Trying to choose between 3 NP programs

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  1. Which program would you choose?

    • 7
      Michigan State University
    • 0
      University of Michigan - Flint campus
    • 3
      University of South Alabama

10 members have participated

Specializes in Hospitalist Medicine.

I've been researching NP programs and I've narrowed down my choice to 3 schools. I'm trying to determine what the best course of action would be. My goal is to be dual FNP/ACNP so I can work in our hospital's ER (they require dual certification). Here are my choices:

1. Michigan State University - it's local, most classes are online or "hybrid". Would only have to go to campus a few times a semester (only a 10 minute drive from home). They place you in clinicals, so I don't have to locate preceptors. They offer the MSN-FNP, so I'd have to get the DNP ACNP elsewhere. It's only 45 credits, 5 semesters. I get in-state tuition. Least expensive of the 3 schools. Pass rates are great and they are highly regarded in our area. The first semester is a killer since I'd have to take 4 classes. I can opt for the part time program, but it would take 3 years to finish. On the plus side, I can work as an FNP while finishing the DNP ACNP.

2. University of Michigan - Flint campus - It's only a 40 minute drive. Most courses are online. Only required to go to campus twice a semester. They offer the DNP FNP, which is a 4 year program and I can get a certificate in ACNP as a post-grad, which would be an additional year. It is 87 credits for DNP-FNP and an additional 20 credits for the ACNP post-grad certificate. It would take the longest of the 3 programs and is the most expensive, even with in-state tuition rates. Pass rates for both NP certification exams are good. I would have to arrange my own preceptors, but the school has arrangements with local practices & hospitals. Solid reputation in our area, although people joke about it not being the "real" UM in Ann Arbor. They only award the DNP at the end of the 4 year program (no dual MSN/DNP). I could work as an FNP while I finish the ACNP certificate.

3. University of South Alabama - They offer a dual DNP FNP/ACNP which is 4 years. I would only have to go to campus twice for 3 days each time (Mobile, AL). I like the fact that I can get everything done in 4 years at once institution. Lowest cost per credit of the 3 schools and 81 credits total. When I'm done, I'm done with everything. Pass rates are good and it's a state school, not a for-profit degree mill. I'm just worried about having to find my own preceptors, who may not be familiar with the school. The hospital I work for is on their approved list of clinical sites, so I'm hopeful that I would be able to set up preceptors. They award the MSN FNP/ACNP after 2.5 years in the program and the DNP is awarded at the end of the 4 years, so I could work as an NP the last 1.5 years of the program while I do my DNP residency.

I am having a hard time deciding between the 3 programs. Which one do you think would be the best option?

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I would do what is local. I've known too many people who have done distance NP programs who have had a hard time getting a preceptorship, or have gotten subpar ones because it was all they could find. They feel it really impacted their abilities to get jobs or better jobs later. I'm not an NP student, just thinking about it, and I can only go off what I've heard but sheesh some of those stories scare me personally. I'd want to network like crazy, which is a lot easier to do with good preceptorships near where you live.

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Specializes in Assistant Professor, Nephrology, Internal Medicine.

I actually love my online program and I haven't had much of an issue finding my clinical, but I would've loved to not have to do that. Plus, I'm from Michigan, and I would've loved to be able to go to MSU. They have an AMAZING reputation. You could probably find an MSU grad in healthcare just about anywhere in the country.

My vote- MSU

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Specializes in Hospitalist Medicine.

Thank you, both, for your feedback. I really appreciate it! :)

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My sister recently graduated from MSU just a few years ago. She appreciated their placing her at clinical sites and was impressed with the program. Her opinion was that they had her take a lot of "fluff" type classes with papers that did not help her on the boards--but seems to be pretty typical with Master's type programs everywhere. BTW, even though she by no means was financially needy, she and many in her class got free ride scholarships as this was an election year, Obama was feeling generous while he was trying to pass his healthcare bill and wanted more NPs out there. I'd go there if I could afford it, but even their instate tuition is rather high.

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SopranoKris, what is the advantage of getting the DNP in addition to the FNP/ACNP for the ER? I'm just curious. Would you like to teach at some point...and/or does it make a difference on the clinical ladder?

Part of the reason I am asking is because I'm volunteering in the CVOR/CVICU (I'm in the middle of my nursing school apps). There are a number of nurse practitioners in both areas, but I've never met one who has the DNP. That being said, some local schools in the D.C. area where I live, University of Maryland, for example, have transitioned and only offer the DNP now. It is an interesting trend.

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Specializes in Hospitalist Medicine.
SopranoKris, what is the advantage of getting the DNP in addition to the FNP/ACNP for the ER? I'm just curious. Would you like to teach at some point...and/or does it make a difference on the clinical ladder?

Part of the reason I am asking is because I'm volunteering in the CVOR/CVICU (I'm in the middle of my nursing school apps). There are a number of nurse practitioners in both areas, but I've never met one who has the DNP. That being said, some local schools in the D.C. area where I live, University of Maryland, for example, have transitioned and only offer the DNP now. It is an interesting trend.

The DNP requires residency, which is even more clinical experience. We have DNPs in our hospital (as well as MSN level NPs) and they seem to have a bit more responsibility & higher acuity patients. It's always been a personal goal of mine to get my doctorate. And there's a push to have more DNPs in the field. I don't mind the extra year of coursework and clinical residency to get the DNP.

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Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.

I used to live in Michigan and have worked with NP's who graduated from all those school options you mentioned (even South Alabama). They all had nice things to say about their programs. I would go with option 1 to get started working as an FNP at the shortest possible time and hopefully find an ER NP position that way. I also give option 1 points for finding preceptors for their students. Do you find that in Michigan, EM groups prefer dual FNP/ACNP? This was not the case when I was there. I am an ACNP and have classmates who work in EM but they also work alongside FNP's.

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Option 1~ so many pros! Local, most affordable tuition, they provide clinical placement AND you could start working as a FNP. All of these are excellent considerations.

I looked into USA because I was accepted. So many threads here had the common complaint of "disorganized" and "too much self teaching" (recorded lectures were not provided). Yes, it is online curriculum so obviously there will be self teaching, but to have no powerpoint or lecture available at all rubbed me the wrong way. Just something to consider.

Good luck!

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Specializes in Hospitalist Medicine.
I used to live in Michigan and have worked with NP's who graduated from all those school options you mentioned (even South Alabama). They all had nice things to say about their programs. I would go with option 1 to get started working as an FNP at the shortest possible time and hopefully find an ER NP position that way. I also give option 1 points for finding preceptors for their students. Do you find that in Michigan, EM groups prefer dual FNP/ACNP? This was not the case when I was there. I am an ACNP and have classmates who work in EM but they also work alongside FNP's.

Thanks for the feedback! I was speaking with the NPs who work in our ER and they said it's getting more competitive to get NP jobs in the ER. They want you to have the dual certification so you can see patients of all ages. ACNPs can only treat pts aged 13 & up. I just want to make sure I'm the most marketable when I'm done with school. I actually like the idea of being dual certified because it opens up more options when job searching. I know my husband is really pushing me to go to MSU, but that's because his entire family are die-hard Spartan fans...LOL I have no allegiance either way, I didn't grow up in Michigan. I do like the fact that clinicals are set up for me and I don't have to run around to find sites. I'm just concerned that they have more classroom time than the other programs. I'm wondering how that will fit in with my work schedule, since I work nights.

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Specializes in Hospitalist Medicine.
Option 1~ so many pros! Local, most affordable tuition, they provide clinical placement AND you could start working as a FNP. All of these are excellent considerations.

I looked into USA because I was accepted. So many threads here had the common complaint of "disorganized" and "too much self teaching" (recorded lectures were not provided). Yes, it is online curriculum so obviously there will be self teaching, but to have no powerpoint or lecture available at all rubbed me the wrong way. Just something to consider.

Good luck!

Yeah, that's concerning. I couldn't find much in the way of recent feedback on USA. Seems most of it is from 2011/2012. Their program is appealing to me because I could get both the FNP & ACNP at the same time as the DNP and then I'd be completely done. I wish MSU offered ACNP!!! If I went to MSU for the FNP, I'd still have to finish the ACNP elsewhere. That's what makes it such a tough decision. But I do like the fact that I can work as an FNP while finishing the ACNP.

As far as online learning, that's not an issue for me. I prefer learning on my own. I get bored when the rest of the class is behind and I'm ready to move on to the next concept. As long as I can speak with the instructor if I have a question, I'm fine.

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