Advice! Online university of cincinnati!

perioddrama · Sep 15, 2012

Try doing a search on here. I remember reading a few threads/posts that mentioned University of Cinn. Can't seem to recall the details that were in them though.

Good luck!

myelin · Sep 16, 2012

Given the numerous threads on this forum with people desperate and struggling to find preceptors, I would seriously hesitate to attend a program that didn't provide my training. How programs that don't do so are even allowed to exist is beyond me. What are you even paying for?

casias12 · Oct 9, 2012

Given the numerous threads on this forum with people desperate and struggling to find preceptors, I would seriously hesitate to attend a program that didn't provide my training. How programs that don't do so are even allowed to exist is beyond me. What are you even paying for?

Picking a program at this level is a little different than Undergraduate work. It is assumed, and expected, that you have developed relationships within the field to help you further your profession. Students who go straight into NP without the connections they need, will be in for a disappointment both educationally and professionally. Medicine is a very small community. If you haven't built a reputation as a nurse, you certainly won't get a job as a practitioner, no matter the degree.

As for the program, classes are online, standard fair. One paper, a few tests, and powerpoint presentations, per theory class, more or less. I will say that this school is more interested in raking in money than weeding out the weak. Everybody gets a good grade, and the theory classes are "canned". Most of the time the adjunct is seeing the class at the same time your are.

Clinicals - If you have the personality to be a practitioner, independent, confident, clinicals are not too hard. Like I said, you HAVE TO make connections early. Half of the physicians and practitioners you thought you knew well will suddenly stop calling when you need clinical hours. And the idea that you will do their work for free, in return for hours just doesn't work. They still have to see every patient you see, or let you shadow them. It can be tiresome for them. Many are already working long hours.

I spent the first semester with a hospitalist. This gave me great flexibility. I would see 10 or 12 patients, and all new admits from the ER, then report my findings. Problem was, if I saw them before, then presented, they hadn't seen them yet. If I saw them after, they had already seen them and written orders. Then if I had a different opinion, it kind of put them on the defensive. It was very tedious, but a great experience.

I have also spent almost 6 months in a cardiologist office. I see patients independently that are already established, and make it clear that I am a student. They get a little nervous because they think they won't see the physician or NP. I have to reassure them that they will see the physician or NP and be sure to thank them for their time. Most are very nice.

The third experience I have is with a surgeon. I tried seeing patients in the office, but he wants to present the findings, discuss surgery and complications. His NP doesn't even do that in his office. So now I go to the OR with him instead. Depending on the staff, some let me scrub and some don't. I don't want to make waves, so I follow their lead. It has been a fantastic learning experience.

I am very mature (20 yrs RN) and very well established, this route has been great for me.

Good luck.