I see where you're coming from, but also I think there are several issues with it as well.
If people should be expected to definitely not work full time and probably not work part time, how accessible are these programs going to be? In this day and age without a graduate degree, most households are two adult working households. And forget it if you have children, especially as a single parent. It would seem like programs you are describing would only be accessible to those who are already very well off financially. And that would be a shame.
I also see a very big difference between NPs (excluding CRNAs) and other professions. The assumption is that ARNPs are advancing their existing practice. We should have some sort of a base built in working as an RN in these disciplines that is advanced by graduate school education. That is a very different educational path than other professions (PharmD, MD/DO, etc.). We should expect there to be some differences between an NP Program and those other professions because of a prior practice base.
Also, when talking about CRNAs, they make considerably more money than other ARNPs, so to take out some loans in living expenses while they complete their program (alike PharmD, MD/DO, etc.) is a bit more reasonable. But to ask other ARNPs to do the same for 2-3 years while making half what a CRNA makes is a bit... much.
I do think there should be more regulation of these programs and there are some "worst offenders" like Walden, but I would hope that most state schools would be considered a reputable program.
