FNP program stressed out, considering transferring

lwsoccjs · Jun 14, 2016

I would love to know more information to adequately give you advice. Such as "extreme workload" obviously is up for interpretation. So tell me what you average week consists of, such as required readings, videos, essays , tests, how much material is on said test etc. Next grad school changes school to school but it is supposed to be facilitating and you seeking out additional information. Such as if the case is headache, then you should seek out usmle step 2-3 for more in depth or just use textbook, or the national guidelines etc. There is nothing wrong with having to go part time, I am actually reluctant to see other schools that people work full time with kids etc and ace classes makes me question rigor of school a little. Feel free to respond, I am currently a FNP student so I only know what I have seen but I do enjoy my school and would be happy to give any advice I can. Also what kind of school is it? Hybrid, online, brick n-mortar?

slim23 · Jun 15, 2016

Thank you for responding. I feel this way due to my overall experience in this program. Last semester I took research and we had a written assignment toward our final research proposal due every week along with a final proposal due at the end of the semester. We had classes once a day where we had lectures. We had a total of 2 exams. The toughest part was the professor graded the assignments very tough. At the same time, I was balancing my pharm class which was rigorous. We were assigned over 12 hrs plus of recorded power point lecture every 2 weeks along with 6 hrs of lectures which we attended once a week. Along with that, we had 3 quizzes, written 4 case studies, and 2 exams. The final was comprehensive 150 questions which were brutal where we were surprised with dosing of medications which was a shocker which was never tested previously on quizzes and on the first exam. Even after saying that I did fine. I decided to take assessment this summer. One the first day of class we were expected to have read 200 pages of our textbook. We are using 2 different books. The 6 hrs of the lab we have once a week we practice but there is no aspect of teaching. I asked the professor since there isn't any lecture posted, objectives per chapter, or a blueprint, how do you focus what is important. She just told me I just have to just read and do the practice question that comes with the book. Having to read the textbook and without any kind of guide is difficult when trying to understand what is important and testable. Even the comprehensive physical exam check offs are very strict and intimating. And every time I talk to someone else in a different NP program they are working, stress-free, and their program give them the information to be successful on their exams. The classes I have taken that had lectures were recorded lectures from years before and the professor are noninvolved. I am most likely going to drop assessment over the summer. I just feel as though even if I progress through this program every class is going to be like this. I spoke with my adviser today and she said the NP program changed its curriculum last year and the professors haven't had time to adapt etc. Sorry if I just ranted.

lwsoccjs · Jun 15, 2016

I am very sorry you feel like dropping. Again like I said but will reemphasize if they are "working, stress-free, and acing all tests" there really is something VERY VERY wrong. Think about it, student A is given study guide to cover 5 chapters for pharmacology. It condenses 200 pages into 5 pages and they read it over and over then take the test. Of course word association they do well. Many weaker programs are not proctored and they Ace that test. Now take student B and you are required to have read all the pages, engage in reading on your own and told to do practice problems. Of course the student B had to have studied harder, their study guide will be 20 pages long, and they get the anxiety of taking a real test. But please tell me you do not think the two students are equals in knowledge. Just because you graduate does not mean your a safe provider. Anyone can memorize the questions for a certification test. The problem lies is the transformation you are doing, going from task oriented to the provider. Every single page in your textbooks is important. You are it as the provider! Regarding your assessment class, I am assuming they give you a task to do. Such as palpate the liver just hypothetically. So you do not get instruction in today's world they is an infinite amount of knowledge available to self-learn. Watch video, perform, ask partners advice, call over other student, retry another technique. Again graduate level learning everything you described sounds about right at this level.

travelRN555 · Jun 15, 2016

I am almost a year into an online FNP program. It certainly is a lot less rigorous than your program, but honestly I would prefer to be challenged like you describe in your program and actually feel like I'm being taught/learning something. Our 'classes' consist of assigned readings and writing discussion posts and replies to other students. There is absolutely no guidance, no lectures, and no constructive feedback as to whether or not you are truly comprehending the material. It seems that if you touch on the required talking points and follow APA you'll get an A regardless if you actually understand the topic.

If I were you, I would stay in the program and be thankful that they are preparing you properly for graduation and the real world.

Bumex, DNP, NP · Jul 5, 2016

My program at UCincinnati is rigorous, but I take extra time to study. I agree the "extreme workload" is subjective. NP school is rough where ever you choose to go through!