UAB vs USA

penniv · Nov 30, 2010

I've just finished my Adult NP through UAB. You setup your own clinical sites. You are given a list of already made contract sites, however, if your desired site isn't on there you can have a contract made between them and the SON. It takes a few months to creat a new site, so I'd be on the lookout in advance. As for applying, etc, I found it a very easy process. I only had to go to campus twice throughout the entire program. If you have more specific questions, I would call the director of the NNP program and talk to her/him.

Good luck!!

amberfnp · Dec 1, 2010

I am finishing up the FNP program at USA. When I applied in Fall 2008 (to start spring 2009 then changed to summer 09), I found the process easy and when I had questions, I usually had prompt responses. I had actually found out about the program the week of the application deadline and they were willing to accept mine if it arrived late. I had my acceptance letter about 1 month later. From posts I've seen on here, they have many more applications now and the wait time is longer. No GRE, No essay unless things have changed.

USA has 2 ways of pursing contracts. One is via a short 2 page contract (the easy way). The other is via clinical affiliation, a very LONG process of which you have NO influence and rarely any updates. There is a list of current approved affiliation facilities, but you still need to contact and set up preceptors and do a little paperwork. I approached my sites (all in Virginia) with the 2 page contract. Only 2 sites (a larger health system and the health dept) required the affiliation, which after 7 months of waiting, I found out were NOT approved. So basically, afiiliation or not, you still set up your own sites/preceptors. You do videos or site visits with your clinical instructor once per semester. The site visit is if you are within 2 hours from your instructor. However, for those of us at > 2 hour distance, they flew an instructor out to us one time for 2-3 hour site visit.

One thing I have found from talking with classmates who live near USA and know students in other programs is that each and every track seems to run a little differently, so I cannot speak to the specifics of the NNP track. FNP is stressful, TONS of reading, a little unorganized and inflexible at times, but doable. After speaking with student in local programs in my area, they have the same complaints. So I try to let my frustrations roll.

I also found that the price was right...in state tuition for out of state students!

I also contacted UAB. I had no reservations about them but didn't apply. I think I chose USA because it was less expensive (or was at the time)

ellenrn2000 · Dec 3, 2010

Hi 92mxmom, thank you for the detailed experience at USA.

I am a California licensed FNP and now looking to obtain my DNP after 5 years in practice.

So, searching through the USA website, it appears for someone in my situation, it would require a 36-unit option to obtain my DNP without specialty than what I have now. So, if I read it correctly, it appears that just the "DNP" portion would not require any more clinicals? Or does it just encompass capstone project? I like USA's online format, and sounds like you had a good experience at USA. Thanks in advance.

amberfnp · Dec 3, 2010

I really don't know much about the DNP. No desire to go that route right now. I can tell you 2 of our instructors started and dropped out the first semester because they wanted a more clinical based curriculum.

Starchaser23 · May 2, 2012

I was accepted to DNP program at UAB and USA for fall 2012 entry, any advices/thoughts on which school I should go for? There seems to be a lot of posts about USA but not UAB. Thanks