Columbia University ETP grads??

Mission · Apr 11, 2007

Well, I can tell you I had a great experience in the ETP program. I only had one "bad" preceptor, and to be honest she taught me everything about breast feeding that I ever wanted to know so she wasn't horrible. All my other preceptors were amazing. I did my integration at Cornell and there were at least 5 ETP graduates working on the unit that I was on and they were all well respected by their colleagues as far as I can tell. I waited over 6 months after finishing the ETP program before starting work as a nurse and I was a bit nervous and one of my old preceptors agreed to meet with me in the skills lab so that I could be more comfortable with the procedures I was going to be doing. I did have a few friends who had a bad experience with preceptor but it was uncommon as far as I can tell and that particular preceptor was fired. As far as floor nurses being resentful, well you're always going to have the people around that don't like second degree nursing programs or NP programs that don't require nursing experience, it has nothing to do with Columbia.

I don't think the program is dysfunctional (except for maybe the acute care program), in fact, I think most of the students are babied and catered to in a way that's nearly ridiculous. I can't think of a nicer way to put this but it is an Ivy league school and there are many people here who come from privileged backgrounds and are just used to having everything in life handed to them and it shows. Also, I think some (SOME - not ALL) of the students who come directly from undergrad just do not have the maturity to be in a professional program.

As far as the FNP program is concerned, if you want a program director who is going to be on your butt about every little thing and controlling your life for the next few years switch to PNP, the FNP director is flaky but it really depends on the type of student you are, I personally like to find my own clinical opportunities and suggest them to her rather than waiting to see what she assigns me. Some people don't like how she is, others really appreciate it.

I would take what most people say with a grain of salt, Columbia's program is twice the size of most other second-degree program so it's hard to keep everyone happy. I choose Columbia because it offered more flexibility than any of the other programs that I applied to and that was important to me.

HYPEractiveTTU · Apr 12, 2007

I don't think the Acute Care program is dysfunctional. I spoke with the new director on several occasions and she seems extremely enthusiastic about the program. She answered all the questions I had, told me about some of the clinicals locations, job opportunities, and the increasing role of an ACNP. She even referred me to some current and alumni who all have said good things about it. But like everything else, there are people who feel the opposite.

As for the negative comments about Columbia, I again refer you to this famous quote by one of my classmates:

I wouldn't take one opinion too much to heart. It’s just that, an opinion. My opinion? There are some students here who love to complain. I think they would find something to complain about no matter where they were (Disneyworld, a Caribbean cruise, etc.).

Yeah, there are spoiled brats here. But you see spoiled brats in ANY school you go to. I've seen it at my undergrad state school in west Texas, and the community college I did my pre-reqs at. You're not pampered here. You will wipe as many keisters, make as many beds, measure as many emesis basins, and change as many diapers as I did when I did my Nurse Aide training... as well as write care plans, SOAP notes, and do case plans and presentations until you get sick of typing. Those that don't want to, will get a low grade in clinical. Also, during integration, you will be completely immersed in the RN experience. I'm in the Columbia-Milstein ER, 8pm-8am for my integration, and it is non-stop work. If what I'm going through is being pampered, then I don't want to know what the opposite would be like.

Meagain716, I see that you're nervous... I think we were ALL nervous. But you gotta do what you gotta do. If you look at all the postings on here about Columbia ETP, you'll see every current/former ETP'er who is a part of this site has commented in some way about the program. You can listen to all of us tell you how great or awful this school is, but YOU are the one that has to live with the decision. The only advice that I can offer you is to follow your gut, because it's usually right.

chicurious · Apr 3, 2009

Hey, you're probably in the midst of the program now. Do you have any thoughts? I'm really considering Columbia but the price and the cost of living in NYC really freaks me out. Let me know what your experience is.