United States University (USU) FNP

What Members Are Saying (AI-Generated Summary)

Members are discussing their experiences and considerations regarding the U.S. University Primary Care FNP Program. Topics include enrollment process, payment plans, accreditation status, program intensity, clinical rotations, professors, and overall satisfaction with the program. Some members are seeking advice on choosing a nationally accredited program and the effectiveness of on-campus intensives in preparing for clinical practice.

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

Specializes in Med Surg.

Yes I think it is important students know this up front.  If had known it would be this difficult, I would have reconsidered my decision to go to this school.  The one MD I am precepting with now mentioned that it is truly a shame this and many other online programs put this responsibility on the students.  

Specializes in Pediatric Home Healthcare.
59 minutes ago, AMCNurse said:

Yes I think it is important students know this up front.  If had known it would be this difficult, I would have reconsidered my decision to go to this school.  The one MD I am precepting with now mentioned that it is truly a shame this and many other online programs put this responsibility on the students.  

Yes, but I've also heard of students at other universities who do place students with preceptors. The fine print, apparently, is that the preceptors can be out of state. That's hearsay, and I don't want to perpetuate something that may not be true. 

If I have to pay for a preceptor, I will. It just goes against everything I believe. Can you ask the doc that you are with if he is willing to take you on for another term? Maybe he can help you out. I believe the NP I am assigned to for my first rotation will allow me to precept with her a second rotation. She does not take anyone over the age of 64. so I don't think I can get my geriatrics and with her. And I may not be able to get pediatrics and women's Health with her. 

I absolutely agree that there should be more support from universities to really be canvassing on behalf of their students. For profits, non-profits, whatever, all make money on the backs of their students. And I do agree completely that there should be an all-out effort put forth from all universities. 

If there's anything I can do to help you, I would be happy to. I'm in Colorado and don't know where you are, but if you would like to message me, privately, I can try to help you figure out something. I may come up empty, but I'm willing to try.

Linda 

Linda j Cecere@gmail .com. No spaces

 

 

 

 

Its easy to get a preceptor. Sorry its true. People r just lazy or scared to sell themselves.  I had 8 for 5 spots. 3 more than I needed. And I only called places 3 miles away from where I lived in Santa Monica. First start thinking about how to get past the secretaryt to the Dr on the phone. Second start thinking about what the client wants and what u bring to the table. Third come up with a 30 second sentence where they will say yes. 

I could give u my template but I want to see what u come up with. Sorry to be snarky but I thought that was pretty simple for me in SoCal.

Specializes in Pediatric Home Healthcare.
4 minutes ago, krisdew2 said:

Its easy to get a preceptor. Sorry its true. People r just lazy or scared to sell themselves.  I had 8 for 5 spots. 3 more than I needed. And I only called places 3 miles away from where I lived in Santa Monica. First start thinking about how to get past the secretaryt to the Dr on the phone. Second start thinking about what the client wants and what u bring to the table. Third come up with a 30 second sentence where they will say yes. 

I could give u my template but I want to see what u come up with. Sorry to be snarky but I thought that was pretty simple for me in SoCal.

Well, I guess an assignment of being lazy is relative, right? Because I'm not lazy. I went door to door and delivered packets of my resume and information from the school. I also included pastries and things to make me remembered by. When you live in a small town, lazy has nothing to do with it. I put forth a great deal of effort. And yes, you are snarky.

Linda

Ya lazy isn't a good word on a nursing board....LOL ...strike that. Call me I will walk u through. Too long to type. Send me your info.

 

None of those pastries made it past the mouths of the staff and your resume was left on the pile of the Dr. with all the other files etc etc. What does the Dr want? What does the front desk staff girl want? Think about it?

 

And here is a hint. The Dr or NP doesn't really care. They kind of do what the office manager wants. Bc they truly keep the busy work and head-aches out of the providers hair.  The Dr cares to a point but really they don't want another headache or liability. SO make it easy for them. I forgot it was a year ago but forgot. There was this office manager typical obese never left her seat for 10 hours a day. Mean as can be. And she told me the Dr. charges $500 per semester. I said I will be there tomorrow. I showed up with the school form filled out and ready for a signature. And a few $100 bills in my pocket. I gave her the form and talked with her about how the Dr makes all the money but the staff do all the work blah blah blah. I then gave her one of the bills and said my school needs to approve the site and me before I can pay the preceptor fee.  She agreed. I came back 6 or 7 weeks later to start fully prepared to pay the $500. But I handed the office manager another $100 and thanked her for getting me in there. I was never asked for the fee after that...LOL. Just get creative and bold. I am working now. I am earnign now. Nursing isn't a community. Nurses eat thier young.  If u are not prepared to spend $500 for 15 weeks ....think about the tuition you are paying. Get that chip off your shoulder and spend the money get out and start enjoying your freedom. I think all in all I paid $1750 for my 5 preceptors in total. But I got done in 3 semesters.  My tuition was $24K. Drop in the bucket.

Krisdew2 thank you for offering help! 

edit: I am clearing 2100/week now as NP. yes it was worth it. nite ?

This is very disheartening! I will be at this point of the program in a few months and I feel that office of field placement is worthless! If we either have to find our own preceptors or be forced to pay a service what are they even a whole payed/staffed department at the university for? 

Specializes in Pediatric Home Healthcare.
2 minutes ago, Monica M. Harvey BSN RN said:

This is very disheartening! I will be at this point of the program in a few months and I feel that office of field placement is worthless! If we either have to find our own preceptors or be forced to pay a service what are they even a whole payed/staffed department at the university for? 

I read something, maybe a year ago about universities being required to supply preceptors. I don't know whatever happened to that. I only have one so far. I don't start until the end of June, but I'm just not hearing back from people. I live in a very rural area and have been trying to contact people in the bigger city areas. because all of the smaller clinics have been purchased by large ones and those large clinics all contract with the big University in colorado, it is very hard to get in. I think there are a couple of agencies that help find preceptors that don't charge. I will certainly share if I find out anything more. What area are you in?

Linda

My biggest issue is I told the university I would not be able to find a preceptor position with just moving and Covid. They went on to assure me they would. I just think they should be honest up front.  I was told again this week they would find a preceptor for me. I will try and locate my own preceptor but I have a son who is on a ventilator so I try and limit leaving the house with Covid. I would have waited to start the program if I was told I would have to locate my own preceptor. It is not worth my son’s life. 

+ Join the Discussion