Online FNP program- TX

nyc2011 · Apr 27, 2015

Hello,

I see your experience is only in L&Dâ€¦this is going to limit you in terms of applying to FNP programsâ€¦..FNP programs want primary care experienceâ€¦like med surg/or critical careâ€¦

so i think you will need to apply to masters in women's health programs..which i am not familiar with but I would call individual schools and ask them in regards to your experience.

Dranger · Apr 27, 2015

You have a lot of requirements, some feasible some not.

Most programs are going to require campus visits especially reputable ones.

Most schools require you to find preceptors.

Reputable and cheap don't always go hand in hand.

Most are at least two years

I am assuming you military with central Texas, Clarksville and programs being less than 2 years?

micheleruth87 · Apr 28, 2015

That's interesting! I hadn't heard that before since I've had coworkers go the FNP route after just L&D experience, but I will definitely add that to my list of questions to ask. Thank you!

Hello,
I see your experience is only in L&Dâ€¦this is going to limit you in terms of applying to FNP programsâ€¦..FNP programs want primary care experienceâ€¦like med surg/or critical careâ€¦
so i think you will need to apply to masters in women's health programs..which i am not familiar with but I would call individual schools and ask them in regards to your experience.

micheleruth87 · Apr 28, 2015

I should've clarified better..you're exactly right. I don't mind monthly or bimonthly campus visits. Just need mostly online as I would like to continue to work at least part-time. I understand that no good degree will be cheap...I just want to be conservative in not adding more loan debt to my load than necessary.

I am a former military spouse, however we have settled in central TX for the foreseeable future. Just wondered if anyone had specific school recommendations either here in TX or elsewhere. Thank you!

You have a lot of requirements, some feasible some not.
Most programs are going to require campus visits especially reputable ones.
Most schools require you to find preceptors.
Reputable and cheap don't always go hand in hand.
Most are at least two years
I am assuming you military with central Texas, Clarksville and programs being less than 2 years?

RNjazzie12 · Apr 28, 2015

Hey!

Just like to chime on in. I was recently accepted into a PNP Program in central Texas and believe I can be of some help.

1. To answer your first question, there are plenty of online schools in Texas however, most of these online programs require you to find your preceptors, including Texas State. (I began to apply there for FNP school but decided not to). Programs such as Angelo State, Texas Tech Health Science Center, TAMCC and UT Arlington are also a few other online programs to look into. All of which have minimal campus but still require you to find your own clinical preceptors.

2. I can't speak on what's "affordable" since advancing your education is going to cost a pretty penny. But IMO, I believe the programs I've listed are of the best prices in the area. All public universities.

3. I've covered this topic. Part of the reason why I chose my program (not online) is due to the fact that this school assigns clinical preceptors for you. UTMB (you would have to double check on this) assigns clinical preceptors for you, however in the Houston/Galveston area. So that may require you to travel.

4. All of which are about 2-3 years part-time/full-time.

As a side note, a good of number of L&D nurses I work with went back to school for FNP (with only L&D experience) so I do not believe that will hinder you in your hopes of advancing to an FNP degree. Yes, with a Med/Surg background it is generalized so that would work towards your advantage, however it is still acute care. FNP is primary case focused, however I would still check with your schools to see if you need "Med/Surg" only experience. Most programs require nursing experience, not generalizing the type of experience unless you decide to specialize in AGNP or NNP.

Hope this helps!

littlepeopleRNICU · May 1, 2015

Look into University of Texas-Arlington. I used them to finish my BSN, and would've applied to their acute care program, but I live in South Carolina, and at my time of applying, the school told me you had to come to campus a few times a weekend. There have been several people here say they have done away with that though.

Their tuition is cheap, and if the MSN program is set up anything like the ADN to BSN, it's very easy to self-teach, the instructors, are supportive, and you feel like you learn what you need to know.

micheleruth87 · May 11, 2015

Thank you so much! This is very helpful. At this point, my thought is to apply to UT Arlington, Texas Tech, and UT El Paso because they have have programs that start in spring semester. If those don't pan out, there's alot more options for fall semester start programs. Starting spring 2016 would be my first choice, but we will just have to see.