Frontier School of Midwifery and Family Nursing-FNP Program

Nursing Students NP Students

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Hi all,

I am thinking about applying to Frontier for the FNP Program. While I have read and heard great things about the midwifery program, I haven't heard much about the FNP Program. I would appreciate any feedback from current students or graduates of the program. Thanks.

Specializes in L&D.
HI, g.

I do think they have a great curriculum, but I hate the thought of having to jump through so many hoops when I've already done so much to prove myself. I think working as a college instructor for 5 years and completing a year of graduate work should count for something and it's disappointing to realize it's not going to count at all!

Absolutely! I feel your pain....sounds like Frontier is losing out on this one. Have you spoken to the head of the department directly? Just a thought.

for students in Frontier's FNP program, how "bad" is the full-time workload? i will be working full-time 6-2:30p, 5 days a week, and I have a little girl 2 yrs old. My husband is supportive so i was toying with the idea of going full-time but I don't want to have too much on my plate but I would like to finish more quickly. If I start full-time and it's too much, is it easier to switch to the part-time program? With working full-time can I do the academic courses and then work part-time when it's clinical time?

any advice is appreciated!!!

Specializes in Rural Health.
Hello!

I am in the process of researching FNP programs that would work for me, and juggling between my list of desirables, and factoring in my limitations.

I am currently in a BSN program that will hopefully wrap up next year..my wish list includes:

1. Decent pr credit hour cost (~300-400)..i could venture a bit higher if i got 2,3 and 4

2.School sets up preceptors in my local area ( i know i know..but hey, this is a wish list!!)

3.No GRE requirement

4.All didactic portion completely online and minimal on campus reqs

I am in OH, about a 3 hour drive from frontier, and am hearing great things about this school: my question is can any frontier student or grad please give a ball park figure of how much it cost ? both for the MSN or the ADN-MSN options..ADN would include the brigde option obviously..I am early in a BSN program and am still weighing the cost options..i have no debt right now and want to do whatever to keep it that way ..:)

Also how much help do they give in setting up clinicals? I currently work in a step down unit ( nearly one year after graduation) and deal with a lot of acute cases, but we have a policy of NOT allowing to be percepted where we work... dont ask me why..

I hope someone responds..I really need to know!!

Regarding FSMFN:

#1 The website will tell you the most up to date information on cost per credit hour.

#2 The school does not set up clinical preceptors for you. You take care of that on your own. You are required to see a certain # of patients as well as have a certain number of clinical hours to graduate. All this information is found on their webpage. This is one of the most difficult things for students to obtain and honestly I think before you apply to this program you should first have a VERY GOOD solid lead on a potential preceptor otherwise you run the risk of completing your coursework and 16 months later not having a clinical site and not finishing the program unless you move.

#3 GRE is required depending on your GPA

#4 You are required to attend bound sessions 2 times during the MSN portion of your program. The first time is 4 days at the start of your program. The second time is approx 16 months later (if you are full time) for 8 days. These are orientation sessions to various portions of your programs. You are required to attend.

As far as your job goes, most people do clinicals for the FNP program in clinics rather than in the hospitals. This program prepares you as an FNP to see mainly chronic conditions, peds, well women, etc... Hospitals generally are filled with acute care cases, so generally speaking, they are not ideal learning environments for a FNP student. FSMFN does not allow you to work in the specific department or clinic during your clinical rotation. Since you work stepdown, I do not see where this would be an issue. You are allowed to still work for the hospital so that would not be an issue for you.

Hope I helped answer some of your questions!!!!

Specializes in Rural Health.
for students in Frontier's FNP program, how "bad" is the full-time workload? i will be working full-time 6-2:30p, 5 days a week, and I have a little girl 2 yrs old. My husband is supportive so i was toying with the idea of going full-time but I don't want to have too much on my plate but I would like to finish more quickly. If I start full-time and it's too much, is it easier to switch to the part-time program? With working full-time can I do the academic courses and then work part-time when it's clinical time?

any advice is appreciated!!!

Full time has required me to spend anywhere from 10-60 hours per week depending on the week and the class and what is going on that week. There is no way to tell you if it will be too much or too little because I honestly have no idea how tired you are after coming home from work. To me the idea of coming home after 8 hours of work and doing 8-10 hours of homework just makes me way to :crying2: but that's me :eek:

You are allowed to change your status one time (from full to part time or vice versa). All FNP students start with just 2 classes the first term so you have a chance to "test the waters".

My only concern for you - when you reach your clinical portion what are you going to do? FNP students generally complete their clinicals in a clinic which is open M-F from 8-5. Just something mull over when you think about ideas......

Specializes in Rural Health.
Hi, i posted this on the main board but thought i could post it here as well:

"

I'm thinking about applying to Frontier's FNP program and was wondering about clinicals. Are you completely on your own to find clinical placements or do they help somewhat? for students in the FNP program there, is it hard to find clinical placements?

Thanks! "

Yes, you find your clinical placement on your own. That does not mean the school won't help you, but the school is not responsible for setting your clinical site. You must go out, find a preceptor and get the site. Once you find the site, you let the school know and they take care of all the legal mumbo jumbo stuff for you.

One of the most difficult thing for students is finding a clinical site. I really think it's important to make sure you have some really good ideas and/or leads before you apply. Make sure you know where you can go for clinicals and where you can get ALL your clinical hours and #s in at before you apply. I think many students apply and think things will work out and 16-24 months later when they are finished with their coursework and ready to start clinicals they are startled to realize they don't have preceptors lined up to take them. Then the student is faced with either A not finishing their program or B moving to another area of the country to finish their program. It is a very stressful time for the student.

I myself did not have a hard time but my very close friend is a FNP who agreed to do my clinicals long before I ever applied to this program and she even quit her job and moved to another practice for me so I could see a better variety of patients and would only need one clinical site (plus she wanted a new job).

Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

I have a question regarding clinical placement. Is the policy that you cannot work there as an RN during the time you're doing your preceptorship, or you cannot have worked there at all?

Could I set up my preceptorship with a practice that works on the unit I work and take a leave of absence from my RN position while I do my clinical portion?

Specializes in a lil here a lil there.
I have a question regarding clinical placement. Is the policy that you cannot work there as an RN during the time you're doing your preceptorship, or you cannot have worked there at all?

Could I set up my preceptorship with a practice that works on the unit I work and take a leave of absence from my RN position while I do my clinical portion?

Depends on the program. Some schools specify that you absolutely cannot work under the same corporate umbrella as where you do your clinicals. Other institutions are a bit more relaxed and only require that you not be under the leadership that also supervises you while you work for pay. You will have to talk to the clinical coordinator of your program for clarification if you do not see this addressed in the student handbook for your area of graduate studies / or web resources.

Has anyone ever gone the "portfolio route" in applying for frontier...what was your experience? Just wondering because thats been my route, and am waiting to hear back

hello all! I am going to apply at Frontier for the Feb. 2011 class. I have my RN and my BS in health mgmt. My gpa is right at a 3.0. I have volunteer experience, home health and only 1 year hospital. Can anyone tell me what my acceptance chances look like? I would greatly appreciate it?

Specializes in Cardiac.

I think you sound like a good candidate! What program are you applying for? I'm hoping to apply for that class as well, but the MSN bridge.

I am going to apply to the FNP program. Yourself?

Specializes in Cardiac.

I'm still trying to decide between CNM or CNM/FNP.

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