Online ACNP/ANP BSN-MSN programs

Aymese · Feb 24, 2012

Hello,

I am in the online ACNP program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. I would recommend this program. Once you get into your ACNP theory courses and clinicals, they have very experienced ACNPs that facilitate live classrooms and small group clinical conferences. Although I was initially apprehensive about online schooling, I felt like I have been very successful in my learning. The main tip I would give for success, is to be very self-directed in terms of keeping up with your readings. They utilize audio powerpoints, live classroom sessions in which you need a microphone, excellent video lectures from ACNPs or MDs. The adv pharmacy class at UAB is excellent as well. It is taught by Samford University pharmacy school profs.

-UAB has eliminated their traditional ACNP classroom setting, meaning it is all online. Also they only offer part-time student status at this time. Regardless of the school you choose, I recommend completing your MSN part time if you are going to work, especially if full-time. I think it is important to have time and the mental energy to focus on your studying. IMO, i feel this would be difficult to do full-time schooling while working FT. Maybe working part time would be feasible, i dont know.

-In May, I will have completed the program in 7 straight semesters. The total credit hours is somewhere around 43 or 44.

- I worked FT up until this last semester. It was difficult mainly bc in my dept (cath lab), FT is 4x10hr shifts during weekdays. This was challenging during year two when my clinicals started. Also, being on call on evenings and 1-2 weekends a months made it harder. No problem during 1st year because it was all online. I had to ration my PTO. I would recommend having a job that does 3x12hr shifts in which some of the hours can be done on the weekends, so you have more time during the weekdays to do clinicals.

-I do highly recommend working as an RN before school. UAB requires at least one year working before admittance into the program. Many NPs and graduate professors have said they can tell a difference between their experienced RN students and those that are fresh out of undergrad. I personally think you should give yourself 2 years of working before going back to school. This also sets you apart from many new grad physician assistants who often have zero clinical experience prior to PA school.

-My ACNP classmates practically all have experience working in some form of critical care whether that is MICU, trauma ICU, CVICU, ED, CCU, Cath lab, etc. I can't really speak to ANP. I would also recommend getting certified in whatever area you chose to work in as an RN (CCRN, CEN, PCCN, etc). Grad schools look highly upon certification and it may give you an advantage in your application.

-There is a ton of reading and many papers along the way as there is in any graduate program. The first year is very manageable if you keep up with the reading. The 2nd year is very intense probably 8-10. This is because of balancing work with clinical hours, theory coursework, writing H&Ps, participating in online clinical conferences, occasional papers, and working on your research project throughout the last semester. It starts with a research paper in the first ACNP theory course, then a narrated powerpoint on your topic in the 2nd theory course, and finally a posterboard in the 3rd class.

-I do feel like I will be prepared when I take my exam. This is incorporated into all of my classes.I am going to take the Barkley ACNP review course after graduation.

-All MSN students attend the health assessment head to toe check off which was 2 full days on campus. The ACNP program attended campus about 5 more times for skills checkoffs (suturing, central lines, LP, intubation, etc), patient examination check offs (patient has a complaint and you go in and assess, diagnose, and treat will being evaluated on camera), and test taking

-Most of the first year course exams are open book, open notes. However, you need to know the material to complete the exam in a timely manner. The ACNP theory courses are all closed-book/notes and are taken via computer in monitored classroom on campus.

-UABs online MSN program falls under in-state tuition. Each online course has a $200 online fee. I have probably spent approximately $20,000 total

-Faculty responds to all of my emails in a timely manner. They are also often accessible via office phone. I have actually been very happy with this aspect of online schooling at UAB.

-Most of our theory courses were video-taped lectures from UAB Hospital physicians. We also had a lecture everytime we came to campus. (Antibiotic selection, ARDS and vent managment). I really liked the videos. Usually there is a powerpoint provided to go along with it. Our live classrooms were taught by the UAB ACNP instructors and those are excellent as well.

-UAB is accredited by CCNE: UAB - Accreditation. UAB has an excellent reputation among physicians in the southeastern US. I have gotten positive many comments during clinical rotations from patients, MDs, and RNs when people see my UAB student name tag. I live near Atlanta, GA.

-I found the search for preceptors to be very challenging. I recommend starting as early as possible (at LEAST 6 months in advance of your clinical start date). PLEASE use the facilities which already have a contract with UAB if possible. If you life in an area where there are not already contracts, then start earlier than 6 months. It is the legal process between the hospital legal and UAB legal dept that causes delays or failures in negotiating a contract. Have a back up preceptor or location in place. Plan to only be able to have an MD or NP preceptor. PAs are not allowed and the NP should be certified in your specialty track (ANP, ACNP). If he or she is not certified in your specialty, then you will need to have an MD listed on paper as your primary preceptor and the NP as the secondary. Arranging preceptorships has honestly been the most frustrating part of online school. The faculty performs site visits approximately 2 times throughout the program.

Hope that helps in your decision-making and for others who are considering UAB's acute care nurse practitioner program!

Thanks for your help!

Lev, MSN, RN, NP · Mar 1, 2012

Thanks so much Aymese!

It sounds like UAB is a great program that I will definitely consider. How hard is it to get into? Do you find it hard to arrange time to get to campus when you have to?

Anyone else have info about their school?

Aymese · Mar 3, 2012

They will waive the GRE if you had a GPA higher than 3.2 in undergrad. I am not sure how many students apply versus how many are admitted. We have 31 people in our ACNP class. They did a good job of giving months of advance notice in telling us when we needed to be on campus. So I did not have a problem receiving approval from work. Most trips were between 2-2 1/2 days of activities. A couple times I felt like things could have been more condensed into 2 days.

Lev, MSN, RN, NP · Mar 8, 2012

Aymese,

Again, thanks so much for responding. Were the trips over the weekeneds, or during the week?

Aymese · Mar 8, 2012

Sure! They were weekday visits from wednesday-Friday or Thursday-Friday. I saved up PTO in anticipation for 1-2 visits per semester for about 4 semesters.

nursecat05 · May 8, 2012

I am also in the ACNP program at UAB, just finished my first semester.

NurseMB · Jun 4, 2012

hi... I have read the MSN fact sheet. It says.. distance accessible... but it also mentioned that students need to visit the campus for TWO MULTIDAY INTENSIVES and comnprehensive exams..... is this only time that we go to class and rest are on line?

thanks a lot for your info....