pharmacology and pathophysiology for FNP program

[gonetocarolina]

I just had a discussion with an admissions counselor for Georgetown's online FNP program. She raised a concern that I would need to take 400 or 500-level pharmacology and pathophysiology courses in order to (a) qualify for, and (b) succeed in Georgetown's program. She maintains that RN to BSN bridge programs, and the ADN programs preceding them, are not sufficiently rigorous in those areas to prepare students for master's level coursework.

No other program in which I'm interested has raised this concern. I'm open to taking additional coursework in an attempt to get into Georgetown's program, but wonder if I'll need more classes to succeed in any NP program. I'd obviously prefer to start a program sooner rather than later, though.

For current and prospective NP students and current NP's, what was your pre-masters coursework in pharmacology and pathophysiology? Did any of you get your BSN via RN to BSN programs, and if so, did you take additional coursework beyond your BSN to qualify for NP progams?

[SierraBravo]

How many clinical semesters have you completed to make that judgement?

Sent from my iPhone.

One clinical semester. But considering most PA programs consist of over 2000 hours of clinical training, the clinical exposure for NP students pales by comparison. For example, my program requires about 670-ish hours (don't have my school materials in front of me). Don't get me wrong, I love being a nurse and look forward to being an NP. And you don't need to be almost done with the NP program to make that statement, because it is a fact, it's not judgement. FNP students may get a few more hours than us (because of peds/OB), but I guarantee you don't come close to 2000 hours.

[BostonFNP, APRN]

And you don't need to be almost done with the NP program to make that statement, because it is a fact, it's not judgement. FNP students may get a few more hours than us (because of peds/OB), but I guarantee you don't come close to 2000 hours.

The three Ps form the basis on which your clinical courses build, unlike the block style of PA programs. Your pharmacology education isn't complete until your clinical courses are complete.

As far as clinical hours, NP hours are 1:1 hours where PA hours which are between 1:1 and 1:6 or more.

Sent from my iPhone.

[zmansc, ASN, RN]

Even though I despise the this type of program is better than that type of program arguments, I'm going to show my ignorance. I'm not sure what those ratios are telling me, BostonFNP. Can you explain a bit more? Is it student to preceptor ratio, or something else?