Online FNP program?

rnlex1985 · Aug 27, 2016

I am in the process of starting a FNP program. A few programs I considered include University of South Alabama, Eastern Kentucky University, University of Cincinnati, Simmons College, and University of Texas-Arlington. I did complete one graduate semester at USA however I felt like I was not learning and withdrew from the program. Also, I completed one semester with Simmons College. I really liked their learning platform. They do live lectures each week but asynchronous work. I could not continue with Simmons College because of my work schedule. I do not have the same days off each week. I work a panama schedule. Simmons is a bit pricey and requires an on-campus immersion weekend prior to clinicals. Simmons does assist with finding preceptors. USA also requires an on-campus visit prior to clinical. Those are just a few. There are lots of people attending Walden U, South U, UAB (requires on campus visits for tests and hands on training) and Maryville U. I hope this helps you a little.

Buyer beware, BSN · Sep 2, 2016

I am in the process of starting a FNP program. A few programs I considered include University of South Alabama, Eastern Kentucky University, University of Cincinnati, Simmons College, and University of Texas-Arlington. I did complete one graduate semester at USA however I felt like I was not learning and withdrew from the program. Also, I
completed one semester with Simmons College. I really liked their learning platform. They do live lectures each week but asynchronous work. I could not continue with Simmons College because of my work schedule. I do not have the same days off each week. I work a panama schedule. Simmons is a bit pricey and requires an on-campus immersion weekend prior to clinicals. Simmons does assist with finding preceptors. USA also requires an on-campus visit prior to clinical. Those are just a few. There are lots of people attending Walden U, South U, UAB (requires on campus visits for tests and hands on training) and Maryville U. I hope this helps you a little.

The for-profits listed above such as Walden University (Laureate) and South University both have checked pasts. A cursory web search on these two would probably dissuade you from getting involved with them.

1. Both are for-profits and require arbitration agreements as a condition of enrollment. This feature negates your right to sue them in a court of law when or if you discover that they have made promises to you they can't keep.

2. South has a sketchy financial situation at present and apperars to be financially melting down as a result of the ongoing closures and teachouts of many of their affiliated brands. They are owned by Education Management Corporation and have a online grad rate of 10%. Need I say more?

3. As for Walden, you could do much better. Lots of baggage there. A due diligence web search will give you some of the unbiased info you'll need to decide on a program.

4. Wherever you go there are two very important things to know: go to a reputable, well established, financially sound school. Do nail down the preceptor part of the program. This comes at the final third of an NP program and you will need 5 preceptors MDs or NPs who are willing to basically teach you for free. This is no small feat and is very competitive for while their are many students looking for preceptorships their are even fewer preceptors willing to do this.

5. So what to do. You must get in writing from the school before you sign on the dotted line how they are going to substantively help you obtain the needed preceptorships. If they say they don't, find a school that does. This very problem if not addressed prior to admission has forced many students to have to drop out of school in tens of thousands in debt and no degree. This problem has been called the best kept secret in nursing education and few care when there's money to be made at the students expense.

So become a.NP, but don't get taken advantage of. Lots of deception in nursing education these days and be your own best, informed friend.

MrChicagoRN, RN · Sep 5, 2016

There are many quality programs from non-profits that don't have big advertising budgets, but you can find them here:

Search

The list hasn't been updated in a few years, but it's pretty comprehensive.

SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP · Sep 5, 2016

There are many state schools that have online NP programs. You just have to search for what you need. For me, I'm paying out of pocket as I refuse to go in to debt for school since I'm in my 40s. So, for me, price is a big factor. There are schools such as Arizona, Duke, Johns Hopkins, Georgetown, Vanderbilt, University of South Alabama, UAB, University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Indiana State University, etc., that have online programs and are nationally recognized schools. Some require more campus visits than others. Most require at least one campus visit or more. I know Indiana State University had the least expensive tuition and does not require a campus visit at all. You need to check them out and see what fits your needs.

I've been agonizing over this for months because I want to select a school that's going to be a good fit all the way around. I also want to select a school that I know has a good reputation and people won't say "Who? Where is that school?" when asked where I went to school.

Here's the link I used to search for reputable online NP programs: Best Online Nursing Programs | Online Nursing Rankings | US News

Good luck with your search!

Mhsrnbsn · Sep 8, 2016

I'm having a wonderful experience at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. 99.9% online. You just need to do 3 residencies (they last 1-3 days each every May) it's a masters program. My only complaint is you need to be your own advocate in terms on clinical, they have clinical partners but all based out of Massachusetts so you need to prepare yourself to find your own preceptorships