Did your school's reputation affect getting hired?

BlueDevil, DNP · Jun 30, 2014

Just that one graduate from Frontier, living in NC, could not get NC licensure. She stated she was told Frontier was not an accepted program. Either something changed, or I was misinformed. Merely trying to help the OP, not bash Frontier.

zmansc, ASN, RN · Jun 30, 2014

I didn't mean to imply that you were bashing Frontier, didn't take it that way. I'm just trying to help all involved. I'm not a historian on the whole NC thing (never lived there), but I do know that after the law was passed regarding online out of state programs, Frontier worked with the nursing board and UNC (who dealt with the applications) and did the following:

- Suspended future enrollment from NC until approved by UNC (which happened earlier this year). FNU is now back accepting students from NC as they have received approval from UNC.

- They were assured that students who had already been in school at FNU were allowed to continue, including precept and would be able to sit for their boards and assuming passed the boards get their licenses.

To my knowledge no students have reported any issues with not being able to sit for their boards or get their licenses to FNU administration, nor does anyone in administration know of any students who are having issues like this in NC or other states because of FNU not being accepted. I would suggest your friend contact the dean of her program to discuss the issue he/she is having, they are very proactive in support of their alumni.

PsychiatricNP · Jul 3, 2014

I have a couple of different thoughts about this. After I graduated from my NP program (outside of my home state), I already had several jobs waiting for me (in my home state), so I can't say whether or not the school that I attended mattered. Several months ago I decided to look for a position outside of my home state and found that the NP program that I attended did matter, at least to some degree and mostly to physicians who were involved in the interview and hiring process. There were several occasions during the time period that I interviewed at multiple organizations, when I had an interviewer comment that they had completed their residency/training at the school I had attended or had a colleague that had trained at the same school. I attended a flagship, public/state institution, home to the state's only medical school. From talking with colleagues, I have found that (because the hiring of NPs is often physician driven) the NP school that you attended matters only in so much as whether or not a medical school is housed within the same university system - and it doesn't necessarily need to be a high ranked medical school. I ultimately took a job with the organization that had the medical director that had completed his residency at the same school that I did my NP program at - in part because I had some indication of his approach to practice might be similar to mine because we had been educated in the same system/climate. Hope this helps!

ywatt711 · Jul 13, 2014

Bump.

Sonjailana · Jul 14, 2014

Yes! I went to a school that is nationally ranked in the top five for my specialty, and it has opened several doors for me.

TransplantRN3 · Jul 18, 2014

Hi there.
I'm curious if anyone had any trouble getting hired to their job of choice because their degree was online vs. from a traditional school? Or, if you went to a lesser known school than an Ivy league school? I am seriously considering attending Frontier University. Any Frontier alumni who can respond would also be helpful. It is very difficult for me to fulfill prerequisites and then attend class in a traditional school due to my many family obligations as well as the job I'll have to keep during the FNP program. I have nine years of experience as a bedside nurse.
Thank you.

I completed my master's through an out-of-state distance learning program. I did not find any difficulty getting hired because my degree was from an online school. As other posters have said, employers were much more interested in my previous nursing experience + my clinical experience. Do be sure to check with your state BON to see if they will consider your program to be accredited. My BON has an updated list online with all the approved MSN programs. Many traditional schools in my area (Washington DC) are actually moving to online-only options and not offering their FNP programs on campus anymore (unfortunately this is probably due to becoming more for-profit). Good luck with your decision!

Riburn3, BSN, MSN, APRN, NP · Jul 19, 2014

My school hasn't helped or hindered me when it comes to getting hired. The biggest asset I've had has been a previous relationship with the individual that has hired me due to extensive nursing experience. Other classmates with jobs lined up also had existing relationships with their future employers. Having connections helps.

vxa5104 · Feb 16, 2018

I am interested in pursuing mental health NP. Which program did you go to?

djmatte, ADN, MSN, RN, NP · Feb 16, 2018

Make sure your state accepts a degree from Frontier, some don't. I had a friend that graduated from Frontier and they did not ever tell her that her degree would not be acceptable in her home state of NC. Last I heard, she is still not practicing as a NP because she won't move.

There was a time years ago where Frontier wasn't allowed to do clinical in the state of NC due to accreditation issues. This may also be the case for licensure. I am unsure how this affects someone who graduated before they were accredited, but all 50 states are cleared with FNU to my knowledge. But certainly the OP should investigate this to be sure.

djmatte, ADN, MSN, RN, NP · Feb 16, 2018

Hi there.
I'm curious if anyone had any trouble getting hired to their job of choice because their degree was online vs. from a traditional school? Or, if you went to a lesser known school than an Ivy league school? I am seriously considering attending Frontier University. Any Frontier alumni who can respond would also be helpful. It is very difficult for me to fulfill prerequisites and then attend class in a traditional school due to my many family obligations as well as the job I'll have to keep during the FNP program. I have nine years of experience as a bedside nurse.
Thank you.

I don't doubt there are some places that will look at where you went to school and place you a notch above others. If someone has the money to throw at Ivy League schools or others like it, it MIGHT make a difference in your job opportunities. Certainly having a school with a good/solid reputation is helpful, but not the be-all end-all. I went to FNU and interviewed at places whom recently hired Walden grads and they were absolutely thrilled with the quality NP they got. So despite the hate (and low standards), there are people who do well from a vast array of schools.

I feel that when feet hit the pavement and interviews start, this is where they know the caliber person they have which has little to do with where you went to school. I'm currently whittling down a number of job opportunities. It took me a moment to really get my interview bearings because applying for an FNP job is a much different sell than an RN position. But once you sort out what exactly they are looking for in an interview, the process becomes easier and as long as you can sell yourself and the experience you received, you can get a job ALMOST anywhere. (Note though there are some places pointed out on this site in the past who clearly rule out certain online programs such as Walden out the gate). TBH though, nobody specifically asked me about *where* I went to school, but with the rich heritage of FNU serving low-access populations and hard number clinical requirements with total numbers of specific visits and procedures, it was easy to work that into an interview and really prop up my school on how thorough they were.

As for FNU, as others have stated it is a phenomenal online experience. It can be tough and there is a lot to learn. Exam requirements are stressful and online proctoring can be a hassle. But it is all part of the quality degree you want. Their in-house requirements combined with a didactic first, clinical last IMO is the best way to run an online NP program. You get to meet many of your instructors and classmates over a few days and really get to bond. I did their ADN bridge program, so we met even more than other programs and many of us are still in contact today. This community is often what helps push people through and make the most of their experience. Also last I checked, they were a 98% first time pass rate on boards. So there's a selling point as well.

RN/ICU · Feb 17, 2018

I am looking for information on Maryville University's online FNP program. I am hoping to hear from some graduates and current student about their experiences. I am applying for Summer 18.