Comprehensive 100% Online FNP programs...

Dr. Tammy, FNP/GNP-C · Sep 7, 2009

Is it considered being "spoon fed" to have a preceptor provided to students?---I thought that was the point of a University--you know, like providing instructors to teach the didactic portion of the program, grade tests, answer questions, etc. If these "Universities" purport to provide an MSN leading to an FNP, then it would be reasonable to expect that the school would provide lecturers and preceptors (like going to automotive school and having the school provide instructors in the practical art of fixing cars)...if the school doesn't specify otherwise at the time of application, we could be talking borderline fraud....

I feel that a graduate level-masters student should have it together enough and the skill necessary to secure their own preceptor and agency. I feel if an individual does not have it together enough to coordinate their own education by way of obtaining a preceptor and agency that fits, then they don't have it together enough to manage complex patients.

As far as fraud, I look at it a bit different. I think it is fraudulent to apply to a school as a graduate student and essentially say, "Hey, I'm ready for the big waters of primary care as a masters nursing student" when in fact the student lacks the skill, talent, ambition and/or desire to successfully negotiate the process of procuring a preceptor in the absence of faculty-directed hand holding and spoon-feeding.

nyforlove · Sep 7, 2009

I feel that a graduate level-masters student should have it together enough and the skill necessary to secure their own preceptor and agency. I feel if an individual does not have it together enough to coordinate their own education by way of obtaining a preceptor and agency that fits, then they don't have it together enough to manage complex patients.
As far as fraud, I look at it a bit different. I think it is fraudulent to apply to a school as a graduate student and essentially say, "Hey, I'm ready for the big waters of primary care as a masters nursing student" when in fact the student lacks the skill, talent, ambition and/or desire to successfully negotiate the process of procuring a preceptor in the absence of faculty-directed hand holding and spoon-feeding.

Fundamentally, I tend to agree with you assuming one crucial fact: that the school made it clear at the beginning that the students must themselves locate preceptors; nevertheless, if it turns out in practice that it is extremely difficult if not impossible to find preceptors in many parts of the country, then the school should not be marketing the program in those geographic areas....so, you've apparently had good luck finding preceptors?? Any tips to share for those of us pursuing on-line programs? Thanks.

sandnnw, BSN, MSN, EMT-B, APRN · Sep 7, 2009

http://rodp.org/msn/default.htm

You MUST have a TN state license, BSN. Entirely on-line from what I've heard. You must also find your own preceptors. BTW, I attended partial on-line ANP, required attendance 9x/year. Actually, I enjoyed the 3-4 days with my instructors/lectures/peers. Good luck!

jimbo

ANPFNPGNP · Sep 8, 2009

Summary Results:
3. Vanderbilt University
- http://www.nursing.vanderbilt.edu/msn/index.html
- located Nashville, TN
Vanderbilt's NP programs are definitely NOT 100% online! They are offered in "block" format. You have to attend classes "live" throughout the program. If you live out of state, the travel costs can get expensive - especially if you're having to travel by plane. Also, if you're going to work, you will need a very flexible job, since you'll be gone up to a week for those "block" classes. If you're going to attend full time, you can forget about working when clinicals start...there will be NO time!
I attended that program several years ago and I really liked it. However, it's very misleading to call it an online progra and it's also misleading to believe you're going to be able to work while attending it. AND don't forget to check out the cost of tuition - $$$!

sandnnw, BSN, MSN, EMT-B, APRN · Sep 8, 2009

A/F/GNP is right. I had to drop down to a 0.6 in order to get thru my clinicals, study, write scholarly papers and have a day for my family. I also enjoyed my time at Vanderbilt. They work with you so much and can be highly flexible! I always wanted a degree from there. I'm sure many other folks desire the same from prestigious universities across our country, so it becomes very personal to an extent. Best of luck!

Dr. Tammy, FNP/GNP-C · Sep 9, 2009

Fundamentally, I tend to agree with you assuming one crucial fact: that the school made it clear at the beginning that the students must themselves locate preceptors; nevertheless, if it turns out in practice that it is extremely difficult if not impossible to find preceptors in many parts of the country, then the school should not be marketing the program in those geographic areas....so, you've apparently had good luck finding preceptors?? Any tips to share for those of us pursuing on-line programs? Thanks.

As a vocational college owner, I agree with you--all material elements must be disclosed and made clear to prospective students. Schools that fail to do so, operate at their own peril. The need for a student to secure their own preceptor and agency is very important element, as it constitutes a large component of the program.

For me, procuring a preceptor was both challenging and rewarding. In my area, there is a glutton of NP and mid-level students seeking preceptors from 4 local NP programs and 2 midlevel programs. Additionally there are numerous other NP students from distance-based students competing as well. My strategy rested with finding the best preceptor for me--which is an individual deal. As an example, I thought the medical director of a local hospital would be great, so I recruited him. He has a great reputation and is really dialed in to community services. After a few months, though, I found that he had little time to really teach the nuances of primary care and his teaching style was, "your on your own--just don't play with matches" type of deal.

After that, I hooked up with our local NP association and went to a few meetings. I asked NP's if they had to choose the best possible preceptor to learn from, who would they want. When they gave me some names, I asked why they would be the best--for what reasons. After talking with a few dozen members or so, three names kept coming up--and for all of the right reasons (caring--attention to detail--committed to under-served populations--hard core, in the sense that I would not be spoon fed). Essentially, all of the values in a preceptor that I was looking for. From there I took the first name on the list and recruited him.

When I contacted him through his office manager, I sent a resume with a cover letter outlining my needs and how I could be an essential asset to his team. I briefly described my values, philosophy of nursing and what I feel is important in providing community-based primary health services. From there, his office manager contacted me and we set up a meeting. We instantly clicked and the rest is history. I finished my internship and am now a junior partner in the practice.

The key is not to find any preceptor, but the right preceptor. Statistics will support that if you make x amount of calls through perseverance, you will eventually find someone who agrees to precept. The problem with this deal, is you may not get the right fit, which ultimatley will limit you on how much you can take away from the program. Remember, lectures, seminars, skills labs and textbooks are very limited in giving you the breadth and depth of information needed in the context of providing nursing-based primary care services. The onus of the NP educational experience rests with translation into practice. The preceptor figures largely in translation.

Good luck.

nyforlove · Sep 9, 2009

As a vocational college owner, I agree with you--all material elements must be disclosed and made clear to prospective students. Schools that fail to do so, operate at their own peril. The need for a student to secure their own preceptor and agency is very important element, as it constitutes a large component of the program.
For me, procuring a preceptor was both challenging and rewarding. In my area, there is a glutton of NP and mid-level students seeking preceptors from 4 local NP programs and 2 midlevel programs. Additionally there are numerous other NP students from distance-based students competing as well. My strategy rested with finding the best preceptor for me--which is an individual deal. As an example, I thought the medical director of a local hospital would be great, so I recruited him. He has a great reputation and is really dialed in to community services. After a few months, though, I found that he had little time to really teach the nuances of primary care and his teaching style was, "your on your own--just don't play with matches" type of deal.
After that, I hooked up with our local NP association and went to a few meetings. I asked NP's if they had to choose the best possible preceptor to learn from, who would they want. When they gave me some names, I asked why they would be the best--for what reasons. After talking with a few dozen members or so, three names kept coming up--and for all of the right reasons (caring--attention to detail--committed to under-served populations--hard core, in the sense that I would not be spoon fed). Essentially, all of the values in a preceptor that I was looking for. From there I took the first name on the list and recruited him.
When I contacted him through his office manager, I sent a resume with a cover letter outlining my needs and how I could be an essential asset to his team. I briefly described my values, philosophy of nursing and what I feel is important in providing community-based primary health services. From there, his office manager contacted me and we set up a meeting. We instantly clicked and the rest is history. I finished my internship and am now a junior partner in the practice.
The key is not to find any preceptor, but the right preceptor. Statistics will support that if you make x amount of calls through perseverance, you will eventually find someone who agrees to precept. The problem with this deal, is you may not get the right fit, which ultimatley will limit you on how much you can take away from the program. Remember, lectures, seminars, skills labs and textbooks are very limited in giving you the breadth and depth of information needed in the context of providing nursing-based primary care services. The onus of the NP educational experience rests with translation into practice. The preceptor figures largely in translation.
Good luck.

WOW! Thanks for the info....you had an admirable amount of initiative and in tenacity in pursuing your NP--and it obviously worked out wonderfully.

gcrn01 · Sep 29, 2009

Saint Louis University

Dixiecup, can you give me more info on SLU? I am very interested in attending. Thanks