Univ. of South Alabama Adv. Emergency (FNP/AGAC-NP) BSN to DNP - Reviews? Advice?

Urtania · Aug 21, 2014

Yes, You get what you pay for.

I'm a 2nd year student in the dual role MSN program at USA. Don't expect it to be an organized and timely program. Expect a lot of paperwork and hoop jumping to figure out exactly what is going on. I recommend searching for FB forums of students and begin to follow. You might get a better sense of what to expect.

zips2015 · Aug 30, 2014

Thanks for posting!

How's your experience been overall? I'm curious about the quality of the classes - do you feel like you're learning?

Urtania · Aug 30, 2014

It's been quite the experience. The classes aren't there to teach, but are there to provide resources for you to learn. It's a means to an end at an affordable rate. The classes are not high quality and the website design is very confusing. The professors also have a difficult time keeping each other in the loop. For example, I submitted paperwork for clincals and my professor was waiting for it to arrive in her physical mailbox; she didn't get the memo that everything is now electronic.

I learn more from following the EMCRIT podcasts. The most difficult part of the program was finding family practice, OBGYN, and pediatric preceptors. Remember, these preceptors do not get any kickbackcs or payment from the University, but they are expected to be highly qualified and board certified. Some students found companies that will find their preceptors for $15/clinical hour or $5,000 for one year.

Think about why you want to go to school. It's all the same board exam at the end. I asked one of the administrators at clinical orientation about their pass rate for FNP and ACNP boards from their ENP students, and he said it's >90%. The program works well for me because I travel a lot for work and leisure. Good luck:)

littlepeopleRNICU · Aug 31, 2014

For what it's worth, and this may entirely be specific to the individual programs, I know two people who have graduated from USA's programs, and one that is currently in one, and they all love it and can't say enough good things about it. That being said, one is currently in the NNP program, and the others that graduated are PNP and NNP. No idea on the ENP program.

littlepeopleRNICU · Aug 31, 2014

It's been quite the experience. The classes aren't there to teach, but are there to provide resources for you to learn. It's a means to an end at an affordable rate. The classes are not high quality and the website design is very confusing. The professors also have a difficult time keeping each other in the loop. For example, I submitted paperwork for clincals and my professor was waiting for it to arrive in her physical mailbox; she didn't get the memo that everything is now electronic.
I learn more from following the EMCRIT podcasts. The most difficult part of the program was finding family practice, OBGYN, and pediatric preceptors. Remember, these preceptors do not get any kickbackcs or payment from the University, but they are expected to be highly qualified and board certified. Some students found companies that will find their preceptors for $15/clinical hour or $5,000 for one year.
Think about why you want to go to school. It's all the same board exam at the end. I asked one of the administrators at clinical orientation about their pass rate for FNP and ACNP boards from their ENP students, and he said it's >90%. The program works well for me because I travel a lot for work and leisure. Good luck:)

Can you give me a little more info on the program? I'm not finding some answers from the website I would like to. Is the ENP only offered full-time? I'm trying to decide between FNP and ACNP, so I was also looking at dual programs. Is ER experience required? I do have adult telemetry experience, but it's not in the ER specifically. Thanks!