mmgRN

Thank you! This info is very encouraging and makes me glad I chose UC!

SopranoKris I did that between my ADN & BSN.... Then a year or two turned into 6 years! I have some fertility issues, so to put aside my academic goals for a "maybe" baby is probably not the most logical choice. And my husband is a pretty awesome guy. He's willing to take on the financial responsibility for our family for the next 2-3 years. And all the cooking and whatever else it takes for us to expand our family and graduate NP school. Did I mention he's pretty amazing? í ½í¸

The schools that I found that help cost $$$$$!

Great points Chris! Neither schools help secure clinical sites.g

I've gotten some info and feel mostly assured about my decision. How long does the program take going PT?

Good point. I did not think to ask either person from the schools which exam pass rates they were quoting. I assumed it was the combined score for both, since you are allowed to take both. The pass rate for USA was given to me in writing via email from a school representative. The pass rate for UC was given to me verbally via the phone from a UC representative. I will note that I have contacted another person to verify the UC number, but haven't heard back. I will ask about whether it is for both exams or not at that time. As far as them posting them publicly, I have found only a handful of schools that do this. Not really sure why it is not openly discussed with all details of the program. It is something everyone has a right to know about. Wish there was more transparency with this subject for sure.

Oh wow! I wondered if I was the only one! It was kind of crazy, all in total I had to resubmit everything three times. Not the best first impression. I've also heard some horror stories on here of USA changing the graduation requirements majorly (adding an additional year) in the middle of students' progression through the program. After reading up on here, I feel very confident that UC is the better fit for me. Their application process was a breeze and everyone seems very helpful, from the advisor to financial aid. I never did even get to speak to an advisor at USA after multiple emails and phone calls. For the last year or so, all the USA grads I've come across (MSN regardless of specialty), I've asked if they would recommend the program-- all of their faces kind of glaze over, they conjure up some pros/cons, and ultimately say they would recommend it, but their facial expressions said otherwise! After reading on here, I think I understand why. I know their pass rate is awesome, but thinking what it takes to get their is not worth it and perhaps more can be accomplished in a more positive/supportive environment. I know everyone's perspective is different and all the posts on here are of course hearsay, but there are enough consistent issues to give validity to me. Not to mention, the major inflexibility in the curriculum schedule. I found this out firsthand from USA. If I have to take a semester off, it would mean postponing graduation by an entire year, instead of just a semester. In the meantime, what if they change the requirements? That would be my luck!!

Hmmmm.... from reading other threads, I'm thinking you are more talking about dedicated trauma staff? From this perspective, in my experience (level II trauma center)-- dedicated staff is optimal but not generally feasible. EVERYONE in the ED should be trauma ready, at least the basics. Everyone should cycle through to keep up their skills, so they are always on the ready. There are just so many variables in an ED, it's an animal! Dedicated staff, really narrows your capabilities in my opinion. I believe in dedicated trauma staffing from a daily perspective, but only in the sense of keeping them free on a daily basis to attend to traumas as they come and otherwise float to decompress the ED when there are no traumas. However, this shouldn't be the same set of people every day, in my opinion. It needs to rotate through and everyone needs to be ready, to keep the pool of trauma ready nurses with high numbers, to lessen the likelihood of the ED being left without properly prepared/experienced trauma nurses. In my opinion, that's just math.

In a perfect world, in my experience, this worked best in a trauma ED. However, we were rarely staffed to allow for this. Though, when the stars aligned and we were, it ran SOOO much more smoothly. When a trauma came, the rest of the patients and ED did not suffer due to the demands of the trauma, or if so, it was greatly minimized. Without this type of staffing, the entire ED bottle necked and it was jam up, cluster time until the trauma went to the OR, ICU, or expired.

I've asked for epi junior in a generic form, but have yet to find one available. I will research this more for sure!

Wow-OUCH! I paid $450 for a set of two, (insurance covered $0, found a coupon for $100 off). I researched it to see how they were still trademarking adrenaline and charging a fortune, as it is not new, they trademark the delivery device. Basically, you're paying a fortune for a plastic device that auto injects. What is so sad is that most families HAVE to buy two sets, for us that means $900 per annually (with insurance, we have united health choice plus and it does not cover EpiPens at all, TG for coupons). I am super thankful that we are able to afford the pens, but can't imagine what those families do that can't. It's not like you can go without it! Something so basically lifesaving, in my opinion should at least be covered by all insurance, or at least made affordable!

Thank you HouTx! Glad to hear some assurance!

I am living in the south east US. I am starting FNP school this fall. After many years in the ED, I am super passionate about preventive care and feel many primary care providers are not focused on this aspect of care. My dream is to be part of a movement to promote primary prevention efforts. However, I know I can't do this initially. Just wondering what my realistic job prospects will be for a new grad FNP.... I have done a basic search on the internet and have not found many open positions, but wondering if I'm searching the wrong places?? Now I'm second guessing my specialty and wondering if I should dual enroll in another program to make myself more competitive. Any and all advice is greatly appreciated!! Thank you, MAM

Hello NP's, I am looking for advice from USA FNP graduates. I am considering the program and have been discouraged by former students reports about the program. The pass rate for exams was most recently 97% so that is awesome, but I haven't spoke with anyone who really had high remarks about the program. Only stories of there being high expectations, sink or swim, no support kind of culture. I'd call myself an above average student. I graduated with honors from my (traditional) ADN program, a program that half of my classmates had dropped out due to failing grades. I completed a BSN program that only utilized power points and reading texts to convey material and while it is not my first choice for learning, I managed to also graduate with honors. I'm not looking for something to be hand fed to me, but I do really want to learn as much as possible! And that is not best accomplished on your own without any instruction, so I am looking for a program that professors are active and supportive. I'm also worried about the reports of USA changing graduation requirements and also courses only being taught once a year. Obviously these both could make completing the program on time an issue. I also have an opportunity to attend the University of Cincinnati's online FNP program. I have heard many great things about this program, but it is more expensive and they don't have as good a pass rate for exams. I am just wanting to hear your overall pros/cons of the USA's program and any wisdom you can offer in hindsight. Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated!!! Thank you, MAM

Bummer! I am accepted to the online Fall 2016. I had my mind made up that it was the program for me, but now I'm just getting cold feet. Looking for assurance that I'm on the right path. I've taken a part-time job to pursue my MSN full time and will be using loans to pay, so it's a BIG$$ investment!