UMSL DNP

DrCOVID, DNP · Jun 23, 2020

Hey ? WOW!! I never thought I'd see the day someone here goes to my alma mater. I did my BSN there 05-09. It was a great program all of us passed NCLEX, though like any we had our torturous professors that used scare tactics... I know the faculty are probably all gone... but it was a good school.

JDPsychNP · Jun 23, 2020

? I got my BSN there too, through the accelerated program, and OMG YES the scare tactics were on point. haha I can hardly find any forums or anything that have info on their DNP program though. I am confident it is a good program, just wanted some inside info for pointers. What school are you going to for your DNP? How is that going?

DrCOVID, DNP · Jun 23, 2020

I joined the military out of college and ended up in big city in Texas. For privacy reasons, I don't wanna say where. It's a private brick and mortar, hybrid program (meaning we have class days on campus, but most of the time we are in clinic or are expected to get lectures online and do readings). Hybrids are perfect, as you shouldn't be in lecture for hours and more focused on clinic anyway. This also allows for you to coordinate with your preceptors schedule.

I would say the biggest issues for any program are clinical placements and capstone project logistics. Class work is easy compared to what we did as undergrads. I would expect UMSL to have the clinic rotations arranged for you already as they are a big state school and most of the time these types do. Yr 1 was mostly theory, and the 3 Ps. Yr 2 you start your capstone and clinic. Year 3 you take your final diagnoses classes, finish your project and prep for boards and graduation. If you can, find a small private practice for your capstone. Avoid government orgs at all costs.

What is the program structure there? I graduate this December!? It was 3 years Spring, Summer, fall. The summers make up what would be the 4th traditional year of a doctorate. We did a lot of writing and heavy group projects year 1 and 2.

JDPsychNP · Jun 23, 2020

OH Awesome! I was in the AF too. ? Your program sounds great, I wish mine was hybrid, I do enjoy some class time with lectures and personal interaction with other students.

I start in the fall, so I still have a lot to learn as far as what I am getting myself into, ha!. But pretty similar to yours in that the first year is mainly theory, policy, statistics, research classes. Then builds from there. I am planning on going part-time so with take me 4 years to complete the DNP. I applied to the VA HPSP scholarship though, so if I get that, I may change to FT, since it comes with a stipend to help with bills.

Makes total sense to stay away from big govt orgs, good pointer there for sure. They take for ever to get anything done or approved.

JDPsychNP · Jun 23, 2020

OH Awesome! I was in the AF too. Your program sounds great, I wish mine was hybrid, I do enjoy some class time with lectures and personal interaction with other students.

I start in the fall, so I still have a lot to learn as far as what I am getting myself into, ha!. But pretty similar to yours in that the first year is mainly theory, policy, statistics, research classes. Then builds from there. I am planning on going part-time so with take me 4 years to complete the DNP. I applied to the VA HPSP Scholarship though, so if I get that, I may change to FT, since it comes with a stipend to help with bills.

Makes total sense to stay away from big govt orgs, good pointer there for sure. They take for ever to get anything done or approved.

DrCOVID, DNP · Jun 23, 2020

Yeah, let me know if you have any questions. Sorry I can't precept you haha. I still have friends and family in the StL area.

I wish I had done HPSP for medical school. Too late now!! I'm very happy though. Being a provider either way made my life so much better.

JDPsychNP · Jun 23, 2020

Thats awesome! Thanks for your input. I will def ask if I have more questions!