Part-Time NP Programs: Opinions?

PNW_NPstudent · Mar 14, 2014

I, too, think it's odd to take only 1 class at a time for many years on end. I'm going part-time, but 2 classes this semester then mostly 3 classes per semester after that. Program length for part-time is 28 months.

HR1989 · Mar 14, 2014

well technically they're working in the field and immersing themselves in nursing 40 hours/week so really they're spending more time than one class per semester learning and putting the foundations of their knowledge into practice

I hear your point though

Dranger · Mar 14, 2014

Can you go to PA or med school part time or online? There is your answer. If other provider education circles aren't doing it then I think that fact alone is very telling.

liberated847 · Mar 14, 2014

Can you go to PA or med school part time or online? There is your answer. If other provider education circles aren't doing it then I think that fact alone is very telling.

Is PA education better than NP education? Opening Pandora's box I know but as an RN that recently witnessed when a PA thump a poor 90 year old on the chest when he went into 3rd degree block (not VF) and nearly killed him, I'd say NP is better lol

zmansc, ASN, RN · Mar 14, 2014

I don't think either is better, they both get their students to where they need to be to practice. Just because other types of programs don't offer something doesn't mean it is by default bad either.

futureeastcoastNP · Mar 14, 2014

I just think it seems very hands off. Taking one class a semester is very little work, and it's easy to continue working full-time and doing other things, especially if you're taking that one class online. Also, the 600 clinical hours most programs require is very little even if you're doing two years - stretched out over 2 years that's barely 6 hours per week. Stretched over 4 years that's not even 3 hours a week. THREE hours of clinical per week, while taking one class online, over FOUR years, just doesn't seem like it is rigorous enough to make someone into a good provider. As I've said before, that strikes me as simply slowly purchasing a degree piece by piece. I really don't think concepts could build on one another with such a huge gap between them.

The bottom line is: I am really, really concerned with how the nursing accreditation boards seem more concerned with making sure NP programs fit everyone's lifestyle versus ensuring they are actually preparing competent providers. Part time programs, online for-profit schools with 100% acceptance rates, direct entry programs...the list goes on and on and on. Anyone in the country, regardless of intelligence, regardless of commitment, regardless of whether or not they are even a nurse, can go become an NP today if they wanted to.

WHERE.ARE.THE.STANDARDS!? Why is no one on here the least bit concerned about what is happening. Do the "everyone should get their chance" people not understand the concept of supply and demand?

We have endless posts in the general nursing forum about how the glory days of nursing are over. How sign on bonuses, high salaries, overtime, etc have all gone out the window. New grads post about how happy they are to get a job after 2 years of trying. That is ENTIRELY due to supply outpacing demand. The same thing WILL happen (and is happening already) to the APRN world if we don't DO SOMETHING.

Psychcns · Mar 14, 2014

I went part time; it took about 3 years. Glad there was a part time option. Most people I knew needed to work full time while in grad school. I was already working in psych. My education built on what I had already learned in previous classes and what i had learned on the job. I actually prefer that it was not "an immersion experience." I had a high GPA and have had a successful career. I think many employers value work experience at least as much as education.

Psychcns · Mar 14, 2014

I went part time; it took about 3 years. Glad there was a part time option. Most people I knew needed to work full time while in grad school. I was already working in psych. My education built on what I had already learned in previous classes and what i had learned on the job. I actually prefer that it was not "an immersion experience." I had a high GPA and have had a successful career. I think many employers value work experience at least as much as education.

PS. For my clinical I had to do at approx 20 hours per week over 9-12 months so that year was more of an immersion.

HR1989 · Mar 14, 2014

I just think it seems very hands off. Taking one class a semester is very little work, and it's easy to continue working full-time and doing other things, especially if you're taking that one class online. Also, the 600 clinical hours most programs require is very little even if you're doing two years - stretched out over 2 years that's barely 6 hours per week. Stretched over 4 years that's not even 3 hours a week. THREE hours of clinical per week, while taking one class online, over FOUR years, just doesn't seem like it is rigorous enough to make someone into a good provider. As I've said before, that strikes me as simply slowly purchasing a degree piece by piece. I really don't think concepts could build on one another with such a huge gap between them.
The bottom line is: I am really, really concerned with how the nursing accreditation boards seem more concerned with making sure NP programs fit everyone's lifestyle versus ensuring they are actually preparing competent providers. Part time programs, online for-profit schools with 100% acceptance rates, direct entry programs...the list goes on and on and on. Anyone in the country, regardless of intelligence, regardless of commitment, regardless of whether or not they are even a nurse, can go become an NP today if they wanted to.
WHERE.ARE.THE.STANDARDS!? Why is no one on here the least bit concerned about what is happening. Do the "everyone should get their chance" people not understand the concept of supply and demand?
We have endless posts in the general nursing forum about how the glory days of nursing are over. How sign on bonuses, high salaries, overtime, etc have all gone out the window. New grads post about how happy they are to get a job after 2 years of trying. That is ENTIRELY due to supply outpacing demand. The same thing WILL happen (and is happening already) to the APRN world if we don't DO SOMETHING.

I hear what you're saying, but with Obamacare Rollin in there will actually be a demand for primary care practitioners.... That's where nurses will be in demand

futureeastcoastNP · Mar 14, 2014

I hear what you're saying, but with Obamacare Rollin in there will actually be a demand for primary care practitioners.... That's where nurses will be in demand

There can only be so much demand. Look at the increase in NP graduation rates in the last decade - thanks to lack of standards and a lot of for profits opening up, we're pumping out NPs like crazy. From 2001-2011, the NP graduation rate increased by 70%, from 7,200 to 12,200! In 2012, according to the AACN, there were 48,710 NP students in school.

There are not enough jobs for all these students!! This is the RN saturation all over again.

mzaur · Mar 14, 2014

Too much supply is not a good thing as it will lower income potential. What happens when demand goes down? The baby boomers aren't going to last forever.