St. Thomas University, Miami - FNP Program

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Has anyone heard about the new St. Thomas University FNP program, Miami Gardens? Is it accredited? Anyone in the program?

So I've run into my first MAJOR issue at St. Thomas (after all my great reviews). There has always been an exit exam in the last course after clinicals. They have now implemented APEA exams in Womens and Pediatrics courses. They replace your final, which is a huge chunk of your grade. If you get anything below a 60% you fail the course - there is no remediation. I can understand this test as an exit to the program, not only have you learned and completed all the required material, but you also have time to study - as this is your only class at the time.

 

They've added this requirement, out of nowhere, syllabuses that we agreed to do not even state this - and people are FAILING.

Seems like a way to get a lot of extra money out of students and is of no real benefit to them.

If you fail these APEA exams (even with great scores throughout the semester) you have to repeat the lecture course AND the clinical course. If you are paying for preceptor hours, this is also a huge added expense.

 

Additionally, the professors will tell you all semester that the material on the test will only be from the material you are studying in that semester (either womens or pediatrics), but that is not the case. The questions are all equivalent to what you would see on the exit exam at the end of the entire program. IT IS A RACKET.

 

So yea, we are being forced to teach ourselves the entire program's worth of information in a VERY condensed period of time also while juggling 125 clinical hours each semester. If I had known this, I would not have chosen this program. 

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Nurse67812 said:

So I've run into my first MAJOR issue at St. Thomas (after all my great reviews). There has always been an exit exam in the last course after clinicals. They have now implemented APEA exams in Womens and Pediatrics courses. They replace your final, which is a huge chunk of your grade. If you get anything below a 60% you fail the course - there is no remediation. I can understand this test as an exit to the program, not only have you learned and completed all the required material, but you also have time to study - as this is your only class at the time.

 

They've added this requirement, out of nowhere, syllabuses that we agreed to do not even state this - and people are FAILING.

Seems like a way to get a lot of extra money out of students and is of no real benefit to them.

If you fail these APEA exams (even with great scores throughout the semester) you have to repeat the lecture course AND the clinical course. If you are paying for preceptor hours, this is also a huge added expense.

Wait so they are no longer just doing this in the course at the end of the MSN? It is now during a clinical rotation course? They definitely did not disclose this info anywhere in regards to the Certificate program.

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ringtail said:

Wait so they are no longer just doing this in the course at the end of the MSN? It is now during a clinical rotation course? They definitely did not disclose this info anywhere in regards to the Certificate program.

Correct, and the professors aren't even familiar with the material on the test. They have stated multiple times to not worry, that the test is just on pediatrics or women's (whatever you're in) - but it is not. It is on everything. If you get over a 60, your grade on the final is a 100%. Anything below 60, and your grade on the final is the grade that you got. So 59% would be the highest you can score after a 100%. The failures are RAMPANT. 

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This was just implemented at the start of Summer semester (which is two separate sessions within the the MSN/FNP program) and it is a complete disaster. 

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Nurse67812 said:

Correct, and the professors aren't even familiar with the material on the test. They have stated multiple times to not worry, that the test is just on pediatrics or women's (whatever you're in) - but it is not. It is on everything. If you get over a 60, your grade on the final is a 100%. Anything below 60, and your grade on the final is the grade that you got. So 59% would be the highest you can score after a 100%. The failures are RAMPANT. 

Well this is some horrifying news, ugh. I literally chose this certificate program because they did not rely on these types of nonsense tests. Since this is a "teach yourself" program it is even more absurd that they would choose to use them.

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ringtail said:

Well this is some horrifying news, ugh. I literally chose this certificate program because they did not rely on these types of nonsense tests. Since this is a "teach yourself" program it is even more absurd that they would choose to use them.

Honestly, I am looking at transfer options. Being that the "half semesters" are already highly condensed - it is very expensive and the workload is too heavy to keep completing assignments, and to keep spending all day every day completing clinical hours to have to repeat them at the end of each semester. 

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Nurse67812 said:

Honestly, I am looking at transfer options. Being that the "half semesters" are already highly condensed - it is very expensive and the workload is too heavy to keep completing assignments, and to keep spending all day every day completing clinical hours to have to repeat them at the end of each semester. 

Do you know if anyone has brought these concerns to the Dean at all?  So what happened to the APEA exam that they used to do at the end? Will there be multiples? In the certificate program, that last course is not included so I wonder what they will do.

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Hey 

I am applying to the MSN-FNP program and was wondering if anyone have any advice or study tips or just information about the program from your own experience. I would love to be informed, you can email me at [email protected].

Thank you in advance!

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I'm currently enrolled and I have to say I have a different experience.  I find it a little better than other online programs. First semester I almost quit because the professor was one who seemed to take joy in failing people. Second semester, the professor was amazing and they've all been good since. Please note that as with most online programs you are teaching yourself but with a professor as a resource. Some of them have recorded lectures, some don't. All of them provide resources to help you pass the class. All of professors replied to emails within 24 hrs. I once emailed a professor at 8 pm one night and she replied more than once to my messages throughout the night. That being said.: this is NOT easy, ninja nerd and nurse Sarah on YouTube need a shout outs for being my actual professors LOL.  Securing a preceptor is worse than pulling teeth. The school has to contact the site  before they will authorize so get it done ASAP. Bottom line, you HAVE to be disciplined to get this done, you HAVE to study on your own.  Good luck everyone

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So - I'm at the end. I failed the predictor exam. Does anyone have any idea what happens from here? I have a week to remediate, but what if I don't pass on the second try? Does anyone have any experience with this? No one has passed this time around. 

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Nurse67812 said:

So - I'm at the end. I failed the predictor exam. Does anyone have any idea what happens from here? I have a week to remediate, but what if I don't pass on the second try? Does anyone have any experience with this? No one has passed this time around. 

You're at the end of the entire program? So is this the full APEA FNP predictor? Did they give you the areas necessary for remediation at least? Are there only two tries? 
I am sorry to hear this. It stinks that they made these other APEA changes in the prior courses and did not bother to even let current students know so they could make other choices before going too far in this program.
I hope you are able to pass on the second try. I would imagine they could make you retake the final clinical semester, maybe? I am shocked that no one at all passed.
Did they give any notice at all that the test was coming? 
I can't see how they could possibly make someone redo ALL of it.  But I have learned that it is impossible to predict what these schools will do. They seem unbothered by the prospect of outright failing people.

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I just got accepted to FNP program at STUfor march 2025. Any comment about the program? I would appreciated 

Can someone tell me about how to find a preceptor? Does STU help us about it?

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