FNP program at University of southern indiana

Well, it sounds like there are a lot of potential negatives at ISU.... I may not be able to control who I get as an instructor...such as Eley. I can avoid stats with your nightmare and go to the health stats. Deb is the new chair at ISU and would be my advisor and has already called me. I didn't realize that I would have a clinical advisor too....kinda risky who one might get at ISU. You said all are good USI.

I am really leaning toward USI. I really like Dean White she is top notch. I haven't talked to Hoebeke yet...but heard she is wonderful. SHE will have 30 students to advise. I don't know how she can do it. Crazy.

What did you think of the ease of use of the online classes at USI? I think I am going to choose USI.

Thank you so much for all your advice in helping me get to this point in my decision making. Maybe one day you will be an advisor.

Okay....I am going to go to Southern. What can I do to make this the best for me. Any pre reading/studying. I would not start till the fall. I would start clinical next summer 2010 with assessment. Then full clinicals in the Fall '10, Spring '11 and practicum summer '11 and Done.

It is very gracious of you to help sort this out.
Thanks!

There are a few, but remember, most (at least the ones that I keep in touch with--3) say they had really good exp. with ISU. Eley, however, is a serious problem if you draw her as a clinical coordinator--especially if she is out to get you. Just like when she recommended MacDonnald to me over the other one. Remember, when your preceptor fills out the contact evaluations, its only a recommendation for--and not the actual grade. The clinical coordinator actually makes the grade for you. I'm not sure why its like this, but I think its because of liablity.

Not bad, I think Eley had 100 or so when I was at ISU. Your advisor isn't really that critical in the process like the clinical coordinator. Advisors help you get into overbooked courses by overriding the system and is someone to send you progress plans too.

The clinical coordinator, hoever, is critical. If he or she doesn't feel like your exposure is consistent with the natural progress through the program, they have the power to hold you back. What might appear as a very real and arbitrary decision is solidly backed when the coordinator claims it is necessary. This is where USI pays for itself. No matter who you draw at USI--Bobbie, Jenny, or Mellisa--there is not one mean bone in their body and they wouldn't intentionly screw you over to make them feel good about themselves. They do have, however, a deal where if your preceptor says you are not progressing, they can call you back to Indiana and have you perform your SOAPS with patients within one of their clinics. I'm sure this has happened in the past with weaker students, but I have not heard of this happening before.

The main difference between USI and ISU is that USI televises classes and you can tune in on your computer and ask questions in real time. Although not mandatory, it really is a slick system they have. If you miss the live session, you can click on the .mov folder and watch. They save all of their classess and all of the handouts. I'm reviewing the entire clinical year now and it is really helping prep for boards because you can go back to any semester. ISU, by now, might have the same deal. If this is important to you as it is to me, check with them and find out if ISU has a streamed lecture service now--NOT BREEZE, they are two different products.

No worries. If you have trouble, always start with Berta or Franchesca. They are the gatekeepers of information. Especialy with forms and what not. Send flowers or whatnot to them around Christmas. They are often not thanked enough for what they do.

When you are assigned to your clinical coordinator, strive to develop a very special realtionship with them. Take action to make the school, and your coordinator look good. As an example, I designed a shoulder patch for FNP students for the lab jackets that will be approved for the class you are starting. Extra effort in the form of good will goes along way in developing strong and cohesive partnerships with your coordinator faculty.

Good luck

Thanks again! Okay, I am going to choose USI. I love the streaming classes that are live. It sounds like that is the way to go if the timing works. Great to know that all three clinical coordinators at USI are awesome too. Sorry that you had a terrible time at ISU...their loss.

Very NEAT that you designed the FNP patch that my class will wear. So the lab jackets are they the short nursing school ones or the long ones that I see some FNP's wear?

Flowers! Great tip for the support staff!

At USI the first semester will have three classes....patho, research and theory. I know you didn't take the core classes there...but would you take something over this summer??

Thanks Tammy!

I was wondering if someone could please give me an email or phone number that I could contact an advisor for the USI rn-msn program. I've registered on their website several times but I havn't received any info yet. Thanks in advance!

I would recommend taking Managment of the client in Health Care System (N616) at USI this summer if possible with Prof Gish. Easy A course--all you have to do is a guided biz plan, health related. Also, if possible, try and take ISU N605 (Nursing Theory) with Saucier. Ann will let you transfer in 12 units from another school (DOUBLE CHECK WITH HER FIRST AS THIS MAY HAVE CHANGED) and since you are accepted at both--why not make things as easy on yourself as possible? Saucier is a great professor and is not arbitrary. By eliminating theory this summer, will alow you to focus more on patho and the first sem research--both of which are intense.

The lab jackets can be long or short. Women have the option of wearing the white vests in place of the lab jackets, but most wear the lab jackets.

Sorry you are having such a hard time. Here's a few contacts:
Berta, (812) 465-1174 rlwyngaard@usi.edu
Franchesca (812) 465-1154 fsball@usi.edu

Both are super people and will help figure the problem out, and if they can't fix themselves, will know where to send you to fix the problem.

Thanks Tammy 79! I'll give those a try.

Hey Tammy,

What PDA do you use or others that you know or that the USI faculty recommend? What programs do you find the most useful?

Thanks!

I use the deluxe epocrates on my PDA. I just got a Blackberry a few months ago, and I really like the epocrates on this platform. Unfortunately, it has fewer bells and whistles, but the important stuff is still there.

Hi,
I am starting USI this fall in the MSN nurse ed program. Did you ever talk to anyone that's in the program? I'm just wondering about the courses, instructors, etc.