Telenurse1990

My main issue is that they said that in the event they are unable to place or the student is unable to find a clinical site, then they could arrange it in Birmingham. I found three clinical sites for the next few semesters that are now lost. It was a stall on their end. So now I’m sitting here filing for academic appeals and trying to get a refund and wondering if I just wasted all this time for nothing. Unfortunately my area doesn’t have a local ACNP program so this was my only reasonable option.

It’s hybrid. Half online with a campus visit every semester. It’s through university of Alabama at Birmingham.

I guess I’m just kind of looking for some guidance. This is a long post. I’m attending UAB for their acute care program. This semester was supposed to be my first clinical semester but unfortunately due to multiple delays on both UABs part as well as my clinical site, it will not be happening. I did my part in identifying the site, a preceptor as well as something for next semester as well. I’m frustrated to say the least. I did my part in identifying the sites and they failed on their end to ensure I had a clinical. I was contacting them asking how the contracts were going for MONTHS before the semester only to be told “everything is fine” and then two weeks into the semester I’m told that the contract might not happen. Now I’m two months in and I have no choice other then to drop out. I don’t want it this bad. I feel like it’s embarrassing to our profession that we have to beg people to teach us. All I care about at this point is getting a refund and moving on. I even asked about them placing me in Birmingham (next august when the course is offered again) and they said the can make no guarantees on me getting all my hours. This is contrary to what I was told when I was admitted. Now I’m waiting for a call from someone to talk to me about filing an appeal for the W. I want to file some sort of complaint even though I don’t think it’ll do anything; but schools need to be held accountable. It’s sad and unfortunate that a school will take a persons money and not provide them with what is necessary to graduate and not face consequences. If you can’t guarantee me placement in Birmingham (where the school operates and has a giant medical center) I can’t expect you to be of any help placing me out of state. I guess I’m looking for any sort of guidance at this point. I’m kind of relieved since it was too stressful trying to learn the material on top of wondering if I’m gonna have a site. I want to finish my degree but I have no interest in starting over again at another school unless they take my credits, which is unlikely to happen. Any advice is welcomed and appreciated.

I know it’s good to plan your route and all. But please get at the very least a FEW years of experience and do all you can to excel in that role. There are so many things to learn as a ED nurse and trauma nurse that will benefit you in the long run and make you a more capable and prepared provider. Some people say “RN experience doesn’t matter” but I can tell you as a student and as an ICU nurse the difference is very obvious to people who know what they’re doing. With regards to your question. Do the FNP and complete a post masters in emergency NP. They’re more widely available and FNP will prepare you for many common ED ailments. Packaged with a few years of ED/Trauma experience you’ll be well prepared.

So my husband and I recently decided to move to Chicago to pursue grad school. My background is mostly in Cardiac ICU.Any advice on the hospitals in the area? I wanted to apply to Loyola but after reading about the hospital it has me reconsidering. Any insight to the major hospitals in the area would be appreciated.

I Couldn't agree more. To the original poster, do yourself a favor. Hold off and apply to a decent school with a reputation, clinical placement and some sort of standards to be upheld. Especially for ACNP. You need a school that actually takes the time to teach students and hold them up to a certain standard for practice. Your experience will serve you well, but what are you paying for through Maryville? They're expensive, don't offer any hands on simulation training, and don't place you in clinical sites. You're essentially paying to write a bunch of discussion posts and papers. Put your money where it will be well spent.

Please. Physicians do stuff like this and regularly are not held to the same standards as a nurse would be. I know of a few specific incidents where physicians have removed the wrong kidney and have event amputated the wrong limb and continue to practice. If RV is being criminally charged, so should the physician. It is unreal that this could happen especially at a place like Vandy.

Well said. I get so annoyed with people who don’t see the main point. It hurts the profession. Plain and simple. It’s not a hard concept to understand. You go go to Walden for what purpose? A set of power points and bogus discussion boards? No clinical placement? I honestly wouldn’t trust an NP that went there if I could help it. Sounds harsh but it’s true.

That's insane....I couldn't imagine 126,000 for an associates. Terrible.

I went to a "chain school" and have done just fine. But not all are equal. My school required a Passing TEAS test score and was actually regionally accredited. I know people who went to Brightwood here in California and can't even go on for their BSN because the program isn't regionally accreditied. Many people are out thousands of dollars and months of their time for nothing. I wish people were more informed about regional vs national accreditation.

I was recently accepted into Simmons college out of of Boston, MA. I've heard really great things about their program and am excited to go to a legit program. With that that being said, it is very expensive. I know FNP saturation is a real thing, but I'd be willing to relocate for a better job. Obviously getting a masters degree should mean a significant salary boost. I have my reasons for going to NP school; scope, learning, further knowledge, but there needs to be a financial reward as well. My my ultimate goal is to be dual certified as an FNP/ACNP as my background is mostly ICU. Id like to hear from anyone who is making a decent living and able to pay back all these loans, contrary to what I'm hearing. Thanks everyone!

Yeah, I got an odd answer from them as well. For 1500 + a per credit hour? No thank you.

I would if necessary. But I can't imagine cold calling and begging for clinical placements.

Anyone have any feedback on Vanderbilts ACNP program? I can't seem to get a straight answer as to whether or not they hold students responsible for their clinical placement or if they assist at all. Also, any general feedback about the program would be appreciated.

Its because its becoming a fad and sets an unrealistic expectation for students. Also because their lack of experience and willingness to go to any school that will get them licensed is ultimately destroying the profession. I would never trust a nurse practitioner that went to Walden or Chamberlain (Although i'm sure some great NPs have been produced) with directing my family member's treatment or my own. Especially when they have little to no experience. Because I know from my own research from applying to NP schools that they have absolutely no standards.