Deciding between online PMHNP schools

MentalKlarity, BSN, NP · Jun 18, 2021

Wilkes sounds like the better program. It's important to have quality clinicals and also you shouldn't be afraid of in person sessions. You're learning to be a provider and it's important to have on campus labs to assess your skills! Fully online programs without skills sessions are suspect.

adreamdeferred, MSN, RN, APRN, NP · Jan 13, 2022

On 6/18/2021 at 10:25 AM, juneberryrn said:

Would really appreciate some current thoughts on how to decide on an online NP school, especially PMHNP (MSN). I have been accepted for Fall 2021 to Wilkes and am waiting to hear back from Northern Kentucky U and Eastern Kentucky U. They are all CCNE, have pass rates from 90%-ish (EKU is 98% I think). However, Wilkes requires 2 in person sessions which would be an extra cost and is 35k total while NKU is 27k and EKU is 30k. Wilkes says that they really work with you finding your clinical placements, no matter where you live, while the other two have less support. Have people enjoyed and gained good experience from in person sessions during online programs? Is paying 5-8k more worth it for a potentially more support to find clinicals? What do you look for in an online NP Program? Anyone currently or recently finished at these schools?

Thanks in advance.

Which school did you go with? Can you share your experience so far?

Steve Tx · Aug 17, 2022

NKU has been good with course work, although MSN 610 was a nightmare due to disorganization. NKU's preceptorship process has been a disaster. I'm afraid I will not graduate in May 2023 as anticipated.

BlueSandBeach, RN · Dec 29, 2023

Hello juneberryrn, BSN, did you choose a program? Any chance it was EKU?

adreamdeferred, MSN, RN, APRN, NP · Dec 29, 2023

I enrolled at Wilkes but changed my mind and lost my $300 deposit. I did not feel they were student friendly because I followed the groups on social media and they were awful to the current students. Most programs are supportive of social media groups and students supporting each other due to being online, but not Wilkes. They were almost vicious with threats to expel or sue students for offering support and sharing study guides and power points. They did not share tests or quizzes so I thought that was petty because the students complained that not all of the professors did power points or study guides and they were just kind of left to figure things out. There were also lots of students struggling with clinical placement despite their "guarantee". That was the main reason I chose to go there. I just had a bad feeling and decided not to move forward. It did not help that I felt like there were too many courses (7). I switched to an in state program with 4 courses that I completed over three semesters. A lot of people were upset about the prep course that was added during their last semester and they had to come up with extra tuition to cover it. But that was enough for me. As I completed my program I continued to see the posts and the sting of losing the $300 went away. My program was so much better. I had to find my own placements but I enjoyed the program even though psychopharm almost took me out. I picked my program because they offered videotaped lectures as well as optional virtual lectures weekly. I didn't want to do another online program that was driven by papers and discussion boards. We were the first class so I can't speak to any changes they may have made since I have graduated. Wilkes has been okay for some and each experience is different but I feel like I dodged a bullet.

BlueSandBeach, RN · Dec 29, 2023

Hello adreamdeferred, MSN, RN, APRN, NP,

Your program sound wonderful, a choice between recorded and virtual lectures? I need to hear lectures to keep me feeling involved! Do you mind saying which program is yours?

Hello adreamdeferred, MSN, RN, APRN, NP,

My current choices are EKU and Maryville, or Chamberlain, but I'm definitely open to others!