FNP at Western University of Health Sciences

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I just recently got accepted to the msn/FNP program at western and am having a hard time deciding whether to accept. Its an online program with seminar weekends and I'm hearing now that we have to find our own preceptors even though the school says its set up for us. Does anyone know anything about this program in California? My concern is that I won't be as prepared as other NP grads will be when I graduate. I also am wrestling with the fact that if I don't go, then I'll have to wait another year to apply to other schools. I'm just very confused at this point because I don't know if its a substantial enough of a program to prepare me.

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This is only my personal opinion so take it for what its worth :)

I recently went to an info session about the direct entry program and i was less than excited (or even less excited) about applying after sitting through a couple hours of talk and tour. The program does make you find its own preceptors, and i guess you only have one preceptor the entire program (this didn't make any sense to me but since its an FNP program you set yourself up at a truly primary care clinic)? Also, the program is 4 years (that is extremely long in my opinion for a masters degree (might as well go to medical school)) and the only option is to go part-time and distance (not my cup of tea). I didn't find the faculty that inviting and sort of short with the questions prospective students were asking. Not very friendly and I wasn't impressed with the facilities. The campus is not in a good area and leaves something to be desired (at least during the RN portion)

If you are going to pay that sort of money for a program they should be able to provide you with strong resources for clinicals and preceptors which unfortunately i don't think they do and being left on your own especially when you pay this sort of price for an education is not very fair.

In short, there are better CA programs out there. Wait another year, you'll not miss out on anything. Hope this helps

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Hello Dancing Nurse-

I just got accepted to their ADN to MSN-FNP program, also. What I like about the program is the timing, it will take you around 3 years to get your FNP. By 2015, if you are not grandfathered into an FNP masters program, you will need your doctorate to get your FNP. Distance based learning does sound challenging, I prefer in-person classes. As for preceptorship, I'm sure they can place us since they have a very well known PA program. If they are able to place PA students, Im sure they'll find places to place NP students. Ive been trying to get a hold of admissions and found that they are very disorganized. They've sent me emails stating I have to do my immunizations titer on May 31st when it was due on June 1st, how do they expect me to finish in one day? haha. In addition, the school email that they linked me to does not even work! I had to call the help desk and they are working on it. Have you decided on going yet? Im still debating on whether I should spend so much money for this school or not.

-Chip RN

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Personally ChipNguyen I would not attend this program. I don't know exactly what you are looking for in your FNP education, but I think there are much better programs out there in Calif (especially state schools here). They did seem extremely disorganized during that day and yes you are correct in some sense about preceptors. They have a huge binder of previous preceptors they have used, but its completely up to you to go through that entire encyclopedia and contact any and every preceptor you would be interested in doing your rotations with; from what I was told that is entirely your responsibility. Also do you think is sort of weird that you do the entire program with one preceptor? I really didn't understand this. It is a school that really emphasizes underserved work as well (not sure if this is crucial for you in your FNP education). Yes, there PA program is great, but its also much much larger. Yea, I think that notification of sending you immunization requirements that late is very unprofessional and maybe a trend for the future? I actually have not applied to this program....I will be applying to programs this summer but have been going open houses when they offer them to see which school bests fit me. Hope this helps!

Hello Dancing Nurse-

I just got accepted to their ADN to MSN-FNP program, also. What I like about the program is the timing, it will take you around 3 years to get your FNP. By 2015, if you are not grandfathered into an FNP masters program, you will need your doctorate to get your FNP. Distance based learning does sound challenging, I prefer in-person classes. As for preceptorship, I'm sure they can place us since they have a very well known PA program. If they are able to place PA students, Im sure they'll find places to place NP students. Ive been trying to get a hold of admissions and found that they are very disorganized. They've sent me emails stating I have to do my immunizations titer on May 31st when it was due on June 1st, how do they expect me to finish in one day? haha. In addition, the school email that they linked me to does not even work! I had to call the help desk and they are working on it. Have you decided on going yet? Im still debating on whether I should spend so much money for this school or not.

-Chip RN

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Specializes in home health & nonprofit management.

I'm chiming in a little late so I'm not sure if this will help but I accepted for their adn-msn this fall. Biggest factor in my decision was the distance based aspect and the 2015 deadline. I should be coming in right under that. I don't have a bachelors at all and didn't want to spend the extra time on one because of the deadline. School has a good reputation and its seems standard that you find your own preceptor at other private schools. The price is norm for a private school. I like that it is double accredited too. The teacher I sat w/ at open house was very personable as were the current students that presented. I went to LAHC where faculty were pretty rough so I guess I don't expect much. Let me know what you decided after all..........

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Specializes in n/a.

Hello all. I am wondering if any of you decided to start the program and if so do you recommend it? I will be applying in spring 2013 and would like to know if it even worth the time applying or better yet even going there?? I would appreciate any input thanks:)

E2nurse

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I know I am a bit late but I am a current student set up to graduate in August 2013 with my FNP/MSN completed through the MSN-E program at WUHS. I can tell you from personal experience that although the program seems long it was very much worth my time and money. This rumor of having to find your own preceptors is simply not true. You have the option to find your own, which I did in my own case through colleagues at the hospital. They will place you if you are unable to locate your own preceptors, it may be farther than desired from your place of residence but they will find you someone. The comment made earlier regarding the 'ONE PRECEPTOR" is also not true, people need to do their homework. The MSN/FNP program is a harder program to complete than other schools because they require more hours than those required by the BRN. WUHS requires 675 hours and you need at least 3 preceptors to obtain these hours (including Peds, OB/GYN, and Family). I currently am working with 5 due to my work schedule and 3 of them were provided my WUHS and CANP networking. There are some amazing professors at WUHS and its much like anything...the more effort and work you put into the program the better prepared FNP you will be.

Good luck to all of you...its a long, exciting and exhausting experience but well worth it

I hope I cleared a few things up!

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FYI there is a ton of misinformation out there about the DNP requirement of 2015. This goal was just that a goal. No single state has made this a requirement and once they do there will be a 5-7 year delay for implementation. This should not be a consideration for anyone at this time.

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Oops first post.

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Hello all. I am wondering if any of you decided to start the program and if so do you recommend it? I will be applying in spring 2013 and would like to know if it even worth the time applying or better yet even going there?? I would appreciate any input thanks:)

E2nurse

Did you apply to WesternU? I applied for the Summer 2013, the ADN to MSN program. I also applied to 3 others. I think I will hear back from this school first as it starts in the summer.

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Hi Jollie,

What happens if you need to miss one day on one of the seminar weekends? Or if you're ill? Did this happen to you or anyone in your class and if so, what did the school respond and what did they have to do? I know your post is from over a year ago but if you could reply, I'd greatly appreciate it! Thanks...

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Specializes in Med/surg, Tele, educator, FNP.

Take it! Western is a great school! From what I know finding a preceptor is the norm. Good luck

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