FNP programs

futureeastcoastNP · Jan 17, 2014

I need help! Does anyone have any feedback for online FNP programs? I have it narrowed down to South University, Cincinnatti University, Graceland, Maryville, & Kaplan. Any info will help.

I would take South and Kaplan off. I'm not sure why when people think online FNP they immediately gravitate to for-profit schools - good marketing I guess. Plenty of reputable schools (Duke, Vanderbilt, Georgetown, etc) have online programs as well. I think there is a slight stigma in some areas against for-profit graduates, and there's also the concern that the schools care more about their bottom line than their students.

University of Cincinnati is supposed to be an excellent program. That one looks the best out of your list. Good luck in whatever you choose!

lhflanurseNP, APRN · Jan 17, 2014

I have to disagree with PP. The school you choose should be one that fits into your needs. For me, the flexibility, travel requirements, and cost of South outweighed Graceland, Maryville, and Georgetown. The courses may have a slight twist at different schools, but an accredited school must offer the same classes.

futureeastcoastNP · Jan 17, 2014

I have to disagree with PP. The school you choose should be one that fits into your needs. For me, the flexibility, travel requirements, and cost of South outweighed Graceland, Maryville, and Georgetown. The courses may have a slight twist at different schools, but an accredited school must offer the same classes.

That's correct, the core courses required to be an FNP must be in every FNP program, regardless of ranking, for-profit status, etc. So regardless of your choice, as long as you put in the work, you will be an FNP at the end.

On the other hand, many schools go far above the minimum required courses, as the minimum requirements aren't all that high: Patho, Pharm, Health assesment + 500 clinical hours. Many of the top programs offer specializations, extra courses, etc. It just depends on what you want out of your program. There are definitely bad FNP programs out there and you have to be careful.

Mollysdream · Jan 18, 2014

Thanks for your input. Have you personally heard of anything bad regarding any of these schools? Its such a hard decision to make.

futureeastcoastNP · Jan 18, 2014

I don't know anything about South but I know it's for profit. I've heard bad things about Kaplan though.

uronurse1 · Jan 18, 2014

What about thomas jefferson university? I appreciated that they have a 4 semester full-time program and not too many fluff courses. Just 2 day trips to campus the whole program. A little pricey but prob comparable to many other programs. I had a great experience with them.