Any UAB NP students/graduates?

Published

I am considering applying to UAB online either ANP or ACNP and was wondering if anyone could comment on the program? How do they like it? How much time committed per week? Full or part-time? Is the faculty readily available to help/answer questions? Also, I'm having a difficult time deciding between ANP or ACNP. Is it true that if you are ACNP you can sit for the ANP test as well? I'm leaning towards ANP, but have 8+ years in SICU, so thinking ACNP would be better suiting. However, I'm thinking about post-graduation and finding a job and having reasonable hours with no call. Anyone have any thoughts?

Specializes in Cardiac, Pulmonary, Anesthesia.

I'm a former UAB ACNP student and I can say that if you want to go their, do the ANP. The FNP program their is amazing but they keep lumping ACNP student in with them. I was never taught about all the things one needs to know for acute care. You just basically have to learn that on rotations (which is what they tell you). I was learning to do sports physicals, gyno exams, and a list of other things that I will never to in critical care. This wouldn't be a problem if they didn't leave out all the stuff that was important for the acute setting. I'm not the only one with this opinion. You can ask just about any ACNP graduate this.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in SICU.

What a relief to know! I have decided to apply to the FNP program for Spring 2010. What did you think of the Pharm, Patho and Research classes? Did you work during school? Did you go full or part time? How much time dedicated each week to school? Just wondering how much I can work and go to school full time. Also ,what book did you use for the Patho class? Would like to buy ahead of time and start reading. Thanks for any info/advice!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac, Pulmonary, Anesthesia.

The role development class is so easy. If you don't get an A in that just quit. Patho was ridiculously hard. I barely pulled an A in there. The assessment class was easy until you have to do the video of your full assessment in the end. I shouldve gotten an A but I blew it at the end on the video. I took those 3 classes in one semester and worked full time, but I recommend taking patho by itself. I think roles, pharm, and assessment, can be done together. Pharm was sort of easy with some hard stuff mixed in. Things like gi drugs ect. Are easy but antibiotics is hard. Research was average. Lots of writing of course.

My opinion, perfectly reasonable to work full time during the program and just save up your vacation for clinicals to knock out all your clinical hours fast. Patho is the only real obstacle. I don't remember the name of the book and I've already sold it off. Patho is the type of class that's real easy to get a C in but almost impossible to get an A. Most of the questions are things you know but then there is this minutiae info asked that can only be found in one sentence in the entire book. And I'm not being hyperbolic there.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in SICU.

Thanks so much for the advice; I plan on going PRN at work and working 1-2 shifts a week. I really want to do well in this program. UAB told me since I would start in the Spring(if I get in), that i probably wouldn't be able to go full time...should I try and knock Patho out right away?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac, Pulmonary, Anesthesia.

Sure, go ahead and knock it out and the rest will pretty much be smooth sailing. And don't worry about getting in.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

thanks for the great info on UAB- riker3, keep us posted!

I am applying for Fall 10 @ UAB (went to Uof A in Tuscaloosa undergrad). I am planning to do FNP with ACNP added after for marketability here in Charlotte. I am glad you chose FNP, my understanding is FNP has more research, journal writing but if ED or urgent care will be on your radar, it's needed.

Abe, can you take patho elsewhere to transfer in before starting?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in SICU.

Thanks everyone for all the input; it really puts my mind at ease to know what I'm going to be looking forward to. I feel good about choosing the FNP program, I think it'll give be a broad knowledge base, and like you said, be more marketable. I think my second choice would be ACNP, just because I love critical care, but I am thinking about my future as well( hours worked, call time, holidays, weekends, etc...) Good luck on graduation, celclt!

And Abe, are you currently in the program or have you graduated? If you have graduated, did you have any problems getting a job? Where do you work?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I actually applied for UAB FNP and didn't get in and the ANP people called me and I got in for this fall online. I was so excited to get in and signed up for the roles classes (there are 2) because I wanted to be part time and work part time and still have time for my son. I thought for sure it would be smooth sailing since I have done well in both of my other college experiences (BSN and BS in Biology). So I looked up whether or not I needed books and to my surprise I didn't YAY! Well that was wrong. As soon as my blackboard popped up I needed 3 books and ASAP of course! Then I get to reading and there are group projects...more than one. I didn't expect to have to do group projects. I live in Louisiana and the majority of the students live in the Birmingham area so I was the odd man out. They wanted to meet up and do the project...I can't do that!!!! Anyway, the more I looked at it, the more I thought that it wasn't at all what I had signed up for. There are certain times that you have to log on to the internet and have group chat. I thought that I would have deadlines and just be able to meet them at my own pace, not the pace and schedule of others. Online to me meant that I was in charge of my own studying and grades, not group projects! So the moral of the story is that I quit before it started. I knew it was going to be too much BS to want to deal with and work and raise my 5 month old. People do it, and more power to them, but I'm not doing it. I actually delayed my application until another semester but I don't believe that I will be going back. Good luck if you choose to go there and I hope it is better for you than it was for me!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in SICU.

Sorry that it didn't work out for you. I plan on going full time and working PRN (no kids either) so hoping I'll have time for more of the BS :) Do you remember when you applied how long your personal essay was? There is no specification on the application of how many words or pages; just states "brief" Thanks!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac, Pulmonary, Anesthesia.

one page

Up Vote Up Vote ×

i actually did the UAB online program and loved it...i highly reccomend it...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in SICU, CCU, MCU, peds, physician's office.

The patho book we used in the spring semester this year was Pathophysiology: The biologic basis for disease in adults and children by McCance and Huether. There is a study guide that goes with it but I never used it. I personally didn't find patho to be that difficult. As long as you read the chapters and watch the lectures you should be fine. I am so sorry I took so long to get back to you. Life is crazy when you are full time in work and school. It definately can be done though!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion