Junebug0710

I am in the second semester of 7. They do not help at all with preceptors. They do have a document that lists where prior students had preceptors, but that doesn't necessarily mean they will precept again. Also we got an email saying they were tightening the standards even more for preceptors. They are pretty strict about who precepts you, their experience, the documentation they need to be considered, etc which is good because they don't allow just anyone to precept but challenging at the same time. I haven't gotten to that part yet though. I am just in the online class portion and it is going really well, completely doable so far. My three teachers have been really responsive, I have never waited long for a response. Really interesting classmates too.

Hello, I am only on my second semester but will try to answer these for you. -How competative are the admissions? Acceptance rates No idea. You could call admissions and ask them, they are very responsive to questions and helpful. -Did you work? If so, how many hours? Currently work FT 3 12's night shift and am managing it really well. I get the feeling that once the clinical portion starts I will need to drop to 2 12's. -Do you like the program? So far so good. I am in my third class. Well organized and really responsive preceptors. Classmates from all different backgrounds and areas of the US. Ive had zero issues so far. -What is the job market like after? I feel like this depends more on where you live and where you are trying to work. However I am a member of several online NP forums and it looks like most people have several job options within a few months of graduating. -How much experience did you have as an RN prior to acceptance? Did that affect your admission? I had 1.5 years acute care experience. Most schools I looked at required 0-1 years of experience. -Did you have an ADN or BSN prior? Yes, BSN Good luck!

I am curious to hear from current NP's what would or does interest them about being a preceptor. Would love to hear specifics (for example, if it is extra pay...how much?). For example, on the floor I work on (as an RN in a hospital), we get paid an extra $2.00/hr for 8 hours. After taxes it covers a cookie and a latte (: So, no one really does it for the money. However, the benefit is that you sometimes have a lighter patient load and it is a good break from pure patient care, on top of the desire some nurses have to teach. There is a lot of talk on these forums about the lack of NP preceptors, so I am wondering what would make it worth it for you to want to precept. Thanks!

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.

I'm doing 3 12's, nights. I am in the online portion of my program and it is working just fine. Once I hit clinicals next fall, I will likely move to day shift and possibly drop to 2 12's. Night shift wastes a day a week for me on my "flip" day where I come home from work, sleep until 1, am up until 9 like a useless zombie and then I go back to sleep. Once I am doing clinical and working I'll need an extra day!

Not an alumni but was recently accepted and will be starting in January. You should join the facebook group if you haven't already! Looking forward to meeting you!

Med tele. Max 4 on days, 5 eves, 6 noc. No CNA on noc

On a medical tele diabetic renal floor. Night shift is 5-6 patients per nurse with no CNA.

2015, I'm going to gonzaga

I just logged in to post about the same thing! Thanks for posting this.

Thank you! Running through a mix of excitement and nervousness. A big part of me feels like I should ask the schools "are you really sure?" Haha I still can't believe it!

Thanks so much for your responses!! I was about thisssss close to putting my deposit for Concordia and then I found out Gonzaga has students in Portland and you can coordinate practicing/ studying with them. Because they are a cohort the students also seem to have a great time doing everything together on the weekend inversions. Also because it is more local there are a lot of predicting clinical contracts with the area I live in. I figured the additional support was worth the cost. So I picked gonzaga. I think I probably wouldn't go wrong either way. Both are great schools!

Great news! I am in a position to decide between attending Gonzaga's MSN FNP program or Concordia's MSN FNP. Didn't think I would be in this position! Now I need to make a decision and my husband and I are both having the hardest time! Would love to hear your guys' input. And just for some context, I live in Portland OR and will be working full time (3 12s) at least until clinicals. Gonzaga: 1. Cost: 38,000 + the cost of 8 weekend trips to Spokane WA (5ish hour drive) 2. Time: 2.5 years full time, 8 weekend on campus intensives 3. Reputation: Excellent reputation in the Pacific NW 4. Cohort model 5. Have heard nothing but excellent feedback about the program experience 6. Board pass rate: 98% Concordia: 1. Cost 26,000 2. Time: flexible with 2.5-4 year progression plans and one 2 week on campus intensive (family lives in Milwaukee so there would not be an additional cost) 3. Reputation: Not as well known in the Pacific NW 4. Not a cohort model, you progress as you would like 5. Spoke with recent alumni who also had nothing but excellent feedback about the program 6. Board pass rate: 98% What is important to me is having the best academic preparation and being set up for success as a new grad. Also cost is important as I will be paying a portion as I go and taking out loans for the rest, but ultimately this is not the deciding factor. Any input you might have on this would be greatly appreciated!

I have a bsn so I'm looking at just the msn portion. I emailed an admissions advisor for a sample progression plan, ill let you know when she responds. Also I checked more into the precepted hours and its a little confusing. It says "2-4" credits for each clinical course and then says 60 v 120 v 240 hours. So depending on this range it would be anywhere from 360-720 clinical hours. But, you would have to take 4 credits from each clinical course to have the full 44 credits needed to graduate. Can anyone explain this?

Oh and Gonzaga is not done in one year. The progression is 2-3 years based on how many classes you take at a time. The clinical time listed is 360 hours but this does not include the 16 days you spend on campus in labs and simulation.