FNP program at University of southern indiana

dhigbee · Feb 3, 2009

I graduated from their FNP program in 2005 (with a MSN). It was a good program, with competent, caring instructors. Like all nursing programs, there was more emphasis on nursing theory and research than I would have prefered. Finding preceptors in your home area can be challenging. It helps to have connections or at least acquaintances in local clinics. Often your state nurse practitioner association can be very helpful with this.

Dana

PRIMESTAR1 · Feb 3, 2009

Thank u very much Dana .did u do it online from USI?I am just worried about being able to find a preceptor before entering into the program.Do we have to do our clinicals all throughout with a FNP or primary care physician,or we also have to find preceptors for ob/gyn and paeds?do we have to specialize in any area?If u could please let me know.

Thanks,

sheeba

Dr. Tammy, FNP/GNP-C · Feb 4, 2009

Thank u very much Dana .did u do it online from USI?I am just worried about being able to find a preceptor before entering into the program.Do we have to do our clinicals all throughout with a FNP or primary care physician,or we also have to find preceptors for ob/gyn and paeds?do we have to specialize in any area?If u could please let me know.
Thanks,
sheeba

The clinicals start in your last year starting with the assessment course for summer (N618). Then in Fall, you continue with Families I (N654), Spring Families II (N655), then your 240-300 hour final summer course (N656).

665 total hours. Of this, 45 hours are for the summer assessment and 20 hours for lab and radiology, leaving 600 hours. Of these 600 hours, 25% peds (under 20), 25% adults (20-55), 25% older adults 56+ and 25% OB/GYN. OB/GYN is broken down into 60 hours OB & 90 hours gyn.

If your primary care does not see a range of peds/adult/older adults, you must secure a preceptor in that specialty area. Preceptors must be FNP's or FP MD/DO, although FNP preceptors are encouraged.

My advice: get two solid preceptors before applying. One as a primary and one as a back up. If your family practice person doesn't do OB, set this preceptor up too. Although 60 hours isn't along time--in OB it seems like an eternity. For peds, if your preceptor isn't seeing at least 25% peds than you need to get a peds preceptor too. Also, if your FP is not getting at least 25% peds, then really question if you want to do your training there or not, as this more of an internal medicine type gig, which is OK, but not really the intended deal with FNP.

No specialty at USI is required nor encouraged. Specific "no-deal" type situations for the FNP track include hospitalist preceptors, ER's, internal medicine specialty area preceptors. Remember, the F in FNP means family and the N means nurse. This is why they really want you to have a primary care family nurse practioner preceptor working in a family practice setting.

Hope this helps.

WitnessRN · Mar 4, 2009

Tammy, will USI allow you to preceptor with a Physician Assistant? Seems like in my area there are way more PA's than FNPs and the MD's only want to preceptor medical students.

Dr. Tammy, FNP/GNP-C · Mar 6, 2009

Tammy, will USI allow you to preceptor with a Physician Assistant? Seems like in my area there are way more PA's than FNPs and the MD's only want to preceptor medical students.

No, has to be a masters or doctorate prepared NP or physician (MD or DO). PA's are dependent upon physicians and NP preceptors are preferred over physicians.

WitnessRN · Mar 6, 2009

Hmmm, that is to bad.... PA and NP function in family practice similiarly.... I KNOW PA's are dependent on MD's....in my area there are not many NP's. Also, the doctors tend to preceptor medical students... this could be an issue for me. SIGH.

Dr. Tammy, FNP/GNP-C · Mar 6, 2009

Hmmm, that is to bad.... PA and NP function in family practice similiarly.... I KNOW PA's are dependent on MD's....in my area there are not many NP's. Also, the doctors tend to preceptor medical students... this could be an issue for me. SIGH.

I know what you mean. It made very little sense going into the deal as I wanted a local ER PA to precept me. Trust me, you want to get dialed in with a good FNP mentor in the family practice setting. It will make all the difference for not only board preparation and academic perspective, but also for role development.