Can't decide between George Washington University and University of Cincinnati FNP program

aok7, NP · Feb 21, 2017

I go to U of Cincinnati and love it. One of my professors sent out a U.S. News & World Report rating of online NP schools, and we are in the top ten. That's only one way of discerning, but is a well-established and recognized yearly guide since you spoke of prestige. I do agree that it is very important to consider the reputation of one's school. Reputation is built through time and solid standards.

Good luck either way, and know it's what YOU make of it that ultimately matters!

anurse2love · Feb 21, 2017

Hi, are you in the FNP program online? How difficult is it to find the preceptors for clinicals?

aok7, NP · Feb 21, 2017

UC does provide help, but like most schools, is not going to do the work of finding preceptors, per se. For example, I got a list of over 50 MDs and NPs who served as preceptors for former students in my state. From there, I contacted people.

I am in Adult-Gero Primary. I am in my 3rd semester, and all classes are a mix of family and adult (and acute/some anesthesia), with some projects or assignments unique to one's track. As I understand, Family is more challenging related to finding preceptors, as pediatric and women's health-focused clinics must be found.

If I were you, I would organize a plan to begin looking for preceptors now. For example, I had my first 2 clinical semesters set up prior to school, as I got to know NPs from work and personal experiences. It is an important skill for the future to be able to professionally network, anyway. Join NP organizations in your area, etc.

db2xs · Mar 3, 2017

I go to GW and I would argue that the program "is willing to help find clinical preceptors." Maybe they will help you if you live in the DC area, but all they did was send me a list of previous preceptors, most of which are not in my area and many of which state, "Do not contact again." I have had to look for my own preceptors without GW's help.

I do appreciate, however, your desire to go to GW. They are the same as mine. I know this sounds ridiculous, but there is a difference between going to, say, Harvard University versus Sticks and Rivers Community College. Of course this does not indicate the true nature of one's intelligence, but the name Harvard opens the door a little bit quicker than Sticks and Rivers.

Having said that, University of Cincinnati may have an awesome nursing program. Unfortunately, we cannot (nor do we want to) take two programs consecutively to compare them lol

anurse2love · Apr 3, 2017

To db2xs: Could I ask how you like the school? Are you in the FNP program? When you say that GW helps with clinical placement, in what ways? Also, have you heard about their merit scholarships - do most get some sort of scholarship? GW was the only private school that offered merit scholarships to my knowledge. Thank you.

lauris4luv, BSN, RN · Apr 11, 2017

aok7 can i send you a private message?? I have a few questions since i am planning on switching from UC FNP to their adult-gero program

Thanks Lauris

ABCRN81 · May 12, 2017

I'm currently in the MSN-FNP program at GWU. While I like the professors and the didactic portion of things, and while I've enjoyed the on-campus experiences and find the student body to be very supportive, I would have to say that the stress associated with clinical placements has been extreme. I have so far been lucky enough to find my preceptors, but GWU does not help you with locating them. If you work, are in school, have a family, and then try to add finding your own clinical sites? Good luck. It can be done, but you have to ask yourself if it's worth the risk. Some students have had to make arrangements to live elsewhere for a period of up to 6 weeks (different cities, different states) because their area was so saturated with NP/PA/MD schools or so remote that potential preceptors are in high demand. Some states give tax breaks to providers for precepting students who attend in-state schools, which makes it very difficult for those who attend GWU to even get a foot in the door without offering cash. It is very stressful, and it is a personal decision, but ask yourself if you would be able to move elsewhere for a month and a half in order to graduate on time. Ask yourself if you will realistically have time to place multiple phone calls a day in order to locate a site. My first clinical placement was found after calling nearly 90 different practices, and that's excluding follow-up phone calls, emails, and faxes. This is not an unreasonable amount based on feedback from other current GW students. There are students in the program whose employer will find all of their clinical sites, and that's a blessing for those students - if your work situation is like that, then it shouldn't be an issue.

anurse2love · Nov 6, 2017

Hello ABCRN81:

I was enrolled at GWU and then switched to a much more affordable, state university FNP MSN. GWU was double the tuition of my current school and the clinical hours and curriculum was nearly the same. Since it seems the GWU doesn't help with the clinical placements, it didn't make sense to pay all that money if I'm going to be doing the work of finding preceptors anyway. When you said the comment about offering cash to preceptors, do students actually pay money for sites?