Frontier Nursing University

[WildcatFanRN, BSN, RN]

I'd like to hear from current students and graduates of their online program. Is it doable while working full time (at least I need to work full-time for a while at first). How hard was it to get time off from work to attend Frontier Bound and then Clinical Bound? For me, if it's planned far enough ahead my work schedule can be worked around three days. But, the 8 days for Clinical Bound I don't know how I would manage missing a week of work unless I have the flex time built up.

I know it's a tough program, or can be depending on how well you keep yourself organized. I'm starting to lean towards Frontier, but it's the campus time that might give me trouble depending on how supportive my employer is.

[zmansc, ASN, RN]

Q1: Doable while working FT? I'm assuming you are discussing the FNP/DNP program. My standard answer to you is that it depends on the rest of your life commitments, and your priorities. However, that doesn't give you much to go on. There is both a full time and a part time track. I have classmates who are working two jobs, have kids, needy husbands, going full time to FNU and seem to have time to spare. I have classmates who have no other commitments, and seem to be struggling with FNU alone. The vast majority of my classmates work either full time or a significant part time job, and are taking the FT track. A few have dropped down to the PT track.

Now for what I do, which is a-typical and not the norm, but is what works for me, my family, and my goals/priorities:

I personally went from full time to prn, because I could flex my schedule more. I still work very close to full time most weeks, but if I have something big coming up, I can not sign up for shifts that week. If I have time off at school I can pick up shifts (it's never hard at my facility to pick up extra shifts spur of the moment).

The classes are done in quarters, each quarter starts out with a bang for me. I usually try to pick up enough shifts prior to the start of the quarter to not have to work a full load during the first two weeks. That allows me to get a jump start on the term. The first few terms I needed the time, I used it wisely and got a big jump start on the deliverables for the classes I was in. The last few terms, I've really not needed the time as much, and I've picked up shifts during that week so I could have time later on to do whatever it is I needed to study for then. In not to long I'll start clinicals and I'll probably work that differently as well.

What do my classmates do? Several work solid blocks of 5-6 days in a row, so that they can have 8 days off in between. Many work nights and do school during the day (I think they are completely nuts, but then I'm not nocturnal in the least). Each and everyone has something different that works for them.

Q2: How hard to get time off? I went to bound prior to switching from FT to PRN, and I didn't have any issue getting time off. I did not take an PTO, I simply swapped a few shifts with friends. I have not heard of folks having a difficult time getting the time off for the campus visits, but then I would think this issue would be very work specific. You will know you CB date several months in advance, I've got to believe you can schedule a 'vacation' several months in advance at almost any workplace I've ever heard of.

Hope that helps!

[WildcatFanRN, BSN, RN]

Thanks. During clinical bound do students practice on each other or use simulators? Reason I ask is because I heard a rumor that this is the case, and rather than believe it I'd rather ask someone who actually went through the program.

This school and EKU are still on my top to apply to as they are as "local" as I can get, and even though I have to set up my own preceptor Frontier at least gives you access to people you can contact.

[zmansc, ASN, RN]

lol. It actually wasn't that long ago that they stopped performing exams on each other. So, no, you will not have to perform exams on another student or have one perform exams on you. There were some skills performed on each other, think along the lines of vitals, ophthalmic, etc. Things that no one had any objections to.

[WildcatFanRN, BSN, RN]

Thanks. I'm in the process of gathering all my undergrad transcripts, and then I need to get all my references. I know they prefer NP's or at least MSN references, but heck my NM doesn't have his MSN yet and none of our ANM's do.

[zmansc, ASN, RN]

I could be wrong, but I think frontier asks for specific references. I used an MD whom I work with, a NP who I have a history with (all the way back to my ADN program days) and a PhD science professor who I tutored for if memory serves me correctly. Check the instructions, they might give you more details as to what they are looking for. Also, at least back then they asked for the references on their form.

[WildcatFanRN, BSN, RN]

Good point, I think they would prefer some of your references be from a FNP. I don't really know any other than one I see at work on occasion or who I see at my husbands dr's office. I'm wondering if my sister's oncologist would write me a recommendation, we've been with her for years and she knows me as I'm the one to keep everything straight; not just for my sister but for my mom when she was alive and being treated for colon cancer by that same Dr.

[NurseEricaBSN]

I also am looking into Frontier University FNP program. Also concerned with work load and working full time.

How long did the program take you? Also, what type of coursework are we talking... mostly papers? Tests? PowerPoint? Group work?

I know they do classes in 11 week rotations... but is this one class every 11 weeks or 2 classes per 11 weeks? (heaven forbid 3!? haha)

Anything would be helpful! thanks!

[zmansc, ASN, RN]

NurseErica-

First, the website has the programs of study for both full time and part time depending on the program you wish (CNM, FNP, WHNP), so you could look at it and see the exact number of terms based on which approach you choose to take. Depending on your program of study, the ft/pt and the term you are in you will be taking between 1 and 3 courses each term. I think there are only one or two terms that the pt take one class, and one or two where the full timers take 3 courses. The rest of the time you will be taking 2 courses per term.

I have classmates who are not employed and only do their school work to classmates who work more than one job, pull call, have families and I still don't believe they actually sleep as they are always available. Some do night shift, other week day jobs, other it varies. I myself went to PRN for a couple of reasons:

1) Switching to my wife's insurance didn't cost us anything, and my rate went up.

2) It gave me way more flexibility to focus on school work when I needed to and to pull extra shifts when I wanted to.

I could have continued full time if I wanted to, but both my wife and I did not wanted to value our family time more than the additional money. It was a judgement call. Having said that, as the program progresses, and you move closer to and then into clinicals you will find that you need to scale back something to give more time to school. Every term several of my classmates are lamenting why they didn't back off and backing off of outside activities for the next term. If you are really going to become a NP, you are going to have to commit a very large chunk of time and dedicated effort into learning, so yes expect at some point to have to quit your job or scale back dramatically so that you can focus on your future. Again, there are people who graduate from the program while working fulltime, I personally would not do it, but it is possible.

From a coursework perspective it's mixed. I've had courses that are almost all paper, group work, forums, etc based and courses that are nothing but tests and everything inbetween. Some courses are very intensive "science" courses: patho, pharm, etc. Others are "theory" courses: theory, research, role of NP, etc. If you've been through any nursing program, you should be able to read the program of study and figure out what is what of the courses. The further you get into the program the more the courses are "science" based, but that doesn't mean their won't be case studies you have to write up and present as part of the program.

FNU has a long history, and they are very proud of it. The concept of rural provider is very important to them, and I think they stress aspects that come into play in that regard in the curriculum. You are forced to have the skills necessary to deal with more than just the health of an individual. Don't get me wrong, I think many other programs teach these too, but I think frontier for better or worse is very focused on that. I also recognize, that these skills can be very useful in urban and other settings besides rural. If all you want is to learn how to take care of a single patient sitting in exam rm 6, then you will get little out of some of the courses.

There is groupwork, obviously more in the "theory" courses. I was very hesitant towards that when I accepted at FNU. I have been very pleasantly surprised, that I have not had a single incident where the group has not worked together and divided up the work very evenly and done a good job on the assignment. I think a big part of that is the kind of person who is going on to get their graduate degree is different than the undergrad student. Another aspect of it is that for the most part your fellow students will be people you know. You go through the program with a group of students, you will likely be very close to them, communicating with some multiple times a day, so you know the people in your group and you work hard to not let them down and vice versa.

My cohort and I are very close. We use several social media applications to keep that way, and I think in today's age, most of the classes at FNU are that way. FNU has it's own systems for this, but with the ease of use and integration of more mainstream tools like private facebook groups, skype, hangouts, etc. you will find that your cohorts are a very close knit group of people who lookout for each other. I actually am much closer with this group of people than I am with my classmates from my B&M RN program.

[zmansc, ASN, RN]

duplicate

[positivenet]

That's how I felt about 1 year ago. I am on my 4th term with FNU. It is doable but very time consuming. I have a full time job and 3 young kids. I go on part time at FNU (2 classes per term). The professors are very supportive. I like it so far.

[nurselola16, BSN, RN]

Hi,

I have a question about finding the clinical site. I live in MN and worry about finding one.Is Frontier helpful in finding you preceptor, or you need to work on your own business?