Transferring Programs

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I know I will have to start from basically zero but I am sort of frustrated at my current NP program.

The capstone class really frustrated me. I felt like it was disorganized and now I am probably going to fail it. The class itself was originally a 3 credit hour class but they broke it up for 1 credit hour over three semesters. I am doing well in all other classes I have taken. Before this class, I had a 3.87.

I don't really want to take the class over. I don't really want to face the possibility of taking 2 other disorganized messes like it.

Walden does have a partnership with my employer for a discount.

My classmates in the Walden FNP program seem to like it with the exception of locating clinicals which my school doesn't assist with clinical placement either.

Amusingly, I will finish the programs in a similar time frame.

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Specializes in Assistant Professor, Nephrology, Internal Medicine.

1) why are you possibly going to fail it? Did you fail a test? Did you not turn something in?

2) even if you fail, why on earth would you want to start all over? Take the failing grade and continue on

3) I have been working closely with a current Walden FNP student, and their classes seem much less rigorous than mine are. Her undergraduate GPA was horrid, not to mention her skills writing papers. She is currently a 4.0 student there, with open book tests. I'm sure it'll make someone mad on here, but avoid for profit schools.

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Our school is private but not-for-profit.

I just feel frustrated with this particular class. I do know they split it up recently from what used to be the end of the program class to this capstone mess of it being extended throughout the MSN program.

It's overall frustrating. It's vague instructions, difficulty contacting my teacher, the "examples" from the book do not help. Half of it is participation points with a vague rubric which leaves me thinking "What the ****?" I have a classmate in the same section too and we frequently have to ask each other what the heck is going on.

I'll see if I can repeat the semester probably. I am passing pharm and I passed patho so it's only this capstone class.

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Another consideration is that they have an acute care NP program. Most programs in my area are either adult-geri or FNP but do not specify acute care/primary practice.

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Specializes in NP, ICU, ED, Pre-op.

"Another consideration is that they have an acute care NP program. Most programs in my area are either adult-geri or FNP but do not specify acute care/primary practice."

Not at all sure what this means....

FNP Family Nurse Practitioner is always just that, designed for primary care...

Adult-Geri, can be both Acute or not.....

What you need to consider is what exam you are being prepared for and where you want to practice, ie in the hospital or in the community.

So look at your program and see what exam you are going to be eligible to take based on your degree.

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In my area, FNPs frequently work in acute care as hospitalists or if they are in a group, they help manage patients when they are in the hospital. They also utilize them in ERs. I know in general it is not considered right but it is what they do in my area.

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Specializes in Assistant Professor, Nephrology, Internal Medicine.
In my area, FNPs frequently work in acute care as hospitalists or if they are in a group, they help manage patients when they are in the hospital. They also utilize them in ERs. I know in general it is not considered right but it is what they do in my area.

This is slowly changing to favor the new consensus model that FNP and AGPCNP will be primary care and ACNP (either AG or P) will be acute care.

I am sensing that you are not really sure what you want to do am I right? It sounds like you are willing to jump ship very easily, which indicates you are really not devoted to what you are doing. Maybe you should take a hiatus from your program and consider what it is you really want to do? Don't take that the wrong way, but if I was in your situation, I would do the same. Just my bit of advice.

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Specializes in Hospitalist Medicine.
This is slowly changing to favor the new consensus model that FNP and AGPCNP will be primary care and ACNP (either AG or P) will be acute care.

I am sensing that you are not really sure what you want to do am I right? It sounds like you are willing to jump ship very easily, which indicates you are really not devoted to what you are doing. Maybe you should take a hiatus from your program and consider what it is you really want to do? Don't take that the wrong way, but if I was in your situation, I would do the same. Just my bit of advice.

The hospitals in my area want you to be dual certified FNP/ACNP if you want to be an NP in the ER. The ICU still hires just ACNP, but they prefer the dual certification so you can work both. There are programs out there that offer the dual certification (e.g. Vanderbilt, University of South Alabama, University of Arizona, etc.)

I'm preparing to apply for NP school and see where I end up. One school does dual cert, the other 2, I would have to get the FNP and then an ACNP post-grad certificate. We'll see where I end up! I can't apply until September to start the following Sept. Very excited to finally begin!!!!

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Specializes in Assistant Professor, Nephrology, Internal Medicine.
The hospitals in my area want you to be dual certified FNP/ACNP if you want to be an NP in the ER. The ICU still hires just ACNP, but they prefer the dual certification so you can work both. There are programs out there that offer the dual certification (e.g. Vanderbilt, University of South Alabama, University of Arizona, etc.)

I'm preparing to apply for NP school and see where I end up. One school does dual cert, the other 2, I would have to get the FNP and then an ACNP post-grad certificate. We'll see where I end up! I can't apply until September to start the following Sept. Very excited to finally begin!!!!

Understandable for ER, I have several friends who are look at USA for Emergency NP. However, most ICU in my area don't care if you have the dual cert, because they are either adult ICU or pediatric ICU setting. Getting either an agacnp or pacnp is desired, anything else is just extra. I have a friend in the major PICU down here and they are all MDs or P-ACNP.

Good luck! NP school is hard but rewarding. Put your full concentration on it and you will succeed! I have heard mixed reviews on USA, but no experience myself. Vanderbilt is a widely known program but expensive as can be, hope you can afford it! U of A same thing with the name recognition, but I also don't know anyone who has gone through the program. Good luck with your decision!

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Specializes in Hospitalist Medicine.
Understandable for ER, I have several friends who are look at USA for Emergency NP. However, most ICU in my area don't care if you have the dual cert, because they are either adult ICU or pediatric ICU setting. Getting either an agacnp or pacnp is desired, anything else is just extra. I have a friend in the major PICU down here and they are all MDs or P-ACNP.

Good luck! NP school is hard but rewarding. Put your full concentration on it and you will succeed! I have heard mixed reviews on USA, but no experience myself. Vanderbilt is a widely known program but expensive as can be, hope you can afford it! U of A same thing with the name recognition, but I also don't know anyone who has gone through the program. Good luck with your decision!

Yes, it's a tough decision to make. If I really want to be a hospital intensivist in the ICU, then going the AG-ACNP route makes the most sense. If I want to be able to do either ER or ICU (more job options available), then I need the dual FNP/ACNP cert. I just need to pinpoint what I really want to do. I'm getting ready to transfer to a full time RN role in the ICU, so I think that will let me know whether I prefer the ED environment or the ICU environment.

I agree, Vanderbilt's program is excruciatingly over-priced at over $1300/credit hour. I was leaning towards Arizona's program until I found out the tuition is nearly $1000/credit hour. I wish MSU had an Acute Care NP program! They only have FNP or AGNP. In-state tuition with MSU makes it worth it ($698/credit hour) to get the MSN FNP with them and get the ACNP post-masters certification elsewhere. UM-Flint's in-state tuition is only $553/credit hour, but they require so many fluff courses that their program is a year longer than any of the others. USA is only $547/credit hour which makes their dual FNP/ACNP program very enticing. I'm just worried about having to set up my own clinical hours!

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Specializes in Assistant Professor, Nephrology, Internal Medicine.

Seriously, go msu if you have to make a switch. I know so many people who love the school. I'd be going there if I didn't live I Chicago

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Specializes in PICU.

I have many co-workers who went to or are currently going to Walden. They are passing with flying colors, however, I would not trust these people to take care of myself or my family members as NPs. I am currently at Drexel which is also online, however exams are done via webcam with ProctorU, they are closed book and you are forced to actually know the material, which is a quality that is going to be helpful as an NP. As much as I HATE doing these proctorU exams, I know I am learning and retaining much more information

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