School with new program but finds preceptor? Or established program that doesn't.

I would go with the one that finds you preceptors. Especially because the other program isn't even in your state, I doubt you would have strong enough connections to find preceptors of your own easily. I think it's ridiculous NP students are expected to find their own preceptors when we will be paying schools thousands of dollars to educate us - clinicals are part of that education and should be their responsibility.

Are both the programs nationally and regionally accredited? If its a new program I would make sure of that. The only programs I found that connect you with preceptors are Newman Carson and WTU, and a few schools if you are local to the school. Both are about 2 /12 years.

I agree, it’s frustrating to put the added stress of preceptorship on the student already juggling work and school and family. I have friends at Brick and mortar schools that still have to find their own preceptors so it’s not unique to online programs.

On 2/17/2020 at 10:29 PM, Nurse Magnolia said:

They assist you with getting a preceptor.

I would clarify what they mean by "assist" you. A lot of schools say that they assist with finding a preceptor, but all they do is give you a list of local clinics and then it's up to you to cold calls and find your own. Ask the school whether they guarantee clinical placements.

I would not go anywhere that did not stone cold give you a preceptor. Essentially you are paying for something they are not giving you

On 2/22/2020 at 6:03 AM, NurseSugar said:

Are both the programs nationally and regionally accredited? If its a new program I would make sure of that. The only programs I found that connect you with preceptors are Newman Carson and WTU, and a few schools if you are local to the school. Both are about 2 /12 years.

I agree, it’s frustrating to put the added stress of preceptorship on the student already juggling work and school and family. I have friends at Brick and mortar schools that still have to find their own preceptors so it’s not unique to online programs.

Yes, both programs are fully accredited. The local B&M school is very well known in the area for their FNP program which has a 100% pass rate on their boards. I'm just worried because it'll be new for PMHNP. Their program, while local, is also all online except for 2 residencies. So either way, the program is online as most B&M schools are doing these days.

The other program is well known here on Allnurses. It is also known to be good for PMHNP and it is also a B&M school, but I would do the program essentially online except for a residency at one point.

My employer may have made the decision easier as they have assured me that they can help me find a preceptor when the time comes so I'm leaning towards the established program.

I would go with the school that secures preceptors for you.

I have a question. The online FNP program that I signed up for is heavy into the writing, discussion, side and low in the reading/quiz taking. I am okay with one discussion a week but two per week is a little too much for me. Any suggestions?

@Amy Cate what do you mean by suggestions? Like a different program?

Yes, I really prefer classes that are more scientific as in reading and test taking instead of this one which is focused more on researching and discussions. I am pretty sure that a lot of the program is in this format.

I don’t know much specifically about FNP programs, and I have only recently started my program (CNM), but it is brick and mortar (online for now but that’s because of covid) and my classes so far have a lot of reading, tests, and quizzes, just by looking at the syllabi. One class is just 3 tests, that’s your grade. Unfortunately when I was doing my own research on NP school in general I found a lot of these kinds of complaints. At work I see a lot of coworkers doing online school and they do a lot of discussion boards. Not all of them NP but a good chunk. Are these science-type classes that are discussion based? Or something like ethics?

No. They are like nursing theory, and the role of advanced degrees in nursing. There is no reason why they should be primarily discussion based but they are...

If I were you, I would research some other programs and ask to connect with faculty. A lot of times you can find faculty emails online and just reach out, too. As long as you are nice and polite, the worst they can say is they're too busy to chat about their classes, or just not answer at all. It's worth a shot. I think you would have a better chance not having these discussion board type classes if you attended school in person, because I think the discussion boards are meant to simulate in-class interactions, but that might not be feasible for you.