UTA FNP 2016

Nursing Students NP Students

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Hello,

I am currently looking to start the FNP program at UTA in April 2016. I wanted to hear from any current students in the FNP program.

1. How do you like the structure of the program?

2. Any tips or study advice?

Also, please comment if you plan on starting in April 2016 or anytime in the 2016 school year. I know they have several sessions throughout the year. I would love to make a study group to help us throughout the program.

So here's some advice and feedback on what some of you have said or asked...

I am right about 1/2 way through the AP-FNP program at UTA. I have worked full-time since I started, but plan to cut back to 1-2 days a week early in 2016 because all I have is clinical courses left. The first half of the program is a lot of "busy work." I did my BSN through UTA as a traditional in-seat program so maybe some of this is normal, but it is tons and tons of papers and discussion posts with very little in the way of "learning." One instructor (who I am friends with) told me that the administrators of the program told them to limit their video lectures to 15 minutes or less. So what that means is you are paying tuition that is a higher rate than that of other graduate students to be told "read the entire chapter in this book and study for your test." It's not teaching and it is very frustrating. Again, this is my experience with the early classes. I have taken Theory, Research, Application of Theory and Research, Pharm, Patho, Assessment, Clinical Skills, and Role of the APRN. Of those classes, I learned something useful in Skills and Role, the rest were fluff. Some instructors are downright awful and when you have a question they will reply with "This is graduate level learning, you are expected to find answers to your questions on your own." I was really blown away. That is not to say there aren't some good instructors, but as a whole I am extremely disappointed in the program after having such a great experience with my BSN at UTA. The coaches (essentially TAs who grade your papers) have been pretty good in all my classes. I have one friend who switched from online FNP to in seat ANP and I think you can only switch early on in the program. Many of the classes are specific for which track you are in (for example, clinical skills for adult is very different than family). And then you have the worst part...

UTA doesn't really tell you up front that they don't help you whatsoever with preceptors. I won't say her name, but I should really publish the emails I have between the person over clinical clearance and myself because she doesn't deserve a job at McDonalds much less the university. She told me early on that preceptors are hard to come by and to start looking 6 months in advance, yet the school doesn't give you clinical clearance anywhere close to that timeframe. So what happens is when you contact clinical sites, they want to know if you are cleared and/or tell you that you're asking to find a preceptor too soon. When you relay this to the school, they tell you it's not their problem, yet in the same breath they tell you many students have to sit out the semester because they can't find preceptors. How is that not their problem, I don't know...you have students who pay for 1/2 an education and then can't finish it because the school chooses to do nothing.

So be warned, whether online or in seat, UTA's graduate programs are, in my opinion, the bottom of the barrel when it comes to student support.

Wow! Great Information! Is there a way I can talk with you in more detail about the program & ask you for your advice. I would hate to get into a program that does not provide students with the support that they need to be successful!

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Specializes in Internal and Family Medicine.

Are you going to go to UT Arlington? UTA could be Austin, so I want to make sure. if you are planning to go to UT Arlington, are you doing the AP program? That's the distance program. We don't have to go to campus other than 1 day for a clinical skills check. The program is highly disconnected and they are clueless. The actual program curriculum is excellent, but nobody knows what is going on. It's truly one of the most frustrating experiences I have ever had. It takes six emails and two phone calls to know if your textbook list has been updated since 1974. The campus is in the hood and people get held up at gunpoint. Recently there was a rape on campus. Oh! You have to set up your own clinicals. They don;t give you enough information to sond relatively knowledgable about the program when canvassing potential preceptors. I actually go to other school's websites to learn about things. The advisors know zip. They refer you back to the website. It's a poorly run program. Good luck. Might I suggest Simmons?

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Are you going to go to UT Arlington? UTA could be Austin, so I want to make sure. if you are planning to go to UT Arlington, are you doing the AP program? That's the distance program. We don't have to go to campus other than 1 day for a clinical skills check. The program is highly disconnected and they are clueless. The actual program curriculum is excellent, but nobody knows what is going on. It's truly one of the most frustrating experiences I have ever had. It takes six emails and two phone calls to know if your textbook list has been updated since 1974. The campus is in the hood and people get held up at gunpoint. Recently there was a rape on campus. Oh! You have to set up your own clinicals. They don;t give you enough information to sond relatively knowledgable about the program when canvassing potential preceptors. I actually go to other school's websites to learn about things. The advisors know zip. They refer you back to the website. It's a poorly run program. Good luck. Might I suggest Simmons?

Yes, I am referring to UT Arlington. WOW thanks you for your opinion. It's really making me take a second look at UTA. I really want to stay in Texas to complete my masters. I am looking into UT El Paso, UTMB and Texas A&M CC. I would really love feedback on theses programs. I think that having a well organized program and supportive instructors are KEY to being successful. Well thank you sooo much for your honest opinion.

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Specializes in Internal and Family Medicine.

My pleasure, and pardon the negativity. Just wanted to be honest. There are several programs that you can attend from Texas that are not Texas based. Georgetown University in DC, Simmons in Boston, and several others are great schools. Distance Education for MSN/NP is not looked down upon. Even John's Hopkins and Yale have distance education. I suggest looking into those better schools before jumping into a giant public Texas school. UT Southwestern in Dallas has an NP program, as does TWU. Those are much better than UT Arlington. Search online for every NP program in the country. Many, many options! Good luck!

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My pleasure, and pardon the negativity. Just wanted to be honest. There are several programs that you can attend from Texas that are not Texas based. Georgetown University in DC, Simmons in Boston, and several others are great schools. Distance Education for MSN/NP is not looked down upon. Even John's Hopkins and Yale have distance education. I suggest looking into those better schools before jumping into a giant public Texas school. UT Southwestern in Dallas has an NP program, as does TWU. Those are much better than UT Arlington. Search online for every NP program in the country. Many, many options! Good luck!

No, thank you for your honesty. I have actually done a lot of research on FNP programs both online and in class. I know about programs like Georgetown, Duke, Vanderbilt...great reputation but those programs are a bit too pricey (60-80K). Price isn't the only deciding factor for me but it is important to take that into consideration. Most schools I found in Texas are more affordable considering I wouldn't have the out of state fees associated with distant learning. Plus there are a few great FNP schools here in Texas I would like to check out first before applying elsewhere. Just a personal preference.

**Also, I was looking into UTSW FNP program and I was unable to find anything. I know they have several graduate programs && it't a great medical school, but I was unable to find information on an FNP program.

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Specializes in OR Nursing, Critical Care, Med-surg.

wow. thanks for the input. I definitely had my money set on UTA. but reading posts about how disorganized the program is - I've reconsidered. wish all the best.

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Specializes in OR Nursing, Critical Care, Med-surg.

**Also, I was looking into UTSW FNP program and I was unable to find anything. I know they have several graduate programs && it't a great medical school, but I was unable to find information on an FNP program.

I looked on their site also, I do not believe they have a FNP program...unless I've overlooked it.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

I am taking Princ of Research in Nursing beginning 1/18/16. Can anyone tell me if I will need the video camera for this class? Thanks in advance!

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No you don't.

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Group project and open book tests

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Specializes in Obstetrics.

Currently in the process of applying for the February 2016 start date! A study group would be great!

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I found out today that I was accepted into the FNP program for Spring 2016. I am not sure if I want to give it a try and accept or save myself the time and headache and just decline. Do you think that the in-class would be better than the online? Some students that have switched say that was better but IDK. I have 5 days to decide . :nailbiting:

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