing a class, not sure I would condemn the program yet from only two people.

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I should have been more clear, when comparing the education for the MS in nursing (Walden vs other MS ed) the Walden grad did not match up well. I can't speak to the current FNP program at Walden

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