Issues with my school, Samuel Merritt University

[NP-OnMyOwn]

I am a gradate of a Samuel Merritt University.

I wanted to put out on this forum some of my dissatisfactions with the program.

When I boil down what makes me so disappointed is the low expectations we as students are held to academically.

tests that are held online, open book tests, these don't test our knowledge of important medical concepts. they just help us keep SMUs GPA up.

In addition i feel that our primary lectures are lacking a main key ingredient in being a good teacher, the ability to lecture. We were fortunate to have many guest lectures and we not only received good information on specific subjects, but we also were able to see what we were missing. Some of these guests were professors from other programs within SMU. so I can say there are talented people working at the school, they just happen to be working for the DPM, PA, CRNA programs.

and lastly the clinic placements. this is both a disappointment with the school and the requirements set forth by the BRN. but there are no set requirement for clinical placement. in my mind there should be a structure of time spent with FP, Peds, Ortho, GYN, ect. I NEVER was placed in any GYN or OB, as a FNP i feel this is a joke.

there, my vent is done, i would love to hear what others think about SMU, and if other have had the same experiences at other schools.

[danceluver]

I think you have started a good thread! I hope to hear more details about other programs and others to up and coming nursing students like myself and what my expectations should be

[nomadcrna, DNP, CRNA, NP]

FNPs are required to have ob/gyn in their rotation and you also should have had didactic as well.

To be eligible for the FNP test, you must have a certain number of hours in the required specialties.

[NP-OnMyOwn]

FNPs are required to have ob/gyn in their rotation and you also should have had didactic as well.

To be eligible for the FNP test, you must have a certain number of hours in the required specialties.

This is not true.

We are required to have competency in skills, I was able to preform GYN exams during my FP clinical (maybe 5 or 6 of them). As for the Didactic, i'll refer to my second issue.

[nomadcrna, DNP, CRNA, NP]

Hm, my program director had to fill out a form delineating the number of hours I had in OB/GYN and pediatrics.

Maybe it was for something else.

Did you set up your own clinical or did the school?

[sandnnw, BSN, MSN, EMT-B, APRN]

I'll ask the question everyone wants to:

Why did you stick with the program?

It's one thing to trash a graduate school that you left, quite another as a graduate.

[nomadcrna, DNP, CRNA, NP]

Did you pass boards?

[NP-OnMyOwn]

I did graduate, and I passes the AANP on my first try.

I stuck with the program because by the time i figured i was dissatisfied to stop and restart would have been a large waste of money and time.

I am the NP i am because of the work I have done making myself better.

not because the school prepared me.

to answer nomad's question, once i found the school not setting me up with clinicals i took in upon my self to do so.

[sourapril]

Are you able to get a job after you graduate?

[NP-OnMyOwn]

I have a Job, in the field i want to be working in.

all this is from the work i have done.

my issues with the school are beyond my successes.

[sourapril]

so the graduate education didn't help you with getting a better job?

[Jasil]

I'll ask the question everyone wants to:

Why did you stick with the program?

It's one thing to trash a graduate school that you left, quite another as a graduate.

Why would you say that NP education here is 23-28 months!! By the time you realize that it really sucks your 1/4 of the way through to withdraw, reapply, etc would seem to be a waste for many.

Thx to the OP for posting another great example of a school that needs revamping!!