Programs in Florida-Nova/UT/USF

There does not seem to be many FNP students on here from Florida so I will chime in. But I do have bias so here it goes. Not all programs are created equal so I will say that up front. NP school is what you put into it. Do you want to be an okay provider or a great provider? How much experience are you bringing into the school. Do you have ICU experience going into primary or primary care going into primary. I would always suggest doing public unless your GPA is poor. Public state schools are known to have high pass rates for half the tuition. I personally go to USF, but also looked into UT and Nova as well as UF and UCF. I will tell you Nova needs you more than you need them. All private universities are more likely to follow up with you etc because you as the student is where the $$$ is at. Nova is a good school been around a long time and known for medical but unless you live near them they can not guarantee placement unless you live within two hours of them something in which I do not. Next UT is ehhh very expensive and not much to show for it. USF is a good school has its quirks but all schools do. UCF is weak in diagnostics something I choose USF over them for. UF only offers DNP so take that as you will. Any other questions I would love to hear them. Please do not ask ( can I work full time) and still go to school while transforming into a provider. This why we need to push for stricter guidelines and tough curriculum and not these for-profit schools. Do Pharmacy, Medical, Physician assistant, Physical therapy work full time while in school? I am guessing not if we want responsibility we must understand it takes more than online papers and un-protocted tests to do so :)

lwsoccj,

Thank so much for your reply. It has been extremely difficult to get honest advice. I am actually one of the few potential NP students that seems remotely concerned (out of people that I know personally, this is not a generalization about NP students as a whole, please do not take it this way) about the quality of education that I am getting. Whenever I have asked others for advice, I continually get the response, who cares where you go to school you will still be able to take your boards when you are done. I am planning on working part time while in school.

I don't mean to offend others when I say that I really prefer not to go to a for profit university. My GPA is a 3.95 for undergraduate studies and I have a range in experience, including peds, renal/dialysis, and cardiac tele/PCU. I have over 4 years of charge experience as well.

USF is ideal, as I live in Tampa, but they are accepting apps for fall of 2017 start. Not to seem impatient, but I really want to get started ASAP, however I realize that "beggars can't be choosers."

Have you heard anything negative about Novas' program? I realize I may have to set up my own clinicals but UT is the same way as well. I am fortunate enough to know at least 8 people that would precept me that work in a variety of settings. Between UT and Nova it seems like I may be leaning towards Nova at the moment but part of me still feels nervous that I am not able to find much info on the programs in Florida. At least UT and Nova are both non-profit schools :)

Again- Thank you so much!! I really appreciate your time!

Since I've had a meeting with admissions at the University of Tampa in the last month I'll add what I have learned. I was informed that the program is three and a half to 4 years. They could not tell me specifically how long the program would be because they were not sure how many professors they would have and when the needed classes would be available. It made me uneasy that they weren't even sure how their own program would be formatted and 4 years to me is a long time for an MSN. It would be fine if they had a thousand clinical hours that they provided you with or something but from what I could see there was nothing to warrant that amount of time and money.

Interesting about UT- I know they are mandatory part-time, but 4 years is way too long for a MSN. It's a shame that there are not many options for brick and mortar programs in the Tampa Bay area.

Interesting about UT- I know they are mandatory part-time, but 4 years is way too long for a MSN. It's a shame that there are not many options for brick and mortar programs in the Tampa Bay area.

I'll respond to previous comments when I'm off work. Since I am on break my brief comment would be what do you mean not many options? In one certain area there is usually one state school? I don't understand? Usf is your brick and mortar class. It includes class that require face time? How many universities do you think are going to be in a city?

I'm sorry- I really should have worded that differently. I guess I should have said that the state schools in my area are limited with their start dates. USF, UCF, and UF (I believe) are only fall starts. It is 100% my fault that I begin looking for NP schools literally a week after the deadline. Like I said, that is my mistake. I guess my post was more of a vent. I realize that their can only be so many schools in one area, it would be nice if were more start options like some schools up north, however that is not the case and I don't see that changing anytime soon.

So in reality, my two choices are UT and Nova, both private, nonprofit schools, that is if I want to start this year.

I understand what you mean. I graduate with my BSN right after the application dealine which puts me starting my MSN almost 18 months after I graduate. I could be 6 months from finishing at another shool with a January 2017 start date.

With the required face to face time, I know it was not an option for me to go to Nova due to distance as I am already driving an hour and forty minutes to USF. I do not think you will be disappointed with Nova's education as I know of a few people that graduated in different medical careers such as pharmacy and are very capable providers. Also I know Nova includes a suturing addition and diagnostics which I always thought was cool. Their requirements concerning finding preceptors is unaffectable in my eyes for any professional program. You are paying the school for contacts why would you choose to find your own preceptors? Hopefully, everyone knows that they can always refuse your preceptors as well. Also doing a little math if you got in for Jan 2017, 8 semesters in you graduate with 42k in tuition and then what ever books cost. OR wait until Aug and go to a state school for 15k less. To each their own in respect for money and time. Between the two I would choose Nova over UT all day. Another thing with your grades and experience I believe you would get into either school without an issue, unless they required GRE and you didn't make the score or something.

There does not seem to be many FNP students on here from Florida so I will chime in. But I do have bias so here it goes. Not all programs are created equal so I will say that up front. NP school is what you put into it. Do you want to be an okay provider or a great provider? How much experience are you bringing into the school. Do you have ICU experience going into primary or primary care going into primary. I would always suggest doing public unless your GPA is poor. Public state schools are known to have high pass rates for half the tuition. I personally go to USF, but also looked into UT and Nova as well as UF and UCF. I will tell you Nova needs you more than you need them. All private universities are more likely to follow up with you etc because you as the student is where the $$$ is at. Nova is a good school been around a long time and known for medical but unless you live near them they can not guarantee placement unless you live within two hours of them something in which I do not. Next UT is ehhh very expensive and not much to show for it. USF is a good school has its quirks but all schools do. UCF is weak in diagnostics something I choose USF over them for. UF only offers DNP so take that as you will. Any other questions I would love to hear them. Please do not ask ( can I work full time) and still go to school while transforming into a provider. This why we need to push for stricter guidelines and tough curriculum and not these for-profit schools. Do Pharmacy, Medical, Physician assistant, Physical therapy work full time while in school? I am guessing not if we want responsibility we must understand it takes more than online papers and un-protocted tests to do so :)

@Iwsoccjs

Your advice and insight are great. The few things I would add to your comprehensive narrative involve a few points of distiction and some clarification as follows:

1. Private schools and For-Profit schools.are not the same. Ex. Harvard vs. South University= excellence vs. mediocre or respected vs. ignominious.

2.Biggest well-kept secret in NP education: Ex. nail down the preceptor issue. Any school that says "go and find them yourself" is making you engage in a game of chance. Have them put their proactive, no problem, promises in writing because this is a hugh problem. And at today's tuition prices it shouldn't be.

3. Go to an established well respected school with defined standards and an interview process to help weed-out the not ready for prime-time. (too easy is too sleazy)

4. The schools the author cites are not bad. I would refer you to (collegescorecard.ed.gov). They don't assess graduate programs (why this info is kept dark is suspicious) but looking at the grad and retention rates of the undergrad ones may be somewhat valid in helping you decide on their graduate program

5. All schools will tell you how wonderful they are but they do want your business. Do your research and let them earn it. And know all schools are not the same

Please excuse my dissertation. Too many ne'er-do-wells in the education shark tank these days folks.

Are you tied to Florida or willing to move? Personally, Id love to go to Oregons NP school. The amount of credits it takes to graduate is the higest and the classes look like meat and potato classes, rather than the large amount of fluff I see in the curriculum of other schools. At my state university my DNP is about 72 credits, whereas Oregons masters is 72 credits with the DNP 115. Also quanity and quality of clinical hours is something to keep in mind. Not all NP schools are created equally. I am all for increasing our educational standards and NP residencies.

I looked into the Oregon program, I liked that it include two or three extra classes that are science-based and would add to a practitioner knowledge. I know many people can not just move across the country but for those that can I would encourage them to do to a curriculum that would challenge you.

Hey curious on if you decided to go with NOVA? how do you like the program! I'm in the same issue I'm on the waiting list for usf fall but I highly doubt Ill get in and I'm 26 with no kids and want to start a family so I've become indecisive on what to do! I want to start because any program will take 2 years so the longer it takes the longer my life is on the back burner! any suggestions would be nice!