PLEASE Consider Repution of your NP Program!!

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I just want to start off by saying I'm not accusing anyone or pointing fingers at any specific schools. We all have certain circumstances that push us to make certain choices, and I understand. Having said that:

Please, please research any NP program before you apply! I have noticed a huge number of threads on this forum talking about failing the board exams, something that shouldn't occur if you go to a good school with a good track record of prepping students. Your education is an investment, and should not be taken lightly. Too often, it seems people only apply to the schools that spend the most on marketing, and don't ask the important questions before signing up. Your top concern should not be how easy it is to be admitted, or how they don't require the GRE. It should be about quality. If cost or flexibility is an issue, there are MANY well-regarded affordable online FNP programs. In order to help those of you still in the research phase, I have come up with a list of questions you should look into or ask with any FNP program you look into:

1. How long have they been around? Do they have a good reputation in the community?

2. What is the first time pass rate on the board exams?

3. Take a look at the curriculum - does it look "meaty" enough? Ensure they have courses that focus on clinical aspects (diagnostics, differential diagnoses, genetics) and not just the required 3 (pharm, patho, assessment) + nursing theory fluff.

4. Do they support the student through the entire program? Do they help with clinicals?

I have done a ton of research into programs, so if anyone is looking for a good program with specific guidelines, I can probably offer some suggestions. I just want to make sure we all succeed and create a competent next generation of NPs!

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Specializes in ICU, Allergy/Asthma, and Primary Care.

What schools do you recommend? Currently I am applying for summer or fall admission to Simmons, University of Cincinnati, and Maryville University. What are your thoughts on theses programs? So far Simmons is my top choice and is well regarded in their community.

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What schools do you recommend? Currently I am applying for summer or fall admission to Simmons, University of Cincinnati, and Maryville University. What are your thoughts on theses programs? So far Simmons is my top choice and is well regarded in their community.

I researched Simmons a lot and it seems to be an excellent program. I would recommend it above the other two for sure.

I actually knew an NP from U Cincinnati and she never seemed that prepared or knowledgeable. That may not have been the school's fault (perhaps she just wasn't intelligent) but I wasn't impressed.

I don't much about Maryville but I believe they have a 100% FNP pass rate.

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.

Quality of education/preparation is very important for NPs, I too get very nervous when I see posts looking for the trifecta of quality concerns: cheapest, quickest, and online programs.

Always ask about board pass rates! Remember the boards are a basic entry-to-practice exams that demonstrate competence for practice. Everyone should pass them on the first try (assuming a quality preparation/education) as they are the bare minimum for safe practice; to fail them you have to be below the 15th percentile, which is quite poor on a very simple basic competency exam.

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Can you suggest some online programs in New York that have live lectures?

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Can you suggest some online programs in New York that have live lectures?

What do you mean online with live lectures? You mean lectures are recorded and watchable or do you mean online with occasional visits to campus for live lectures?

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Sorry I meant recorded lectures.

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Specializes in Nursing Education, CVICU, Float Pool.
What do you mean online with live lectures? You mean lectures are recorded and watchable or do you mean online with occasional visits to campus for live lectures?

I think they may mean a distance program where lectures are streamed live online so students can watch and interact from home.

Sent from my iPhone using allnurses.com

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Yes thank you that I what I meant. I am taking my BSN online and there are not any streamed live lectures which makes it very boring.

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Depends - can you do your clinicals in another state?

The reason I ask is online FNP programs are not allowed in NY unless they are approved. Only two programs have received approval so far. The reason has to do with clinicals (NY requires if the education takes place in NY, that they register with the NY board of Education. Obviously, the classes are online, but if you do clinicals in NY then it counts as "education in NY"). If you do your clinicals in another state, you are not technically doing any education in New York, so you can go to any online programs. Are you close to CT, NJ, or PA and willing to commute there for clinicals? Also keep in mind that you would have to take your exam in the state where you chose to do clinicals and become a registered NP in THAT state, then transfer it to NY.

Otherwise, there are two programs you can do within the NY border: Samford University and Frontier University. Both are highly regarded programs with excellent reputations for NP education. I am unaware if they stream lectures, but you could email and ask - both schools are friendly and answer questions quickly. It's a place to start. Good luck!

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I live in Brooklyn, New York. I am going to apply to Samford and Frontier. Thank you so much for your help I appreciate it. It has been difficult navigating this process especially dealing with NY nursing board to figure out what universities are approved. Another problem is that I work Mon-Fri 7:30-3:30 and am worried about scheduling clinicals. I am off for the months of July and August which is a plus.

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I live in Brooklyn, New York. I am going to apply to Samford and Frontier. Thank you so much for your help I appreciate it. It has been difficult navigating this process especially dealing with NY nursing board to figure out what universities are approved. Another problem is that I work Mon-Fri 7:30-3:30 and am worried about scheduling clinicals. I am off for the months of July and August which is a plus.

Good luck!

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