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I was told in my meeting with the adviser that we attend campus once, which is the orientation this month and we are not expected again until graduation. I am registered for classes, too. Did either of you enroll in any synchronous classes? I think we are supposed to be getting everything situated with financial aid at this point. And yes, patho, assessment and pharm would be a disaster in the same semester!

Hi mkrist! I am excited to start the program and glad to meet a fellow classmate. I know what you mean about pathophys. Yikes! Will you be going to the orientation at the end of the month? Do you live in Ohio?

Hi NTPinky, There are so many programs out there, all of varied quality. I don't think that online programs should be deemed sub par based solely on the fact that there is a distance format. It all depends on the structure of program. Whether in person or online, you have to be prepared for the rigors of the academic requirements. Seems as if you're feeling like it's not the right time, which is commendable. Nothing could be worse than taking on such a laborious project and risking financial and academic adversities. I live in your state and know of plenty of NPs who have secured jobs, so don't let that be a deterent from your future endeavors. Best wishes to you!

Hi UMG, Are you kidding? That's ridiculous. CSUDH seems awful! Have you listened to their webinar for the FNP program on youtube? It left a lot to be desired; really amateurish. I looked at University of San Diego (too expensive), San Diego State (no FNP program...and they were RUDE everytime I tried to get any information at all) and Cal State San Marcos (NP programs not accredited by the California Board of Nursing, if you can even believe that!). So I decided to look outside of California. I applied to and got accepted into Ohio State, which I'm VERY happy and excited about. It was my first choice. I also considered University of Alabama, University of Nevada Las Vegas, and Gonzaga. It's hard to find a program! Are you in California?

Hi there, I, too, am worried about the future of the NP. I have wanted to purse NP for quite some time. Family/financial obligations put me on the slow road, but now that I am in a program and ready to proceed...it seems so is everyone else! Wanting to have better hours is not, in my opinion, a good reason to become a provider. I get so annoyed at the for-profit institutions and other programs that are allowing students in with very low requirements, many of which have cohorts that are beginning every few months. How is that anything more than greed? This has been a cash cow for schools and there's no sign of it stopping. It seems the governing bodies are unconcerned about the impact all of this will have. Whatever happened to quality over quantity? I almost feel like attaining an MSN/FNP is not enough; like I have to do something else to stand out because the market will soon be so saturated. I'm considering a post-masters certificate for psych nurse practitioner, just to make myself more marketable. This, of course, means more debt. I didn't anticipate this years ago. It's worrisome and quite frankly an embarrassing stain on the profession.

Hi Undermercy&grace, I really wanted this to be a good program. I had planned to apply, until one of my coworkers failed to be selected after investing efforts as a "conditional student" in the FNP program. She wasted the time and money she could have denoted to a program where she would have had full acceptance! She also said it was disorganized. I told my ob/gyn NP that I was interested in the program and she discouraged me, commenting that she has precepted student(s) from that program in the past and was "not impressed." Their method of selection is fairly unique; I don't understand the process of taking core classes, but with the possibility that you may not make it into the program. Who has that type of time and money? There are so many other good programs out there...ones that have staff that will be a little nicer to you! Shame on them. Good luck! :)

I think that, when researching programs, people should make it a point to only choose from those that provide preceptors. It's not feasible to select a program that you are aware doesn't assist with that process and then be disappointed when clinicals begin and you have a tough time locating preceptors. There may be schools that don't provide them, but many that do. Just look elsewhere if a school doesn't meet your needs.

I went directly from an ADN to a BSN immediately after I got my RN in 2012. There were grumblings about the ADN not being able to get hired, so I did not want to wait to get the BSN. My employer made it very clear that the only reason I was hired was because I was pursuing a BSN. I was the only person in my department without a bachelors degree. I went to a state college and it was very affordable. I am now going for the MSN/NP and am nervous about the amount of debt I will acquire, even though it's less than 40,000. I feel backed into a corner academically. I'm south of 40 and, though I'd planned to advance my education, feel pressured by the need to do so quickly. In today's climate, you're afraid to be undereducated and edged out of the workforce, but just as afraid to take on debt that you will have to pay back for many years. It's the way of the world these days. Even teachers are getting advanced degrees - and with a low likelihood that they will get a financial return on their academic investment. I am just going to take a leap of faith and hope that the advanced education is worth it. Get the BSN people, even if you resent the idea of having to do so. It's a must to remain competitive in our field/world. Welcome to the new normal.

What?! Now they're picking apart HOW you got your BSN, separating RN/BSN from straight 4 year education? Where does it end. Ugh.

I took the content of the ad to mean that the employer is requiring a 4 year degree without specifications about straight 4 years or RN-BSN. I think they just want a BSN.

ADN 45, BSN 47...MSN/NP to start in the fall, will complete at 49!

Hi there, I worked with someone who went through the beginning portion of the program. Apparently, the way they do it is you take core courses then have to petition for the program, where some are accepted and some not. What's sad is she was not chosen and essentially wasted 2 years on the core courses when she could have denoted those efforts to a program that she was fully accepted in! The feedback is also that it's disorganized and the program not very respected in the healthcare community. I asked my ob/gyn NP about the program because she stated that she was a preceptor for a student or students from that program in the past and she discouraged me from the program, only stating that she was "not impressed." It's a real bummer because the program is affordable and in Southern California. I hope this helps!

Hi there. I am a 2012 ADN graduate of Excelsior. If I can give you any advice at all, it is to do your absolute best. The grades you attain at Excelsior will follow you and determine your ability to be accepted into undergrate programs and, believe it or not, jobs! I followed the study guides very closely to prepare for the exams and was successful that way. I know it seems feasible to learn what you need to know for the exams, but remember that you are going to be using this information as a professional nurse and will be expected to recall upon it for NCLEX. So go the extra mile to actually retain the information for the activities that proceed your education at Excelsior. And don't busy yourself worrying about the CPNE! You will have time enough to be concerned with it when it's time to do so. Just be present and determined to do your best with the work you have before you. I just graduated from a BSN program at a university this month and will be starting grad school in the fall for Family Nurse Practitioner. I mentioned that to say that there is a lot waiting for you if you desire to pursue other goals. Excelsior is a good program, but, as with anything, you've got to be willing to do the work. It can be done, so just keep pushing on and believing in yourself. Best wishes! You can do this!

Hi MwtM! Hope all is well with you. Interesting info...I downloaded the handbook and saw the changes that include classes such as Quality Improvement. Yikes. That seems like it's going to entail a lot of paper writing. Do you plan to attend the orientation on July 24, 25? Do you know how many times we are expected to be on campus? I was reading the website that summarizes the program and it stated that even students who will be attending the on-campus program will be participating in an online format for many of the classes. I researched the program and not only is OSU highly ranked, but the FNP is one of the top in the country. So we're very fortunate, indeed! I plan to speak to my advisor tomorrow about registering for classes and will be filling out the FAFSA, too. Would you like to exchange email addresses?

Hi MwtM! Great news! Did you apply to many other schools? I'm told that the application process was so competitive for Ohio State, especially for the FNP, so we are very fortunate. I can't wait to find out more information. Do you know any other people who have been accepted?