unruffled

I love the point you made about MDs doing the hiring of NPs. They care about the school you attended. The nurse managers hiring the RNs don't have the same selectivity. Two different worlds- RNs and NPs. even more reason the curriculum shouldn't be rushed or downplayed. thanks for all your insight.

I do have a theory on this, but it comes from my experience with undergrad. I went to a really expensive and reputable program. I graduated top of my class. I got the new grad RN program of my choice... but I was working alongside nurses that graduated from lesser programs. My student loans were 2-3x as much as theirs, but we all had the same job and pay. We all passed the NCLEX and we were all back at square one. As my career progressed, my growth and promotions were based on my drive, professionalism, expertise and relationships with people in my organization that had the roles I wanted to achieve. Never once did it come up "what school did you go to"? I found that my career and expertise is what I made of it. I make sure I'm up to date on EBP and practice to the top of my license. I am resourceful on my own. I make sure I fully understand the disease processes, medications and interventions that I'm working with. THAT is what separates good nurses from lesser nurses. Not their college program. I would be just as effective in my career if I went to a "bad" school because I expect the best of myself every day. I am proud of myself for my accomplishments. The school didn't earn that for me. They got what they wanted... my tuition. I did the rest with grit and determination. Nurses have learned over the years that nobody cares where you went to school. At least not since I became a nurse almost 20 years ago. That is what set me on this ill-advised path for my NP Program. I didn't realize that the less desirable schools were actually not preparing their NPs. It's shocking that there are actually BAD schools, not just meh schools. It's sad. I'm not looking for a prestigious degree because I know that I can sell myself better than any grad from a snooty school. I'm thankful for my school... but I'm PROUD of myself.

Touche' FullGlass I am so glad I was able to come across these posts prior to making any decisions about grad school. I have a friend who graduated from Walden NP Program about 5 years ago and she didn't have any trouble finding work, but she lives in a rural area so qualified NPs are slim pickens. I can understand now what you are talking about with the quality of NPs. I see it in the quality of RNs lately. If those RNs... the lazy ones that aren't articulate, are emotionally immature and can't critically think their way out of the breakroom... are the same RNs that are applying to these Walden type programs... yikes. Garbage in, garbage out. Luckily they will never get beyond the application process or successfully interview for a job. Sadly, they are still spending time and money on the useless degree. I've never settled for anything less than excellence in my career and certainly don't plan to start now. I honestly never thought these schools could be permitted to put out unqualified NPs in large numbers. I'm hoping things change with oversight and accountability in the future. Thanks to your honest and critical feedback, I was able to dig further and find a couple of reputable smaller schools that are non-profit and still offer some flexibility. You may have saved me years of embarrassment, time and money. For this I am grateful!

Here is my question... what about the really great nurses that choose schools like Walden for the the convenience? I am a high level clinical quality manager with over 15 years of nursing experience, I am very well respected in my organization and profession. I am going back for my DNP in psych mental health and am considering Walden for the convenience and timeline. Otherwise I will have to wait almost a full year to start classes at the local schools and then you have to choose a full time accelerated program or a long and drawn out part time program. Walden offers something in the middle. Are you saying that the school itself is enough to prevent you from even considering precepting someone? I have hired nurses from all types of schools over the years and you can't judge competency strictly by school. Great nurses will make the most of any program they attend. Am I completely off base here?