Herzing PMHNP

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Hello everyone, I will be starting the new PMHNP program at Herzing University in September. Trying to see if there is anyone else that will be starting the program so that we can connect. Since it's a new program, there is no topic about this specialty and maybe this can provide opportunity for potential students to discuss.

4 hours ago, Denise Durham said:

For those of you who started the PMHNP program either in September or November, would you be willing to share some of your thoughts/experience thus far? I start in January and I am very excited! Thanks everyone☺️

I’m kind of disappointed in the curriculum to be honest. They state they have recorded lectures. Which is basically this professor who just reads vague bullet points and says “your book is a great reference.” Well the book is a bit too much and oversaturated with information, so not super helpful. So you need to be prepared to teach yourself, especially if you’ve been out of school for a while. Yes, it is already stuff you know from nursing school but more in depth and the teacher isn’t a great resources.  
 

As far as the substance of the classes. It’s mainly discussion posts with topics from that week, a quiz, and maybe a paper assignment/power point here and there. Discussion posts are adequate and help you apply the information. The quizzes are pretty poorly written and executed. It looks like they did not put in a lot of effort to create certification-exam style questions. They are vague, have multiple right answers, and basically come down to semantics. So not too impressed with content overall. 
 

As far as finding preceptor’s. This varies by location and I happen to be in the most saturated market in the US. (San Diego, CA) I am also not from here and recently moved here from across the country. So, I had an extremely difficult time finding a preceptor to where I ended up paying $1300 through Preceptor Link. (Great resource, by the way.) Herzing was completely absent and downright negligent when it comes to this process. ANCC accrediting guidelines states graduate nursing programs have the ultimate responsibility to find their students placement. However, Herzing does a really good job of creating loop-holes in their admission process/paperwork that we sign. Also, in order to get assistance for Summer 2021 placement you have to go through a lengthy process and have everything submitted by December 6, 2020 or else they will NOT find you placement. This is well over 6 months in advance that you need to reach out to them with issues finding clinical placements. Keep in mind I started September 9. The due date to get assistance for January 2021 clinical is August 6th. So it did not even apply to me as a new student. Explain how that makes sense? 
 

Overall, it’s just like any other for profit institution. They cut corners just to take your money. The reason I chose this school was because it was cheap #1, they take California students #2, rolling admission through the year with multiple start dates #3, and the shortest program length of 2 years #4. You get what you pay for unfortunately. You will also get what you put into the program. 
 

If you are pretty self-disciplined, can complete your work on time, prepared to teach yourself, have a basic understanding of nursing concepts, and pharmacology you will be fine.  DO NOT SLACK on finding a preceptor especially during COVID. They do not make accommodations and do not accept telehealth. 
 

I hope this helps and can provide those who are on the fence the information they need when deciding between schools or this program. 

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@Themollylama, I started in November, and I agree so far, the curriculum is not what I expected. The presentation videos by instructors are not very helpful. I'm not fond of some of the Youtube videos they selected for content. I can find free Youtube videos by myself to explain content. It is frustrating because the program is expensive.

I  do not find the discussion post to be helpful. Some people are writing papers for the discussion post that are supposed to be 250 - 300 words. There is no guidance for quizzes. For one quiz, there were 5 chapters to read. The quiz only had 10 questions. There is no way to determine what is the most important information. I did receive the list of preceptors used in my state by previous students. I already have some leads, so the list is my backup.

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8 hours ago, studentnurse2018 said:

@Themollylama, I started in November, and I agree so far, the curriculum is not what I expected. The presentation videos by instructors are not very helpful. I'm not fond of some of the Youtube videos they selected for content. I can find free Youtube videos by myself to explain content. It is frustrating because the program is expensive.

I  do not find the discussion post to be helpful. Some people are writing papers for the discussion post that are supposed to be 250 - 300 words. There is no guidance for quizzes. For one quiz, there were 5 chapters to read. The quiz only had 10 questions. There is no way to determine what is the most important information. I did receive the list of preceptors used in my state by previous students. I already have some leads, so the list is my backup.


You’re right! Forgot to mention the copied-and-pasted Youtube videos from the internet. No original content! Next time they say “your book is a great reference” or “reference your book” I’m gunna pull my hair out. 
 

We basically pay $30,000 for books, to teach ourselves, and to find our own preceptors. We give way to much credit to these for-profit institutions for doing absolutely nothing. Such a joke! 

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Specializes in Psychiatry.
44 minutes ago, Themollylama said:


You’re right! Forgot to mention the copied-and-pasted Youtube videos from the internet. No original content! Next time they say “your book is a great reference” or “reference your book” I’m gunna pull my hair out. 
 

We basically pay $30,000 for books, to teach ourselves, and to find our own preceptors. We give way to much credit to these for-profit institutions for doing absolutely nothing. Such a joke! 

@studentnurse2018 and @themollylama You both are absolutely right. I do hate how they say "reference your book" and post random Youtube videos as a reference. It's impossible to read through the book since it takes sooo long and also to determine which are the important concepts to know for the quiz. Luckily, I kept my notes from my undergrad and they have been a little helpful in studying (if you all need my notes let me know, I'll be happy to email them to you). And to be honest with you, the discussions are pointless and I'm not learning anything from it- it is just "busy" work and a waste of time that I can utilize to study instead. I did talk to my advisor about all these concerns and stated the concerns in the survey as well. I told her it would be more beneficial if the teachers posted an actual comprehensive and concise lecture on the content/chapters so we know what we need to know because it's impossible to pinpoint what is going to be tested. But yes essentially and unfortunately, we are paying $30,000 on this program to teach ourselves and find our own preceptors. This program is really for the ones who are 1. are self-disciplined to teach themselves 2. want an affordable program compared to other schools 3. do not want to wait since they have rolling admissions every 8 weeks. 4. shortest program. 

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2 minutes ago, gamecockgurl said:

@studentnurse2018 and @themollylama You both are absolutely right. I do hate how they say "reference your book" and post random Youtube videos as a reference. It's impossible to read through the book since it takes sooo long and also to determine which are the important concepts to know for the quiz. Luckily, I kept my notes from my undergrad and they have been a little helpful in studying (if you all need my notes let me know, I'll be happy to email them to you). And to be honest with you, the discussions are pointless and I'm not learning anything from it- it is just "busy" work and a waste of time that I can utilize to study instead. I did talk to my advisor about all these concerns and stated the concerns in the survey as well. I told her it would be more beneficial if the teachers posted an actual comprehensive and concise lecture on the content/chapters so we know what we need to know because it's impossible to pinpoint what is going to be tested. But yes essentially and unfortunately, we are paying $30,000 on this program to teach ourselves and find our own preceptors. This program is really for the ones who are 1. are self-disciplined to teach themselves 2. want an affordable program compared to other schools 3. do not want to wait since they have rolling admissions every 8 weeks. 4. shortest program. 

100% and you bring up a good point. We need to make sure we are making our voices heard and write that in our surveys for each class. I’ve already filed a complaint with the board regarding their “clinical guidance” practices. This program is great for those who want to pay to teach themselves for their license but does not translate well come certification time. Just my initial opinion thus far. I hope it gets better. 

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Specializes in Psychiatry.
2 minutes ago, Themollylama said:

100% and you bring up a good point. We need to make sure we are making our voices heard and write that in our surveys for each class. I’ve already filed a complaint with the board regarding their “clinical guidance” practices. This program is great for those who want to pay to teach themselves for their license but does not translate well come certification time. Just my initial opinion thus far. I hope it gets better. 

Yes, I hope it does get better! I should also file a complaint so maybe they will take this seriously. How do I do this? Also, how is your curriculum set up? I saw that you mentioned that the program is only 20 months for you, I am also in the post-masters certificate program. I want to bring this up with my advisor so I can complete the program in 20 months. Thanks!

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10 minutes ago, gamecockgurl said:

Yes, I hope it does get better! I should also file a complaint so maybe they will take this seriously. How do I do this? Also, how is your curriculum set up? I saw that you mentioned that the program is only 20 months for you, I am also in the post-masters certificate program. I want to bring this up with my advisor so I can complete the program in 20 months. Thanks!

Benjamin Murray, MPA
Deputy Executive Director
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
655 K Street NW
Suite 750
Washington DC 20001
202-887-6791 x275
202-887-8476 fax
Email: [email protected]
Website: ccneaccreditation.org

This is the man you need to speak with. He will walk you through the process and provide you with more information. 
 

Also, I am not in the post-masters but going from BSN to MSN. It will take 24 months for me. I was told during on boarding that I could “combine classes and graduate early.” (Another one of their false recruitment-style tactics to get you to enroll) I’m curious how a post-masters program at the same school is still 30k and 24 months. 

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Specializes in Psychiatry.
4 hours ago, Themollylama said:

Benjamin Murray, MPA
Deputy Executive Director
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
655 K Street NW
Suite 750
Washington DC 20001
202-887-6791 x275
202-887-8476 fax
Email: [email protected]
Website: ccneaccreditation.org

This is the man you need to speak with. He will walk you through the process and provide you with more information. 
 

Also, I am not in the post-masters but going from BSN to MSN. It will take 24 months for me. I was told during on boarding that I could “combine classes and graduate early.” (Another one of their false recruitment-style tactics to get you to enroll) I’m curious how a post-masters program at the same school is still 30k and 24 months. 

Thanks for the information! Yeah, I am wondering why it's still 30K for the master's and post-master's program. Mine was calculated based on credit hours. I forgot how much I am paying per credit hour but I believe it's like $690ish? Plus their flat-rate fee per semester for technology etc. I opted out of their bookstore and just purchased the textbooks on amazon because there is no way I can study from the computer. And I received their "scholarship" which I think they take off 2K from the total program cost.

Yeah, I hate how they falsely marketed the "20-month" program. It was one of the reasons why I even applied. I was super bummed because of the extra semester but I talked myself into thinking it was just 4 more months so no biggie. But still, they should have been straightforward and honest.

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Specializes in Psychiatry.
On 11/19/2020 at 7:23 PM, studentnurse2018 said:

@gamecockgurl

I am taking Health Policy & Management and Organizational Systems and Behaviors also in the Spring. For the weekly quiz, how do you study for them if there is no teaching or adequate powerpoints?

 

Hey, sorry I completely forgot to reply back to you! So for the patho quizzes, I skimmed through all the chapter readings and read the chapter summaries. And it was until the third or fourth week that I realized that the teacher got all her quizzes from her PowerPoint. So honestly you can make 100s on the quizzes by just looking at the PowerPoint. But I still studied in depth just because I want to actually learn and prepare myself for the actual boards rather than just getting an easy grade. 

As for pharm, there is no telling what is going to be on the quiz! The teacher does provide "key concepts" for each week, but those are pointless because a lot of the quiz questions do not even come form the "key concepts". I try to read the chapters but honestly, it's too much information to memorize so I just try my best! You are pretty much screwed because there is no way you even have time to look for an answer in the book because it takes a minute just to read and process the quiz question (which is a whole paragraph long) and only have 30 seconds to answer the question. So yeah...LOL

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On 10/20/2020 at 1:58 PM, Themollylama said:

Is anyone else having a hard time with their clinical placement sites during the pandemic? I’ve called Herzing and they are completely absent during this time. I’ve called hundreds of places up to 100 miles out. 

Hi! Can I send you an email? I am planning to start Herzing this Spring and just have some questions. I live in California as well. Thank you!

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Specializes in Substance Abuse/Psych Nurse.

themollylama- Thank you so much for the information. I’m a little concerned about moving forward! I really want to learn! You all have brought up some great insight and it makes me doubt my decision. This is one of the most important decisions of my life and future. I’m very disciplined and don’t need hand holding. I did well when I got my MSN from Walden so I think I would be okay! A big decision and a lot to think about. Thank you all for sharing!

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Specializes in operating room, surgical services.

Thank you all for sharing this. BTW, since I spoke to the rep the other the price for me is $38,610, not $30k so I guess price has increased?

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