Accepted! Need selection help! Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Programs

TheDude77 · Mar 18, 2014

I would look at campus requirements, ask about board pass rates, and whether or not you can so a full time program vs part time without feeling overwhelmed. Also see if anyone here graduated from any of those schools in the np program and see what they think.

harmonizer · Mar 20, 2014

General rule --the cheapest school with "guaranteed" help with clinical placement, not the program that you have to struggle to find preceptors yourself. It is not always easy to find the sites yourself. Those are the two most important things, then the next thing is the overall prestige of the university. Usually, public school has better reputation. I am glad that I went to a cheap in-state school instead of going to expensive online private school / diploma mills. Since the job market is uncertain the next few years due to more schools now, the less you pay for education cost the better. So that you won't be regret paying off student loan if you can't find jobs with expected salary. The less loan, the less stress you will have. :)

BiotoBSNtoFNP · Mar 20, 2014

Harmonizer is right-look at whether they help with clinicals or not. I did a semester at drexel's FNP and then transferred to simmons because people in my area (philly) were struggling to find preceptors since drexel doesnt provide any help. Depending on your area, it might be very difficult to find preceptors on your own. I wasnt happy with the all online and discussion board class format, but thats personal opinion. But besides the whole clinical issue, drexel has a great reputation.

futureeastcoastNP · Mar 20, 2014

General rule --the cheapest school with "guaranteed" help with clinical placement, not the program that you have to struggle to find preceptors yourself. It is not always easy to find the sites yourself. Those are the two most important things, then the next thing is the overall prestige of the university. Usually, public school has better reputation. I am glad that I went to a cheap in-state school instead of going to expensive online private school / diploma mills. Since the job market is uncertain the next few years due to more schools now, the less you pay for education cost the better. So that you won't be regret paying off student loan if you can't find jobs with expected salary. The less loan, the less stress you will have. :)

Agree, finding preceptors is a big thing. It not only helps you personally, but it proves the school cares about their students and the education process and wants to ensure they succeed, rather than just collecting tuition money with no effort put in.

I disagree that public schools have a better reputation. First off, private does not automatically mean they are online. Yale, Columbia, Johns Hopkins - none of those are online, they are all private, and they are arguably some of the most prestigious names in healthcare (with wonderful NP programs). Public IS usually cheaper though, but not for out of state. From your list, I would most recommend SLU or Drexel, which have the best reputations.

PG2018 · Mar 21, 2014

It's really great that you have options. I applied and go to the only program in the state that offers psych-mental health so the choices were limited for me.

zmansc, ASN, RN · Mar 22, 2014

Agree, finding preceptors is a big thing. It not only helps you personally, but it proves the school cares about their students and the education process and wants to ensure they succeed, rather than just collecting tuition money with no effort put in.
I disagree that public schools have a better reputation. First off, private does not automatically mean they are online. Yale, Columbia, Johns Hopkins - none of those are online, they are all private, and they are arguably some of the most prestigious names in healthcare (with wonderful NP programs). Public IS usually cheaper though, but not for out of state. From your list, I would most recommend SLU or Drexel, which have the best reputations.

Pure BS. As others have mentioned being able to identify preceptors that you already have a working relationship with and know will provide a good learning environment can be a huge benefit. Yes, in some environments having the school provide preceptors for you is a benefit as well, in that the school already has a relationship with them.

However, in no case does it PROVE the school CARES more than a school that doesn't provide preceptors. Where did you find the proof of that?

Let's stick to facts, not inflammatory opinions.

In my case, and in the case of many I've heard from on this board, having a well developed network of providers by the time you start school makes a huge difference in how easy it is and what quality of preceptors you will be able to identify for your clinicals.

Amtrak · Mar 25, 2014

First...CONGRATS! I am in the same boat. I have been accepted to a few schools for Psych NP and one of them being USI. I have no idea where I want to be for sure. Some of the schools are making their decisions later than others and need a commitment like now. (Which sucks because I need more time to way my options!) I hope someone can give us some more info or advise. Good luck with your choice. Let me know if USI is your pick. It might be mines too :-)

njapn · Jun 16, 2014

Which state you live in because USI send e a letter that they don't accept students from NJ. any idea suggestions?

"Mar 18 by [COLOR=#003366]bigerk60 Accepted! Need selection help!

I have been accepted to a couple of Family Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Programs (Online) for Fall 14, and still have some pending decisions.

FPMHNP Programs ACCEPTED:

-Drexel University (3 year part time program)

-University of Southern Indiana (USI) [3 year part time program]

-Allen College (2 year full time program)

PENDING DECISIONS:

-St. Louis University

-Wilkes University

-University of Southern Mississippi

ABOT · Jun 21, 2014

I wouldn't advice you to go through any program that doesn't provide a preceptor.

Suna100456 · Sep 14, 2015

Anyone know about Wilkes university online psy np program? I am applying for RN to MSN, psy np program? Is it a good choice or bad?

TheIncredible, MSN, RN, APRN · Sep 15, 2015

It's been over a year and a half since I was accepted. But Wilkes was my second choice behind Drexel. Nothing negative stands out to me and I was impressed with their staffs responsiveness and what I remember about the program. But don't remember or never knew any more details than that.