Online NP School suggestions

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I am currently looking at online NP schools and was looking for suggestions/advice from current students. I live in Maryland and am looking for a program I can work full time and will make the clinical placements for me.

Thanks!

Specializes in ICU, PCU, Trauma.

Frontier is an awesome school and is ranked by US News and World Report as one of the best online schools in the nation. I'm going to the University of Southern Indiana for the Psych NP program, but I believe that Frontier is probably superior due to a more standardized curriculum. Also, they use the "lockdown" feature of Blackboard which makes cheating on tests harder. This in turn raises the integrity of the testing process and I believe ultimately results in tests which are more reasonable in terms of difficulty. Frontier is one of the oldest nursing schools in the nation and deserves respect.

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I live here in Maryland...about 20 minutes outside of DC. I will be attending George Washington University in the Fall for FNP. You could look into their program. It is expensive but they will help you find preceptors (ultimately it is your responsibility though) and it is a good program.

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Specializes in Emergency/Trauma Nurse.

I reached out to them and Simmons cause they used the same interface for online learning.

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Specializes in Oncology.

I attend Georgetown and have been very pleased with the program (besides being ridiculously expensive). They do attempt to find preceptors for you, but because of the distance learning format, many students choose to find their own preceptors so they aren't stuck driving long distances or in the event the school cannot find you a preceptor. I don't start clinical until August so I don't have any personal experience with GUs clinical placement team yet.

Like others have said, there are a lot of good programs out there- it's just a matter of making a list of what is important to you and finding a school that meets your specific needs.

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Graceland University has a great FNP program.

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Specializes in ICU.

Bumping for more info

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I'm doing a post-master's FNP with Husson University in Bangor, Maine. I'm in California. Chose Husson after researching dozens (and I do mean DOZENS) of online programs. They were one of the most affordable and the program director is AMAZING! It's only $548/unit and they have 100% pass rate for FNP with ANCC. They do not find your preceptors for you if you are out of state, but if you give the clinical coordinator leads, she will go to bat for you trying to help. I was having a hard time finding my pediatric placement, which is our first clinical rotation that I'm in now. Well she called one clinic on my list and was initially told no, but ended up getting a yes (how she did it, I'm not sure lol). So I would look into Husson (Husson University). It has an awesome reputation in Maine. Like I said, I already have a Masters (did a direct-entry MSN with clinical nurse leader option a few years ago) so I only have to do the FNP didactic courses and clinical. I believe the regular MSN NP is 2 years or so, so I'm now with the rest of the MSN students for pediatric didactic and clinical which is our first rotation. Summer will be family/adult health 1, fall Women's Health, and finish up Spring 2017 with family/adult health 2. Although online, we do several synchronous online classes throughout the semester where we video conference through zoom with our professor (they are about 4hr classes). We also have a 1 week intensive before summer semester starts where we have to come to campus for a week and go over suturing, ECG reading, radiographs, etc. (you can stay in on-campus housing for cheap).

I know this is lengthy, but wanted to provide as much info as possible and pay it forward with giving back with helpful information, as I've come to this site for years and used it as a great resource. Allnurses is actually how I found Husson as it was listed in a thread for online NP programs and I added the school to my list to research and it ended up being the best program for my needs and bank account, as I'm paying for the program myself without loans (but regardless you're doing a post masters or the full MSN NP, you can't beat $548/unit!). Hope this helps. Good luck!

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Hi 8babynurse8 ,

Thank you for your information. I am wondering how intense the full-time GWU AGPCNP program is and if it can be manageable if you work either FT or PT, and have kids at home. I was looking at the program schedules, the very first two semesters required 12 Cr and 13Cr hours, it looks a lot, though you can finish within 5 semesters

Thank you in advance

I live here in Maryland...about 20 minutes outside of DC. I will be attending George Washington University in the Fall for FNP. You could look into their program. It is expensive but they will help you find preceptors (ultimately it is your responsibility though) and it is a good program.
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I looked into Husson last week because of your post. I also looked at DOZENS of programs... got so overwhelmed I had to build a spreadsheet. Anyway, Husson looks great. I needed to start a program by JAN 2018 if I want the VA to pay for it. Husson only starts in the fall, so they actually let me apply as a non-degree-seeking student to be able to start right now and then join the Fall 2018 cohort... and they pushed it all through in 2 days! I haven't been able to locate any more feedback on this program. Are there any Facebook groups or other groups where I may be able to get info from current or recent students? Thanks. Jana

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