julielive

For me, I want my FNP so badly that cold calling MD offices, sitting for hours in waiting rooms, speaking with office managers, and asking my own physician for assistance was done without hesitation. Yes, it was a little uncomfortable at first, awkward at times, but in the end, if I didn't do it? Only I suffered with not graduating and getting my clinicals done. I have worked too hard for that to be an option.

I am graduating in 3 weeks from RODP in Tennessee. My school is MTSU. I LOVE THE PROGRAM! Yes, we have to find our own preceptors, BUT, that is known up front. The rationale is that by us finding our preceptors, we arrange our own clinicals and find the best sites for us. As working RN's, it is thought that we have the contacts for this system to work. Personally, I like it. Yes, I spent HOURS AND HOURS..sitting in MD offices and sending our resumes. But, the program made this known up front and I feel its fair. My experience with RODP has been WONDERFUL. I highly recommend IF you have your own preceptors lined up.

I have had so many people ask me this that I want to post for all. I took health assessment in the summer. What I had to do was VIDEO TAPE and BURN TO DVD and MAIL my performance EVERY SINGLE WEEK! It had to be postmarked by Friday, midnight. From the "patient" in the room, then covering what area we were studying. ABSOLUTELY NO EDITING OR AUTOMATIC FAIL. If notes or cues seen? AUTOMATIC FAIL! So..if i made a mistake 30 minutes in??? START FROM THE TOP! IT WAS SOOO STRESSFUL! I tried at first to do at MD office, but too stressful. Instead, I bought the worlds cheapest scope, reflex hammer, and supplies (less then $75 for all) changed my spare bedroom to a patient room (just put a white sheet on a twin bed) and that was it! That way, I didn't get nervous with others coming in and out PLUS I was more comfortable at home. Just had a friend play the part of the patient while my daughter filmed (by the end of class..she BEGGED NOT TO DO IT) It generally took me several hours. Once I filmed, I downloaded to DVD (took awhile) then hurried off to the mail. That is the CLINICAL PART. You are not at a MD office, just doing the physical assessments by systems as you learn them..AND THEY ARE IN DEPTH!!! It was hard, but I learned ALOT. This was the process for summer, 2012. I am not sure if its changed, I hope so..it would be easier to post a youtube video, but as of that date..burn to DVD. We used an iPhone. It was the easiest. Then, sent to macbook and burned with iMovie. For further questions about RODP and FNP program, feel free to email me at [email protected] Good luck Julie

Yes, first, I am so sorry its taken me this long to respond! I took health assessment in the summer. What I had to do was VIDEO TAPE and BURN TO DVD and MAIL my performance EVERY SINGLE WEEK! It had to be postmarked by Friday, midnight. From the "patient" in the room, then covering what area we were studying. ABSOLUTELY NO EDITING OR AUTOMATIC FAIL. If notes or cues seen? AUTOMATIC FAIL! So..if i made a mistake 30 minutes in??? START FROM THE TOP! IT WAS SOOO STRESSFUL! I tried at first to do at MD office, but too stressful. Instead, I bought the worlds cheapest scope, reflex hammer, and supplies (less then $75 for all) changed my spare bedroom to a patient room (just put a white sheet on a twin bed) and that was it! That way, I didn't get nervous with others coming in and out PLUS I was more comfortable at home. Just had a friend play the part of the patient while my daughter filmed (by the end of class..she BEGGED NOT TO DO IT) It generally took me several hours. Once I filmed, I downloaded to DVD (took awhile) then hurried off to the mail. That is the CLINICAL PART. You are not at a MD office, just doing the physical assessments by systems as you learn them..AND THEY ARE IN DEPTH!!! It was hard, but I learned ALOT. Hope that helps. Julie

Added 11/14/2013: PLEASE FEEL FREE TO EMAIL ME ANYTIME: [email protected] THANK YOU! Julie

ABSOLUTELY you can go full-time or part-time! Remember full time for the grad program is less hours then BS. If you don't want to double down on your clinicals (I didn't either) just make sure you get the core completed as soon as possible (the four i listed). You can take as many or as few classes as you want in the program..its up to you.

Also remember: You must have patho done before you can begin any of the clinicals..and that's four classes.

I took pharm, adv. health assessment and clinical and patho in the summer..IT WAS HORRIBLE! NO WAY i could have worked and done it. With health assessment, videotaping and sending in the DVD's was so time consuming! But patho was difficult too. Remember: Your first semester for sure..you MUST maintain a 3.0 which means nothing less then 84 in all four classes. Think about that long and hard before you register for that many classes this summer. Hope that helps!

ABSOLUTELY! Honestly? Most graduates or FNP's come from online programs in my area; there is no preference.

I want to start out by saying that I love RODP. But, there are things you need to know: 1. Before you can begin clinicals, four classes must be done: Health assessment, health assessment clinical, pathophysiology, and pharmacology. There are (4) semesters of clinicals, so these classes need to be done as early as possible. 2. Do you have the contacts you need for clinicals? The school does not assist you with clinicals, if you don't have contacts for outpatient clinics for peds, women's care and adult..be ready for some tough tough times. 3. Clinical placement can be done in other settings other then primary care, but for a limited number of hours. Doctor's offices is the only way to go. 4. Grades must be higher then 84 in your classes. 5. Your school's requirements vary. TTU and MTSU have different requirements, checking the school AND RODP is imperative. 6. If you think you have a place to do clinicals? MAKE SURE YOU DO! Ask NOW and get a commitment. Placement is getting harder every day..don't assume..get it verified! 7. Toughest classes?: Research and FNP II; hands down! Hope that helps! Julie

I am a current RODP student and am actually the student rep. on the RODP board. If anyone would like information, please feel free to email me. I am about to graduate and can very much give you any information you need. [email protected] Thank you!

That is so funny! Just the other day, the doctor I work with said, "How's your grades?" I replied, "I trying to get all A's...but made a few B's". His response? "Yeah..there was a girl in my med school who wanted all A's too..but today, we are both called "doctor"." He tells me all the time to loosen up!..LOL

Where do i begin? I am graduating from RODP in December. I personally love the program, its not perfect, but it's good. As for online degree..have no worries! I can assure you that it is not a problem. Every clinical I have done they have inquired as to me working there when done. But now, the bad news: Getting your preceptors. I need to stress this to you and any other students looking into the RODP program. Do not even enroll if YOU..PERSONALLY..cannot secure a preceptor for women's care and peds. I am not being dramatic, its the truth. Remember, these programs are set-up for the RN who has a large network of contacts. The school does not aid in anyway getting your preceptors for you. By you being responsible for your preceptors, the student is able to make their own schedule and get their hours in around their schedule. I have all my preceptors done/secured, but it was not easy. There are MANY students who have enrolled, done the prereq's and thought the school did the clinical placement...they do not. They will email you a list of providers who have said yes before, but most are not accepting students. If you cannot get these secured for when you need them? You will not be continuing..You MUST have your own contacts and you must get them when you need them. My advice? Make SURE..NOW..you have a preceptor (MD or master's level PA/FNP) who will sign off saying you can be at their facility..they have student openings..for you to do 120 hours of women's care clinicals as well as 120 hours of pediatrics. With all of the PA schools and medical students, these placements are DIFFICULT at best. Many clinics have several years of waiting lists. If you can find those, get them to commit to you NOW for next year or whenever..then and only then ..would i chose this path. Remember: this must be outpatient clinics/offices. ER's and nursing homes can count for only a small amount of hours while hospitals count for none. I have spent many days and hours, sitting in waiting rooms, pleading for an preceptor. I have mailed hundreds of letters and got very comfortable in being a salesman..selling ME as a student. All of us have had to do this. Its very hard, but its part of RODP. That is the price for making your own schedule, staying close to home, and attending school part-time or full-time..whatever your needs are. Hope that helps. Julie

Sorry its been so long, but I did it..two A's and two B's! yayayayay...now, on to FNP II adult and clinical along with theoretical foundations...this is really TIME CONSUMING, but gotta get it done! Could not make it without epocrates and isabela...the incredibly easy books as well as 5 minute clinical consult ARE MANDATORY! thanks again! Julie