Online FNP School Isn't A Real Nursing Program!?! - Follow Me Through Grad School Epi 206

I sat there perplexed as my uncle posed this question to me at the dinner table? How did "please pass the salt" turn into an inquiry about FNP school?

Published

Did he think I endured all those all-nighters, anxiety attacks, clinical hours, and amassed a mountain of tuition debt just for fun? Was I living a lie this whole time?

The truth is, it's not the location (online versus off-line) where you take your classes that determines the validity of a FNP program. It's important that potential students look at what each program offers comprehensively before deciding which one is the best option. For instance, some of the factors that I looked into when choosing my FNP program were (1) accreditation, (2) reputation, (3) program length, (4) licensure exam pass rate on the first attempt and overall, (5) cost, (6) class size and structure, (7) if the program found clinical sites for their students, and (8) if it was traditional or online. In my case Simmons College Online FNP program was the right choice for me. But another program may make more sense for you. In the end, online and traditional NP programs are equally rigorous and valid options when seeking to obtain an advanced nursing degree. So please don't let skeptics, like my uncle, sway you otherwise, haha.

This weeks vlog I went back home to celebrate my aunt's 80th birthday. Some highlights include:

  • Health Assessment course load rant
  • Being questioned about the validity of my online FNP program
  • Aunt's 80th birthday celebration
  • Study tactic for memorizing medications

I hope you enjoy Follow Me Through Grad School (#FMTGS) Episode 206: Online FNP School Isn't A Real Nursing Program!?! What's your opinion? Do you think online FNP programs are less valid than traditional FNP programs? Please leave a comment below and don't forget to also LIKE, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE!

Heads up! If you're new here or an old friend of the Follow Me Through Grad School (#FMTGS) series, you can always catch up with my journey from the beginning here.

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Specializes in Nursing.

What a GREAT VLOG!!!! I love your energy, Bizzy Bee. I am going to start ONLINE FNP school in February. I cannot wait to join the ranks of FNP!!! I love watching you journey - keep up the awesome VLOG!

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Congrats anne_marie_oregon, BSN, RN on getting into FNP school! You should be very proud of yourself! Remember to take some time to really enjoy yourself before you have to go back and hit the books. Thanks so much for commenting and watching. It makes me so happy to know you're enjoying the vlog!

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Hi!

I was just accepted to a few different FNP programs and I have no idea which one to choose!

I was accepted to Walden, Simmons, Maryville and South University.

Any thoughts or opinions? I have no clue which one to choose!

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Specializes in Neurology, Psychology, Family medicine.

Pick the state school. Plain and simple. 4/4 private online programs? Hmm.

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Hello Payton.badders congrats on making into FNP School. Just like you I was accepted to multiple schools and had a hard time deciding which program was the best choice for me. To help me make a final decision I made a list of things that were important to me (I named a few in the blog post above) and checked off if the program fulfilled items on the list. Basically the program that checked off the most amount of items on my list, was going to be the one for me! Try it out and let me know how it goes!

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I have an MSN in Clinical Nurse Leader

I want to pursue a post masters program in FNP preferably online

Any suggestions?

Thank you

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Payton,

Looks like South University is extremely reasonable.

I'm looking into that one

Mary

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I also really considered South, but I've read some really bad reviews from students. I've read that both Walden and South were "degree mills" that accept anyone that meets the admission requirements. I just hate the idea of putting so much time and money into a degree that won't be well respected.

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USC looks expensive

Any other suggestions?

Thank you!

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Hi Maryh4548! I think first it's important that you make a list of characteristics/options that are important to you in a program such as accreditation, class size, % pass rate on first attempt, do they find clinical sites for their students (this is one is a VERY important one), cost, online vs traditional etc. Then you can use tools such as the US News ranking list or the American Association of Nurse Practitioner NP search tool ( Search ) to narrow down your search. The point is to choose the program that is the right fit for you and not anyone else! Good luck on your search!

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