Does School Really Matter?

Specialties NP

Published

  1. More Important: Certification or School

23 members have participated

Hello,

I am thinking about attending a school for FNP that might possibly be considered a online school that might possibly be considered a "dipolma mill" to some. My question is in your experience as a praticing NP did the question of which school you attended arise in interviews? Or is certification a equalizer? Just to be clear does the school attented for NP really matter to an employer if you ARE certified?

Specializes in Emergency.
It's a red flag for the profession; prospective students, current students, and practicing NPs alike should seriously question this trend in NP education.

While I agree in an ideal world that the school would provide preceptors for each and every student, I do not believe this is attainable in the existing environment. There are a few who tend to beat this drum alot, but I haven't seen a solution suggested that takes into account the fact that in today's world we want to promote the education of students in remote, rural locations where no program has a presence that would allow them to build a network of preceptors in.

I agree there are deficiencies in the current model, a lack of oversight in some/many/most programs of the selected preceptors is a big concern. Is the student getting the necessary knowledge requisite to be a competent provider upon graduation from these clinical situations is a valid question. However, to say that finding their own preceptor is a red flag when it is probably the norm for most programs, at least the norm for online programs, many of which are good, strong, programs that produce good entry level NPs, I think is going a bit far. Does the program have in place the structure to manage the clinical portion of the program remotely? If so, and I have to believe many do, I know mine does, then there is no issue with having the student help in identifying potential preceptors for the program to negotiate with. If not, then the program has a large deficiency, that would (I assume) show up in the quality of the NPs it prepares.

I'd be interested to hear your suggestions on how to change NP education so that schools are selecting all preceptors AND students are able to be educated in rural, remote locations where the schools have no presence.

Specializes in Pediatrics, High-Risk L&D, Antepartum, L.
It's a red flag for the profession; prospective students current students, and practicing NPs alike should seriously question this trend in NP education.[/quote']

We can question it but I don't think we are going to see any change. It's just becoming too popular and acceptable. Good luck changing it.

Based on this information, I have looked at the rankings and my current FNP school is not even listed. I have already contacted another university and am working on the application process to transfer. I don't want to put in all of this work only to have a more difficult time getting hired post-graduation. This information is very helpful - thanks to OP for asking the question.

Based on this information, I have looked at the rankings and my current FNP school is not even listed. I have already contacted another university and am working on the application process to transfer. I don't want to put in all of this work only to have a more difficult time getting hired post-graduation. This information is very helpful - thanks to OP for asking the question.

jesbowne, South University is a for-profit school, so is in the same class as Walden, Phoenix, etc. aka: Schools that don't care about their students or reputation, and only want to make a profit. I would get out of there ASAP and go somewhere reputable - we need to take a stand and stop giving money to these rip-off scam schools that are mocking the profession.

Specializes in LTC.

Miqny

For the area that I am in, there are multiple (>3) schools within a 1-hour drive time that nurses can attend for APN degrees. Those who choose not to attend the regionally available programs, which are considered to be very good, in favor of an on-line program (not associated with the regional B&M school) or a for-profit school are definitely not regarded in the same way by other clinicians and providers. It is a pretty small world around here, and where you went to school was a big deal, and a lot of getting hired is about "who you know". The reactions are pretty negative towards the diploma-mill or for-profit programs. Again, I can only speak to what I have seen locally. It is possible if you are in an area that doesn't really have any nearby or reputable programs things might be viewed differently.

Cardiac-RN

What school are you attending that ranking is not listed? I am attending Walden University and some of the comments regarding Walden is disturbing!!

Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.
We can question it but I don't think we are going to see any change. It's just becoming too popular and acceptable. Good luck changing it.

It's becoming too popular and acceptable because NPs are not speaking up and questioning it. As students you may not have the perspective to appreciate this but after a few years in practice you may look back and think that your school did you a disservice and the profession a disservice.

Boston is correct. Please do not give your tuition money to schools that cannot even be bothered to vet your preceptor and ensure a quality clinical experience. Applying to and attending these schools is an implicit affirmation that these practices are okay when they should not be tolerated.

Many nurses attend online programs because of the GRE requirements for traditional programs. I would like to attend a tradition school, but at the age of 56 taking the GRE is out of the question. However, the expense is ridulous for the outline programs. Anyway, anyone have any suggestions on how to pass advance pathophysiology?

Many nurses attend online programs because of the GRE requirements for traditional programs. I would like to attend a tradition school, but at the age of 56 taking the GRE is out of the question. However, the expense is ridulous for the outline programs. Anyway, anyone have any suggestions on how to pass advance pathophysiology?

Why is taking the GRE "out of the question" at your age? (And what does one's age have to do with it?)

Many nurses attend online programs because of the GRE requirements for traditional programs. I would like to attend a tradition school, but at the age of 56 taking the GRE is out of the question. However, the expense is ridulous for the outline programs. Anyway, anyone have any suggestions on how to pass advance pathophysiology?

Seriously? Just take the flipping GRE. It is a fairly easy test and the standards in nursing are pretty low anyway, even CRNA schools let in people with very average scores. Just buy a prep book and study for 3-4 weeks. Why are nurses so terrified of the GRE?

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