Sacred Heart University online FNP program

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Hello! has anyone in the Sacred Heart University online FNP program? I am starting January 2020! I just want any advice and to discuss experiences Thanks!

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Specializes in Hospice.

Hello! I am currently in the program and am almost finished with the 1st year. If you have any specific questions, I would be happy to talk ?

Lauren

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Specializes in Research, Neurology.
37 minutes ago, LSissRN1984 said:

Hello! I am currently in the program and am almost finished with the 1st year. If you have any specific questions, I would be happy to talk ?

Lauren

Hi Lauren-

I was going to message you directly but looks like the OP wants to know more information too. I'm interested in applying next year, and enrolling in 2021 (so it'll be a while for me).

How are the immersions? Are they useful? Do they focus on hands-on skills? I'm in Oregon, so considering the cost/distance, I'm hoping it's worth the trip out there. And how long are the immersions?

Since Sacred Heart is a Brick & mortar establishment, do you feel that the program has a good "back bone" per se, or is organized and structured? Again, with being out here on the west coast, it's hard for me to gauge that or their reputation since I don't know anyone who's been there.

thanks in advance,

Kyla

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Specializes in Hospice.
43 minutes ago, Kyla RN said:

Hi Lauren-

I was going to message you directly but looks like the OP wants to know more information too. I'm interested in applying next year, and enrolling in 2021 (so it'll be a while for me).

How are the immersions? Are they useful? Do they focus on hands-on skills? I'm in Oregon, so considering the cost/distance, I'm hoping it's worth the trip out there. And how long are the immersions?

Since Sacred Heart is a Brick & mortar establishment, do you feel that the program has a good "back bone" per se, or is organized and structured? Again, with being out here on the west coast, it's hard for me to gauge that or their reputation since I don't know anyone who's been there.

thanks in advance,

Kyla

Hi Kyla ?

I won't begin clinical rotations until the end of April, right after completion of health assessment and pharm. Right now I'm in community health and advanced patho, which has been a challenging course. The program requires 3 on campus visits, the first of which is a 2-day orientation, second is a 2-day skills eval after health assessment, and then a third at the end of the program.

SHU has a great reputation and their new center for health education building is pretty incredible. I will say that this is not an institution that pumps out students just to keep the tuition payments rolling; they have an excellent board exam pass rate and want to keep it that way (I heard that this year's graduating class is down to 8 students and started w/ 35).

I have classmates from all over the world--literally. One of my classmates lives overseas and has made it work so far.

There are three clinical rotations (primary care 1, 2, & 3) which are semester-long courses consisting of clinical and didactic learning. The online program goes in 15-week semesters year round, so there are minimal breaks. I started last January with the first two courses, had maybe 2 weeks off and then the late spring/early summer semester started and lasted through the beginning of August. Right now, my last exam is on December 5th and I won't have to go back until 1/6, so that's about the lengthiest break in the program.

Teachers are supportive and want you to succeed. One of the professors that I have currently is...tough...but I think we can expect it to be rigorous when preparing to be a provider. I chose SHU mainly because I know the school has been around for a long time, is CCNE accredited, and those I know who have graduated from there have secured employment immediately.

I hope this helps! Good luck!

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Specializes in Research, Neurology.
9 minutes ago, LSissRN1984 said:

Hi Kyla ?

I won't begin clinical rotations until the end of April, right after completion of health assessment and pharm. Right now I'm in community health and advanced patho, which has been a challenging course. The program requires 3 on campus visits, the first of which is a 2-day orientation, second is a 2-day skills eval after health assessment, and then a third at the end of the program.

SHU has a great reputation and their new center for health education building is pretty incredible. I will say that this is not an institution that pumps out students just to keep the tuition payments rolling; they have an excellent board exam pass rate and want to keep it that way (I heard that this year's graduating class is down to 8 students and started w/ 35).

I have classmates from all over the world--literally. One of my classmates lives overseas and has made it work so far.

There are three clinical rotations (primary care 1, 2, & 3) which are semester-long courses consisting of clinical and didactic learning. The online program goes in 15-week semesters year round, so there are minimal breaks. I started last January with the first two courses, had maybe 2 weeks off and then the late spring/early summer semester started and lasted through the beginning of August. Right now, my last exam is on December 5th and I won't have to go back until 1/6, so that's about the lengthiest break in the program.

Teachers are supportive and want you to succeed. One of the professors that I have currently is...tough...but I think we can expect it to be rigorous when preparing to be a provider. I chose SHU mainly because I know the school has been around for a long time, is CCNE accredited, and those I know who have graduated from there have secured employment immediately.

I hope this helps! Good luck!

Lauren- That's awesome to hear! Sounds like it's a rigorous and well established program.

May I ask if you are currently working (FT or PT) and if yes, what type of schedule you work?

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Specializes in Hospice.
9 minutes ago, Kyla RN said:

Lauren- That's awesome to hear! Sounds like it's a rigorous and well established program.

May I ask if you are currently working (FT or PT) and if yes, what type of schedule you work?

I work 32 hour evenings and have two young children. It is very challenging, to say the least. I will be dropping to 24 hours/week next semester as the workload increases.

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Specializes in Research, Neurology.
21 minutes ago, LSissRN1984 said:

I work 32 hour evenings and have two young children. It is very challenging, to say the least. I will be dropping to 24 hours/week next semester as the workload increases.

Good to know. I appreciate you taking the time to answer all my questions!

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