RN-FNP Online

Heidi the nurse, BSN, RN · May 13, 2011

I just inquired about Univ. of Cincinnati program - the cost per credit is $10 more for out of state folks and no GRE. Also sent out a request for information to Ball State - haven't heard back yet, but I am like you. Don't want to do the GRE and don't want to pay a whole lot more for the out of state online programs.

Heidi the nurse, BSN, RN · May 13, 2011

Heard back from Ball State - the out of state tuition is way more than the in state, but comparable to the tuition at U. of C. The tuition for next year will be decided in June. I know there is talk of grad school fees going up 20% or more in some areas, so will be interesting to see what their Board of Trustee's come up with.

If you follow the link on this page :

http://cms.bsu.edu/Academics/CollegesandDepartments/GradSchool/ApplyNow.aspx

that says "find information and instructions" there is a flow sheet that gives the requirements for the different grad degrees - the MSN does not list a GRE as needed, although I think there is a typo because it says a Master's is needed for the Master program :).

ChristineN, BSN, RN · May 14, 2011

Many schools are changing over to DNP program requirements, as it will become mandatory and ISU which had a great FNP online program but they have already changed over to DNP requirements. I believe the date is 2014 mandatory.

Actually the DNP is not becoming mandatory as there has not been a decision or a "deadline" for that. Many school are just switching over to a DNP anyway.

ginceasar · May 19, 2011

Thank you for all the information. Ball State's FNP enrollment is full until 2012. I heard the Cincinnati requires much more credits for their program but I will research this today. I am applying to Frontier. This program got great reviews from USA Today and also people I have talked to rave about this program. I am still waiting to hear from USA but this could be a while.

Thanks for the info!

ginceasar · May 19, 2011

Hi all! The Univ of Cincinnati's program is 72 credit hours!! It is $452 per credit. Most programs are 52-58 credit hours. She stated each quarter is 10 weeks and the 72 credit hours is correct! Eek. That is pricey! Just FYI is all.

NAURN · May 25, 2011

Frontier

Heidi the nurse, BSN, RN · May 25, 2011

Does anyone know why the U. Cinci is so much more credits than others? I emailed them about a link for an application, but haven't heard anything back yet.

NAURN · May 25, 2011

Frontier's program is 57 credits. The semesters are 12 weeks long year round with a week off inbetween semesters. I am not sure if the fact they have shorter terms makes them have to have more credits?? IDK. The program at Frontier total cost (not including books or other technology you might need like laptop) costs just under $25,000 total. (This is assuming you have a BSN already. If you are doing the ADN-FNP bridge you have add another year). I think they are around $435 a credit.

Heidi the nurse, BSN, RN · May 25, 2011

Frontier's program is 57 credits. The semesters are 12 weeks long year round with a week off inbetween semesters. I am not sure if the fact they have shorter terms makes them have to have more credits?? IDK. The program at Frontier total cost (not including books or other technology you might need like laptop) costs just under $25,000 total. (This is assuming you have a BSN already. If you are doing the ADN-FNP bridge you have add another year). I think they are around $435 a credit.

I was wondering if it was a quarter vs semester thing. Frontier does required campus visits though, doesn't it? I have heard great things about the program, just want to keep it as online as possible as I have young kids and my child care prospects are pretty limited (I can get my mom to come over and watch them for a few days, but only during certain times of the year because of snowy mountain passes)

Add: and yes I do have a BSN already!

NAURN · May 25, 2011

Heidi- Frontier would have 2 required campus visits (3 if you are doing the ADN-FNP which you're not)...one is at the beginning called Frontier Bound and it is 3-4 days (I can't recall off the top of my head) where you get oriented to your classmates, instructors and online learning. For me, its like a 4 hour drive, which of course I don't want to have to do, but I understand the reasoning. Lots of people fly in. You are housed on campus and fed home cooked meals (so I have heard). Then the second time is right before clinical... called Clinical Bound and that is where they go over the requirements for clinical and there is a lot of teaching of procedures and techniques, like pelvic exams and suturing. Its 8-10 days for that one, but I am kind of glad for that because these advanced procedures I would want to have some practice before actually doing it. The program is front loaded... all didactic work up front, then clinical the last few semesters. This could pose a problem for those who work a lot during the week... there is 675 hours of clinical that you have to complete in 6-9 months (I forget what the max time limit is.) A lot of people drop down to PRN at that point or part time... or if they weekends it should be ok... just busy.

I was really dead set on a program where I would not have to travel... but Frontier just seems to be the right fit for me.... so I am willing to do it.

ginceasar · May 26, 2011

Hi Heidi and all,

I have researched many programs over these weeks and outside of U.S.A. it seems that Frontier has one of the better programs and this is where I will be applying. The price and length of program is comparable and they got great ratings. Almost all online programs require that visit or two, to the University but it will be worth it.

Good luck everyone.