Deciding Between Two FNP Programs

[Messa L]

Hi, long time lurker here. I've been getting really valuable information from this website as a prospective student for some time. I'm currently at a crossroads right now as I received offers for the MS- FNP program from two different schools in state of NY. Each has their pros and cons, specific to my own situation. I've been an RN for 8 years, working mainly in the ER with a couple of years spent in Med/Surg & Maternity. I'm originally from Canada where NPs are not as widely recognized/utilized as here in the US (the recognition is certainly growing). I definitely feel like I'm still learning about the field and I hope someone could help shed some light on my decision making. 

1) MS-FNP at D'Youville. Tuition is about 40-50k but most likely I will need to figure out clinical placements on my own. From my correspondence with the school, it sounds like they provide some information but don't guarantee clinical placements. The program can be done either online or on-campus. I've only talked to a few "recruiters" from the school and I'm getting the impression that the approach is more hands-off and I will really need to be extra proactive & diligent once I'm a student again.

2) MS-FNP at University of Rochester. Tuition is about 90-100k and they provide clinical placements. Hybrid program. I'm puzzled at the huge difference in the price tags here. I did a quick research on sites which offer paid clinical placements and it looks like I will be looking at 10k to complete required hours. Then why does your charge almost double as DYU? So far I've had a few zoom meetings with some instructors from the program and they were helpful & more attentive (discussing a future degree plan with me, course load etc). 

I understand the importance of clinical placements and I'd much prefer a school that helps find placements & provides a better quality of education. But financially I'm feeling pretty stressed out just thinking about paying nearly 100k for the next 2-3 years. Im hoping to finish the program as soon as I can manage, hence I probably will not be working as much (loss of some income). My goal is to eventually work as an FNP in Canada or the US. Therefore, if both programs will get me to be eligible for the NP certification, I need to be practical and pick the cheaper one. 

(As an international student, unfortunately my options for financial aids /scholarships are limited. I've also looked into Canadian schools but haven't done as much research.. I've spent the past 2 years working in NY and plan A would be to work in the US after I graduate for the first few years.)

Any thoughts/input? Am I missing some other factors here? Thank you in advance!

[barcode120x, RN, NP]

Unfortunately, it's pretty common for NP programs to not provide clinical placement. No clue why, but it is what it is. 50k sounds about right for an NP Program. Here in southern California, I had the choice between Western University and Azusa Pacific, both were 40-50k (both are well known schools/programs as well). But, paying double for that Rochester program? That's a hands down, hell to the freaking no. I would imagine using companies/websites to find preceptors for you would be cheaper (not that I support that, I find that absurd) overall compared to that Rochester program.

My question to you is, what is your social/work group and networking like at your ER? I think some don't realize that their place of employment (particularly a hospital) is probably the best location to find a preceptor. Many of the hospitalists did primary care at my old hospital and I found my main primary care preceptor there. I also did an annual physical exam appointment with my PCP who I hadn't seen a few a years and asked if she precepted and she agreed to have me LOL. OB and peds might be a bit more difficult to find, but you have to put in the effort to go to local clinics around you, introduce yourself and ask if they precept. 

My program was online, with very minimal in-person meetings (primarily due to covid, fortunately LOL), but I loved the work, school, and life balance of being able to finish my school work on my dedicated times. NP school is a lot different than RN school. No one is there to hold your hand. Basically it's self taught, but I learned most of what I know from actual clinical rather than reading the text and watching online lectures. Once you get your clinicals set, everything else with NP school should be smooth sailing.

[FullGlass, BSN, MSN, NP]

Please do not dismiss the importance of an NP Program that provides clinical placements.  If you've been on this forum for awhile, you should have read a lot of posts from NP students frantic because they can't get a clinical placement(s).  It can be very difficult to get a clinical placement on your own.  D'Youville is not exactly a well-known, top school, which will make it even harder to get placements.  From what you wrote, there are other red flags, like a "hands off" approach.  Remember the saying, "you get what you pay for."

Univ of Rochester is expensive, but pretty typical for a private school.  

If you are Canadian, you really should look at some Canadian schools to see if you can get financial aid.  

There are a lot of NP programs in New York State.  What about the public universities?

Keep looking.