Advice for applying to FNP programs please!

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Specializes in Preop/PACU.

I am contemplating on applying for FNP for fall 2021. I have a total of 8 years experience in ICU, GI, TELE, PREOP/PACU. I have worked in PREOP/PACU for the past two years, and prior to that I did two years of travel nursing for ICU and TELE. My undergraduate GPA is extremely good. Is there any advice anyone could offer in regards to applying for an FNP program? Due to my location and where I am in life (I recently got married and bought a house), I would need to do an online program- I am hoping to do a hybrid program. 

 

 

Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

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Specializes in 11 YRS ER RN, 6 YRS Travel RN, New Grad AG-ACNP.

I just graduated from Walden University with my AG-AGNP. I would NOT recommend this program at all! 

I believe most of the NP programs are now mostly online, I would do intensive research about each one.  

You also have to find your own preceptors. The school does not "help", despite paying all this money for the program. Their form of help is a spreadsheet with previous sites they used provided by previous students. I had to petition to have my site approved for my last semester because the school rejected two previous sites (saying it does not "fit" my track), yet, did not offer any solutions or help in securing another site. Then COVID-19 happened and the site they rejected had a component of telemedicine (the reason they rejected it), then they turned around and said they will accept telemedicine hours because of COVID three days after they closed my application.  This caused me to sit out a semester. 

I would start making connections NOW prior to even enrolling in a program for future practicum sites. 

Good luck!

 

 

 

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Specializes in Preop/PACU.

Thank you for the heads up! I'm so sorry you had those problems! I know of someone who went recently graduated from Walden and I remember she had trouble finding clinical sites as well.

There are a few programs I am looking into that would include a few on campus days, which I can do. I just want to make sure I am fully prepared when I do apply, so any advice or help is appreciated. 

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