St Joseph College of Maine Reviews

shannonFNP, BSN, MSN, RN · Mar 25, 2012

I started the Program in July and at the rate that I'm going now (I've picked up the pace a bit since dropping work hours) I should finish anywhere from April to May 2013, so that is a bit earlier than 2 years. The one thing about SCJME is you have to ballpark when you'll finish. The classes are up to you to finish at your own pace... I've taken some of them slow due to moving and vacations, and others the last one I finished in 6 weeks. You have to consider the time it takes to get preceptors lined up.

If you do it, I wouldn't rush anything but the core classes just to finish early. It's exciting to think about finishing sooner, but you're also talking about your education as well.

I'm considering taking a few workshops this summer. I originally was going to do the SCJME workshop on skills, but I found another that is 3 days long in Pittsburg and seems more detailed. Another workshop I was considering is assessment skills, just because I like to have hands on. I may take the hybrid course at SCJME for health assessment if they can promise hands on practicing.

dxbtocvg · Apr 10, 2012

I have been following all the SJ posts for a while now as I wrap up my BSN (hopefully in May), and be eligible for the July review. I understand that some of the poster here have been in the program for almost an year...what has yr experience been and what is their current accreditation status ?

With some posters ready to graduate this year does this mean they now become accredited?

I was wondering what is the requirement for/deal with workshops and what are the hybrid courses at SCJME?

And who is a good person to correspond with at SJ...the person I communicate with is sporadic at times in his replies, is there anyone else? Would appreciate a PM if anyone has a name of person and an email to be in touch with..

Please guide and advise...getting nervous about it all as the time draws near :eek: ...

dxb

shannonFNP, BSN, MSN, RN · Apr 10, 2012

In regards to those concerned with the accreditation status, here is clarification:

Hi Shannon; The MSN is an accredited program. The addition of the FNP track in the MSN program does not change that. Any time a change/addition to a program has been made as in the creation of the FNP track, the track itself has to be reviewed by CCNE for accrediting purposes. The Department of Nursing Education for SJC has worked closely with CCNE during the inception of this addition to the MSN program. The final step is a formality which includes a review of the FNP track once the program graduates its first class in December 2012.

In other words, the program is accredited. You can see that on the CCNE website as well if you do a search. When changes are made to programs, it just triggers another review.

NotMyName · Apr 11, 2012

Saint Joseph's advertises the MSN program as being accelerated and self-paced. However, this can be misleading.

You can only turn in one assignment at a time for each class and must wait for that assignment to be graded and returned before turning in the next assignment may be submitted. This may take anywhere from a few minutes to several weeks. I have waited over a month for an assignment to be graded!!
Clinicals only begin when a cohort of six students has been established. This DOES NOT HAPPEN EVERY MONTH as you may have been told!! Only one cohort has started clinicals so far this year!! It may be June before the next group goes. You may complete your course work and be ready to begin clinicals only to sit for 6 months .... waiting.. waiting... waiting... for the call. Of course, you have already contracted with a clinical site. This makes the college and the student look very unprofessional. Clinical sites reserve time for students and sometimes that time runs out waiting. It is unlikely they will continue to hold your site.

The program will take AT LEAST 2 years to complete....maybe 3!! It is in NO WAY accelerated. In addition, MSN programs will generally transfer no more than 9 credits so if you get in too deep, you are truly stuck.

canchaser, BSN, RN · Apr 11, 2012

Not my name is correct! I am going into NP 604, I am hoping a co hort will be ready in June. And I'mVERY concerned about trying to get clinicals lined up ready to go and then find out no cohort is ready. It does make us look really dumb( school and student both). So I'm not sure what the safest process is.. Get clinicals lined up with preceptor first or get a cohort then line up clinicals.. Not my name what are you doing about this?

NotMyName · Apr 12, 2012

Canchaser, I have a clinical site which has waited for two months but is now looking at allowing another NP student to start clinicals and there is only room for one student. While the school is trying to get their ducks in a row, I am watching my clinical sites disappear. I am very nervous! You HAVE to have a clinical site and preceptor paperwork complete before they will consider you for a cohort. I have made many telephone calls, sent several emails, and have written letters. No results. I am presently searching for other, more established FNP programs...just in case. There are some FNP programs which could be completed in one year from reputable, well-established colleges. It will take me a year just to complete the clinical portion of the FNP program with St. Jo's...if I ever get started!

canchaser, BSN, RN · Apr 20, 2012

NOt my name.

I've been cleared for phase 2 and can set up clinical sites. Maybe ill be in clincal with you.

NotMyName · Apr 20, 2012

Perhaps there will be enough students to begin a cohort in May... not enough for April. I think there are 3 other students prepared. I will keep my fingers crossed!

canchaser, BSN, RN · Apr 20, 2012

Not my name,

How did you find clincial sites?? I am sending emails to NP/ MD where I work. Hoping that I get responses and not aggravating these people because I dont know them personally, they are jsut on the list as pediatricians/ ob providers.

TraceyMarino · Apr 21, 2012

Hey can chaser, got your message, this site won't let me message you back. Clinicals went well, got an "A". Lots of work. I did family practice and urgent care for my first clinical round, and in NP II I am doing a month of OB and women's health with a busy practice, 2 OB's 2 mid wives and 1 NP in the group. According to my clinical advisor, you need 60 hours of OB to take the FNP boards, so I will get this out of the way.

NP604 is a huge amount of work. 6 units instead of 5, and I was really hoping the written work would decrease as we entered clinicals, but that is not the case. Just as much written work as Physical assessment class!!!!

My advice to those looking for preceptors--go talk to them face to face. Catch them when they are rounding in the hospital in the morning, or at lunch, or at the end of the day. Much better than sending them a letter.

I had all my preceptors set up before I started this program. Not that I had the paperwork done, but I spoke to them in depth and got a commitment from them to precept me, and made sure the hospital had no problem with me doing my preceptorship there. I know that folks are running into a lot of snags finding preceptors, and hitting all sorts of road blocks with red tape from hospitals and clinics. I would not have chosen this program had I not had my preceptors set up before hand-I would have gone to a traditional school that had clinicals set up for their students. This is not just a St. Joe's problem, but a problem with all on line FNP schools. So, before you choose online FNP school, be sure you have doctors, and NP's who are willing to precept you, or you will end up with mega delays.

tanya_elise · Apr 29, 2012

Anyone who just applied in April for FNP get a response yet? I'm dying to find out!

canchaser, BSN, RN · May 7, 2012

there is a facebook page, if anyone is interested. welcome to facebook - log in, sign up or learn more