United States University (USU) FNP program January 2021

[babyisa]

Hope everyone is doing well. I write this post in the hopes of finding other current students of USU's FNP program; specifically, those that are starting this January as well. I applied and was accepted for the January cohort however, I wanted to hear if others have insight about their program based on personal experience. I'd be so grateful for any input.

Thank you!

 

[latresa Stewart, ADN, BSN, MSN]

Oh OK, I see I don’t have to take 561. It was removed my next class will be 590

[nansno]

Hello all,

     I've been at USU since April 2019, will graduate the end of June.  Took a 2 month break to help my mother go through hospice.  From the beginning I have created a study group of other students.  I chose those in my classes I felt a connection with when I read their weekly posts.  I have created two wonderful networks of fellow students that commiserate, encourage and socialize via the internet, we even visit each other periodically.  I miss on campus learning and study groups so I will video call fellow class mates and "virtual study group".

     My recommendations so far...

  Don't work the second year, the two types of nurses (In patient RN and FNP) think and react different and it is difficult to learn how to be a FNP when you are still practicing as an RN.

  Buy a Leik NP study guide now, latest version, and look up every topic as you go, this will help you get the most important information for each topic. The info is in short snipits that are easy to digest.

     Start a quizlet account and start saving questions.  Look for questions on quizlet by the author of your text book.

     Make friends and encourage each other, help each other with clinical preceptors, build relationships that will advance you as a professional for years to come.

     Utilize the librarian early in your education.  Make an appointment and have her/them show you around.  They have so many tips and tricks that are lost to those who don't.  They can make your life much easier!

     The OFE is not going to find preceptors for you.  They do the paperwork on their end, and send reminders.  They have too many students to babysit, and not enough contacts in all states to truly help. Ask other graduates, professors, students in classes ahead of you for who they recommend, and always offer an "honorarium" to potential preceptors.

     Do not burn bridges.  It seems common sense, but don't steal another students preceptor by offering more money etc. This is unprofessional and cruel for a profession that is supposed to be so trusting.  If another student offers to share their preceptors info, work with the other student to get your time in.

     Buy a nice desk top calendar and fill out to-do's every term for each week.  It is easy to miss something small that turns into something big.  I even color code mine, since we have similar tasks in two classes during the second year due weekly.

     Last, when you start Project Nurse....  Pay attention to the program required SOAP notes, ie: 21 are due, 6 are pediatrics, but 3 must be pediatric well exams of specific age ranges. Plan these out and keep track so you don't have to do more than you have to.  Also, PN hours, all pediatric patients are 1 hour in the journal area, regardless of the time you spend.  This will help you to keep track of pediatrics, which I am noticing is the hardest to fulfill all 80.  Geriatrics is not very hard to get done, but Women's health can be.  Women's health includes anything reproductive, contraceptives, paps, breast exams, so click the right boxes in PN to get credit.

     Be kind to your professors, they are trying to help, and most are amazing if you just communicate with them.  Don't use the D2L email app, use your Gmail. Most professors don't see the D2L very often, but they get their Gmail immediately.

     Good luck on this journey!  Congratulations on your successes, and remember to pay it back when you have experience and are able to precept.

[Guest1030824]

Wow! Thank you so much for a detailed list of information that will help me a lot in the FNP program. I feel 100% more motivated to get through this.:-)

[latresa Stewart, ADN, BSN, MSN]

I really appreciate this. Very sorry to hear about your mother. Pray all is well. Thank you for the detail information. I will make note of all this. THANK YOU AGAIN!

[latresa Stewart, ADN, BSN, MSN]

Trying to find that Leik study guide, not sure which one is the update book to purchase. If anyone finds it please share the information. Thank you!

[nansno]

https://www.amazon.com/Family-Practitioner-Certification-Intensive-Review/dp/0826163726/ref=pd_all_pref_1?pd_rd_w=SnW6V&pf_rd_p=e6474b7e-8fb6-4ee2-b5d6-a1da55185fe6&pf_rd_r=F267KJ31AB8N08E5M1M0&pd_rd_r=7c076a3f-d078-4419-bf71-30ad1146cf7a&pd_rd_wg=2LQky&pd_rd_i=0826163726&psc=1

This is the latest.  I love the digital version for the search option.  I don't typically even crack my books, just use the online versions since searching is so much easier.

[latresa Stewart, ADN, BSN, MSN]

Thank you so much, purchasing it now! 

[MelRN85]

Thank you for the tips for getting through, I start March 02. I'm nervous but this program seems too good to be true. In your post, you mentioned something about paying for preceptors... is this a common thing?

[Li Lei]

Hello:

 I just came across USU and then came here to learn more. Can I ask how the program is going? 

You can reply here or via email at [email protected]

 

Any info is greatly appreciated. I am okay finding my own clinicals/preceptors. Self learning is fine also.. I'm more concerned with being prepared for state licensure as I saw another person posted that you sign off on a waiver that states they do not prepare you for state examination. 

[babyisa, MSN, NP]

Hi Li Lei! I am happy to provide input. My email is [email protected]. It may perhaps be easier to email as I am not on here frequently.

 

[latresa Stewart, ADN, BSN, MSN]

latresas@gmail, I can provide input as well. Don’t check this often. Trying to study for my midterm in advance patho 

[NVRN_17, ADN, BSN, RN]

Hi everyone, I’ve looked into United States University FNP and would like input from students that are currently in the program or have completed it. I’m in Nevada, if anyone from NV has completed this program I would love to know about the experience finding preceptors and studying/taking the state exam. Thanks.