St. Louis University MSN-FNP

awintt94, ADN, BSN · Feb 16, 2021

Did you get accepted or ever find any insight into SLU's program? I have tried asking around here and Reddit, never have gotten a response of any kind. Are they going to abduct and kill me or something if I start the program??

Lauryn_21, BSN, RN · Feb 22, 2021

Hello,

I did get accepted and I am currently in my second semester. I would say I think this program is relatively easy to get into. I like the program so far. They have been very laid back as far as clinicals due to COVID. They haven't lowered the clinical amount but they are extending time to complete clinicals for those who need it. The classes haven't been horrible so far. There's a lot of teaching yourself but I think that is true with any online program. Feel free to message me with any questions you might have about the program. So far, I would recommend it.

awintt94, ADN, BSN · Feb 23, 2021

Thank you for the response! I am glad to hear good news about the program since often no one has anything to share on it. I actually applied for the AGNP program, but either way I'm sure it's ran similarly. I actually do have a couple of questions if that is alright. Do they help you find clinicals at all? I work at a hospital on the Illinois side not far at all from campus so I don't think it would be too terrible to find placement, but hopefully they use the actual SLU hospital or something to set things up. Also, I know you are still relatively early but does it seem manageable to work and do the program so far? Just one last thing LOL, how is the classwork so far, like is it pretty normal with tests/papers or is there some weird stuff like group work or other projects?

Thank you for anything you have to share. It's crazy how you can find so much on other programs but SLU's is like a black hole it feels like. Maybe one day someone else can find this thread and get good info!

Lauryn_21, BSN, RN · Feb 23, 2021

No problem! I could not find ANYTHING about SLU on forums when I was applying so I know exactly what you mean. I actually had a girl find my posts and answer several questions which was very helpful.

I am sure the degree plan is similar. I am in the FNP program, full time. The fastest I could complete it was 2.5 years. I think the FNP program is one semester longer than peds and adult/geriatric because it covers both, but I think the psych program is the same length as FNP.

For me, they did not help find clinicals at all this semester, but I also live 5 hours from St. Louis and already had some in line. I do know they told us if we absolutely could not find anyone they could help us find someone in St. Louis and we would just have to travel so I think if you are local, they may be able to help you out there. They said to start asking early, which I did, but I felt like none of my locations could give me definite answers until a couple of weeks before classes started due to COVID restrictions on having students. My advice if you are struggling to find preceptors is do not fret. Many people in my class still don't have preceptors and I am already on hour 30 of my 75 required. If you can't get a preceptor, they still let you take the class and basically give you an incomplete until the hours are completed, however long that takes. Because of COVID, they have been very laid back about it and are willing to help as much as they can. Unfortunately, there is no preceptor bank like some schools have but if you know people in other programs, getting a copy of a preceptor bank can be very helpful.

Up to this point, I am a full time student and working full time as an RN. There are weeks that it is a lot, but I do think it is doable. Taking advanced pharmacology with advanced health assessment has been difficult so if you can split those two classes up, I would highly recommend that. Pathophysiology wasn't too difficult so taking it with Pharm or Assessment would be feasible. Pharm and Assessment together is doable though if it is your only choice, just be prepared to study more for those classes than previous ones. For the most part, most of the homework can be completed all in one day for all three of my classes. The problem I run into is when my tests line up in the same week. Unlike nursing school, there does not seem to be a lot of nonsense busy work. There truly isn't a lot of homework but classes still seem to have plenty of points where grades are not 100% dependent on exams. Some classes have discussion boards, but only a few so far. Most assignments I have found to be actually beneficial and helpful, especially in pharmacology. I have not had any group projects so far, and really not that many papers. Most assignments are case study type things where you are applying the course work so I have found them to actually be helpful.

I hope that helps. Feel free to message me anytime if you have more questions of even if you have questions once you've been accepted and/or started the program.

awintt94, ADN, BSN · Feb 23, 2021

Thanks so much for the detailed response. I'm glad to hear it's a reasonable program, as the lack of info had me wondering. Especially the info about the actual classwork, that sounds great. I'm not a big fan of just writing papers or group work, the practical application seems far more useful. The AG-ACNP track is laid out a bit different than the FNP but I will keep your advice about the classes in order.

I've got my application in already and it seems like the deadline is March 1 and then they reach out 4-6 weeks after, going by the program's information page? So there's some waiting left but at least it's coming closer. I think all I have left is the interview if they decide to go for that, so hopefully it's a straightforward ride from here. Thanks again for all of the information!