Wanna hear the REAL DEAL from the FNP Students

BSNgrad2004 · Jan 27, 2006

what school do you go to pocahontas? i'm working on the application process/researching Univ of MD for Adult NP..

pocohantas · Jan 27, 2006

I got to Marymount in VA, I am in their FNP program. Really research and compare the schools, amount of credits and curriculum. I initially started off at Bowie (40 minute drive +/-, about 51 credits about 5 years PT, only 2 programs FNP or Public Health, enrollment numbers were the problem). A lot of their of students left their programs, it was just 2 many credits for their immature program (in staffing, retention, course schedule offerings). I NEVER thought I would transfer, I started in Spr 2003, transferred Summer/Fall 2005. 3 (including mysef) students were promised a certain course offering, although staffing and the course offering were shady. We received phone calls 2 weeks prior to the semester start, stating that it would not be offered. This would set me back about 2 years. My friend keep encouraging me to go to Marymount, I thought "It's in VA" thats too far. I ended up taking a Pharm course at UMD which was awesome ( trying to get ahead), their credits were close to Bowie's, maybe 46-48. So, I looked at Marymount program (41 credits, FT 2 years, PT 3 years, drive same as Bowie, a little more expensive, but I was able to transfer in the most important core courses Theory, Stats, Phar, Research) and still will graduate a year earlier than at Bowie). Time was very important to me, I had spent 3 years already in school, had a baby, bought a house....changes had to be made!

Please consider all those things, I am married with a toddler and mainly the breadwinner so I about progress.

Sorry so long...:)

BSNgrad2004 · Jan 27, 2006

I had an idea that Bowie's program didn't really have everything together. Just by going on to their school website, you can't even find any information about the MSN program. All it tells you is who to contact. Anways, I checked out marymounts program also. Is it true that you have to have a Virginia nursing license as an admission requirement?? How is the program so far? Do you enjoy it? What about out of state fees? Did you consider going to Univ of MD in the past?

HealthyRN · Jan 27, 2006

Any actual FNP Student Clinical Experience details about course work, hours, the total load? The topic seems so tight lipped. Could not really find a thread that actually answered the question. Heard a lot of horror stories about second mortgages, selling homes, quiting jobs and extreme measures to help financially support a FNP student with demanding clinicals. I am 1 semester short of starting my FNP Practicum, a very close friend of mine was so stressed about financial hardship, long hours, heavy course load (heard from other students), that she switched to education. I wanna here the real deal from students actually going the their Practicum now or recent grads. Can anyone shead some light?

I would like to here the stories from FNP students also. I applied to FNP programs for the fall and I am waiting to hear about admissions. Is it possible to have a part-time job while in a program full-time?

pocohantas · Jan 27, 2006

I had an idea that Bowie's program didn't really have everything together. Just by going on to their school website, you can't even find any information about the MSN program. All it tells you is who to contact. Anways, I checked out marymounts program also. Is it true that you have to have a Virginia nursing license as an admission requirement?? How is the program so far? Do you enjoy it? What about out of state fees? Did you consider going to Univ of MD in the past?

If you are applying yes you do need a VA licence, I work in DC and let my VA and MD license go, because I staopped doing Agency work, but I transfered in, so It was not required. But you have to obtain licenses in all 3 states, VA, MD, DC due to the clinical areas and availibliity of instructors where you would like to be located. I love their program, only my second semester. It is a big university in small school . All of the classes are in one central building with a cafteria, computer lab (with unlimited printing power). You can run up stairs between classes and print out papers, syllabuses, article etc. Their technology is on point and they are truly making it conveinent for the students. They really use the computer in emails to communicate, access to the professors is excellent. Ther campus is so easy to learn. UMD is good in its program options, the safety and crime there really concerns me. The program seems to be excellent, but overall the drive, price, conveiniece, and location of the campus was not for me. I like to keep it simple, drive to class and park and leave, just like at work. Well, at Marymount this is the thing, there is no OUT State Fees, just one flat fee, its about $500 per credit (loans, and tution reimbursement ofcourse). I did consider UMD, but I did a side by comparison of EVERYTHING, neighborhood, crime, safety, travel, price, convienience (to food, businesses, beltway), program and grad date.

Please excuse my typo's

pocohantas · Jan 27, 2006

I would like to here the stories from FNP students also. I applied to FNP programs for the fall and I am waiting to hear about admissions. Is it possible to have a part-time job while in a program full-time?

I went weekend alternative...I thought I would never ever work weekends, but my life changes required it. Plus it is only temporary. I have been doing weekend alternative for a year, I would have waited until right before clinicals, but I had a preemie baby and had to speed time with her (at home on apnea monitor and oxygen). I actually never was FT, 6 hours to me if FT. I have a mortgage...

carachel2 · Jan 29, 2006

I would like to here the stories from FNP students also. I applied to FNP programs for the fall and I am waiting to hear about admissions. Is it possible to have a part-time job while in a program full-time?

I have yet to start clinicals, but have completed two classes and I will just pass on what we were told: for two (6 hrs total) classes, count on that being equivalent to a 30 hr. workweek.

So far I have found this to be true. I work PRN about 4 times a month and have a daughter in school. I study and write while she is at school and so far it is working...but I use every hour of those days.

I know there are others, however, who make it all work in less time. I'm sure if I had to crunch it, I could find a way.

pocohantas · Jan 29, 2006

I have yet to start clinicals, but have completed two classes and I will just pass on what we were told: for two (6 hrs total) classes, count on that being equivalent to a 30 hr. workweek.
So far I have found this to be true. I work PRN about 4 times a month and have a daughter in school. I study and write while she is at school and so far it is working...but I use every hour of those days.
I know there are others, however, who make it all work in less time. I'm sure if I had to crunch it, I could find a way.

Where and What program are you in?

This summer I take Advanced Health Assessment (includes 1 day of class, 1 day of 5-6 hrs of assesment lab time and 2 clinic visits). To me its just a taste of the beginning. I have heard the same information, I was told that there are 675 clinical hours for both semesters. Per my calculation for a about a 15 week semester divided by half of the both semesters (337.5) its about 22.5 hours a week or so....

After much discussion with a friend/colleague (she switched from FNP to Education) on our plans for workload, financial support and etc, I decided to stop speculating, guessing and going by he said/she said, and get a true account of the Practicum Load and hours and an idea of what to expect from my advisor.

I requested that she have a FNP student currently in their practicum or from last semester to contact me so I could ask them questions to get a Graduate FNP students perspective, as well as, the FNP Clinical instructor emailed me to address my questions and concerns.

She is to get in contact with me this week. I am anxiously awaiting her input. What she tells me I will post and email to you. Not knowing what to expect, at least, mainly for my work schedule, is really my issue.

I am a planner and at least I can make schedule adjustments ahead of time. Your right, it will work, it has too. Thank God for Daycare, a mother nearby and a understanding, flexible head nurse!

johnson0424 · Feb 17, 2006

i currently live in maryland also but just moved from AL. I go to FNP online at Univ. of Alabama at Birmingham. I love the convience. And if you have to work like I do to pay the bills it is a great option. Flexible but you have to be very disciplined. you have deadlines and you work it out from there. I am going into my clinicals in the fall and if anyone knows any preceptors out there that would be willing to precept me i would appreciate it..I live in Calvert Cty.