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!
What are some reputable programs that are all online, no on campus visit at all? I understand that they have you find your own preceptors and I am fine with that. My husband is in CRNA school now so flexibility is huge for me. I have looked at Indiana state University, graceland university, Saint Louis University and Colorado State University. Any idea about these programs?? Does a certain accreditation indicate it be a better program than others?? Thanks!!!
Nope, no type of accreditation is better than any other. NP accreditation is not dreadfully difficult to acquire, so I wouldn't use that as a gauge at all. With Indiana State, keep in mind that you cannot go fulltime, they switched to an all part time plan for all students.
I would encourage you to consider schools with 1 or 2 campus visits. They are usually only three or four days in length, and they ensure that you are doing things correctly - you really do need to be supervised on some things before starting clinicals and seeing real patients. Having said that, the most reputable programs all have at least a few on campus visits.
If you really cannot do on campus at all, my highest recommendation is for University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. It's affordable, 100% online, and has a reputable, NOT FOR PROFIT, online FNP program with no campus visits.
I would encourage you to consider schools with 1 or 2 campus visits. They are usually only three or four days in length, and they ensure that you are doing things correctly - you really do need to be supervised on some things before starting clinicals and seeing real patients. Having said that, the most reputable programs all have at least a few on campus visits.
What schools do you recommend that fit this criteria?
While every person on this site has individual circumstances/ preferences, for me personally it was important to have some on campus visits. I was admitted to Gonzaga and another NP program that only had 1 on campus visit throughout the program. Gonzaga has 8. Does the idea of 8 weekend trips to Spokane thrill me? Not really....but, I feel like it is a good system to keep me on track throughout the program. They have an entire term dedicated to the health assessment. You go on campus at the beginning and end of each of the 4 clinical terms and they test you according to where you should be. Since there is basically no school oversight on my preceptors, I felt this was an important check and balance to make sure that I am progressing and learning assessment and clinical skills like I should be. To me, the 8 visits on campus are worth it as a compromise to not going to a full time on campus program that does not allow me to work.
Specializes in Home Health, Podiatry, Neurology, Case Mgmt.
Nope, no type of accreditation is better than any other. NP accreditation is not dreadfully difficult to acquire, so I wouldn't use that as a gauge at all. With Indiana State, keep in mind that you cannot go fulltime, they switched to an all part time plan for all students.
I would encourage you to consider schools with 1 or 2 campus visits. They are usually only three or four days in length, and they ensure that you are doing things correctly - you really do need to be supervised on some things before starting clinicals and seeing real patients. Having said that, the most reputable programs all have at least a few on campus visits.
If you really cannot do on campus at all, my highest recommendation is for University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. It's affordable, 100% online, and has a reputable, NOT FOR PROFIT, online FNP program with no campus visits.
1) ARNP is a career. It should be chosen by those who are ready for the challenges. No college, instructor, educator or program can change that. Finding a school that can "prep you for the boards" doesn't mean it can prepare you for the real-life, think-on-your feet, and learn-as-you-go requirements of this profession.
2) Those who fail the boards want to blame someone, but they shouldn't. The boards really aren't that hard.
3) I finished an online program at a reputable university, and found it to be pathetic. It gave me a piece of paper to let me take boards, but the focus seemed to be more about how long they could keep you enrolled. Academic achievement meant very little to them.
4) Board certification by either of the certifying bodies is fine. I chose AANP because I could sit for boards much sooner, and they had a very streamlined process. No complaints.
5) It doesn't matter how many lectures you sit through. This is a life-long career choice. Not a job.
Correction: FNP programs are not allowed for students who reside in the state of NY. If you live in NY and want to attend an online program, you need to declare and evidence your residency from another state. After you attain your degree, you can move back to NY and practice.
Correction: FNP programs are not allowed for students who reside in the state of NY. If you live in NY and want to attend an online program, you need to declare and evidence your residency from another state. After you attain your degree, you can move back to NY and practice.
Wrong. You may attend any school approved by NY state if you live in NY, which includes all NY schools plus Frontier and Samford online FNP. If you go to an unapproved one, you can have residency wherever you want, but you MUST do clinical in a different state. So you have to cross the border to NJ or CT. You would have to take boards in that state too and then transfer it back to NY, but you never have to become a residency of the other state or move out of NY. This is incorrect.
As a resident of Washington State, if you choose to attend an online program there are many that will not even accept your application. I received some form of this message multiple times-
"Unfortunately we are not able to accept students from Washington state due to restrictions placed on online programs by the Board of Nursing in your state. We have not decided if we will undergo the lengthy and costly approval process."
This particular email was from the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. I have attempted to contact my BON to determine the criteria, however have yet to receive a response. Just an interesting tid bit
I am in New York where are you from? I have had the same problem. The only online program in NY I have found is Stony Brook and they only offer Adult Nurse Practitioner. I also have contacted my BON and they are not very helpful. They said there are only 2 approved for NY which are Samford and Frontier. What I do not understand is that I have taken my BSN online at ASU in Colorado and they are CCNE accredited (ASU is not on the approved list in NY) and so are most of the other online programs for FNP. Does anyone know why and what is the criteria for a program to get approved?
06mparks
3 Posts
What are some reputable programs that are all online, no on campus visit at all? I understand that they have you find your own preceptors and I am fine with that. My husband is in CRNA school now so flexibility is huge for me. I have looked at Indiana state University, graceland university, Saint Louis University and Colorado State University. Any idea about these programs?? Does a certain accreditation indicate it be a better program than others?? Thanks!!!