Is your NP program challenging enough?

Nursing Students NP Students

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Does anyone out there feel like they are in need of more "tough love" from their program?

I am enjoying the experience, and there are certainly some challenges, but I find myself wishing it was harder-- with the idea that I will be a better NP if I go through a super-tough program.

A penny for your thoughts...

Part of my undergrad program (ADN to BSN portion) was online but it was tougher than my graduate classes are starting off to be so far. Mu undergrad had timed closed-book tests for which you had to sign an "honesty waiver" promising that you were doing the work yourself, weren't using notes or texts, etc. and the time periods were stringent enough that you had to know the answers pretty quickly. The grading scale at my local college was also tougher (below 93% is a B, etc). My graduate program so far (disclaimer: I'm in my first semester) has an easier grading scale (A is 90-100 etc) and our tests are open book/open note. For my theory class we had two HOURS to take a 30 question quiz and then were allowed to re-take and our best score was kept. I'll be taking my first patho test today which will also be open book and is 25 questions in an hour which I guess is a little more reasonable (no study guide or any clue as to what will be on our test out of over 300 pages of text, but that's another gripe). Assignments have been about on par with what I did undergrad-wise.

I definitely feel so far like I'm just jumping through hoops and am rehashing things I've already done but hey, if that's what I need to do to prove I deserve a graduate degree then okay I guess. I'm really hoping the meat and potatoes will be my last couple semesters of theory and then of course clinicals. I'm not too worried about the quality of my program so far but I am a little pleasantly surprised and baffled that it has been so easy.

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Specializes in Emergency.

Ok, so our tests are all administered with a locked computer and a remote proctor. Think of a device that has 360 degree view of the room and a microphone and records both audio and video. No noise is allowed in the room as well as no other persons, no electronic devices other than what has been mentioned, if you have pictures they must be taken down, or covered up, etc.

I know they have only been doing it this way for a little while, couple of years now. Prior to that most tests were as you describe and then there were proctored tests usually once a term, so you had to find someone to sign for the validity of your tests. I'm surprised that you can get away with just a pledge of honesty.

My undergrad program also had an adjusted grade scale, in fact it was so bad the top graduate my year had a 3.2 GPA for the program courses! The next year they went back to the normal scale and now a majority of the class is graduating with more than a 3.6! lol I guess that tells you what GPA really means from program to program, year to year!

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Part of my undergrad program (ADN to BSN portion) was online but it was tougher than my graduate classes are starting off to be so far. Mu undergrad had timed closed-book tests for which you had to sign an "honesty waiver" promising that you were doing the work yourself, weren't using notes or texts, etc. and the time periods were stringent enough that you had to know the answers pretty quickly. The grading scale at my local college was also tougher (below 93% is a B, etc). My graduate program so far (disclaimer: I'm in my first semester) has an easier grading scale (A is 90-100 etc) and our tests are open book/open note. For my theory class we had two HOURS to take a 30 question quiz and then were allowed to re-take and our best score was kept. I'll be taking my first patho test today which will also be open book and is 25 questions in an hour which I guess is a little more reasonable (no study guide or any clue as to what will be on our test out of over 300 pages of text, but that's another gripe). Assignments have been about on par with what I did undergrad-wise.

I definitely feel so far like I'm just jumping through hoops and am rehashing things I've already done but hey, if that's what I need to do to prove I deserve a graduate degree then okay I guess. I'm really hoping the meat and potatoes will be my last couple semesters of theory and then of course clinicals. I'm not too worried about the quality of my program so far but I am a little pleasantly surprised and baffled that it has been so easy.

Why is having your graduate courses as easy as an associates to bsn bridge program a pleasant surprise? I find that worrisome.

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I feel like it's premature to be very concerned my first semester in. I think the actual major-centric coursework will be more challenging (I'm studying psych). From a "balancing work/school/family" standpoint it's definitely been much better than what I expected.

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I feel like it's premature to be very concerned my first semester in. I think the actual major-centric coursework will be more challenging (I'm studying psych). From a "balancing work/school/family" standpoint it's definitely been much better than what I expected.

That makes sense, I'm sure the psych-centered pharm, etc will be better. Hopefully it ramps up a bit. Good luck in your program!

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