Arkansas State University (ASU) MSN

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Hi! Has anyone gone through the MSN program at Arkansas State? Currently looking at their program but I haven’t heard anything about them. I know they don’t go to campus at all for a skills day like other schools I have looked at do, and wasn’t sure if that was bad thing. Any thoughts are appreciated! 

MidCareerNurse how has your experience been so far at AState? I'm thinking about starting there next year? Are you full-time?

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tnw06001, I am really happy with my experience so far. The instructors are accessible, they seem to really want students to succeed, and the cost is phenomenal! I am full-time. I am also definitely early on in my journey, however, the same sentiments have been told to me by a student who is nearly done with the program. The only misgiving I have is that there is no on-campus requirement. I would appreciate having at least one on-campus experience to validate what I have learned in clinicals and/or ensure I begin clinicals with a solid base of specific clinical skills. Additionally, you do need to find your own clinical preceptors. However, I do appreciate, once you have met the requirements to begin clinicals, that they do not specify which term the different clinicals must be taken. This will be helpful in finding a pediatric and women's health preceptor since I have some flexibility with when to fit those hours in. 

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Thank you so much for responding. I started the application process today and was a little nervous about it, but your response has helped a lot. I'm glad to hear the professors are accessible. Are there strict guidelines for your clinical preceptor or are they flexible since you have to find them on your own?

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I can't say for certain, as I'm not to that point yet. However, there is a clinical coordinator who helps answer any specific questions. Additionally, here is some general clinical info applicable at the time I began the program. Each term is 7 weeks.

Total Clinical Hours 750

120 each term; 150 in the final term

120 in Pediatrics & 120 on Women's Health

2 on site visits per semester with clinical faculty at your location (no need to come to campus)

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Was curious if anyone has thoughts/opinions about the nursing administration MSN through Astate? Is it hard/worth it? 
 

thank you!

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Has anyone had a good experience with A-State I am planning on applying there!

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The MSN programs through A-State schedules classes in 7-week terms and I am currently several terms into the FNP program. It is a lot of info to cram into 7 weeks, but definitely doable. I  dedicate a good chunk of every week to studying each week's module content. I am happy with things so far. The core MSN courses are the same for all tracks, I.e., admin, education, FNP, AGACNP, so I can't speak to the specific FNP courses yet.

I feel like the instructors are easy to get in touch with. So far, it seems all courses have exams scheduled on Mondays and most must be taken through a virtual procturing service. For some people, this has been rough with their work/life schedules. I have been happy with the proctoring of exams and haven't had any difficulty choosing test times that work. There are asynchronous lectures from the professors. I feel like they are supportive and want you to succeed. I'm also super happy with the cost of the program and have been able to pay out-of-pocket as I go.

Let me know if you have any specific questions I might be able to answer.

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Thank you for your response!! 
 

basically do you think it is doable while working full time? I am a hospice nurse so I have some flexibility in Scehdule for the most part but won't be able to do any homework or lectures until late afternoon and evening time? I am trying to find a program that works best while working a full time job until clinical rotation starts. 

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MidCareerNurse said:

The MSN programs through A-State schedules classes in 7-week terms and I am currently several terms into the FNP program. It is a lot of info to cram into 7 weeks, but definitely doable. I  dedicate a good chunk of every week to studying each week's module content. I am happy with things so far. The core MSN courses are the same for all tracks, I.e., admin, education, FNP, AGACNP, so I can't speak to the specific FNP courses yet.

I feel like the instructors are easy to get in touch with. So far, it seems all courses have exams scheduled on Mondays and most must be taken through a virtual procturing service. For some people, this has been rough with their work/life schedules. I have been happy with the proctoring of exams and haven't had any difficulty choosing test times that work. There are asynchronous lectures from the professors. I feel like they are supportive and want you to succeed. I'm also super happy with the cost of the program and have been able to pay out-of-pocket as I go.

Let me know if you have any specific questions I might be able to answer.

did they help you find clinicals at all if you were struggling and do you feel like the program prepared you for the boards. 

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I can't speak to clinicals or boards because I'm not to that point in the program. I have heard they can assist if you are unable, but I think they may be more able to assist with clinical placement if you are within Arkansas and willing to commute if needed. But again, I can't speak to how much assistance they can offer for that.

As far as working full-time, most in the program are before starting clinicals. I am and have been able to do well. Some terms require more time than others and some weeks can be particularly heavy. All lectures are pre-recorded and you can see what is coming up a couple weeks at a time. The first year of the program is all didactic work and then you begin clinicals the 2nd year.

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MidCareerNurse said:

I can't speak to clinicals or boards because I'm not to that point in the program. I have heard they can assist if you are unable, but I think they may be more able to assist with clinical placement if you are within Arkansas and willing to commute if needed. But again, I can't speak to how much assistance they can offer for that.

As far as working full-time, most in the program are before starting clinicals. I am and have been able to do well. Some terms require more time than others and some weeks can be particularly heavy. All lectures are pre-recorded and you can see what is coming up a couple weeks at a time. The first year of the program is all didactic work and then you begin clinicals the 2nd year.

Thank you! Yes that helps! I was honestly worried about the 7 week classes and how difficult it is with pathology or pharm?

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@MF6 The content for pharmacology and pathophysiology are broken down well by the instructor's lectures within each week's module, focusing on the priority knowledge. I then dive deeper into the module content from the books required for the courses, as well as resources, such as UpToDate, for info as well. It is fast-paced, but I remind myself there are plenty before me who have been successful. I've made school my top priority and fit the rest of life around that right now, which hasn't been hard to do with the way it's set up. Fortunately, I can study any day or time that works best for me and I love that! 

I will say, I've heard of some people with a degree plan that includes taking two of the P's together and I would definitely avoid that! In my degree plan, the 3 P's were paired with the other classes, such as Theory, Research, etc. That was manageable. I cannot imagine trying to learn Advanced Assessment and Advanced Pharm, for example, in the same 7 week period. That's wild!

Have you applied yet and if so, have a start date?! 🙂

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