Frontier Nursing University

[MystyqueOne, BSN, RN]

i posted this under nurse practitioners with no response, so figured i shall repost under np students. any advice would be helpful. thank you!

i am looking to do my fnp program through frontier midwifery university/frontier nursing university since i love that its main emphasis is women's health and i've always been drawn to that specialty. i've been reading around and seeing that many are saying the program is tough but oh so worth it. how is this program considered "tough"? is it tough because of the amount of reading/work that is required? the number of assignments? the projects? the demands? can you please elaborate?

i am looking to apply to begin in 2013 and have been looking at this school since i graduated with my bsn. my only question is whether i will be able to adequately manage my time between full time work as an rn (which i now have my year of experience in med-surg/onc), my two younger children (beginning elementary years) and then frontier part time..... is it possible or will i be sacrificing something? yes, i understand i won't have nearly add much free time add i do now, but i also don't want to sacrifice too much....

one last question: what is the workload like during a typical week for part time (2 classes)? how many hours of reading? how many hours of assignments? studying? etc. also, once the clinical portion starts, how many hours per week is required and is it possible to continue to work full time during that portion?

thank you!

[honeykrown, MSN, NP]

I just started and so far so good. It is a lot of reading although you have class sessions from time to time. I do know they frown upon full time work with kids and school. I have had to stay on top of my reading although the teachers are very helpful.

I read all the time i can because i cannot afford to lag behind. The teachers do provide study guide with online lectures and noted. if you are one who can read 8or more hrs a day at a time then you might be cut out for it

Overall it's been great so far. I might have a change of mind as semester goes on.

[MystyqueOne, BSN, RN]

I just started and so far so good. It is a lot of reading although you have class sessions from time to time. I do know they frown upon full time work with kids and school. I have had to stay on top of my reading although the teachers are very helpful.

I read all the time i can because i cannot afford to lag behind. The teachers do provide study guide with online lectures and noted. if you are one who can read 8or more hrs a day at a time then you might be cut out for it

Overall it's been great so far. I might have a change of mind as semester goes on.

Are you saying that if one is able to ready 8 or more hours every single day of the week, then, and only then is it manageable? I just applied to start in February. I know I can do the 30 hours per week that they suggested, but 8 hours each and every day seems overkill...... Thanks so much! I am excited, though!

[honeykrown, MSN, NP]

Oh no thats not what i meant but most days i spend 8hrs studying. I dont come out but to eat and use the rest room. But that's because i work full time and i have to make use of my days off; (2days at a time). Presently i take 2 classes and my days off are focused on 1 (patho) and the other i read during my down time at work (writing course). The patho is a lot to learn in a little while and although the teachers have made it more focused to what we need to learn, it's still a lot to cover. Although altogether i think I have balanced it well. If you can understand the concept of what you read then it's all good.

[MystyqueOne, BSN, RN]

I personally work 12 hour shifts, so that's basically 3 days on and 4 days off. Do you have children yourself? I think with my days off, I should be able to handle the work. I just have to make sure I devote time to my kids on those days off also. If you have kids, when do you spend time time them?

Thanks for all your help. I look forward to starting though....

[honeykrown, MSN, NP]

I dont have kids at all. I tend to myself and hubby only. But you should be able to do it as I have classmates with kids and not much complain except the level of reading. There's powerpoint and class session (Sometimes). It is doable most especially part time. Not to worry. I think everyone needs just a little push. I was so worried before starting. Didnt knwo if i could motivate myself enough to read but I've surprised myself by reading alone and understanding the concept (which is key to anything)

[MystyqueOne, BSN, RN]

When you speak about the class sessions, are you speaking about the 3 day orientation in the beginning then the 8 day clinical bound just prior to the preceptorship?

So, it's a ton of reading, then? Do you work full time? About how many hours per week would you say you spend in reading and doing coursework?

Thanks so much!

[honeykrown, MSN, NP]

Not the orientation. There are actual lectures you could attend that are recorded for later viewing and depends on the instructor. But the greatest part is that the instructors are available to answer questions every day (at least once a day)

[MystyqueOne, BSN, RN]

Not the orientation. There are actual lectures you could attend that are recorded for later viewing and depends on the instructor. But the greatest part is that the instructors are available to answer questions every day (at least once a day)

Great! Thank you, but unfortunately, I won't be able to attend those in class lectures due to being in AZ. As long as they are available to answer questions as necessary. How are they in regards to quick turn-around time regarding email questions? That's important to me.

Thanks!

[honeykrown, MSN, NP]

Turn around is great. at least once a day. If the teacher has checked his/her email then you would not get a response. And you have to be pt with them cos i think these teachers also have other jobs. I live in AZ too and i have been able to attend session with no problem. its just the job schedule that affect my class