Best online Psych NP Program?

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Hello all,I'm considering applying to a psych NP program in the next few years, and will be living nowhere near a program. My only option then is online. Anyone have experience with a program, good or bad? Things I'm looking for are, in order of importance:1. Quality - do you feel like you're really learning to practice as an independent mental health nurse practitioner?2. Cost - some are just so expensive!3. Clinical experience preceptor help - does the school help or must you do it alone?Thanks so much!

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I went to Rush. They do have some clinical settings available, however, I set up my own to my particular interests. I know they just received $12 million in grant money to train NPs so maybe they can help you out with tuition.

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Did you like Rush? It's so expensive! I'm looking right now at USI and Vanderbilt. USI is about 15K and Vandy is about 44K (if I'm reading it right - I keep seeing people say Vandy is very expensive but then they offer schools that cost 50k so I don't get it). Anyway, quality is important so I'm hesitant with USI (southern Indiana)

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Did you like Rush? It's so expensive! I'm looking right now at USI and Vanderbilt. USI is about 15K and Vandy is about 44K (if I'm reading it right - I keep seeing people say Vandy is very expensive but then they offer schools that cost 50k so I don't get it). Anyway, quality is important so I'm hesitant with USI (southern Indiana)

Yes. I think UAB is cheaper...or was.

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I'm seeing...$1000 per credit OOS (times 43 credits) at UAB. Am I missing someting or has the tuition really skyrocketed that much?

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I'm seeing...$1000 per credit OOS (times 43 credits) at UAB. Am I missing someting or has the tuition really skyrocketed that much?

Whoops, look like they have gone up. They are getting millions from the government also so perhaps that's why...

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Uab is not 1000 a credit hour....its 631 for the first hour and 430 for each hour after that.

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That's for in state....if you're not FROM Alabama it's actually $1200 for the first and $1000 after that, which is ridiculous. I could go to Vanderbilt for that price.

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Oops. I'm from Alabama, so I was like, I'm not paying 1000/hr. Sorry about that. Yea uab is ridiculous for out of state.

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When I took a couple online classes at UAB the distance ed fees were same whether in state or not.

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Go to the cheapest program you can that has the best reputation where you want to work. As the NP market continues to get flooded by all the professional schools that are very easy to get into, name recognition and solid reputation of your program are going to matter more and more for employers, etc., especially a new grad w/no NP experience. One good thing is that psych is a less popular specialty, which helps keep salaries higher.

Also, I'd recommend only attending institutions that provide the entirety of your training (clinicals as well), considering that NP schools vary a lot in their quality, unlike PA or MD/DO school. Talk to people in the programs your considering, new grads, etc.

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I am very worried about the number of NP programs out there - I wish our profession had higher standards and didn't allow just any online college to make up an NP program. I would love to go to Vanderbilt but the cost is just too high...I'm not sure the name recognition is worth an extra $30,000 dollars over cheaper schools. Do you think psych is pretty safe right now? I love it and I'm happy that its less popular, because hopefully psych nps will be in demand when I graduate.

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