Stay away from Walden University

[BLACK HAWK]

Best advice for those looking into Walden AGNP or FNP programs is to go somewhere else. You will have issues finding a preceptor and Walden is not recognized by many doctors and NP as an AGNP & FNP school. Also your books will be your teacher, the professors do not prepare you for the tests and some (not all) have bias feedback. The tuition continues to rise as it is a for profit. Once again finding a preceptor with Walden is a great problem, plus they do not have agreements with many places and expect you to do the foot work to find them affiliations. Stay away, they have a very low retention rate for many reasons.

[finallydoingit]

First, there is not a published retention rate yet for the FNP program at Walden because it is new. The program is challenging, and I spoke with multiple MDs prior to starting an unknown program. All advised it did not matter where you went to school, only that you passed boards. Walden is a very challenging program, and not unlike other MSN programs which most have a large portion online. Also like other universities, finding your own preceptor is normal. Adult learners are supposed to be self motivated, and this program requires dedication. If I wasn't dedicated to learning, then being an NP would not be the right career choice.

[adventure780, BSN, MSN, RN, APN]

I am getting conflicting views from nurses and MDs MDs say NP or PA is the way to go and some nurses think MDs will use you if you go ahead and become an NP

[Mark Hill BSN]

I am getting conflicting views from nurses and MDs MDs say NP or PA is the way to go and some nurses think MDs will use you if you go ahead and become an NP

My experience has been that most family practice MDs will want NPs while surgeons will want PA, but it will really just be a matter of preference. PAs are taught on he medical model and NPs are on the nursing model. PAs don't have to have a medical background to begin school while NPs obviously have to have a nursing background. I have worked with good and bad NPs and PAs. There are very few PAs in my state, and most of them work for ortho or general surgeons.

[BritFNP]

In clinicals?

[adventure780, BSN, MSN, RN, APN]

No when you actually work with them

[Sagira]

Hi Mark!

I am thinking about applying to Walden and was wondering if you believe that the program prepared you well to serve as FNP. I'd really appreciate your feedback. Thanks!

[futureeastcoastNP]

Hi Mark!

I am thinking about applying to Walden and was wondering if you believe that the program prepared you well to serve as FNP. I'd really appreciate your feedback. Thanks!

I suggest you look into non profit schools first. There is absolutely no reason to choose to receive your education at Walden. There is a very large group of people who will never take your degree seriously, especially physicians who DO tend to know top schools. Why not look into real schools? They can be just as cheaper, or cheaper, and many can also be completed online. In the end though, you won't deal with the for profit stigma.

[Mark Hill BSN]

The "for profit stigma" is something that seems to be important only in your mind Future....No one person has asked me whether my school was non-profit or not, and I have not heard of any of my Walden colleagues who have had problems since graduation. I have now been practicing for 8 months, and I am the highest producing provider in my clinic of 2 MDs and 5 NPs. Walden has trained me very well, and I have absolutely no regrets about attending this school. I have also had numerous job offers since graduation with absolutely no questions about my schools profitability status. Why don't you give it a rest, and actually attend and graduate from NP school before you have so much to say about mine.

[elkpark]

The "for profit stigma" is something that seems to be important only in your mind Future....No one person has asked me whether my school was non-profit or not ...

No one has to ask -- Walden's status as a proprietary, on-line (only) school is well-known.

[Mark Hill BSN]

No one has to ask -- Walden's status as a proprietary, on-line (only) school is well-known.

Then it obviously matters even less, if everyone already knows, and no one cares. Your argument is collapsing in on itself...

[elkpark]

Your argument is collapsing in on itself...

What argument??

[ThomRN2AGNP]

Mark,

Finally I am glad to see someone who has taken the boards from Walden. Walden has not been in the NP curriculum very long so a lot of the retention rates and board passing stats are not available. I current attend Walden University and have no concerns about the program. I have heard some negative comments however, what program does not have it haters? Congrats on passing the boards-did you take the ANCC or the AANP? I haven't started my practicums yet but I am so looking forward to doing that next year.