Indiana State University

Nursing Students NP Students

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I have heard great things about Indiana State University's FNP online program. I was wondering if anyone on here has heard anything or has gone through their program? Did you work full time during the program or advice not to. Or is it the type of program that you can work full time for the core classes and part time or PRN for clinicals. Do the instructors stay in close touch with their students and make you feel apart of your online community?

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I just graduated from ISU in DEcember. The program is good if you are self discplined to study and turn your stuff in on time. They post deadline and answer emails promptly but hold you accountable for not doing your work. I had a great experience. My friend on the other hand struggled because she needs the class enviorment. I was able to keep my job and worked full-time as a weekender in my hospital. I hope that this helps!

Brenda

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What would a typical school week consist of assignment and test wise? I know they use blackboard but do they give you powerpoints and lectures on the computer? What type of assignments do you have to turn in, and how many papers do you have to do? How many hours a week did you focus on school work? You say you worked full time, but for those who can not work on the weekends is it possible to still work full time, or do you have to cut your hours back once you do your clinicals? How easy is it registering for classes each semester. Sorry this is alot of questions:eek:

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What would a typical school week consist of assignment and test wise? I know they use blackboard but do they give you powerpoints and lectures on the computer? What type of assignments do you have to turn in, and how many papers do you have to do? How many hours a week did you focus on school work? You say you worked full time, but for those who can not work on the weekends is it possible to still work full time, or do you have to cut your hours back once you do your clinicals? How easy is it registering for classes each semester. Sorry this is alot of questions:eek:

It really depends on how many classes you take they have the option to do half time or full time. assignments are based on the class each usually have one assignment and then of couse there is discussion board postings and feedback--this is kind if redundant and i found time consuming. however if you make yourself a schedule and stick to it it is very doable. I would start the semester by getting the first assignment out of the way and they stay week ahead by doing the next weeks posted work this week. the only time I really had problems with clinical was my last year when we did not have the summer off this made it tight. I found that it is important to contact potential preceptors ahead of time

was vthe most important thing to do and get peds and OB out of the wat they were the hardest to find in my area. Make sure to get as many of your preceptors to be NPs and bot all doctors this will direct your clinical care in the proper direct. Also it is important regarding preceptors when it comes time to test because the aanc does not care which you are precepted by but the AANP requires that most of your preceptors are NPs. there are power points in all classes and even breeze presentations that you can play where the instructors read the slides..I found this redundant but if it helps other..ok. papers are dependent on the class but I only think that I had 4 major papers 2 of which were a collaborative effort with other classmates randomly selected. If you work during the week the I would focus on 1 hour a night on computer and papers on

weekends etc. Just have faith and you can always take a class or 2 to get started to see if it the right fit. Finacially I think that it was one of the least expensive programs.

Good luck,

Brenda

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How long does it take to complete the program if you go part time? I would like to be done with program no longer than 3years and ideally 2 years. The weekly posts where they questions that you had to answer in APA format and then comment on someone elses post? How long in length do they have to be? How about tests? Do you take your tests under blackboard where its timed? Thats what we did for our undergrad. Ii love reading and studying but when it comes to writing papers and APA format I get the heebie jeebies lol I guess it's something I'll have to get over once ur in grad school! How about a thesis? Thank you for all your input it really helps with the headache of choosing schools!

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I took 2 classes a semester. it took me 2.5 years and was considered full time. I thought that it was doable. Don't worry it's not that bad .As for APA there are always people in class the help and you rsrely do mainly paper alone so you can have the other person do the APA. NO thesis! YES the test are on blackboard and timed but we had adaquate time for all test. some question were asked to be answered in APAP but I never lost any points all you have to do is see someone elses post and do yours in the same manner..best of luck.

Brenda

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I took 2 classes a semester. it took me 2.5 years and was considered full time. I thought that it was doable. Don't worry it's not that bad .As for APA there are always people in class the help and you rsrely do mainly paper alone so you can have the other person do the APA. NO thesis! YES the test are on blackboard and timed but we had adaquate time for all test. some question were asked to be answered in APAP but I never lost any points all you have to do is see someone elses post and do yours in the same manner..best of luck.

Brenda

Brenda,

Thank you so much for all the feedback! You have really been helpful! I think I am going to go ahead and apply for the program and hopefully start in Jan! The program sounds perfect! It sounds like you get to know your fellow classmates too. So how do you not have a thesis? If you plan on going for your DNP will you need a thesis??

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I hopefully will not get my DNP..I am happy With my MSN-FNP. I have been in school a very long time and just glad to be done. as for no thesis - we had to do a presentation with a partner via webcast. I hope that you do very will.

good luck,

brenda:nurse:

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Specializes in ICU, CVICU, Case Management.

Brenda,

Thank you for answering so thoroughly, this post helpd me as well.

I look forward to becoming a FNP, still looking at programs and Indiana State Univ's sounds very doable.

How is life as an FNP foryou now? Did you pass the boards and start practicing yet?

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Specializes in UCLA Kidney Transplant.

Hey Brenda,

What state are u from. I've just been officially accepted for the Fall 2010 program. I'm from CA and the info I recently got was that we are only allowed one clinical per semester? is that true or is it possible for us to find our own preceptor and be able to take 2 clinical classes per sem?? please advise.

Jean

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Students in California are limited to 1 clinical course per semester BY California not ISU...see near the end of the document at http://www.indstate.edu/nursing/students/handbook/undergraduate-distance-info.htm

But that is the LPN-BS track - this forum is about the Master's degree - it may have different stipulations.

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If you are concerned about APA formatting, there is software available that will automatically format the entire paper and including the references. It works well with MS Word. When I went for my MSN, I found this software to be invaluable.

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