More preceptors than you need

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  1. Which school would you choose ?

    • 6
      School 1, more flexibilty with preceptors will equal less stress
    • 0
      School 2, a more organized program will equal less stress
    • 0
      Both schools are garbage RUN ( I know you won't but I feel so superior)

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In my 10 years on AN I now treat is as my "career google" of sorts. I have to choose between two programs for my FNP. They are both private, 40k and accredited. School 1 is not for profit, 2 years and will allow you to precept with NP's, PA's,MD's, DO's and CNM's(50% of your 700 hours must be with an NP). They also allow you to complete hours in inpatient facilities.They do not have campus visits but instead require an additional 75 hours in advanced health assessment including a taped head to toe and H&P submission.

School 2 is for profit and also 2 years but they limit your preceptors to MD's, DO's, and NP's. You are also restricted to outpatient facilities and can only use a preceptor/site twice. It does seem a bit more organized and has an on campus residency that school 1 does not. My question is that since I believe that both programs will be viewed the same after graduation, which school would you choose ? Also, if you know the rationale between the preceptor guidelines being different, please enlighten me. I feel that school 1 will allow me enough flexibility to get more than enough preceptors. And yes I am aware that any program that is not in state, brick and mortar, preceptor providing and 15k total is the devil. After you rant and give an opinion that won't change my mind please answer the question if you have any energy left. Thanks in advance.

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.

Honestly neither is a fantastic option. Definitely talk to local NPs and see what the local preference is in hiring. They are likely not going to be considered the same by employers.

Preceptorships are a very important part of your training and schools can and should have preferences on how that requirement is fulfilled. Both strategies are compromises made by schools that have relinquished full control of securing preceptor placements. I don't see a strong positive or negative to either strategy.

I have concerns about not having a in-person health assessment course or ideally a structured patent experience, though this seems to becoming more common.

Instead of saying that input "won't change your mind" try and stay open to responses prior to making a large personal and financial investment.

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Honestly neither is a fantastic option. Definitely talk to local NPs and see what the local preference is in hiring. They are likely not going to be considered the same by employers.

Preceptorships are a very important part of your training and schools can and should have preferences on how that requirement is fulfilled. Both strategies are compromises made by schools that have relinquished full control of securing preceptor placements. I don't see a strong positive or negative to either strategy.

I have concerns about not having a in-person health assessment course or ideally a structured patent experience, though this seems to becoming more common.

Instead of saying that input "won't change your mind" try and stay open to responses prior to making a large personal and financial investment.

Thank you for your response. In revisiting my midnight post I realize that it comes off a bit sarcastic. I suppose I was overeacting to all of the thread hijacks that always tend to take place when the question of private education comes up. A debate on the state of advanced practice education starts and the OP's question never actually gets answered. I have been researching and I feel that both schools will be viewed the same because they are not my local brick and mortar program. So they are both category B or "other". I am absolutely open to relevant responses that address my question. I am sorry if I came across rude or obtuse.

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.

How many local programs are there? Is there a reason you aren't considering those as well?

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How many local programs are there? Is there a reason you aren't considering those as well?

My ASN and BSN gpa's are 3.9 combined but they count every class ever so the events of 1998 and 1999 have my gpa too low. They also will not count classes taken after degree conferral. The second program locally is almost 4 years and I feel that is too long for an MSN.

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.

I would err on the side of school 1 then, if local programs aren't an option. There are some great online programs but they may not be an option either.

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I would err on the side of school 1 then, if local programs aren't an option. There are some great online programs but they may not be an option either.

I have built up quite the excel spreadsheet over the last two years :). I have been trying to balance rigor/cost/time. I so regret not taking my first two years of undergrad seriously. Some of the better online programs I considered use NCAS and they also count every class so my gpa comes out looking horrible. I am willing to pay for my mistakes and move on though. I also found out this afternoon that my employer has a discount with school 2 which will take the program from 39k to a little less than 20k. Ugh, just when I think I have an answer. Thanks again for your advice. Take care.

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Specializes in Neurology, Psychology, Family medicine.

Between the two schools, do they both require the same amount of clinical hours? I know in picking between different schools I would pick the most rigorous one of the two. So I would go with the highest clinical hours. I say that because once you are out of school, you are it as the provider. Yes, we are supposed to refer but if unable to pick up on the issue then referral becomes more difficult. Plus, clinical hours are where you are going to apply your knowledge regardless. Next do both schools require the same classes? Some schools include advanced diagnostics others do not. The last thing I would inquire about would be do you know of anyone that graduated from either school? I would go with first school. Less stress finding preceptors is always the way to go if the preceptor you have in mind is knowledgeable and will guide you.

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Between the two schools, do they both require the same amount of clinical hours? I know in picking between different schools I would pick the most rigorous one of the two. So I would go with the highest clinical hours. I say that because once you are out of school, you are it as the provider. Yes, we are supposed to refer but if unable to pick up on the issue then referral becomes more difficult. Plus, clinical hours are where you are going to apply your knowledge regardless. Next do both schools require the same classes? Some schools include advanced diagnostics others do not. The last thing I would inquire about would be do you know of anyone that graduated from either school? I would go with first school. Less stress finding preceptors is always the way to go if the preceptor you have in mind is knowledgeable and will guide you.

School 1 has more hours required but they do not have a campus visit for skills checkoff before clinicals like school 2 does so I consider them even in that department. Neither has advanced diagnostics but school 1 has a second advanced assessment class with clinical hours as mentioned above.

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Specializes in Neurology, Psychology, Family medicine.

I think you have your choice :). Truthfully by the time you get to graduate school all the instructors are going to say is as follows.... "Here is a 1,000-page book. Read it by end of semester. Do these 5 discussion boards, which require you to look into a subject. Do these case-studys which require you to analyze data. Take these tests to prove you understood material. Work with NP, PA, Md to make sure you are not dangerous." You will get out of NP school what you put into it. The internet has all of the information you could possibly need to make you informed concerning science. It is the individual motivation and energy put into it with a little direction that differentiates the individuals. Good luck with your choice :).

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I like school two. It has a residency, more organised, and I like the preceptor degree options better. I have not read much on pa or cnm training so its just an unknown variable Id avoid. Ultimately, Id pick a preceptor I felt I could learn the most from, which means they are good at their job and our personalities mesh. Also, I think NP residencies is the right direction for our profession.

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Specializes in Neurology, Psychology, Family medicine.
I like school two. It has a residency, more organised, and I like the preceptor degree options better. I have not read much on pa or cnm training so its just an unknown variable Id avoid. Ultimately, Id pick a preceptor I felt I could learn the most from, which means they are good at their job and our personalities mesh. Also, I think NP residencies is the right direction for our profession.

I think you are confusing a residency that medical professionals use that you get paid low wages but you gain experience and are considering learning and the residency he is talking about. Neither school offers a "real" residency its more of an intensive campus visit. So not the same thing.

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