MultipNP

Mary, I had one of my comments on here edited to remove said group name before. So frustrating. Just type in school name and major to see what pops up. It's been a while .... I wanted to continue to encourage those of you in the program who have heard/seen negative comments or references to USU as a "diploma mill" (it is NOT) that those come from a place of ignorance. There *are* diploma mills. By definition, those are institutions that lack accreditation and simply exist to gain a profit off unsuspecting "students". THOSE are to be avoided. I'm well into my program at Purdue University, where I certainly would not have been accepted had I gone to a diploma mill! The goal is to finish, go full-time (working part-time with a state delegate psychiatrist, which is wonderful), then pursue a PhD in nursing education. All the best to you!

I refuse to engage any further because clearly you have a problem in general. They are not a joke - are there to help people who need a way to get into school who may otherwise not be able to for some reason or another. Get over yourself.

Nice to know that at least there is an admission that there's nothing wrong. The last time I checked, I work for a profit, too... I don't know ANY employers who have those interview standards. Interesting...

I graduated from USU a year and a half ago - best decision ever. When I was in my clinical rotations, I'll never forget a couple of the observations made by a couple of my preceptors - who remarked how very impressed they were with USU when they noticed that my professors were checking in on me and extremely picky about HOW I was doing - which was VERY different than the other students from the highly respected brick and mortar schools in our area. It may be a "diploma mill" - but I despise the use of that term because I find it offensive and downright ignorant. USU is accredited. Period. Nobody cares about anything else. I got a solid education and was challenged/pushed HARD. My preceptors had nothing but high praise for my school's rigorous standards. I was offered a job out of my next to last rotation so did not even have to interview/job search after school. I passed my board exam on the first try as well just a month after graduation. I have multiple degrees from other programs (all brick and mortar schools with stellar reputations) - so this is not coming from a place of ignorance or lack of experience, either. I find that people who feel the need to criticize others based on their program has a major chip on their shoulder or has had some bad experience that has painted their own view. Often, it may be from one who failed at one of such programs - I have often found that the loudest critics are the ones whose criticism is least valuable. To be completely aboveboard and fair, this is *not* meant to slight the particular individuals making the comments on this forum, but simply my own observations over the years when such criticisms have been made - to find the the critic is *typically* bitter about a rejection or failure of some sort. Do NOT let such *unkind* words affect any decisions being made. USU is an online, ACCREDITED school (if it loses accreditation in any way, they will certainly let people know - like the post-master's FNP - which should be remedied soon, I expect. Typically if accred. expires, they take care of it fast) - and now that so many schools are going to the online model post-COVID, schools like USU are the ones the other schools are asking for advice. I spoke with an expert from Emory with whom I was working on some psychiatric research - and he had nothing but high praise for the online programs... He said he often is consulted for them and even takes on some teaching as he is able. So there's that as well.... Good luck to you! It's HARD work - but 100% worth it. We need more NPs taking care of folks - so I'm grateful for more of you going for it! I recently re-joined academia as I am working on becoming double-boarded and working toward a doctorate so I can contribute educationally in my area. I'm excited about that.

I didn't get into the January program - my admissions advisor didn't get to my paperwork in time after allllllll the work I put into getting all of it in when I was supposed to. He apologized profusely, yada yada...... <sigh>... Apparently their system is faulty and didn't alert him that I'd sent in my transcripts early, etc. So I'll be starting in March. They are changing systems. SO many people there had COVID during the process (including my admissions guy) - and given the state of things everywhere, I had to consider that was likely the main reason all went crazy. I have lot going on with my kids unexpectedly anyway. Try not to stress. Just take it one day at a time. Maybe start your own study group with trusted peeps who can maintain positivity and get a text chain going with them. It is so helpful.

THIS. This is what has given MANY schools a not-so-great rep lately. It's everyone and everywhere. Herzing is actually very highly regarded here, and often professors who are forthright will admit that it is very much like any other accredited program that can be done online (including all the regular brick and mortar schools - another NP student from a bigger school and I were comparing notes and came to the conclusion that our education was incredibly similar).

I'm starting classes on Monday. After fighting with the system for a while I finally got some help today (yes - the Friday before ??‍♀️) and was assured I could start. But I have no idea which class I am starting since I'm doing the post grad cert and am transferring as many credits from my FNP program that I can. I don't have my student e-mail set up yet, etc. Oh yeah - and I'm still working full-time...... This will be a fun ride! I'll join the group on FB when I am able to provide the necessary details.

I do believe there would be remediation if there is something that is not checked off for some reason. Like MelRN said, you get what you put into it. Make friends with your classmates. When you get into study groups - if you find good partners - stay in touch with them. They will be your lifeline throughout the program. Immersion for me was online due to COVID - I wish it could have been in person. But it was still a LOT of learning in a short period of time - be prepared to drink from a firehose, so to speak! I am glad I chose USU. There were hiccups - but with the way education has been going in the last couple of years, it's one of the best options - it's accredited and completely affordable. Use the resources you're given, make friends with classmates, advocate for yourself, and certainly stay in touch with your academic advisor. If there is ever frustration with a professor, try not to let personal feelings get the better of you, consider reaching out to them for help, saying you are honestly trying and desire to do the best you can do. The biggest downside: do not wait for them to help you get clinical placements -- that won't happen. I did make a list of allllll the docs in our area and sent the list to the field office, and they did make some calls for me when things were crazy, but it's unusual. All of my clinical experiences, however, came from my reaching out personally - physicians and NPs tend to respond to the student reaching out personally, not to the school official. It communicates that you care enough about learning to take charge of your own educational experiences. I graduated with honors in August and was offered a job by one of my preceptors right out of school, so anything is possible. Good luck!

Yes - I couldn't survive without it. I use it in practice daily.

That is unfortunate. Which books are required? I have been reading as much as I can by Stephen Stahl and am wondering if any of his psychopharmacology books are required.

Update 2: I have had patients asking for referrals to pediatricians during appointments. Finding it a bit odd that they were seeking advice from the NP at a psychiatric appointment, of course I asked why. One mom said, "The NP we see there just rubs me the wrong way - she seemed nice at first, but, she is not. She really is a mean person at heart." Guess who these patients want to get away from? You guessed it - the person described above who treated me so badly. Of course one has to act professionally, saying nothing other than giving requested referrals ... but on the inside? Oh, so deliciously vindicated.

That makes me sad. It has a good rep in my area. I just went to a seminar featuring a psychiatrist from Emory (I'm already practicing in psychiatry - just really need to get the PMHNP so I can better serve my patients) who said he works very closely with Herzing, and that if I do end up taking courses there, we'll probably end up being in touch.

I haven't applied yet - but am planning to apply to Herzing for Spring. I'm already working as a psych NP but want the board certification so I can better serve my patients (my boss hired me out of my FNP program after I interned with him during the Summer I graduated). I'm interested to hear how the program is. I have spoken some with admissions about starting the application process. Just need to get settled into my routine a bit more. Are you applying for the full program or the post grad certificate like I am?

I am just now seeing this post - I had my nose to the grindstone back in January! I graduated from USU in August, as well. As with any online program, whether for profit or not, students have to work hard to learn. I did very well and graduated with honors, then passed the ANCC FNP boards the first time. I DO recommend finding other students who care deeply about succeeding. I was one of many students with far more experience than most with multiple children and a busy life, and it was nice to have that in common with them. Like someone else mentioned, it's accredited. I even looked into a degree at Johns Hopkins (guess what - they have online degrees like so many others!) - one of my first choices. My husband said he would be supportive - but the cost was just too high. I looked for a while before deciding. I asked several respected medical professionals for unbiased opinions and they all said the same thing: the only thing that matters is accreditation. Work ethic/character/skill/knowledge are the most valuable part of the person graduating. I was offered my first job by one of my preceptors - I didn't have to search. Many of my classmates experienced the same. All of my colleagues (from my connections within our class, at least) have passed their boards, and most already have jobs.

I graduated from USU in August, and can say it is NOT an easy program as some may assume (oh - and by the way, it *is* also a brick and mortar school in San Diego, its online presence is just extremely well advertised). The first year is a LOT of writing and research, then it kicks into high gear the second year and you just kiss your loved ones goodbye for a bit while you buckle down for crazy town. By the way, since the OP brought up both US Univ. and Univ. of SA, one of my professors was actually also working as faculty at both USU and USA. If anything, USU actually makes things harder because they have to prove themselves to be legit in comparison with some of the other schools out there. My preceptors commented that they were impressed with how rigorous my program was in comparison with the better known programs in their experience. One in particular was shocked at how involved my professor was, asking about my development on a regular basis unlike what she is used to with the other, better-known schools. By the end of my clinicals just before graduation, my preceptors were sending me into patient rooms, asking me what my thoughts were, what my diagnosis and recommendations were, then essentially going with what I said because they agreed with my judgment. Every school has to start somewhere. My husband graduated with his Pharm. D. from one of the nation's most respected pharmacy schools and is considered an expert in his field. He has done a great deal of research on education in the medical/pharmaceutical/nursing fields, especially with the way the pandemic has affected education. He has reassured me that my work is not in vain because education has become dynamic, much like scientific research, due to the vast changes that have taken place over the past year and a half. In discussions with well respected physicians and nurses in my area, the consensus has been the same: if the program is accredited, that is the only thing that truly matters to them about the degree itself. The work ethic and character of the individual is what stands out most. All that said, the bottom line about any online school is this: it is what the student makes it for him or herself, truthfully. If the student is willing to work hard, there will be success. If not, he or she will feel like the program is a failure, which is not the case. The material is there to be studied. Online learning is not for everyone. I do far better as an online student than as one in a classroom. I know this because I have done both - my first three degrees are from well established, well respected schools that attended in person (I have two bachelor's degrees and two master's degrees). Some do better the other way around. Every person is different. My new employer doesn't care that USU was my school. All he cares about is that it is accredited and that I am a hard worker who cares about learning and doing well. He doesn't "frown upon" it at all because he knows who I am and what I am about. I graduated with honors and passed the ANCC FNP boards on the first attempt. I am now applying to PMHNP programs so that I can take classes part-time while working my new job (I'm joining a psychiatric practice after finding myself drawn to all the psych patients and requesting a psych rotation for a specialty during a semester - my psych preceptor is now my employer).

Yes to all of this! I just finished my MSN-FNP online, and feel like I learned so much more than I normally have in classes because I was able to focus more without the distractions in the classroom setting while working at it on my own schedule. Time management is super important, and students have to be self-motivated, for sure!

I did it. I passed on the first try. I almost got sick as I pressed the "Finish" button...... It was no easy feat either, but I felt I should share here since I was scouring the web in recent weeks for any and all info I could on how on earth to prepare for the exam. I did what would probably be "overkill" for many students. I took an entire online Fitzgerald course, did the ENTIRE Leik book and ALL of the practice questions/tests (over and over), did a lot on BoardVitals.com, and then also did one of the Sarah Michelle crash course worksheets - which was pure gold. I'm not going to lie. I graduated on August the 23rd and passed the exam today, September 23rd. I did take some time off after school because I was on the edge of crazy..... Back to the exam... I took ALL FOUR hours of the exam time (well - I had a few minutes to spare, but still....), which was super important. I am a hyper-focuser (ADHD-type) who can't just do a couple hours a day. My poor husband and kids just had to put up with me fixing the simplest meals ever, barely keeping the house functioning, etc., because I literally was spending every moment of free time studying. I was studying between 13-16 hours a day for 3 weeks. That was it for me. Here is where I want to help you out. I personally don't think there is nearly enough time in any FNP program to REALLY learn all we need to know. This is why I went absolutely nuts - because not only did I want to pass, but I also wanted to start off as a strong provider. The low-down - the two most helpful things? The Leik and the Sarah Michelle. The Fitzgerald was SUPER in depth. It was helpful - very much so. I feel like I have a much broader knowledge base, and if you want a course that also provides a chance to ask Dr. Fitzgerald questions directly (the woman is amazingly knowlegeable) during Zoom sessions that come with your course - that is a great way to go. As for Board Vitals - I would not recommend even bothering with it. It was really shaking my confidence because the questions seemed really ridiculous. The board exam did not seem as much like that site as I had heard from others (who had taken the AANP exam - so maybe that's where the difference is?).... Anyway... Other things that helped? Take practice tests - then if you only get around a 70% - then study more (rather than just take questions). Read the main concepts. Learn all the BASIC illnesses, 1st line drugs, side effects, etc. You want to make sure that you can prove you're a safe provider on the board exam. The day before the exam - make a list of all the things you know you can treat. You might be surprised at what you know. That shocked me, honestly. Also, I drank a LOT of water in the days before the test, and made sure to get plenty of rest the night before. The morning of, I made sure to eat some protein because I knew I might pass out because of my stress level. I also prayed because I knew I wasn't the one in charge. DURING the exam, BREATHE, read through every question and don't rush. Be thorough. You may catch something if you read it through a few times that you might not initially. This happened for me a few times. I've provided links to the most helpful resources I used. You CAN DO IT! If you made it through school, you can do this, too. Hugs, Your colleague - and a new FNP-BC! https://www.amazon.com/Family-Practitioner-Certification-Intensive-Review/ https://sarah-michelle-NP-reviews.mykajabi.com

Update: Graduated with honors! Just received clearance to take board exams, and was offered a job by my psychiatric preceptor during clinical. He told me my office is ready and waiting. ❤️

??????

I'm not sure if this is a helpful way to encourage my fellow FNP students or more of a vent. But here goes... I am an FNP student who is a bit older - I became a registered nurse after a fairly successful first career (have my bachelor/master degrees in another field that wasn't family friendly). I am married to someone just like me - we met in grad school the first time around. Then we both chose 2nd careers in the medical field. He is successful in his chosen field (he has his doctorate). We've had all of our children - and enjoy being a big family. When my youngest started school I knew it was time to get back at it. I had long wanted to become a practitioner, and chose to go the FNP route since it is broad and I can expand on it more easily than some other degrees (I'm leaning toward psychiatry at this point)... Anyway, I began clinical rotations after putting in a lot of grueling hours of classwork and showing that I "still have it" as a good student. My first rotation went really well, with my preceptor being someone who had 20+ years experience, and had taught students in the past (both as a preceptor and as a college professor). She was fantastic, and gave me extremely encouraging feedback and told my professors she had no doubt I would be a good FNP. I went into my 2nd clinical, excited that I would continue learning. This time, things were different. My preceptor was MUCH younger than me (I had been a registered nurse for a good deal longer than she had), but seemed super nice when she accepted me as a student. It ended there. My first day, she began grilling me with questions about obscure health conditions that are not in the FNP scope of practice, and would not allow me the time to think about an answer before saying, "Didn't you learn *anything* in your pathophysiology and pharm classes?!" I was humiliated and went home in tears. Long story short, after that first day, I studied hard and knew my stuff about common conditions, explaining when she asked about obscure things that "since that is not within our scope, I would refer that on to a specialist." She asked many other questions to which I knew the answers. When I knew them, she kept asking things until I didn't know something - then would belittle me every time this happened. I asked for resources to help me be better and asked for information about the next day's patients so I could prepare in advance. I even asked if there was a list of things she might want me to memorize. I begged for direction. And I got none. I did keep hearing her say, "I don't have time for this." Anytime I had something I knew was good insight to add, she shrugged it off and said, "Well, maybe." It didn't make it any easier that roughly half of the patients we saw were people who knew me and spoke highly of me. "You're so lucky she's your student!" This seemed to aggravate her. After a week, she told me I wasn't cutting it and that she wanted to talk with my clinical professor. She said, "If you continue with me, I will recommend that you not pass - you will fail for sure." I spoke directly with my professor that afternoon - he was dumbfounded at her description of me (I'm an A student - have a really good record thus far). He said, "In this case, I will be describing her as a 'poor fit' for you. I do have to discuss this with the higher ups in the school since this person did voice serious concerns about your performance, but I will go to bat for you since I always find it suspicious when someone develops such a strong opinion after just one week with a student they've never met before." I was emotionally ruined at the time. As an FNP student, I constantly feel like I am an idiot (something I have learned is quite common), and this preceptor knew that. She chose to run with that and stomp on any shreds of confidence I had, forcing me to question whether I could cut it as a nurse practitioner. Since then I was able to obtain another preceptor in that specialty. So for the semester, I had 3 preceptors total. Two of the preceptors evaluated me as "exceeds expectations" across the board. They were also open to me sharing insights with them - AND with their patients. One of them went so far as to tell some of her patients, "This is so-and-so, she is a very experienced nurse, and I trust her judgment, so if she has something to add, it's probably excellent advice." She would then turn to me and ask if I wanted to say anything else. I actually sought professional counseling over this - and chose to go to the same one who knows me from counseling a couple of my children. He was surprised that I would be treated this way, so encouraged me to ignore the bad and focus on the fact that I had gotten good feedback from all my other teachers before. Fast forward to the end of the semester. A couple weeks before the end, I received a notification that I had evaluations to fill out. So I did. I am not one to lie - I evaluated all three preceptors honestly. With that first one who belittled me and said I was worthless, I honestly described her as below my expectations, that she would not help me when I asked for it. I also recommended the school not send any more students to her. I didn't go overboard - I just told the truth. A few days later, I received notification that I had an eval to review. I've never received such a notification. This person had probably seen what I wrote about her. The eval she wrote about me was packed FULL of lies. I couldn't believe my eyes. She fabricated specific situations, telling my professor I didn't know basic anatomy, describing me as a student who "doesn't know nearly what she needs to know, nor does she care to learn." Holy. Freaking. Cow. Lie much? She also described me as "awkward with patients." It was weird, because I remember thinking she had a somewhat cold demeanor with patients - especially our patients who admitted to struggling with depression or other mental health problems. Thank goodness I was given the opportunity to respond to her eval. I did, explaining that I found it strange that she remember specific situations when they didn't even happen. I spoke with my counselor about this, telling him I couldn't understand this from a student perspective, and that I am not a mental health professional yet, but that it *seemed* to me that I was chosen to be a victim of gaslighting by someone who exhibited signs of narcissistic personality disorder. He almost laughed, and said, "That is exactly what I thought when you first described the situation to me." Apparently, when seeing my preceptor evaluation of her, she was filled with rage, retaliating with outright lies, trying to devalue my worth as a student. I'm so glad I have a week off before starting next semester, because I have a lot of emotional junk to work through, trying to get past this. I know I only have a tiny glimpse of what people married to someone with this disorder must endure..... But man, it'll do a serious number on a person. I want to encourage my fellow students that it is important NOT to base your worth on what your preceptor thinks of you. If they provide you with feedback such as, "You should know this - study it!" then of course study! But that feedback is constructive. Do NOT allow anyone to make you feel like you will never make it. It's hard as a nurse practitioner student because most of us feel like idiots already - so just hold on to that knowledge and do the best you can. I have been treated poorly by senior nurses in the past - which is rather common. But I never in a million years could have seen this thing coming! Maybe I'm naïve, but I didn't even imagine it being as bad as it was. If any of you has an experience like this, please know it is NOT NORMAL. My therapist told me that while this was an awful thing for me to go through, he felt this would be an excellent experience to have in my pursuit of the mental health profession. ? PS - My clinical professor gave me an "A" and reassured me I was a good student. ?

I'm so sorry I am just now responding to this! I had a rough time in this last clinical rotation and am still recovering (yes, recovering - it was an unusual situation). I'm sure you have taken your HESI at this point - and survived. I can't recommend a specific book. I did do test banks and such, and that seemed to help. Picmonic can be a big help too. :)

You have the benefit of Picmonic through USU now - definitely use that! Also - just learn AS MUCH of the patho you can. But, most of all, don’t stress too much. The HESI is rough, but not worth have a panic attack! Just use common sense and remember how to triage each situation. You’ve got this. ❤️

Good luck! Other good resources are the APEA question banks. I bought a subscription for the patho question bank. I’m scheduled for the Advanced Health Assessment HESI on Monday and got some Exam Edge (a couple of professors suggested these during Immersions) sample tests to prepare.

My midterm was very disappointing as well. Just do the best you can to relax and enjoy learning the material. I think my stress level hurt me a lot. Do the reading and if you have questions definitely ask! I also invested in a membership at Picmonic.com - which makes things ridiculously simple and helps with memory.

As for Pathophysiology, I survived. I no longer have a 4.0, though! ??‍♀️