Has anyone done this program? I'm looking into it and it seems great but there are hardly any updates reviews. Thanks!

On 7/2/2019 at 1:09 PM, perfectzero01 said:

I'm in the program now. My experience after about a year.

All of the teachers, except for one, do not communicate well and rarely reply to emails. When you ask a question (after bugging for a while), they respond with "its a graduate course, you need to figure it out on your own." I wish I was kidding about this, but they must hire the bottom of the barrel here. The teachers feel that since its an online class, they don't need to interact with students. So be prepared for poor communication

Due to the poor communication and lack of proper planning, don't be surprised if you are not prepared for the HESI exams they throw at you. My current class has a majority of students that got blindsided taking the test and did poorly. I blame the teacher since the lack of communication and misguidance (She told all of us that the test would be similar to the quizzes; which they weren't). Again, when you had a question on a quiz problem which seemed incorrect, they (teachers) would refuse to go over it.

Bottom line, take it for what it is (an online course to hopefully get you sitting for the exam). Don't expect any quality of teaching whatsoever (And by the way, I went to UCLA for a prior (unrelated) grad degree, so I know "what a student should expect in a graduate course"

I just finished my first course, and I felt that It was overwhelming. I work 8-5 and did not feel as if I had enough time to complete all of the required assignments on time and have time for anything else. There are 2 discussion posts per week, you had to respond to 2 classmates on 2 different days on each post and use a scholarly source from the last 5 years (most referenced the book). Each week there were at least 3 chapters to read and based on each reading there was a 10 question quiz (open book) weekly and no way to see the correct answers. On top of all of that, there was an assignment every week and one "signature" assignment with a 2000 word requirement.. I am familiar with a Master's prepared curriculum and I did not feel the same support as I had before.

Truthfully the pay for a RN or FNP (albeit making 125K a year) is not that great living in most parts of California and is definitely not enough to support a family on one salary. I doubt many individuals got into nursing because they thought there would be riches galore.

I believe this thread was created and expanded upon to have a deeper understanding of the USU program not to dissuade individuals from becoming FNP's. Honestly, some people might not be interested in the role of an FNP, they just want to have the MSN to promote within their respective organizations.

With regards to saturation, NP's are also listed number 6 on the fastest growing occupations occupational outlook on the BLS website. People will throw a lot of shade on your academic pursuits either because they are jealous, scared of a challenge, or quite frankly uninterested in the experience or attaining the education.

Truthfully, becoming an FNP might not be for everyone, but honestly it helped me get to the place I am right now and am thankful for the experience.

You will learn a ton during the clinical rotations, way more than any book from any University is going to teach you. Would it be cooler to have a MSN from UCLA or USC? Absolutely! But for individuals with families and individuals who do not want to spend 50K on an MSN, USU is a great option.

https://www.bls.gov/ooh/fastest-growing.htm

https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nurse-anesthetists-nurse-midwives-and-nurse-practitioners.htm

4 hours ago, irvine123 said:

@CANURSE999 thats a bad example, and those doctors who do those things are fined and suspended. If you just want to be a NP and hope you dont kill anyone, than the job isnt for you.

4 hours ago, bryanleo9 said:

In some parts of California FNP are making less than RN. I have posted this and ads repeatedly on this site. Most RN make over 125k a year and the few ads for FNP are 99 - 120k. Sacramento has one of the worst np markets.

4 hours ago, irvine123 said:

The NP sector is saturated in many parts of the US. And the pay is only a small amount more than an actual nurse who works in a critical unit, with any program, you have to find the preceptors. Understand why you want to do an NP, its much more responsibility, and if you are looking for easy schools, don't do it, because you will be the provider prescribing and diagnosing and could be making mistakes.

I started in May, 2020. I am 55 years old. I like the program. Most of the instructors have been great. Don't let age hold you back. The pay as you go without interest and the total cost of $27,000 was an incentive. Looking for a preceptor has been hard. I start clinicals in August. Best of luck to you. Let me know if you have any other questions. I am happy to help.

I graduated from USU(FNP) last year. Though I did not apply for financial aid because I choose the payment plan option. But, I knew some of my former classmates that used financial aid with no problem. All through my 2 years at USU, I did not have a problem with anyone.

 

I don't know where you are getting your info from but I can share my experience. This program has been revamped and is one of the fastest growing successful in terms of students graduating and passing their boards.

1. I attended USU for 2 years and yes with some Financial aide without a problem.

2. I graduated last year with most to all of my cohort which was pretty large and I don't know anyone who did not eventually graduate form the school unless the left the program.

3. I am licensed in 2 states and is currently opening up my own Family Health practice .

At the end of the day this program works if you allow it. You get what you put in, it's not a walk in the park as it should not be. People lives are dependent on you as a provider. 

Specializes in ER, IR, Pre-Op, PACU.

I haven't had any issues. The school is CCNE accredited

United States University
College of Nursing
7675 Mission Valley Road
San Diego, CA 92108
Link to Website

Chief Nurse Administrator: Jennifer K. Billingsley, DNP, FNP-BC, CNE
Title: Dean
E-Mail: [email protected]
Phone: 602-885-2495

Master's Accreditation

Initial Accreditation Date:September 8, 2014

Most Recent Accreditation Date:September 11, 2017

Accreditation Term Expires:June 30, 2028

Last On-Site Evaluation:September 2017

Next On-Site Evaluation:Fall 2027

Specializes in Step-down/ICU/Admin.

Hi all, I hope you find the following information useful. When I was searching around about USU, I could not find much information and would like to dispense this information to all who are currently seeking it.

I started this program early May of 2021.

Applying and enrolling was simple enough (which kind of scared me). What really intrigued me was the pay-as-you go plan of $375/month and a much lower overall price compared to other schools. I still have student loans I have to pay off and was not interested in paying 50K+ for this program. I believe that you can get a great education as long as you put in the work and take the effort to teach yourself all that there is to learn.

Personally, I did struggle between applying to reputable schools (whether public or private) and applying to USU. I still wonder if my choice in school will impact me once I am in the job market, but that is yet a bridge I have to cross. I have considered transferring to a different program, but it would cost me more time in doing so and time is one thing I do not like wasting.

Thus far, the courses have been tolerable and doable (I am half-way into my 4th class right now). I work 40 hours a week/night shift as a Nursing Supervisor. Not sure how I will do once the second year commences with two classes a term and clinicals on top of that. I am considering leaving my current role to one that allows me to complete school within the 24-month time period if it turns out not to be feasible. I have no intentions on taking time off or prolonging my studies, but I have EVERY intention of getting out of inpatient/COVID units sooner rather than later due to burn out and PTSD.

Majority of the coursework has consisted of discussion boards and replies (what I call the "fluff work"). A few group projects, which I have found to be the most difficult part for a variety of reasons: some of us are in different time zones (which made connecting very difficult), work ethic varies between each student, and your name is on the work that others do. I have found myself giving feedback to correct work/verbiage/presentation to some of my classmates or just adjusting their work myself as I have high expectations of the work I submit with MY name on it. It is in these group projects where I began to wonder ... do they just let anybody in who has their RN license, GPA criteria met, and willing to pay? 

However - not my monkey, not my circus.

The instructors have ALL been receptive and responsive - which I appreciate.

There are quizzes and midterms, even in the "fluff work" classes.

Overall, the program has been good. No big, glaring issues. Should that change, I can provide an update.

Hope this helps! ?

This school is legit so is national.  They’re regionally accredited in CA which makes them superior To 95 percent of the schools in the country.  

I heard from an admissions rep who stated: 

The Cert Program for FNP just came out this year. It has to go through a full cycle, 16 months before CCNE can take a look at it and say yes it will be accredited or not. And all of our programs are Regionally Accredited through WASC.

with the money we’re paying I think I’d prefer to play it safe and choose an already nationally accredited program. Are you looking for programs in Scal specifically ? 

Specializes in Pediatric Home Healthcare.
EthanRN97 said:

Hey everyone! I was wondering if there are anyone here who is currently a student or has been a student at U.S. University Primary Care FNP Program? I have been interested in the program for some time. I would like to know your thoughts on the program. Is it worth going? How are the professors? Anything pertinent aspiring students might want to know? Thank you!

I graduated from the program in February 2022 and sat for boards in April. I am just finishing my DNP now. No issues finding work. Most of the professors were great! It was worth attending, yes. I took Sarah Michelle for board review. I would recommend going through her course before doing your clinical. It's an affordable program. The first year you can work as usual. The second year will be intense but worth it. 

Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

I've completed my FNP with USU from 2021 to 2023. Passed boards on my first try (with help of additional services...USU didn't prep me nearly enough). I was readily employed.

Highlights:
- I achieved my degree for $2x,000 and was able to get 0% loan with them to finance it. That's a huge plus.
- Immersion: There is a 3-4 day in person course called immersion. This occurs about month 14. It is high quality education from sun-up to sun-down. I learned tons here included real-life human actors for assessment practice.
- My advisor was always reachable
- Professors that are passionate about teaching and will take extra time with you but only if you reach out to them (so reach out). Otherwise, you'll never hear from them. Like ever.
- I'm licensed, certified, and employed. No one really asks about where I went IRL.
- The first 9 months are a breeze. The next 6 months are tough. The last months are pretty insane.

Cons:
- Finding your own placement for clinicals. Talk about anxiety! And the Office of Field Experience is so understaffed it's hopeless, I think I spoke to one agent there that said they have 250+ students. No wonder it took me weeks to get a hold of them.
- The University seems to work against you in getting clinicals. For example, I found placement with a well respected MD with 40+ experience. He was no longer Board Certified (but licensed, obviously). He said Board Certifications was a scam and he didn't want to pay it anymore. USU said that was fine until I submitted his paperwork...then it wasn't fine. That almost delayed me a semester. Another story, I found a FNP to precept me for 135 hours (the minimum for FNP preceptor). The University messed up on her paperwork and told me "sorry, you'll just have to delay until next semester."
- The first year, your classmates are embarrassingly stupid. As long as they keep paying, they can stay in the program. Brace yourself for group projects with students that will make you shutter that they are even RNs. Don't worry, they get filtered out after USU gets about 15 months of tuition from them

If financial is your primary concern and you're okay with the high amounts of stress from finding your own placements and okay with not having the best education then this is for you. 

Well, I live in San Diego and have never heard of it. This is a for profit school. Why would you want to go here? Apply to reputable public and private non-profit schools.

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