anyone worried about going to a newer program?

missnurse01, MSN, RN · Aug 22, 2009

i would really like to know people's opinions on this one! come on guys, pitch in!

loveanesthesia · Aug 23, 2009

I think 75% of what you will learn to up to you and your effort. But, while a new program isn't necessarily bad, there are a few things I think you should pay particular attention too. Unfortuneately it can be difficult for you to find out the information sometimes. Look at the curriculum, are you going to be put into a lot of courses that have been previously developed for another program? ie a NP program? What is the experience of the program director? An experienced program director is going to be able to avoid a lot of problems. I don't mean someone who necessarily headed another program, but someone who was involved in the administration of another program. Someone coming straight from a clinical position to heading a new program is a huge leap. It can be done, but it is very tough. If they can't tell you who the program director is, or if a PD have recently resigned, then I wouldn't risk attending that program.

Then try to find out if they actually have the clinical sites nailed down. Do they have written aggrements and have them approved by the COA? You don't want to get started and then find out they don't actually have firm committments from clinical sites. If they tell you that it is in the works, and will be done by the time you start clinical, then I would consider that a red flag. It may, or may not happen, talk is cheap. Your clinical experience is extremely important, good experience can overcome a lot of weaknesses in the classroom. Look for regional experience, pedi experience, OB experience, trauma, ect, that can make a big difference in furture job searches as the number of graduates increases.

missnurse01, MSN, RN · Aug 24, 2009

thank you so much for chiming in! some of the issues that you are talking about is what I am worried about. I would never have thought about the issues of the background of the PD, how long they have been there, or recently resigned. This is a great point and something for me to hopefully be able to gather data to further narrow down my list, hey it's only at 50 schools now! sometimes i wish that i was restricted to a certain geographical area so my choices didnt start with the entire list of programs.

anyway, thanks again, and if there is anyone else with input I would be glad to hear it!