Texas A&M Corpus??? FNP?

ANPFNPGNP · Jun 1, 2008

This program was ranked 389th out of 396 NP programs in the nation a few years ago. It has deteriorated even further since that time and it is "under review" by the Board of Nursing. I know some NP's who graduated from that program and I was shocked by what they told me. One of them spent the majority of her clinical hours with a neurologist and never even did clinicals in pediatrics! BTW, the TX BON would yank her license if they knew this. Another graduate told me that she didn't know that she was actually supposed to be seeing patients "hands on" until the last 2 weeks of clinicals AND SHE'S A LICENSED FNP! She did clinicals at a minor emergency clinic and she had never even prescribed an antihypertensive! I'm hoping the TX BON sees fit to shut this program down. Our reputations as NP's are being RUINED by the quality of NP's this online program is spitting out.

Abby.Harris · Feb 6, 2012

I know this was written a few years ago, but I must say the comment by ANPFNPGNP is incorrect and offensive. I will be a graduate of the MSN, FNP program at TAMUCC in May, and I can say that we have 4 semesters of clinical rotations in which we are to complete 630 hours (with 75 hours in each specialty area). Prior to the start of the first clinical rotation, all students must go to Corpus for a three day seminar that includes performing (for the professor) a complete head to toe assessment of a random classmate. By the first semester, you are to be seeing patients on your own, and giving full reports to your preceptor, including pertinent subjective/objective findings, a list of differential diagnoses, and a proposed plan. By the second semester, you are expected to be charting on the patients, and acting more as their primary provider. If you are not at the level expected by the university when the faculty comes to observe you in your clinical setting each semester (multiple times if needed), you are held back...no matter how well you are doing on tests and assignments. Additionally, you must rotate clinical sites--using a site no more than two times. I am currently getting clinical experience with a WHNP at an OB/GYN's office, and spent my last three rotations at pediatric, geriatric, and family practice offices. I regret to hear that you have met individuals that you believe have failed to uphold the ideals of the profession, but I guarantee you that I (along with my university) work hard every day to ensure that I succeed and promote the nurse practitioner profession to the best of my ability. All of my sleepless nights from studying...all of the anxiety over tests...all of the tears/frustrations from stepping out of my comfort zone as an RN to an advanced practice nurse...and all of the differences I've made as a student participating the the primary care of patients makes me rest assured knowing that TAMUCC will not simply be "spitting" me out, but will be graduating me with the clinical and academic experience necessary to enhance the reputation of nurse practitioners everywhere--a goal I will spend my entire career seeking.

SandyRN1122 · May 13, 2012

Thank you Abby for that rebuttal, I am interested in TAMUCC and should hear from them in a couple of weeks. I've been accepted by UTEP into FNP but would consider CC because I live in SA. I really appreciate your comments.

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · May 13, 2012

IMO, a lot could have happened to TAMUCC in the 3-4 years between those two posts. I would check with both the school as well as the Texas BON for the most recent information regarding that program. Also check to make sure it is accredited by NLNAC or CCNE, since that will speak volumes about the quality of the program.

SandyRN1122 · Jun 19, 2012

Ok, I just got acceptance letters from A&M Corpus and UTEP for the fall 2012; decisions decisions.