Online program recommendations

Specialties NP

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I am thinking of doing my FNP at Rutgers I live in NJ. Any recommendations for programs in my state or online programs?

TY

Specializes in Labor and Delivery.
We used pigs feet for suturing. Suturing is not very challenging, but then again, I have not had too many challenging repairs. I often think about the wild lacs I've seen in the ER and wonder when I'm going to get one.

For the pelvics, if you went to the class session, they had paid and volunteer people come in. I did it by watching my preceptor twice and the next 10-20 he watched me. Now its an independent skill. I almost went to Fronteir, but was pretty aprehensive about doing the pelvic thing on one another. Was that as creepy as it sounds, or is it no big deal?

I haven't gotten to the pelvics yet, as that occurs at Clinical Bound, but have heard from current students that it really isn't bad. Also, anyone who really has an objection can decline participating and they aren't criticized for their choice. I have heard that it is done in a very professional manner, with only the other student and a faculty member to provide guidance and feedback. I heard that the reason they don't hire models is because the school is located in a rural and rather poor area and there was the desire not to take advantage of locals (since they like to hire locals for school positions when available).

The school really does everything first-rate and they are really well-organized, so I am not worried about that aspect of my training too much.

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I'm not sure how other programs operate, but in mine skills are demonstrated and then students practice with their preceptor in the clinic setting. As with any skill there are many ways of doing a procedure, and as such I tend to do my skills like my preceptor does.

What makes you so sure you're learning the correct technique? There are plenty of docs out there who do things the wrong way. I've seen plenty of bad outcomes from docs with years of experience. You need a "point of reference" and the place to get this is at your school, not online.

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Many thanks to FNP2009~ Duke is one of 5 programs I applied to for next year, so I was really thrilled to read about the day to day of the program in such detail!

I have applied to both online and brick and mortar programs, and I suspect that the online programs (Duke, MUSC and GW), being Tier I institutions, are superior to the on the ground programs that are available to me (ETSU and WCU). They may not be, I'd have to go to both to know for sure and I have neither the time nor the money for such a sociological experiment! My choice will be determined by the financial aid packages, not the specific location of the diadactic instruction (i.e. their classroom vs. my living room). In either case, clincial hours will be up to me to arrange, and I already have a half dozen docs in mind for precepting. I don't think it matters one iota to them what school I'm paying tuition to. The docs I have felt out (2 ED docs, 2 internal med docs, a cardiologist, a family prac doc and a pulmonologist) about potentially precepting have all been very enthusiastic, and I don't recall any of them even asking me what school I'm attending. They offered to precept me b/c they know me, they want to suport my education and they believe in the advancement of the NP role. I'm honored to have the opportunity to work alongside them in any capacity (I have been a practicing CCRN for 15 years, and I only approached the docs that have my utmost respect and confidence), and very grateful and gratified for their support of my education, career and profession. Incidentally, I don't think any of them belong to SDN. ;)

In the end, I believe that as a professional, *I* am responsible for my education, not the institution I attend. The institution that I choose (or that which chooses me) will be there to guide me, ensure competence, but it is up to me to demonstrate excellence. The clincial experience is paramount, and it will be very similiar no matter what program I utilize. The material is essentially the same, and I'll master it to the best of my ability. I will take the same exam upon completion of the program, regardless. My knowledge, skills, approach, and communication skills will speak for themselves. The diploma will be framed, proudly, in an office patients will likely never set foot in. So I have to ask myself, what is this arguement about again?

I firmly believe that all of us will be judged individually on our merits. I intend to apply myself to whichever program I enter, and in the end, I will stand proudly next to ANPGNP, Zenman, Tammy and FNP2009. et al. and know that I deserve to be there.

Good luck everyone!

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Specializes in ER; CCT.
What makes you so sure you're learning the correct technique? There are plenty of docs out there who do things the wrong way. I've seen plenty of bad outcomes from docs with years of experience. You need a "point of reference" and the place to get this is at your school, not online.

That's too bad you work with idiots. Perhaps they need to go back to a proper distance education NP program and learn the proper procedures from qualified faculty. As for me, I feel pretty comfortable learning the way I do and then having my skills verified by my preceptor who's just been nominated nurse practitioner of the year in California.

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And on a purely annecdotal note, I know a nurse of 20 years who attended the distance ANP program at and dropped out 6 weeks into the first semester because the amount of work was overwhelming. She is now in the traditional program at ETSU and says the workload is much more managable. She is a single mom of 3 teens and works 48 hours a week. I know another FNP graduate of ETSU who says there is no way in hell anyone could go through that program while parenting and/or working! I think it is all depends on the individual. Likewise, I know some really **** poor nurses with BSNs from "good" schools, and I know some fantastic nurses with ADNs from community colleges (I've been one of the latter). I have an outstanding professional reputation because of the calibre of my performance, not due to the school I attended. I don't expect that to change in my new role as an FNP.

sorry for serial posting

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Specializes in Trauma,ER,CCU/OHU/Nsg Ed/Nsg Research.
I can see how someone who truly cared about the direction the NP profession is going would be concerned about others taking online courses to become a NP. I don't think these concerns are unwarranted.

Of course, the pro-onliners jump in with gnashing teeth and get on the defense.

I don't hold it against anyone for wanting to take the only opportunity that may be available to them. At the same time, I'm concerned this is not good for the profession. I know online schools aren't going anywhere, though, they bring in way too much money.

I'm so bummed I'm actually thinking about abandoning nursing altogether and going to law school with my BSN. And we all know the last thing the world needs is another lawyer.

Didn't you get your ASN from Excelsior's distance program? And now you're getting your BSN online? I'm a bit confused about your stance regarding distance/online programs being bad for the profession, since you've gotten 2 degrees via those routes. Am I missing something here?

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For every good NP who comes out of one of these online NP programs, how many make the profession look bad? Maybe even you know of an NP who you said probably shouldn't be in this profession. That's the problem with these programs. Too many questionable graduates. If you talk to physicians, many can relate bad experiences with poorly trained NP's.

Look at it this way. If online NP programs were so successful and strong, why do we have so many NP's who can't find work? You can find several threads on this forum from NP's who have been looking for work for many months. I have no doubt it is because of the perception and experience of physicians with prior bad NP's. The true test of the quality of the NP's coming out of programs is the demand for them.

If we as a profession want to improve our image with the physicians and public, we have to tighten the quality of the product we produce. That means rigorously testing students to make sure they know their stuff, ensuring students receive quality clinical training at reputable sites, etc. There are too many holes in online training that someone of questionable moral and intellectual abilities can slip through.

Everything you stated above also applies to brick and mortar education.

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Really, and you work with people? I always thought our role as NPs was to "care" about people, especially the misinformed. Guess things are really changing.

And how on Earth did you figure that I don't care for people from a true statement such as, "I for one do not care about what people on SDN think, nor what the public thinks. There are ill-advised and misinformed people walking around everywhere."

It's not like I'm on call 24/7, volunteer all the time, and even pay for local people's meds and surgeries. :smokin:

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What makes you so sure you're learning the correct technique? There are plenty of docs out there who do things the wrong way. I've seen plenty of bad outcomes from docs with years of experience. You need a "point of reference" and the place to get this is at your school, not online.

And these are graduates of brick and mortar education? Sad. Maybe they need to check out the videos on the NJEM websites.

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Specializes in ER; CCT.
And these are graduates of brick and mortar education? Sad. Maybe they need to check out the videos on the NJEM websites.

Too funny--I didn't even think about that.

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Specializes in Emergency.

Wunderkid,

As I've made clear, I am very happy with Duke's program, but I can say I have had one preceptor and worked with another who both attended ETSU's FNP program and I hope to be one day to close as good as they are.

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That's too bad you work with idiots. Perhaps they need to go back to a proper distance education NP program and learn the proper procedures from qualified faculty. As for me, I feel pretty comfortable learning the way I do and then having my skills verified by my preceptor who's just been nominated nurse practitioner of the year in California.

You're in for a big surprise, Ms. Tammy79. You have no idea what awaits you. Your cocky attitude is going to get you into a world of trouble out there. Don't be so self assured, it just might come back to bite you in the ---!

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