St. Thomas University, Miami - FNP Program

Lmnurse06, BSN · May 26, 2021

Hi everyone, I graduated from St. Thomas in December of 2020, the FNP program. It was very difficult while I was in it due to feeling like I was on my own the whole time. Your grade is based off of tests and discussions only, the tests were hard and didn’t make sense the majority of the time. It’s very fast paced if you do the full time program. 2 classes every 7 weeks. There were no resources other than the book that was assigned. I had difficulty finding info on which book to purchase before class started so I started most classes without a book, the only resource. I didn’t think professors were that helpful and getting a hold of anyone at the school is almost impossible, I’m actually still waiting to receive my diploma from them 5 months later ?‍♀️. It slightly improved at the end of my program, hopefully it continued to improve for everyone else after that. It’s a lot of work but for the quick pace and price you cant really find anything similar. You have to be very dedicated and independent as you are your only resource, at least in the online program. With all that being said, I passed the ANCC exam recently so it all paid off. I took a break and time off to study for a few months before taking it. All in all, I became a board certified FNP in under 2 years at a substantially lower price than some other people I know who went to different schools. Although brick and mortar may have been more beneficial, I feel that you get out of school what you put in. I learned a lot from my preceptors and my own research.
Also, finding preceptors is difficult because this school doesn’t have many affiliations, I really lucked out because they were one of the only schools allowing their students to do clinicals during the pandemic, leaving sites in my area open.
Good luck to all! It was hard but definitely possible. Every school has its ups and downs.

Analiet Garcia · May 26, 2021

Wow congratulations on your board!!! Thanj you so much for your detail explanation, it really helps a lot. I am looking to also find anyone in the PHMNP program that could give me an insight and tips for sucess on that specific program. Were you able to work while in school? I am also planning in doing the program full time so I just wonder if there will be just a lot working full time? But thank you for your review and good luck to you!!
Analiet

Lmnurse06, BSN · May 26, 2021

Thank you and You’re welcome! I hope it helps. I worked part time, 2 days a week throughout the program. I had a baby in my second term and have 2 other kids too. It was definitely very busy. I think the majority of people who were in the program when I was worked full time.

Analiet Garcia · May 26, 2021

That us awesome. Congrats on your baby and your graduation!! Thank you for your comment. It is definetely very helpful, I have been looking for schools reviews online and is great to hear from someone that just finished.
Thank you and good luck!!

hospitality020, BSN, MSN · May 26, 2021

I just graduated two months ago from the FNP program at STU. During the beginning the program was a bit on the bumpy side but then it got better. They made many changes during my schooling but I think overall they made the decisions to help their students. I plan on taking my FNP exam in the next upcoming months. I was doing my FNP program full time which meant that I was taking 2 courses every 7 weeks and had a full time job with a toddler at home. It was tough but I felt that finishing the program in less than 18 months was better than taking the regular 2-3 years to finish a FNP degree.

Analiet Garcia · May 26, 2021

Cograts on finishing the program and good luck on the exam!!

any tips for success

my email is [email protected]

thank you

hospitality020, BSN, MSN · May 26, 2021

@Analiet Garcia As soon as the course opens up look at the syllabus in order to buy the book. Double check the exam chapters to the ones on the modules. If they are different email the instructor about the differences in what is online. Exam come from the chapters in the readings. Do a study guide as you will not be provided with one. Just know that some exams can have up to 5-13 chapters. The program is fast pace so you need to keep up as much as you can. Try and work on any discussions days prior as this will help you.

Analiet Garcia · May 27, 2021

Im planning to go to STU for the PMHNP program. Can anyone share how exams are? Are they proctored, open book or timed? Also if they choose the classes every semester?

I will apreeciate also tips for sucess

thank you

Nibabi04 · May 30, 2021

@hospitality020 and @lmnurse06 Congratulations to you both on completing the program. I am currently at my half way mark with just starting clinicals this semester. I'm a little worried about the testing structure for clinicals because as we know most of the test don't coinside with the material in the book. Can you give me a little insite on how the test or content of how structured they are to the book. If you don't want to respond here I understand. I can email you. Thanks

hospitality020, BSN, MSN · May 30, 2021

@Nibabi04 the clinical course usually don’t have exams the course that consist with the clinical does. The peds, women’s health, adult and gero exams have been based off the book from when I took the class. They starting proctoring the exams in my final semester. I know we didn’t get study guides. The exams are several chapters long and they take a while to read. I don’t know if they are giving out any study guides now.

Nibabi04 · Jun 7, 2021

@hospiality020 I just failed the first 2 classes with the ADV Adult class. I literally studied the book, powerpoint and quizlet. I don't know where they are getting this information from. Do you by chance have any good study guides or references to help? You can email me if you prefer. Thanks so much

hospitality020, BSN, MSN · Jun 7, 2021

@Nibabi04 which program are you in? So you did not pass the adult and clinical course or was it the adult and gero class? Which book is the one that they are using right now? I have to look and see what info I have from those classes. Do you remember the content that they had during the exam.