MidCareerNurse

@jklstrive yes, exams are proctored. Most are currently proctored by ProctorU and they require a full room scan, they take over control of the computer before you start and go through computer settings, and then you have to use a mirror or your phone using the front facing camera to show your screen before starting and then move your phone away from reach. @JohannarivasRN I have about a year left. They are making some programmatic changes, including changing admitting GPA to 3.25 overall. It had been 3.0. They also are changing the course length for some and also plan to pair didactic with clinical courses so it will no longer be the first year only didactic and then the last year clinicals only as it has been. So, anyone in right now can't necessarily speak to how things will look with those changes. However, it will be the same instructors for most courses. They also do physical clinical site visits every other term with virtual visits during the other terms. So students must reside and do clinicals in one of these four states, Arkansas, Missouri, Mississippi, or Tennessee.

@Julie Dinh Yes, I have taken that course. I dedicated a lot of time to studying, memorizing the assessments for the return video, and all those Shadow Healths! I found the online Bate's access, The Point for the book, helpful. I took the practice questions that are there for most chapters to get a feel for how well I was retaining the info; those are under the "PrepU" portion of that content. I felt like the recorded lectures and the Bate's book were the two things I utilized the most. The other books didn't add as much to my knowledge. I used UpToDate a lot to help with differential diagnoses, which can be accessed for free through the A-State library. I also utilized Quizlet to create flashcards including pics for recall, which helped a lot with all those derm disorders! It's a lot of info in a short span of time. I also really tried to think of how I will apply this learning to my future as a provider and didn't just try to pass exams, etc. I had to remind myself a lot that others have gone before me and made it through! You can do this! Let me know if you have any other questions I may be able to help with.

@MF6 The content for pharmacology and pathophysiology are broken down well by the instructor's lectures within each week's module, focusing on the priority knowledge. I then dive deeper into the module content from the books required for the courses, as well as resources, such as UpToDate, for info as well. It is fast-paced, but I remind myself there are plenty before me who have been successful. I've made school my top priority and fit the rest of life around that right now, which hasn't been hard to do with the way it's set up. Fortunately, I can study any day or time that works best for me and I love that! I will say, I've heard of some people with a degree plan that includes taking two of the P's together and I would definitely avoid that! In my degree plan, the 3 P's were paired with the other classes, such as Theory, Research, etc. That was manageable. I cannot imagine trying to learn Advanced Assessment and Advanced Pharm, for example, in the same 7 week period. That's wild! Have you applied yet and if so, have a start date?! ?

I can't speak to clinicals or boards because I'm not to that point in the program. I have heard they can assist if you are unable, but I think they may be more able to assist with clinical placement if you are within Arkansas and willing to commute if needed. But again, I can't speak to how much assistance they can offer for that. As far as working full-time, most in the program are before starting clinicals. I am and have been able to do well. Some terms require more time than others and some weeks can be particularly heavy. All lectures are pre-recorded and you can see what is coming up a couple weeks at a time. The first year of the program is all didactic work and then you begin clinicals the 2nd year.

The MSN programs through A-State schedules classes in 7-week terms and I am currently several terms into the FNP program. It is a lot of info to cram into 7 weeks, but definitely doable. I dedicate a good chunk of every week to studying each week's module content. I am happy with things so far. The core MSN courses are the same for all tracks, I.e., admin, education, FNP, AGACNP, so I can't speak to the specific FNP courses yet. I feel like the instructors are easy to get in touch with. So far, it seems all courses have exams scheduled on Mondays and most must be taken through a virtual procturing service. For some people, this has been rough with their work/life schedules. I have been happy with the proctoring of exams and haven't had any difficulty choosing test times that work. There are asynchronous lectures from the professors. I feel like they are supportive and want you to succeed. I'm also super happy with the cost of the program and have been able to pay out-of-pocket as I go. Let me know if you have any specific questions I might be able to answer.

I can't say for certain, as I'm not to that point yet. However, there is a clinical coordinator who helps answer any specific questions. Additionally, here is some general clinical info applicable at the time I began the program. Each term is 7 weeks. Total Clinical Hours 750 120 each term; 150 in the final term 120 in Pediatrics & 120 on Women's Health 2 on site visits per semester with clinical faculty at your location (no need to come to campus)

tnw06001, I am really happy with my experience so far. The instructors are accessible, they seem to really want students to succeed, and the cost is phenomenal! I am full-time. I am also definitely early on in my journey, however, the same sentiments have been told to me by a student who is nearly done with the program. The only misgiving I have is that there is no on-campus requirement. I would appreciate having at least one on-campus experience to validate what I have learned in clinicals and/or ensure I begin clinicals with a solid base of specific clinical skills. Additionally, you do need to find your own clinical preceptors. However, I do appreciate, once you have met the requirements to begin clinicals, that they do not specify which term the different clinicals must be taken. This will be helpful in finding a pediatric and women's health preceptor since I have some flexibility with when to fit those hours in.

I just began their FNP program and there are no on-campus visit requirements.

Hello! I began with A-State's FNP program this term. I'm wondering if you had to do it over, would you choose the part-time route taking only one class per term? I just registered for next term and wonder if I'll have enough time to study what I need for Advanced Assessment and Diagnostic Evaluation while also taking Theory Development in the same 7-week term. These 7 weeks seem to pass SO quickly and I'm wondering if maybe I should take a bit longer to complete the program. Would love your opinion. Thank you!