St Joseph's College of Maine FNP program students

[LJames13]

I wanted to start this thread for all of the new (and current) students at Saint Joseph's College of Maine FNP program.

Any info, news, updates or questions/concerns could be asked here for all the new and current students.

Any advice that the current students can give us new students would be greatly appreciated :)

For example...

1. How many books are required for NU 501?

2. Has setting up clinicals been difficult?

3. Have the current students had any trouble communicating with your advisors? Do they get back to you promptly?

4. Overall, how has the experience been? Are you glad you are in this program?

Thanks so much!

LJames13

[ajsrnms]

Hello all,

I have applied for the FNP all of my paperwork is in............I think. 3 references, the essay and my transcripts. I am hoping January 13 deadline however, I guess I would start my courses on March 31. I am applying for the post graduate FNP certification. Hoping everything works out! I only have a 3.26 GPA for my BSN but I received a 3.9 GPA for my MSN. Wish me luck!

[norik95]

thank canchaser you for your thoughtful response! sorry i did not write earlier . norik95

[mtsteelhorse]

Anyone taken adv patho or pharm yet? Just wondering how difficult they are and what the format is. Proctored exams? Self-paced? I would transfer these classes to a psych NP program if they allow a student to take individual courses.

[RN-In Maine]

I am also wondering about advanced pharmacology and pathophysiology. If any students further along can give us a little idea of how the class is online?? Hard to grasp concepts with the online format? Also, if people at that point are working part time and still managing ok? And last question....if it is possible is anyone taking health assesment along with pharm or patho? Would love some feedback! Thank a bunch!!

[TraceyMarino]

HI RN in Maine and others!

I just finished the FNP program through SJCME, just passed the AANP today hooray!

Some advice about the program. It may have changed since I did pharm patho and phys assessment, however, these classes have a lot of homework. Especially Pharm and assessment. The pathophysiology was a breeze, which is too bad because this is where FNP education is weak compared to md and pa.

I worked full time until I got to clinicals and theory. I took patho and pharm at the same time, then took phys assessment and one other class, don't recall. But the volume of work in the the assessment class will make you cry. Just stay on top of everything, don't fall behind, and don't procrastinate. I would sit down on my day off and bang out a whole unit is 12 hours. Don't recommend this for the average bear, but it can be done.

A word of advice about any NP program, brick and mortar or online. In addition to "schoolwork" be sure to study other stuff too. I bought medical school review books for the USMLE exam on physical assessment, pathophysiology, and ortho. I learned more studying on my own than I did in the program. And don't feel bad. It's not that SJCME is a bad program, but doctors and patients will expect you to be a highly functioning provider when you graduate--it is up to you to live up to that expectation. And, in my experience with friends and acquaintances who attended other NP programs, the NP programs are seriously lacking in teaching real working knowledge. This needs to change, especially as RNs with no experience are going straight to NP school.

You will find that the SJCME program is full of a lot of busy work. More than other programs online and brick and mortar. I hope they rethink this approach, as it would have been nice to have extra time to study important stuff rather than develop a care plan for an at risk family (theory I, II, III). I guarantee you will be frustrated with the unneccessary busy work while you worry about learning enough to pass the boards and actually practice!

Just my 2 cents! Good Luck

[dottimur]

TraceyMarino: I appreciate your insight. That is a really good idea to use medical school review books. Thank you for your post.

[RN-In Maine]

Tracey,

First of all...CONGRATULATIONS on passing!!! Thank you soo much for your reply, insight, and guidance! It helps so much to have someone ahead that can give a little direction. I will definatly take the advice of studying on my own.

Thanks again for taking the time to post! Goodluck with your career.

[canchaser, BSN, RN]

Congrats Tracey!' I'm starting my last semester. Will start studying for exam this week! I'm Taking the theory the third clinical and doing my capstone Project this semester. I work full-time it's not an option cause my husband was laid off and has not found a decent paying job yet. And the last two semesters by week eight I hit my melting point, Like Tracy said the busywork is astounding, I am usually finishing up my theory class on the last day of the class I have a hard time keeping up with the work and working full-time but it's doable you can do this!!!

[Mommyof3WildBoys]

Hey! I am also a FNP student at SJCME and I am so excited to hear that someone has made it through the program and passed boards! I have some questions about a ton of stuff coming up in the program. I am starting NP603 this month, and I am super-excited to start a "real medical oriented" class, since all the other classes have been theory and informatics, etc. Anyway, my email address is [email protected], if any of you wouldn't mind talking with me, I'd really appreciate it! Thanks so much, and congrats to everyone who has made it!!! :-) Thanks, Cheyenne!

[Meirk30]

I'm in patho np-603 and having a difficult time. If anyone can help i would greatly appreciate it. [email protected]

[richcu1]

Hey everyone, just found this site and thought I'd share my experiences thus far with the SJ program. I'm currently in advanced pharm with two more units to go. It's been ALOT of writing which really there's no way around that with online classes. I'd say that the work isn't necessarily hard but more time consuming. I spend about 15-20hrs a week and have been completing most classes in 8weeks. So far patho and pharm have had the most write ups. Anywho was thinking about going to the skills lab that they offer on campus and was wondering anyone's experiences with it. Also was wondering about the assessment class if one needs to get a preceptor to get signed off on performing assessments. If I can help answer any questions feel free to hollar at me at [email protected]

[tellamae]

Hello Guys, Do you know if I can register for NP 603 without being in the program.