Samuel Merritt University FNP online 2017

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just got informed that I was accepted into the program, would like to know who else is accepted into this term.

Also who ever has attended this program, what are your thoughts on the way it is structured and if it a good school, that prepares you to be a successful advanced practice nurse.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Moved to a different forum

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I just got accepted into the Fall 2017 SM online FNP program as well! It should be quite interesting with completely online courses. I too am hoping this will be a great pathway to being a capable and successful APN.

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Hello! I am attending the program right now. So far, I think it is a great school. I feel like all of the instructors and staff have been more than supportive and kind. They are available 24/7. It's structured well for the most part and I think they provide a lot of help and direction to be a well prepared NP. Please let me know if you have any more questions

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Hi,

I'm also hoping to apply there too.

Are the clinicals based within your own workplace?

Is the program part-time or full-time?

Does everyone in the program have at least a BSN? (It's a weird question) I have a BS in a different field than nursing and finishing up my ADN. Based on the website it states I can apply but will be "evaluated on a case-by-case basis."

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So I am in my second semester of the fully online FNP program.

There are good things and bad things. Some of them have been covered but I will bullet point some of the main points for you.

1. Plan on around 1200-1500 in unexpected costs that are not relayed in the cost of tuition. This will include your book bundle which actually does not have many of the books you need for your courses.

2. I am spending an average of 200-300 a semester on supplemental books that are not listed and not in your book bundle.

3. Most of the staff are helpful and are committed to your success.

4. The work load is vigorous and working full time and attending the program full time will be a challenge.

5. You need to be on your APA game and understand research. If your BSN program was not strong on research, this program will be a struggle.

6. Prior experience in an online learning environment will be very beneficial to you. You need to know how to post to discuss boards in a scholarly manner (i.e. APA and scholarly references even in replies to other students).

7. They will find preceptors for you, but you have to be flexible. You are in a family practice NP program. That means your clinical rotations will be in family practice mon-fri 9-5, so if that is your work schedule, you might want to try to switch to evenings or nights for your program, or cut hours back.

8. If you work for a large healthcare organization that supports NPs, you can do rotations with your employer, but you can not do rotations in your own department.

9. You will have about 2 weeks to get "Clinical Ready," This includes doing health stream learning modules and paying for them ($14.50). Even if you have done them for work, you will need to have the Samuel Merritt version of them completed.

In closing, I want to be clear that it is a doable program for sure, but will be a challenge. You will have to push yourself to learn beyond the basics, but in the end you will find it worth it.

I also want to say though that I have to agree with an earlier post about the quality of the lectures, the programs are set up with lead instructors who put the classes together and then the university hires people to teach the course. These people do not have input on the course materials and some of it is not up to date and I have had to notify professors that reading assignments do not match the textbooks, when a new edition is published.

All that being said, if you ever have any problem, you have a student support manager who supports you through the entire program and they are all amazing people who are really there to help you succeed. As with any program you get out what you put in. I will try to update you all again when I get into clinical rotations.

Mahalo

1
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On 2/16/2018 at 9:34 PM, RNBehr said:

So I am in my second semester of the fully online FNP program.

There are good things and bad things. Some of them have been covered but I will bullet point some of the main points for you.

1. Plan on around 1200-1500 in unexpected costs that are not relayed in the cost of tuition. This will include your book bundle which actually does not have many of the books you need for your courses.

2. I am spending an average of 200-300 a semester on supplemental books that are not listed and not in your book bundle.

3. Most of the staff are helpful and are committed to your success.

4. The work load is vigorous and working full time and attending the program full time will be a challenge.

5. You need to be on your APA game and understand research. If your BSN program was not strong on research, this program will be a struggle.

6. Prior experience in an online learning environment will be very beneficial to you. You need to know how to post to discuss boards in a scholarly manner (i.e. APA and scholarly references even in replies to other students).

7. They will find preceptors for you, but you have to be flexible. You are in a family practice NP program. That means your clinical rotations will be in family practice mon-fri 9-5, so if that is your work schedule, you might want to try to switch to evenings or nights for your program, or cut hours back.

8. If you work for a large healthcare organization that supports NPs, you can do rotations with your employer, but you can not do rotations in your own department.

9. You will have about 2 weeks to get "Clinical Ready," This includes doing health stream learning modules and paying for them ($14.50). Even if you have done them for work, you will need to have the Samuel Merritt version of them completed.

In closing, I want to be clear that it is a doable program for sure, but will be a challenge. You will have to push yourself to learn beyond the basics, but in the end you will find it worth it.

I also want to say though that I have to agree with an earlier post about the quality of the lectures, the programs are set up with lead instructors who put the classes together and then the university hires people to teach the course. These people do not have input on the course materials and some of it is not up to date and I have had to notify professors that reading assignments do not match the textbooks, when a new edition is published.

All that being said, if you ever have any problem, you have a student support manager who supports you through the entire program and they are all amazing people who are really there to help you succeed. As with any program you get out what you put in. I will try to update you all again when I get into clinical rotations.

Mahalo

Hi. I am thinking to start FNP there. Have you finished the program? how was it going to through all 2 years?

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On 2/16/2018 at 9:34 PM, RNBehr said:

So I am in my second semester of the fully online FNP program.

There are good things and bad things. Some of them have been covered but I will bullet point some of the main points for you.

1. Plan on around 1200-1500 in unexpected costs that are not relayed in the cost of tuition. This will include your book bundle which actually does not have many of the books you need for your courses.

2. I am spending an average of 200-300 a semester on supplemental books that are not listed and not in your book bundle.

3. Most of the staff are helpful and are committed to your success.

4. The work load is vigorous and working full time and attending the program full time will be a challenge.

5. You need to be on your APA game and understand research. If your BSN program was not strong on research, this program will be a struggle.

6. Prior experience in an online learning environment will be very beneficial to you. You need to know how to post to discuss boards in a scholarly manner (i.e. APA and scholarly references even in replies to other students).

7. They will find preceptors for you, but you have to be flexible. You are in a family practice NP program. That means your clinical rotations will be in family practice mon-fri 9-5, so if that is your work schedule, you might want to try to switch to evenings or nights for your program, or cut hours back.

8. If you work for a large healthcare organization that supports NPs, you can do rotations with your employer, but you can not do rotations in your own department.

9. You will have about 2 weeks to get "Clinical Ready," This includes doing health stream learning modules and paying for them ($14.50). Even if you have done them for work, you will need to have the Samuel Merritt version of them completed.

In closing, I want to be clear that it is a doable program for sure, but will be a challenge. You will have to push yourself to learn beyond the basics, but in the end you will find it worth it.

I also want to say though that I have to agree with an earlier post about the quality of the lectures, the programs are set up with lead instructors who put the classes together and then the university hires people to teach the course. These people do not have input on the course materials and some of it is not up to date and I have had to notify professors that reading assignments do not match the textbooks, when a new edition is published.

All that being said, if you ever have any problem, you have a student support manager who supports you through the entire program and they are all amazing people who are really there to help you succeed. As with any program you get out what you put in. I will try to update you all again when I get into clinical rotations.

Mahalo

Hi. I am thinking to start FNP there. Have you finished the program? how was it going to through all 2 years?

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Specializes in Lasers and Dermatology.

Hi Everyone,

I am writing in hopes to gain some insight in the Samuel Merritt online FNP program. Has anyone recently completed the online FNP program? How was the school workload? Is it manageable to work and also complete the program? ( I am leaning towards doing the program part time) What types of assignments did you have to do? Do the instructors or material prepare you for the tests? Around how many hours are you putting in for assignments and studying? Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Emily  

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