NP school at the Unversity of Texas SON

carachel2 · Jun 17, 2010

I finished the FNP program at the University of Texas at Arlington. I can't imagine it is too different. I've heard they don't allow a part-time trac. With most of the programs, your time committment up front is going to be heavy on classroom learning, studying at home and writing endless papers. A lot of these foundation classes can be taken online.

As you move into your clinical classes you are going to need to make room in your schedule for at leaset two days of lecture a week or every two weeks and two days of clinical at least per week. Your final semester will find you doing clinicals almost every day in order to complete the required hours.

MBARN · Jun 19, 2010

It is my understanding that almost all of the courses are online here at UT med center so that makes it easier. I do think you can take the program part time also. Thank you for your insight! How do you like being an NP?

carachel2 · Jun 19, 2010

I dont know about UT med center, but at UTA your core classes are online, but once you move to your clinical classes they are not. Online bulletin boards and class centers are heavily used, but you still have to go to class. However, class is more like every other week and meets for a full 8 hour DAY instead of weekly. Online classes are not in any way, shape or form *easier* except maybe easier on your schedule!

I love being an NP and am so glad for the four years of craziness (I went part-time!). Great paycheck, learning a lot and a wonderful family friendly schedule. Couldn't ask for more! My weekends are MINE, no holidays, home around 6 on the days I do work and I enjoy having my own patients.

blueindigo79 · Jun 20, 2010

what about UT Austin's FNP program? Anyone have experience with that program?

texasnp · Jun 24, 2010

what about UT Austin's FNP program? Anyone have experience with that program?

I went through this program, what kind of questions do you have?

blueindigo79 · Jun 25, 2010

I live in cedar park and i was debating if i should apply versus the online family np program at Frontier school of midwifery/famly nursing. Can the fnp program at UT Austin be done part-time? How many days a week do you have class at the beginning then with clinicals? How are the clinical placements? Good sites? Is the program and the school name worth the driving and schedule versus the flexible classes with an online program? Were you happy with the program? Any input is greatly appreciated!!!

texasnp · Jun 25, 2010

I thought the program overall was okay, but I was kinda dissatisfied with NP programs curriculum in general, not specifically anything toward this program (I think the program needs more clinical hours). I don't think it would be bad at all coming from cedar park. We had a student in our class drive from Temple. You are typically at the University for class only 2 days a week. As far as clinical sites go, mine were all very good. The benefit of going through the University is they set up your clinicals for you. If you do online, you probably have to set up your own and they are pretty hard to come by around here. I will say though they don't really take into consideration where you live for clinical placement. I live in Southwest Austin and had a clinical site in Taylor (50 miles one way).

You can do the program part time. If you go full time, the first semester is 2 days of class (appx 6 hrs each day) and one 6 hr clinical (total 80 hrs) per week. I stayed PRN at my work and was usually able to work a 12 hr shift once a week in addition to class. The 2nd and 3rd semesters are similar with about 2 days of class and one 8 hr clinical per week. The last semester you have 16 hrs of clinical but I really don't remember how much class time. I did not work much that semester.

I don't know if you would be willing to relocate after you are done, but just so you know, the job market for NPs is horrible here. I graduated last May and have yet to find a great job. I'm working as an NP but not in the job that I want. Good luck and let me know if you have any other questions.

blueindigo79 · Jun 25, 2010

How hard do you think it is to find clinical placements on my own if I decide to go the online route?

so the job market is rough here? i know ARC, St. David's and ADc don't really use NPs.... what about other people you know from school were they able to find jobs? I can't relocate since we just bought a house and actually just moved back from NYC last month. Do you think that's temporary or will NP jobs in Austin always be scarce? Should i be looking into getting my master's in something else? thank you for your input!!

texasnp · Jun 29, 2010

How hard do you think it is to find clinical placements on my own if I decide to go the online route?
so the job market is rough here? i know ARC, St. David's and ADc don't really use NPs.... what about other people you know from school were they able to find jobs? I can't relocate since we just bought a house and actually just moved back from NYC last month. Do you think that's temporary or will NP jobs in Austin always be scarce? Should i be looking into getting my master's in something else? thank you for your input!!

I don't know about finding your own clinicals, I just know that sometimes our instructors had a hard time getting all of ours. I personally just wouldn't want the added stress of trying to find my own, some might not mind. As far as the job market goes, hopefully it will get better soon, I think that eventually more places will start using NPs. You are at an advantage being up north b/c I think there are more jobs in the RR area. If you would be willing to drive to Temple, Scott and White uses alot of NPs.