NP School Advice

Updated:   Published

Specializes in Psych.

Hi all! I am looking for any input/advice on PMHNP programs. I was fairly late to the game as far as applying for Spring 2023. I applied to the MSN programs at Frontier Nursing, George Washington, and University of South Alabama. I was waitlisted at Frontier, accepted to GW, and waiting to hear back from South Alabama. I think GW is my top pick, but it's quite pricey, so I'm waiting to hear from South Alabama before I make my final decision. Both GW and USA are online learning programs. I am curious to hear from people who have been in these programs or are currently enrolled, and can speak to the learning format, professor involvement, etc. Just trying to get an idea of what the education will be like! I've scoured their websites but haven't been able to find any clear information other than course names and credit hours. Any input is appreciated. Thank you for your help! 

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, ER, International Disaster Response, PACU.

Hello! I am finishing my first session at FNU (I also was initially waitlisted, but then granted entrance a few weeks later). I love this program. I had started at Purdue Global a few years back and quit because I hated the program so much— no lectures, just read some chapters, write a paper, and pool your ignorance with other classmates on discussion board with minimal professor input and zero teaching. FNU is so different! Fantastic lectures (all recorded if you can’t attend the live sessions) no busy work (so far) brilliant and responsive faculty who share their real life experiences. . . I couldn’t be happier with it. If you are offered an opportunity to be un-waitlisted, I’d highly recommend FNU! Good luck!!

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Labor and Delivery.

Hi! I'm curious! I was just accepted into FNU. How is it going so far? Is it FHNP or WHNP? 

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, ER, International Disaster Response, PACU.
Angelica1988 said:

Hi! I'm curious! I was just accepted into FNU. How is it going so far? Is it FHNP or WHNP? 

Congratulations! I'm not sure if you were directing this to me or the original thread creator, so pardon me if this was not for me ?

I'm in the FNP program. It's still going great! So far I have written zero papers and done zero pointless busy-work assignments! That may change in future classes of course, but so far none of that nonsense! The classes are intense and full of content, they are challenging and filled with experienced faculty insight. All courses I've been in so far have one course coordinator and multiple other professors involved— so professor A might send the weekly "keeping everyone on track/this is what is happening this week" emails, Professors B, C, or D might each do a weekly lecture, any of those might be your assigned faculty to ask questions. . . The net result is that you get to learn from a number of highly experienced faculty each with different perspectives and experiences. In my current class (Advanced Physical Examination and Diagnostic Reasoning) which all the concentrations take, there are profs represented from all of the the concentrations— PMH, FNP, WHNP etc— so you get the perspective of each. It is a challenging program (and it should be! I don't want to go to an NP who didn't have to work hard for that degree, and I don't want to be one either!) but challenging with good, purposeful work that actually helps you learn and engaging high quality content. I'm still very happy with my decision to go here.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Labor and Delivery.

Hi Willowdean,

Thank you and I have to say that is truly reassuring! I am going to start in October for WHNP and any insight on Frontier is helpful. I love how all specialties of NP's take certain classes together & how you said it is challenging yet does not give us a necessary busywork.

I chose Frontier because I preferred their curriculum of doing online work for the first year and then clinicals the second year. This (hopefully) will help me out so I can continue working and not cut down my hours until the last year. 
 

Good luck to you, and also congratulations! 

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Willowdean said:

Congratulations! I'm not sure if you were directing this to me or the original thread creator, so pardon me if this was not for me ?

I'm in the FNP program. It's still going great! So far I have written zero papers and done zero pointless busy-work assignments! That may change in future classes of course, but so far none of that nonsense! The classes are intense and full of content, they are challenging and filled with experienced faculty insight. All courses I've been in so far have one course coordinator and multiple other professors involved— so professor A might send the weekly "keeping everyone on track/this is what is happening this week" emails, Professors B, C, or D might each do a weekly lecture, any of those might be your assigned faculty to ask questions. . . The net result is that you get to learn from a number of highly experienced faculty each with different perspectives and experiences. In my current class (Advanced Physical Examination and Diagnostic Reasoning) which all the concentrations take, there are profs represented from all of the the concentrations— PMH, FNP, WHNP etc— so you get the perspective of each. It is a challenging program (and it should be! I don't want to go to an NP who didn't have to work hard for that degree, and I don't want to be one either!) but challenging with good, purposeful work that actually helps you learn and engaging high quality content. I'm still very happy with my decision to go here.

Hi @Willowdean, this is good to know. Do you have an exam cut-off score that needs to be met per exam, or are you required to just maintain that overall 3.0? Are there any on-campus requirements?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, ER, International Disaster Response, PACU.

Hi @MeddiMam22 :)

yes, you have to get at least an 80% on the final exam AND in the class cumulatively to pass. However, other tests/quizzes that are not the final exam, no there isn't a particular grade you have to reach. :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, ER, International Disaster Response, PACU.

And as far as in campus requirements, you go for one week at the start of the program for orientation on campus (I think it was like 4 days long), and then before you start your clinicals, you go for one week again to campus. Other than that, no campus requirements unless you want to walk in person at graduation. :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Willowdean said:

And as far as in campus requirements, you go for one week at the start of the program for orientation on campus (I think it was like 4 days long), and then before you start your clinicals, you go for one week again to campus. Other than that, no campus requirements unless you want to walk in person at graduation. ?

How helpful would you say the professors were and did you use any outside resources during the program to practice answering questions? And thanks for answering!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, ER, International Disaster Response, PACU.

You're welcome! 
The professors have all been extremely helpful and responsive. There's a higher level of engagement with faculty here than I've experienced in any other online program. No I've never used any outside resources because I've never had to— between the recorded class sessions, optional live sessions for asking questions in real time, and supplementary study material many of them give (like Kahoots to do for practice, and study guides) I've had everything I need to be successful in classes.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion