Georgia State FNP

aingram71 · Aug 18, 2016

That is true to some extent. In the first few semesters, you can take some truly online classes where you listen to lectures on your on schedule and don't have to go to campus at all. Most of the classes are hybrid classes. You go to class on campus four times during the semester, and your other weeks are real-time online classes. I am now in Advanced Health Assessment, and it is not designed well at all for commuting students. I live far from campus, and I will probably end up on campus or at an assigned clinical site 15-20 times. Sometimes I'm required to travel to campus for something as minor as a one hour mandatory microbiology lab! Things could definitely be bundled to decrease trips, but they're not. That being said, my last four semesters will be at clinical sites that I set up, so they will be much closer to my home.

Keep in mind though that I am an FNP student, and each specialty works a bit differently. Best of luck to you!

chnurse10 · Sep 28, 2016

Thanks a lot for getting back to me!

chnurse10 · Sep 28, 2016

How long is the interview process?

Jesse_An · Aug 20, 2019

Have you completed the program? I just finished my application for Spring 2020! Would you be willing to answer a few questions for me?

aingram71 · Aug 20, 2019

Yes, I finished in May 2018. I'll be happy to answer some questions.

Jesse_An · Aug 20, 2019

13 minutes ago, aingram71 said:
Yes, I finished in May 2018. I'll be happy to answer some questions.

Thank you!! How was the schedule for the program? How many classes per semester? Do you remember how many times you had to go campus each semester? Are any online? Do they have a SIM lab or something similar to practice in?

aingram71 · Aug 20, 2019

I was FNP. The full-time program takes 6 semesters, and the part-time program takes 7 semesters. I did part-time. 2-3 classes each semester. Some are online only. Most are hybrid classes which are in-person on campus days usually weeks 1, 5, 10, and 14 (the last is the final exam). Other weeks are online in real time using Blackboard or similar interactive technology for lecture and Q&A. There is a very nice sim lab on campus. We used it during the Advanced Assessment course and during the final class. One awesome experience was breast, pelvic, and prostate exams with the same live teaching models that the medical schools use.

Jesse_An · Aug 20, 2019

2 minutes ago, aingram71 said:
I was FNP. The full-time program takes 6 semesters, and the part-time program takes 7 semesters. I did part-time. 2-3 classes each semester. Some are online only. Most are hybrid classes which are in-person on campus days usually weeks 1, 5, 10, and 14 (the last is the final exam). Other weeks are online in real time using Blackboard or similar interactive technology for lecture and Q&A. There is a very nice sim lab on campus. We used it during the Advanced Assessment course and during the final class. One awesome experience was breast, pelvic, and prostate exams with the same live teaching models that the medical schools use.

Okay! Great! I applied for Spring 2020! I’m excited! Thank you for your insight into the program! It sounds like they do a lot to help prepare you for post graduation care of patients! Were you able to work full time or did you go part time while in the program?

aingram71 · Aug 20, 2019

I am the sole breadwinner for my family, so I had no choice but to work full-time. I was fortunate to have a manager who pretty much allowed me to set my own schedule as long as I worked 3 days a week. I also started with a bank of over 200 hours of earned time and used them judiciously throughout the program. I think I used them all. Even so, it was exhausting at times. Just keep your eye on the prize.

Honestly, the most challenging part was having to find preceptors myself. I had to rely on former coworkers who had already become NPs, ask friends of friends, and send letters and emails to local providers begging for placement. Try to secure preceptors early and have back-ups in place. This is the primary challenge facing NP students today.