TereseRN

I currently attend Nursing@Simmons. I am part time and am in my second year. I like you, compared other schools. Now that I have been attending Simmons, I could not imagine going to a different school. Simmons truly prepares you to be a knowledgable FNP. When I talk to the doctors, and other FNPs at my work about what I am learning, they are always very impressed, and complement their curriculum. The reputation of your school does matter. I can not tell you how many eye rolls I get when I say that my school is online. Once I say that I attend Simmons the eye rolls stop, and the responses are like "oh that is a really good school." Not all online schools are created equal, and many providers share their concerns regarding other online schools. I am very confident that the education I am receiving will have me well prepared for the certification. I am already reviewing certification books like Fitzgerald, and Leik and I can tell you that Simmons follows the question style, and curriculum. Is it hard work? ABSOLUTELY! The 83% is very real, but most programs, not just Simmons have that as a pass or fail grade. In addition you may not start out putting in 50 hours a week. I will say that as the program progresses, the courses get more involved and more challenging. I started out working three days a week, and now that I am in health assessment I have cut down to two days a week. Come clinical I do plan to quit or work PRN. I will say that there are many students who still work PRN or part time during clinical. It is all about what works for you, your family, and finances. If you do stick with Simmons you will also be part of a wonderful community. I have made so many new friends in this program. You will never feel isolated in this program.

I had an appointment this past week with an admission's advisor for the Maryville U online FNP program. I was really impressed with how she described the program and since our conversation I have been able to easily get in touch with her through email. I can not say the same for University of Cincinnati. I have emailed my advisor and she has yet to get in touch with me nor call me back. Simmons College's advisor has also been very helpful and is great with the follow up phone calls. This makes me think that these are my two programs that I will apply. My only concern is, that when I research Maryville's program on here to read reviews I have seen a lot of mixed reviews. Most of these reviews were from a year or so back when the program was still so new to online. What I would like to know is how are current Maryville students liking the program? Is it user friendly? Work load manageable with working and family life? Do you feel like the program is giving you a great education and preparing you to become a well versed and knowledgable FNP that will pass boards?

I am applying to both programs, but i just wanted some feedback from anyone who has applied or is attending either of these programs. I really love that Simmons College has actual classes and that it is very interactive. My only concern is that this will conflict with my work schedule. I work Tuesday through Friday 8-5 and would like to keep my same schedule the first year. I understand that come clinical time I will most likely have to cut back to three days a week. My advisor has told me that I can take night classes but I am afraid that as the program goes on there may be classes during my work schedule. I just wanted to know if anyone has had any experience with this, and how you are enjoying the online program. University of Cincinnati is more asynchronous and more affordable. $34,000 versus $58,000. I have had a good experience with the advisor thus far but wanted to hear back from anyone who is attending the program and their actual opinions on it. Any feedback on either program would be much appreciated!