positive advice about Walden University NP program

Specialties Advanced

Published

I applied to a very reputable local NP school here in Mississippi. The length of the program was a year and I met all of the qualifications. I was extremely hurt and upset when I received my denial letter. I thought the interview went great and I was extremely hopeful that I would get in. When I called to question why, I was told that the program was very competitive. Nevertheless, I met a student that was accepted and she told me that my scores were higher than hers and that she was accepted on probation. Consequently , I began my search for other programs. The only program that I was able to apply to was Walden University. I received my acceptance letter Friday. I am bothered about the ridiculous tuition price of course. I also recently found out that it was a for profit program and a lot of negativity about the program exists. However, if there is anyone that has attended the program that may be able to give me some advice or share your experience. I am scheduled to start on September 3 of this year.

I've been a NP for 8 years and I've owned a very busy practice for 3 years. I precept students from various NP programs. I've had students from brick and mortar schools and online schools. The ones from the "brick and mortar" schools were FAR better prepared than the other ones. One of the online programs even let students take their tests at home (!) before they got into trouble with the Board of Nursing. That school just started having proctored tests last August and 50% of the students failed the first Health Assessment Test. They had a 100% pass rate on their tests before they were proctored. Does that tell you anything?

I've had some good students from online programs, but even they said other students were getting away with murder. I've heard of NP students paying people to verify they did clinicals with them, even though they never set foot into their clinic. I've heard of NPs having other people take their tests or took them in groups. I've been absolutely floored at what some students didn't know - those students attended online programs. I've had physicians refuse to precept NP students attending online programs after working with a few. A physician told me that he had a student do a PAP and after she inserted the speculum, she turned to the medical assistant and asked, "Is that the cervix?" Oh my goodness, the examples I could give you! Don't think that experienced RNs are all "up to snuff" either. I had a couple with 25 years of ICU, Med-Surg, ER, etc experience and they had absolutely no business being in a graduate program. I also precepted a NP from a brick and mortar school and she only had 2 years of psych experience. I almost didn't take her, but she turned out to be the best student I've ever precepted. So, you honestly never know.

Any graduate program that has a 98% acceptance rate is probably a diploma mill, as is any graduate program that doesn't even require the GRE, interviews, time on campus or proctored exams. As far as the number of clinical hours and the board exams - WHAT A JOKE! Go ahead, flame me all you want, but I've precepted over 30 students, so I know what I'm talking about. Furthermore, ask yourself, what would you think about a physician who completed their medical school online?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I'm an APN who did my BSN and MSN thru University of Phoenix. I then did two post-MSN certificates at a local online school.

No one in 7+ years has ever commented on where I got my degrees and I've received offers for every job I applied to.

Speak to already licensed and credentialed APNs.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am a licensed and credentialed APN.

For profit schools have very, very, well documented problems. I don't think anyone with a sound mind can argue that.

Why would you think Walden would magically be the "good" one in a sea of very bad institutions? For profit institutions have lower scores on professional exams, (Field 2011) and higher rates of loan defaults (Deming, 2011)

What makes Walden different from all these?

David J. Deming, Claudia Goldin, and Lawrence F. Katz, "The For-Profit Postsecondary School Sector: Nimble Critters or Agile Predators?" National Bureau of Economic Research 2011.

Kelly Field, Demographics Do Not Explain For-Profit Colleges' Shortcomings on Student-Success Measures, GAO Says, Chronicle of Higher Education, Dec. 7, 2011,Demographics Do Not Explain For-Profits' Shortcomings on Student-Success Measures, GAO Says - Government - The Chronicle of Higher Education

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in family nurse practitioner.

Well I have a best friend in the graduating class of 2014..and she said she would not recommend it at this point. She is very frustrated with the way the assessment class and pharm class is set up. She originally attend University of Phoenix to get her BSN after already completing her ADN at a traditional program. She says she would recommend U Of P any day over Walden. I am a FNP, I help her study and I think its pretty challenging and comparable to my school which was in the class room. The difference is, she is learning the same things but doesn't seem to have the support that she needs. She is having a hard time access online assessment videos, and the test are super hard and out of left field. The truth is that online learning is going to take a ton of dedication and it takes the right kind of a person to be able to apply themselves and be responsible for a wealth of knowledge.

I think it will be a challenge for you, just given what my friend is going through. Daily she says she wants to quit, and if she had it to do again she would not go their. Now, I had a clinical with a student from Fronteir FNP program. He was amazingly smart! That program appears to be excellent from the things he showed me. Very structured and they find your clinicals...or at least they did at that time. Walden does not. I wish I had more positive things to say about Walden. But at the end of the day you have to do what is best for you. Hope this is helpful :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you, I am still very skeptical and I am scheduled to start class September 3, the only positive thing I have heard is that they are accredited.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Certified Family Nurse Practitioner.

I am a 20 year nursing veteran. I graduated nursing school from a reputable brick and mortar school. I now attend Walden, and will graduate in Feb of 2014. the classes are very demanding and the program is rigorous to say the least. I also have a friend who is attending a brick and mortar university, and our programs are very comparable, they have to be to be accredited by the CCNE, which requires all curriculum to meet certain standards. All of my professors are doctoral prepared, and most are full time tenured professors at reputable brick and mortar schools. I have asked several of my instructors how Walden programs compare to others, and all have told me that that Walden's is as good or better than most. I already have a job lined up after graduation, with no regard given to where I went to school. This is not an easy school....and it is certainly not a "diploma mill". Walden is a fully accredited university, that will allow you to sit for the state board exam and receive your license to practice. Those who have not attended Walden are just expressing their opinion (which is their right to do), but it doesn't make them right. Do your home work, and if you choose Walden, get your writing shoes on....cuz your gonna do a lot of it!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency Room, Hospice.
Let's not pretend that a law graduate from Harvard is going to be seen as equivalent and just as desirable to hire as a law grad from Boston Night School, presuming they both pass the New York bar. They might have the same license and the same ability to practice in New York, but their opportunities are going to be very, very different. In competitive markets, you should do everything you can to help yourself. Plus going to a well established school that is affiliated with an academic medical center will help you massively when it comes to networking. NP education is highly, highly variable (unlike med school or PA school). This makes picking a reputable program all the more important.

OP - You are better than a school with a 98% admission rate (this is true, look it up on US News & World Report).

edit: I know this will probably offend people who attend Walden. Nothing I have said is untrue. Try and look at it objectively. I'm truly not trying to attack anyone or hurt people's feelings - but the reality is that for-profit education is hugely problematic (not just in the field of nursing - across the board) for many, many reasons. Also asking "for positive advice" only is not really asking for advice, what you're looking for is validation.

Perhaps one of the reasons someone from Boston Night School is a better bet and gets the job because that is a person who is motivated to get a degree and not an Ivy League "legacy" who gets admitted because their daddy and granddaddy went there.

Many factors determine who gets hired; it's not just school attended or who you know. It's your work, references and reputation that stand on their own that get you hired.

It takes a lot of determination to get through any program while you work full time, have a family and a life to attend. If an on-line programs works for you and will help you get ahead, great. If going to a traditional school better suits you, all the better. As long as the school is accredited and you know your stuff, you have learned what you need to learn.

I worked with an NP who argued about the existence of lung anatomy.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi Mark,

Did you complete your FNP program at Walden University, I am in the program and I am very nervous about finding preceptor, can you give me som advise. I live in New York but will have to travel to CT, NJ or PA for my clinical please let me hear from you so I can feel at ease.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
You have to have two years full time direct care RN experience to apply to this school. There is nothing wrong with it, I myself attend there. That is after i did my own research speaking directly to students already enrolled in the FNP program and reading for several months now how they are doing (over 400 of them). Current FNPs have told me they do not have a problem with Walden and as long as you have the proper certification, no one cares where you went. These are from ones all over the US, not just in mu local area (in fact, its a group who among the members is the author of a very popular review course). i even spoke with recruiters about this.There is not many current students posting on here, and I searched out other ways to find them and ask questions before I made the decision to enroll. I would never dream of attending if it was a "diploma mill." I don't call CCNE accredited schools that anyways, but they can certainly vary in quality among them. I was pleasantly surprised how highly the students thought of it (and they would most definitely say anything negative about it if that was their experience). The state university I attended for my BSN was garbage, plain and simple. I am not spending anymore tuition than my local brick and mortar colleges, I would flat out refuse to do that. The reviews I read online were regarding other programs, not nursing. Most I found, like any online reviews, were usually vague and/or disgruntled ex students who were legitimately dismissed. If you personally have never attended, I would not consider your opinion valid, just my two cents. If I have any problems later on, I most certainly would high tail it out of there. I'm too old and do not have a lot of $$ to be wasting on a lousy program.

I just want to point out the fact that Walden has FOUR HUNDRED current students is proof enough that it is a diploma mill. Considering how recent the school is, it shows they admit anyone with a pulse and a paycheck and don't care about individual attention. A complete embarrassment to the profession.

I'd also like to point at that reviews from current students don't really hold that much weight with me, as the TYPE of student that would consider Walden probably doesn't know the difference between quality education and for-profits. I'm not trying to be mean, but when is the last time someone said they've applied to both Harvard and Walden? Never.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, ER, Home Health.

futurestcoastNP, what NP program are you in?? OH that's right...you have only been a NURSE for a year...I noticed you took that little bit of information out of your profile! Don't worry about applying at Walden, they wouldn't take you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
futurestcoastNP, what NP program are you in?? OH that's right...you have only been a NURSE for a year...I noticed you took that little bit of information out of your profile! Don't worry about applying at Walden, they wouldn't take you.

Hilarious - you actually think Walden would deny anyone? And don't worry, I wouldn't waste my time at that joke of a school if they gave me a full tuition scholarship.

I've applied to NP programs for Fall 2014. I have already been accepted to a few REPUTABLE programs, including an Ivy League institution - schools where I believe many Walden students would have trouble being accepted.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

It is tragic that nursing professionals are back to bickering about for profit schools, online schools, Walden U, ivy league.etc. The effort and ideas should be spent on Capital Hill working towards streaming and standardizing NP programs. We should be advocating for the establishment of a separate NP governing board (one apart from RN, MD, PA and DO), standardized grad school curriculums, established residency programs after graduation, policy making etc prescriptive rights to our brother and sister NPs in the south...... It may not be the right choice for you (who does not know the difference in undergrad and graduate education), but that does not merit you belittling the choices of others. Your behavior can be compared to the behavior of a group of crabs that are stuck in a bucket. As one crab tries to climb out of the bucket for his chance at freedom, the others pull him back in, you're one of the others.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment