Samuel Merritt University FNP Insight

thenewguy8 · Apr 16, 2011

I'd love to know what you thought of the program in general - especially in comparison to any others you might have looked at? How rigorous did you find the education? How much fo the supposed 'fluff' that folks talk about did you find?

Thanks!

SkiBumNP · Apr 17, 2011

I'd love to know what you thought of the program in general - especially in comparison to any others you might have looked at? How rigorous did you find the education? How much fo the supposed 'fluff' that folks talk about did you find?
Thanks!

Over all i enjoyed the program.

the students that get in to the program are super high achievers, and truly push each other to be better.

for the didactic testing when i was there much was online, however by the request of our class all tests will be in class.

I felt that it could have been more rigorous, i so i took the opportunity and took extra classes from the PA program.

also the program is a true FNP program that focuses in out of hospital care.

As I wanted to work in an in hospital environment, I was able to taylor my clinical time to reflect that.

If you want to leave the standard mold it take perseverance and hard work.

But it pays off.

as for the fluff, there was WAY less than RN school, but i for one am against any focus on a "nursing" approach to medicine. so i did find what fluff there was to be a waste of time and quite annoying. This said my PA friends also complained of fluff in their program. so i guess the grass is greener.

THe other program i look at was the UCSF program, and i have friends there now, I think they both prepare first class NPs, if you want to work in the hospital i would highly look at them, as they have the structure built in to their program.

On an inside note, I am working with the SMU NP program to develop the first Emergency NP program, and I think in a few years it will be up and going. IF there were to be others interested in EM prior the the establishment of this program it would help the momentum.

adusf84 · Apr 19, 2011

Hi were you in the ELMSN-FNP or the traditional route?

SkiBumNP · Apr 19, 2011

I was elmsn. Though the two are combined for the NP part

adusf84 · Apr 19, 2011

Excellent! I'm so glad to have found you! I hope you don't mind me asking alot of questions! Overall did you feel like you had no life while in school? I have a 4-year old son, I won't have to work but I really hope I can still have some time for my hubby and son. Also, I was thinking of having a baby, after the first 6 semesters...I was hoping I could deliver during the 6th semester where there is only a 1 credit seminar. Would that be a terrible idea? I was thinking it is better to have a baby at that time, rather than at graduating time because then I could focus on finding a job. (There never is a right time to have a baby, lol! I do have support and my mom is willing to fly in and live with me for the last year to take care of the baby). Also were you able to find a job? I'm scared of all the debt and bleak market!

adusf84 · Apr 19, 2011

Sorry to bother you, another question, is it a good idea to take the full amount of the money that FAFSA offers you? In the financial aid award packet, they have included room and board which I don't need. Also how is your schedule in the first year? 9-5 or the usual undergrad schedule with varying times?

SkiBumNP · Apr 20, 2011

Excellent! I'm so glad to have found you! I hope you don't mind me asking alot of questions! Overall did you feel like you had no life while in school? I have a 4-year old son, I won't have to work but I really hope I can still have some time for my hubby and son. Also, I was thinking of having a baby, after the first 6 semesters...I was hoping I could deliver during the 6th semester where there is only a 1 credit seminar. Would that be a terrible idea? I was thinking it is better to have a baby at that time, rather than at graduating time because then I could focus on finding a job. (There never is a right time to have a baby, lol! I do have support and my mom is willing to fly in and live with me for the last year to take care of the baby). Also were you able to find a job? I'm scared of all the debt and bleak market!

Well i will do my best to help answer your questions.

I felt that i was able to have a life. I worked at it but i did. My wife was in a PhD program so she was also super busy, but we did find time to exercises together, go on a few trips, head up to wine country on a regular basis, and during the winter, both of us skied quite a bit. We don't have kids, so i know that takes up quite a bit of time. That said i'm not the best person to ask about having one during the program. I have seen other students have babies during the program, but most have either dropped out, or taken a year off. only ONE made it work. SO i guess i can say I wouldn't recommend it. but where there is a will there is a way.

As for finding a job. though you don't have people knocking down your door trying to give you a job, everyone I know found at least a part time gig and they are working towards their DEA #. once you have that i'm sure it's way easer to find a gig. I was one of the few that found a job prior to graduating, but it's a fellowship and it pays less than I would like.

As for financial aid. I don't know. I didn't borrow any money for the program. If there are any other people reading the forum I welcome a response.

good luck and bring on the questions. i'll do my best answering them in a timely manor.

kzimmermann · Apr 21, 2011

Hello to all SMU students or perspective students.
I just wanted to put my name out there and see if anyone had any questions about SMU and the FNP program.
I just graduated and I am willing to pass on all my inside information to anyone who is interested.

Hi SkiBumNP,

Thank you so much for posting and offering information.

I hope you don't mind, but I'm already going to hit you up: In my interview, the Assoc. Professor made sure I understood that the first semester --primarily due to the Pathophysiology & Pharmacology and Mental Health Nursing classes -- was particularly challenging.

How was it for you? Do you have any advice on how to most efficiently tackle the course load? Anything we need to watch out for?

Please do advise when you get a chance -- I'm wanting to make sure to get a good solid footing.

Thank you!

SkiBumNP · Apr 21, 2011

Hi SkiBumNP,
Thank you so much for posting and offering information.
I hope you don't mind, but I'm already going to hit you up: In my interview, the Assoc. Professor made sure I understood that the first semester --primarily due to the Pathophysiology & Pharmacology and Mental Health Nursing classes -- was particularly challenging.
How was it for you? Do you have any advice on how to most efficiently tackle the course load? Anything we need to watch out for?
Please do advise when you get a chance -- I'm wanting to make sure to get a good solid footing.
Thank you!

It's true that first semester is a hard one, more people don't make it through than any other semester.

that said, it's totally manageable. when i had it I was able to be in school for three days, clinical one. and off for three.

it left plenty of time for studying and playing.

as for best way to tackle the classed. One day at a time. one assignment, once class.

soon three years will be behind you and you will be working.

redcat29 · Apr 21, 2011

Hey skibumNP!

Thank you so much for offering up your insight! I can't tell you enough how much I appreciate it. Reading your posts is making me feel less stressed already. I'll be starting the elmsn-fnp program in the fall. I have been wondering about the clinicals and if they are office based more than hospital. Sounds like you were able to focus a bit more on hospital work. That is what I am interested in as well, how do I go about accomplishing that? Also, the emergency medicine program sounds intriguing. That is an area I may be interested in too. What should i do as I start and progress through the program to make a goal of in-hospital work more achievable? Thank you for the guidance!

kzimmermann · Apr 22, 2011

It's true that first semester is a hard one ...as for best way to tackle the classed. One day at a time. one assignment, once class. soon three years will be behind you and you will be working.

Hi SkiBumNP -- Thanks so much for your thoughts and advice! :) Much appreciated