FNP Graduate from Chamberlain College of Nursing Dec 2015

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I'm a family nurse practitioner and graduated from Chamberlain College of Nursing's FNP program as of December 2015.

Lately I have been getting a lot of questions from nurses either looking to start Chamberlains FNP program or who are in the program.

I decided that I would create a blog to address these questions. Feel free to ask me anything about Chamberlain's FNP program.

lexie056,

It's great you are looking well in advance for practicum sites. I can understand that the facility is unable to make a decision now because you won't be attending clinicals for over 2 years. Did you ask if there is a waiting list your name could be added too or when there's a better time to inquire about a preceptorship there so that you could secure a spot? I would also recommend looking into facilities that house multiple services like gyn, family practice, internal medicine, pediatrics etc. That way you can start there with one preceptor to get your foot in the door and then move on to other preceptors at the same clinic. Also you could always ask your first preceptor if they know anyone who is interested in having a student. Good luck!!!

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Billiezcurlz,

Thank you! I'm glad my information is helping you. It's great that you are looking into a career as a FNP. I can understand being nervous about starting school up again as well as only working in the NICU. I currently work with a FNP who only worked in OB as a nurse and now she has worked as a FNP in gynecology at the clinic for over 3 years. She is great at her job and she loves it. You have to follow your passion. Also Chamberlain will help you relearn information that may not be as fresh in your mind from nursing school so I wouldn't worry about only taking care of one patient population. In addition, your NICU skills will give you a huge advantage when you take NR-602-childbearing and childrearing family class.

I def. recommend going for your FNP since you can do virtually anything you want with it like your nursing degree. Also it's great you already know an area you are passionate about in pediatrics and you could specialize in this area after you complete your degree. Additionally, with your background in NICU you would be a great asset to a pediatric clinic.

As far as being nervous about starting school again...Chamberlain eases you into starting up with school again. The first class is very basic and teaches you how to use everything that chamberlain has to offer as well as gets you familiar with online school. A majority of the beginning classes are structured so that they are do-able while working and taking care of your family. Typically all 8 weeks of a course are view-able during preview week which is one week before the class actually starts. During the FNP track classes you will have to attend clinicals (125 hours over 8 weeks) which may make it difficult for you to work nightshift since clinicals are more than likely during the daytime. However, this is do-able if you find a schedule that works for you. Also like you mentioned, having an extremely supportive family and friends will help you immensely.

Everything is do-able with a supportive family, friends, work, and schedule thrown together with some great organization skills. I wish you good luck with your future career plans!

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Mta0709,

The case studies are not technically research papers, but they can feel like doing a research paper. Each week, during the FNP track classes, you are presented with either 1 patient or several patients with a complaint(s) in which you need to complete a SOAP note for: can refer to previous post about SOAP note format. The subjective information as well as the complete physical and sometimes lab work are given to you, however, you need to research (evidence based practice-using scholarly references) diagnoses, additional testing you would perform, treatment plan, education, and follow up for each patient's presenting issues. Each section needs to have scholarly references (not including textbook) that support your data. At the end of your SOAP note you have to include a reference page. It can be very time consuming to complete SOAP notes during the FNP track. I would recommend using preview week to get started. Good luck!

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mta0709,

Your SOAP notes from previous FNP track classes serve as part of the case studies for the capstone project. You pick out what you determine to be your best SOAP notes and submit those. You do not need to make new SOAP notes for the capstone project.

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emiliaBSNRN,

Unfortunately I did not save any of my syllabus's from any of my chamberlain classes. I think it is great you are using preview week to get ahead of the school work. This is a great practice that will serve a lot of benefit when you start the FNP track.

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SopranoKris,

I'm so happy that sharing my experiences is helping so many others.

That's great you've decided to continue on with school and obtain your FNP degree! It's also good that you found out early that your hospital also requires an ACNP to work in the ER.

I wish you the best of luck!

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Specializes in Postpartum, Antepartum.

Thanks for this information! I am considering Chamberlain for January of 2017. I got my BSN there and loved the format. Thanks for the time and effort in posting, it is most appreciated!

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Hi! Im sorry if you've answered this question already, I read back and could not find it..

Do the classes in the actual FNP portion of the program provide any lecture material? pre-recorded or videos? Right now Im in advanced research methods, I don't feel like Im learning a lot..Not only is it just "read this chapter then discuss" My first assignment I feel as though there are tons of errors (rubric missing information the teacher says must be in the assignment, sample provided provides wrong info) So im just feeling lost.

Do you feel like you learned a great deal in the FNP part? Did you learn mainly from reading chapters, or was there more interactive ways of learning?I guess Im not great at just reading a chapter and try and spit it back out.

Thanks so much in advance for your response!

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Hello!

This has been a super helpful thread, thanks so much. I did receive my BSN from Chamberlain and am enrolled in the FNP program beginning August 29th. However, I am also very interested in mental health, and just got accepted to a PMHNP program, so I am trying to do some thinking through things.

Question: Do clinical sites have to be very general? Like Family Medicine, or Urgent Care, etc? I am asking because I was curious if I could do practicum in a specialty area such as Nephrology, or Peds Endocrinology, etc...Thanks in advance!!

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Hi,

I am wondering do you have any tips for passing the exit test. I have reviewed my modules 2 times. Paid for 3 predictor test. I have also completed the QA bank questions. I can pass the test i pay for but i go a 65 on the post exam when i took it 6 weeks ago. I have to take it by the 14th of August. I do feel i get anxious. Any suggestions will be appreciated. I am ready to move on.

Thanks,

RNLTW

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Hi there! I start on 29 August. How do you like it so far ?

btw: Love your name !!

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I had started at Chamberlain July 4th 2016. The computer program was awful and slow. It took me 2 hours just to sign into class one time! I've graduated with a BSN from South University and never had a problem. Chamberlain makes students use those stupid avatars in that Second Life simulation. I thought that was stupid and it would not work right either! Other colleges quit using Second Life because it is not like a real simulation! Good grief! I resigned after 2 weeks and owed 1400 dollars!

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