Any info on University of South Alabama

coco3299 · Sep 12, 2010

Pardon my pessimism but I live in Mobile most of the time and very familiar with USA. I applied and was sure I would get in like any school I have every applied to. However, they informed me they have not taken students with a GPA less than 3.5 in xxx semesters even though they are mostly online. I had maybe 2.9 out of BSN program and have excellent work experience. So if you have 3.5 you are fine, I just thought it is unfair when many students go straight from BSN to MSN with no work experience but great GPA's are accepted when students who have had an opportunity to work and learn and become perhaps more focused and are (in some opinions) more ready for the role of advance practice are not given an opportunity. Afterall it is called advance 'practice' leading one to believe you have 'practiced' at a basic level before seeking 'advanced practice.' Sorry if I have offended you at all but I am bitter. Good Luck to you.

Live Well RN · Sep 14, 2010

No offense taken..just looking at the school and the program. What NP program did you get into if you dont mind me asking? I am still looking. I have a similiar GPA as you with 10 yrs ICU/ CC experience.

jkpowell23 · Sep 15, 2010

I'm in the FNP program at USA. This is my 4th semester, my first of clinicals. My MAIN cons are these 1)we have to set up our own clinicals (as with most online programs I guess) this is proving to be quite difficult. 2) We have tests on Mondays at a set/concrete time (7:00pm). This seems very inflexible for an 'online' program. This is the reason I chose to go online.

I am missing work, which is ok, but I'm also missing my son's football games, which really grates my nerves. I just wish there was another optional entrance time for the tests.

I find that this school also has the same 'attitude' of undergrad nursing schools. Which is "if you can handle the crazy unreasonable demands we put on you, oh well, get out" AKA they are weeding out of the huge class of 150.

The said in an email that we should not work full time right now, and if there's nothing we can do about that, oh well, maybe you shouldn't be in grad school right now (I'm in the part time program).

I don't know that I'd do it differently (go to another school) mainly because this one is near where I live.. about an hour away.

Any other questions?

Blessedx3 · Sep 16, 2010

They had 900 applicants for the program..I think so many are trying to get in before the possible Doctorate requirement.

I am graduating from the program...would recommend going to UAB, UMC, or LSU if possible...

coco3299 · Sep 17, 2010

I heard LSU is tough too. Being from Alabama I have always heard and sensed personally that attitude described earlier by USA which was my turnoff. I knew if they were so crazy with their demands during admission then they would definitely continue and get worse as the classes got tougher. I like a smaller program that treats me individually.

amberfnp · Sep 22, 2010

I have to say that jkpowell23's assessment is correct. I am currently in my last semester of the FNP program. I think it is a general consensus that our class felt this weeding out process through our most recent semester (this past summer). Not quite sure what to make of this final semester yet, but I'm sure we will have an opinion after our first test this coming Monday. I did find the first clinical semester to be the hardest. I did the summer start, so had 3 classes (568, 569, 571), plus I added a 4th that I put off the previous spring to have a baby. This was the END of my 4.0 gpa. The first year of classes in no way prepare you for the onslaught of reading you are given, nor for the tests. Talk about some nit picky questions! The reading doesn't get any better in the spring or summer, BUT it seems the writing assignments get less. Oh, there are more assessment videos coming your way...

I like to think that our class faced many obstacles/program changes due to preparing/updating for the currently happening re-accreditation. But sadly, I just don't think this is the case. However, after talking with other students who attend schools in my local area (traditional classroom), they all seem to have similar complaints.

Jkpowell23, save every email! At the end of each semester, make a copy of all the course announcements, and any comments in the Q&A that might ever be used in yours or a classmates defense for grades. Also, save any links, syllabi, etc as they will not be available in future courses...and could be testable material. Also, some of my classmates have had preceptors/potential jobs/other schools request syllabi. Also, scope out your clinical sites ASAP. I had one preceptor admonish me for being to focused on finding a womens health preceptor (even though I had an A in the class). So, I backed off. Took me weeks into the semester I needed womens health before I found someone...and it really was the worst of all my clincials which was a bummer considering that is one of my interests. Another contract issue is if the site you want requires a formal affiliation (vs the 2 page contract), it will take MONTHS to get it approved, if it is approved at all. I submitted 2 and it took 8 months to hear anything back, come to find out one was denied 3 months prior and no one let me know. We are not given any info on who these 'contract negotiators' are as we are not allowed to contact them.

For this program and I'm sure for many out there, esp online, your real instructors will be 1) your preceptors, so find good ones! 2) your classmates-they will be invaluable, so get connected! 3) YOURSELF---learn to like reading A LOT, and look up all those words you don't understand.

Get some FNP cert review books or CDs now!

WOW...I got carried away with that! Sorry! Well, off to read myself to sleep about chest pain!

jkpowell23 · Sep 22, 2010

92mxmom,

Thank you for all the advice!! I couldn't have asked for anything more helpful. Right now (first semester of clinicals) I feel like I'm drowning. I cannot find my observation sites (only 2) and no luck yet with my 40 hours for Family Practice. :mad:

I'm not giving up... But gosh it's hard to keep going sometimes. By saying this is the hardest semester, do you mean because of having to find all the clinic sites? This is what is giving me the stress right now. Also, I just got a 76 on my first test, which is obviously not passing... *sigh*

Again, thank you for all of your great advice. At this point, I've tried about 10 other schools to transfer to for a PMHNP, but most will only transfer 6-12 credits, or do not have enough online material, or are too expensive. So, I feel as though I'm stuck. And USA won't let me transfer to that program without 2 years experience in Psych.

Anyway, OT rant. :crying2:

amberfnp · Sep 22, 2010

jkpowell23,

To correct a statement in my last post, it was my clinical inst that did not like me so actively pursuing preceptors (not my preceptor at the time).

I found that first clinical semester to be harder due to taking the 3 required courses + the one I skipped earlier on. Being in the summer start, I had only taken 1-2 classes per semester prior to that. I had no idea the amount of reading we would be given, plus I had a baby and older child at home, and had to work (still working now too and pregnant again).

Fortunately I didn't have a bad time finding preceptors (except for radiology), and for family practice, that was a referral from an NP friend of mine. Now, chasing evals at the end of the semester WAS a pain, especially because they wanted a hand written one AND one online. I've had 2 preceptors that just don't use the internet.

Also, talk to whomever you get for family practice this semester. If you like it, you can ask now if you can come back next fall. Join your states NP association and go to the local meetings. I met my best preceptor this way and learning of job offers and educational offerings. Try to find a preceptor that will do procedures like laceration repair, biopsies, I&Ds. All you will get during the time you visit campus is a short session suturing pigs feet. I personally did not get any one on one attention so I had no idea if I was doing it right.

Well, I'm at work so gotta go. PM me if you have any other questions and good luck to you.

Blessedx3 · Sep 23, 2010

JKPowell--UMC (jackson) transfers more credits than that...and LSU did too for our classmates who transferred...

cmmg · Oct 6, 2010

jkpowell23,

Hi! We are in the same class then. I am a student at USA in their FNP program--class of 2011 and I am stressed to the max. Have you found a clinical site yet? Try going to UAPRN (united advance practice registered nurses). They have an organization in every state and offer a preceptor list--NP's that have offered to be a preceptor. When I begin my practice, I am going to make myself available to precept just to give back. But, I got to take it one step at a time. I am having a difficult time in 568. I read and read but just cannot remember the detailed info that they ask--very picky things. I do feel as it is a weed out tactic but I refused to be a weed. At any rate, maybe I will get to meet you in Nov. at orientation. Keep your head up. Also, for observation sites, look at the clinics that are already affiliates with them. That's what helped me. Look, I still have to get my derm, ortho, and radiology clinicals--but cannot think about that now. Must read as I am way, and I do mean way behind. I am a slow reader and processor so it takes me forever to read. Oh well!! Stay strong.

Blessedx3 · Oct 6, 2010

Hey--I found it best to go personally to the site...and say "just a 4 hour observation"...so they don't think you need clinical time. Go ahead and line up your OB and Peds for spring-they are the hardest to get out of the whole program.... Feel free to PM me---I am gratefully in the graduating class a year ahead of you...will help where I can.