Texas A&M College Station FNP Program

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · May 28, 2015

As you are undoubtedly well aware, A&M is an extremely credible university with very high standards for all their programs. So I wouldn't worry overmuch about the quality of the education you'll receive. However, you might want to be concerned with meeting their admission standards which will may be very challenging because you'll be competing with many other highly qualified applicants.

Also - Most healthcare organizations are no longer willing to work with individual students to arrange their clinical experiences due to the associated costs and liability. So make sure that their online programs have 'guaranteed' practicum locations - arranged by the school, rather than expecting YOU to do it.

Wishing you much success on your educational journey!

29AlmostFNP, ADN, RN, EMT-P · May 28, 2015

I do believe that A&M has the student find their own preceptor for clinical locations. At least I am sure this is true for the FNP program there. I am not sure about the RN-BSN program. I hope that they are both good programs becasue this is where I will be living for the next couple of years and I can't really go anywhere else.

mstxrn22 · Aug 1, 2015

I started the online MSN-FNP Program at TAMU Bryan/College Station in January. It's a brand new program and I'm in the first cohort accepted. I feel like it's pretty robust, and yes, we have to find our own preceptors. I just recently secured my first one...for summer 2016 term, and am working on a lead for one I'll need for fall 2016. So, that's something you should be aware of that is a challenging factor of the program. I'm going part time, 6 hours per term, with one term being 8 I believe. I won't finish until August 2017, so still have a long way to go.

As far as preceptors, don't let that deter you. I've had former coworkers go through different programs and they all had to find their own too, with little help from their school. I think that's the nature of the beast, unfortunately.

29AlmostFNP, ADN, RN, EMT-P · Aug 1, 2015

Yeah I'm not too worried about the preceptor part. I am mostly worried about the online courses. I mean is an online course really enough to prepare you to be a primary provider for a patient? Do you feel like you're learning enough and learning what you need to know to be a competent provider? I'm just worried about the online aspect versus a physical brick and mortar school and being prepared and competent.

mstxrn22 · Aug 2, 2015

I was worried about it too, initially, but I am learning so much. Some professors have different methods. Most so far have done weekly videos to explain or review the content for the week, there are online discussion boards, online chat room sessions, lots of feedback, and professors are available by phone or e-mail if needed, and they've always responded quickly. It's more interactive than I thought it would be, actually. It is grad school, so you can't expect to be "spoon fed". I will have to go to B/CS several times for one of my courses spring semester. I'm not concerned at all that I'm not being well-prepared for what the future holds. Also, when we do have clinicals, professors will do a site visit to meet with you and your preceptor. The hardest part was making sure my computer was all set up, but they give you guidelines and the help desk was awesome with any problems I had. It's just about time management, since you pretty much have a week of content to do at a time. I have been out of school for over 15 years, so it took a few weeks at the beginning to get in the groove again, but the online thing is working well so far.

29AlmostFNP, ADN, RN, EMT-P · Aug 2, 2015

Wow! That sounds really exciting! Thank you so much for your input and good luck to you in your classes!!

mstxrn22 · Aug 2, 2015

Thanks, and good luck to you, as well!

lbowers · Jul 2, 2016

How is the fnp program so far? I just applied to their fnp program and it starts in spring 2017. I don't know anyone in the program, so I'm curious about your experience. Thanks!

akt2016 · Aug 16, 2016

Have you heard anything back yet? I applied also for the Spring 2017 program. I did get notified that I needed to retake Statistics to satisfy their requirements, but nothing aside from that so far.

lbowers · Aug 16, 2016

No, I hadn't heard anything. I got a receipt confirming that they received all the materials...but other than that...nothing...just waiting...

akt2016 · Aug 17, 2016

Well, at least it isn't just me waiting. Do you happen to know how many they admit each year?