ACNP Programs in South FL

[AngelRN27]

Good Afternoon All,

I am finishing up my BSN in 2017 and plan on pursuing my ACNP (Acute Care Nurse Practitioner) soon after. I wanted to get some input on the programs that are available in the South Florida area. I live and work in Miami, FL. The two programs that seem the most "viable" are those offered at Barry University and University of Miami. I have been digging around researching program requirements and length of study. It seems to me that FNP programs are a dime-a-dozen, while ACNP programs are a little less common.

Any current students or recent graduates of Barry or UM's ACNP programs? Thoughts? Tips? Regrets? Any other good programs nearby?

Some background: I have been an RN for 4 years. Worked at a SNF for one year then moved on to a LTACH. I work MICU and telemetry, also work as house supervisor, occasionally also function as Infection Control or Clinical Educator (small LTACH--a handful of us wear many hats PRN). Plan on moving to a large teaching hospital and work critical care once my BSN is done (many don't consider LTACH ICUs to be true critical care, despite the patient population). PCCN certified.

Any thoughts, suggestions, tips are welcome!

Thanks,

Angel

[Buyer beware, BSN]

Angel,

Your choices you have stated are very limited but aside from the cost the two that you have looked at have good reputations in South Florida; so with Jackson and others there should be ample opportunity to get real hands-on clinical experience if the thing hasn't been oversold there too.

Since the preceptor issue has been problematic in the country on an ongoing basis (and no one cares) at these tuition prices you have to lock down the preceptors you will need ahead of time. If the schools don't substantivly help in this area or preferrably guarantee preceptor access that's a huge issue at any price.

The competition in your area is outrageous and when you're competing with PA and medical schools and everyone else, well you know. Nobody wants to be "just" a nurse anymore and many are willing to be self-deceived through denial of nuts and bolts reality and many schools are willing participants in that deception.

One more caveat. As you know Florida is one of the cradles of the for-profits. I know of none that offer the ACNP but just in case one rears its loan mill head, stand clear.

[AngelRN27]

Thanks for the advice, BuyerBeware. My choices are limited because (1) I need to stay local and (2) as per what I've been able to find on my own, there aren't really that many ACNP programs out there, at least not in my area. There are PLENTY of MSN programs (with varying tracks/"concentrations") but it's not too easy to come by a program for acute care. If it weren't for my specific end-goal, I'd go straight into an MSN program, but I don't think that any MSN programs will truly help me in attaining an ACNP as it now stands.

Again, I welcome any suggestions for other schools/programs out there... or if anyone that has pursued the route of ACNP has any advice at all, it is most definitely welcome. Unfortunately, I don't personally know any ACNPs so I don't have any mentorship as of now. Everyone is really going after FNP in my area and within my networks.

Thanks again!

[Buyer beware, BSN]

Thanks for the advice, BuyerBeware. My choices are limited because (1) I need to stay local and (2) as per what I've been able to find on my own, there aren't really that many ACNP programs out there, at least not in my area. There are PLENTY of MSN programs (with varying tracks/"concentrations") but it's not too easy to come by a program for acute care. If it weren't for my specific end-goal, I'd go straight into an MSN program, but I don't think that any MSN programs will truly help me in attaining an ACNP as it now stands.

Again, I welcome any suggestions for other schools/programs out there... or if anyone that has pursued the route of ACNP has any advice at all, it is most definitely welcome. Unfortunately, I don't personally know any ACNPs so I don't have any mentorship as of now. Everyone is really going after FNP in my area and within my networks.

Thanks again!

And since everyone who is a BSN with and without experience wants to be a NP, the flood gates are open and the greedy schools are more than happy to cast these unwary people to the wind knowing full well there are not enough free labor preceptors in the market to handle or want to handle their needs.

These schools and their accreditors should be held accountable but that will only happen when some crafty lawyer is able to nail the perps with a class action lawsuit.

Until then, I would only apply to schools that offer this valuable preceptor service. After all as you have said you need to stay in the locality you're in. But at least you know what the deal is which is more than I can say for many of the would-be magical thinkers convinced that there's no trouble in paradise.