The University of Alabama Dual DNP FNP/PMHNP Spring 2025 applicants

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Hello all,

I wanted to start a topic about the University of Alabama dual DNP (FNP/pmhnp) program as I have not seen much information on it.

I have sent in my application for Spring 2025, if you are also applying please reach out and share your experience. If you have graduated from this program or another DNP specialty from UA please feel free to share some insight. 
 

For reference:

I sent in my application on 3/14

I had 2 letters of recommendation sent in by 3/21

the third letter was sent in 3/31

 

Has anyone had any experience with the timelines for a decision?

sanchsomie said:

I was told that they are accepting a lot of students since the program is mostly online and the clincals arrangements are done by the students. So, as long as you submit all of the requirements you will get your acceptance letter.

OK, that confirms what I've been reading...that students do this on their own. Thankfully, I've already prepared for that.

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JustAnotherNurse13 said:

OK, that confirms what I've been reading...that students do this on their own. Thankfully, I've already prepared for that.

The challenge is finding clinical placements. Unlike other schools who find clinical placements for you, UA won't do it. We have to find it ourselves. The dual DNP is 4 years so we have to prepare to have possibility of finishing it in 4 and half or 5 years just like other students who graduated recently.

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sanchsomie said:

Yeah. The dual program is 4 years. Vickie sent me the plan of study and it's 4 years. So, if you can't find clinical placement you might end finishing the program in 5 years plus sometimes you have to pay to get into clinical placement. That's what happened to some of the students that is currently in the program and just graduated.

That's what I figured happened. Vickie is who I've been talking to also. I was thinking some had to pay for a service to find preceptors and some may have had to pay preceptors outright to even precept with them. So far, I won't have to worry about paying for any of mine. I hate it's come to that, but I also understand why. 

One NP I know was working 3 jobs (because she wanted to), rounding at the hospital, telehealth, and clinic. She had a ton of responsibilities and still took on students. She's a total baddy. To top it off, she doesn't expect payment either. She did have one student whose program offered to pay her. I think she ended up accepting that but only because they offered. That's how I'm going to be. I think providers should either do it or don't. Not everybody is cut out to be a preceptor for a student. But...if you are and you take on that responsibility, I think it's your duty to give back to the profession. Kind of like a donation. If I have preceptors who are willing to do it for free as a service or donation back to the profession, I can do the same when my time comes. Just my two cents. 

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sanchsomie said:

The challenge is finding clinical placements. Unlike other schools who find clinical placements for you, UA won't do it. We have to find it ourselves. The dual DNP is 4 years so we have to prepare to have possibility of finishing it in 4 and half or 5 years just like other students who graduated recently.

I applied to the Dual MSN. It's basically 4 years too. Dual MSN is 11 semesters and Dual DNP is 12 semesters. I have both course plans because of wanting to weigh my options. The only reason I went with MSN in lieu of DNP is because of the heavier load. I'm homeschooling my two children (kindergarten and 11th grade). While I really really wanted to do DNP, I don't want to take away from my kids' school time either. While it may cost me more money and tack on another year, I can always go back and get my DNP later if I want. My mom (has her PhD in Nursing) advised I stick with the MSN because of the time and work expected of those working on their doctorate. I have a feeling I won't be going back though. From what I can tell, I'll be grandfathered in with all the other NPs and not be required to have my doctorate to practice or teach (which I don't plan to do). 

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JustAnotherNurse13 said:

Greetings! 

I wasn't sure, but I thought this thread was for NP students applying for admission to the University of Alabama's Capstone College of Nursing (CCN) in Tuscaloosa.

I applied to CCN's MSN Dual FNP/PMHNP program for Fall 2024, submitting my application and necessary documentation by the March deadline. Around the third or fourth week of April, I received my invitation to complete my virtual interview, which I completed within the two weeks given for completion/submission. My virtual interview had questions like this (not verbatim): 

  • (video response question) Why should we allow you into the program? What makes you unique? How can you contribute to the learning environment?
  • (video response question) What are some strategies you've used to adjust to overwhelming situations? Why did you use those strategies? How were they successful?
  • (video response question) Describe a time when a stressor was overwhelming. How did you overcome it? What did you learn from the entire experience?
  • (video response question) Describe a time when you received negative feedback, what you did, why you did what you did, and what you learned from it. 
  • (written response question) How would you handle a situation in which you were providing care to a patient and another provider disagreed with the treatment plan? How would go about solving the problem and coming to an agreement? 

The CCN's Coordinator of Graduate Student Services told me to expect a response with a decision about two weeks after completing the interview. So, I'm expecting to hear from someone with a decision by at least the third week of May. I must admit... I don't know what to think about that interview. I can't say I feel good or bad about it. I just didn't like it. I wish I could have done a zoom interview with someone, or at the very least had more than two minutes to speak to answer each video response question. 

A representative with the Clinical Placement Office sent me the list of clinical sites with existing/active contracts with the school. I have read various online comments/reviews from past students, both dropped out and graduated, saying the college does not assist with clinical placement. I haven't asked anyone at CCN about clinical placement assistance but probably should. At this point, I am operating on the assumption that I will not receive assistance. I have already contacted a few colleagues and began networking with local providers to make arrangements for clinicals. 

I am blessed to know numerous locally practicing providers and have already spoke with several of them about clinical placement. I already have my psych/mental health provider(s) and a couple of FNPs lined up. The only clinical area I'm really concerned about is OB/GYN. One FNP has assured me she knows a midwife who would be agreeable.

One NP works for a healthcare facility that is not on CCN's active agreement list for clinicals. I asked a CCN representative if I could initiate a contractual agreement between the facility and CCN and was told I could. Since I've gone through this process before during my undergraduate program, I have an idea of what I need to do and really don't have a problem with doing it again, especially if it means I can have the choice of who I do clinicals with and where I go to do them. 

I'm not sure how everybody else is feeling, but I'm so terribly nervous about getting in...and then, those actual classes...whew! I hear the 3 P's classes (advanced patho, advanced assessment, advanced pharm) are hardcore. I tend to over-analyze everything and stress myself out about it. I want to prepare myself for it and get a game plan for studying in place but don't know where to start. I've even asked the Graduate Student Services Coordinator if I could get a list of textbooks--she told me "no" though. Do any of you have any suggestions? Are you have a plan for studying and preparing for the coursework and quizzes/exams? 

Sorry for the long epistle...Ha! 😂

I wish all of you the best of luck! ☺️

Wow this is super informative! Thank you so much. Do you mind me asking what state you are located in?

I saw that you are also homeschooling your children, that is awesome. I considered doing that with my daughter. By the time I'm finished with the DNP she will be about 4yrs old so hopefully I figure out how to do that and balance work.

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MinasMOM said:

Wow this is super informative! Thank you so much. Do you mind me asking what state you are located in?

I saw that you are also homeschooling your children, that is awesome. I considered doing that with my daughter. By the time I'm finished with the DNP she will be about 4yrs old so hopefully I figure out how to do that and balance work.

I don't mind at all! I live in Mississippi. 

I have a fantastic husband who has been willing to let me stay at home and homeschool the kids while I return to school. I've been a nurse for 16+ years but at the ADN level. I went back for my BSN last year and knew during that program I wanted to keep going. We discussed it, and my husband said he was fine with me sitting out long enough to get through NP. I'm not saying I won't pick up a little work while in the NP Program (maybe during the semesters of clinical), but I'm not in any hurry to add onto my load either. I know my limitations and am certain I wouldn't be able to work, homeschool, and do graduate school too. 

 

I have a question for both of you that I just thought about. Have either of you asked if you can speed up the plan of study? I'm going through the MSN and not working. So, if I get going and realize I can take on more classes each semester, I'm wondering if I can do that and complete the program quicker than the 11 semesters on the plan of study they sent me. If I can speed things up, I wonder if it's realistically doable, obviously depending on individual circumstances. 

 

Oh! And I posted my interview questions, because I saw you both shared yours. I figured anybody who came and read this thread after us would find it helpful. I personally spent an awful amount of time searching for potential interview questions and practicing for that virtual interview. When I finally did the interview, I still felt ill-prepared. I have a terrible case of ADHD and OCD, in case you haven't already picked up on it...LOL! 

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JustAnotherNurse13 said:

I don't mind at all! I live in Mississippi. 

I have a fantastic husband who has been willing to let me stay at home and homeschool the kids while I return to school. I've been a nurse for 16+ years but at the ADN level. I went back for my BSN last year and knew during that program I wanted to keep going. We discussed it, and my husband said he was fine with me sitting out long enough to get through NP. I'm not saying I won't pick up a little work while in the NP Program (maybe during the semesters of clinical), but I'm not in any hurry to add onto my load either. I know my limitations and am certain I wouldn't be able to work, homeschool, and do graduate school too. 

 

I have a question for both of you that I just thought about. Have either of you asked if you can speed up the plan of study? I'm going through the MSN and not working. So, if I get going and realize I can take on more classes each semester, I'm wondering if I can do that and complete the program quicker than the 11 semesters on the plan of study they sent me. If I can speed things up, I wonder if it's realistically doable, obviously depending on individual circumstances. 

That's so awesome! I'm so happy to hear that you have a great support. I am in similar shoes and plan on just keeping a PRN and mostly focusing on this next step. 
I did ask if it was possible to spend up or take an extra class. I was told you needed to get a special permission and it was highly not recommended. 
I didn't push further as I'm a new mom and still learning my limits. 

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I got into the dual DNP program. Applied in March. I hope to work full-time while in school full-time. I have little to no support system. I am just trusting God totally to walk with me through this. I will be transferring 12 credits, so I don't know how that will work with regard to years, etc. Trying not to be anxious but not sure how the work load will be. 

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Graceful said:

I got into the dual DNP program. Applied in March. I hope to work full-time while in school full-time. I have little to no support system. I am just trusting God totally to walk with me through this. I will be transferring 12 credits, so I don't know how that will work with regard to years, etc. Trying not to be anxious but not sure how the work load will be. 

I'm sorry you have little to no support. While having a support system through difficult times, like what we are taking on, is certainly relieving and helpful, I believe God puts us on our individual paths for various reasons that we may not understand or realize. God never places more burden on you than He knows you can bear. With that said, I believe you must be a strong and brave person, because you feel you're able to take on this challenge despite the absence of support. I say all of this with sincerity and hope you find it encouraging. I think we all could use a little encouragement right now. I don't know about y'all, but I'm definitely out of my element. LOL! 

While we may be enrolled in different programs, you in DNP and I in MSN, many of our classes are the same. If we can stay in touch, like on here, I don't mind being what I like to call "a phone-a-friend friend". I don't mind helping with something if I'm able. If we take a class at the same time or one takes a class before the other, we can provide each other with some insight or help.
 

My offer to help and support others going through this program is open to anyone here. We are tackling a huge challenge, and we've already identified a few possible issues that one or all of us may encounter along the way. I'm all for helping each other out and providing support, just like if we were back in undergraduate school and doing study groups. While I have many friends who currently practice as NPs, most of them have been out of school for a long time. So, studying with or getting helpful tips from them just wouldn't be the same as working with classmates. 

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JustAnotherNurse13 said:

I'm sorry you have little to no support. While having a support system through difficult times, like what we are taking on, is certainly relieving and helpful, I believe God puts us on our individual paths for various reasons that we may not understand or realize. God never places more burden on you than He knows you can bear. With that said, I believe you must be a strong and brave person, because you feel you're able to take on this challenge despite the absence of support. I say all of this with sincerity and hope you find it encouraging. I think we all could use a little encouragement right now. I don't know about y'all, but I'm definitely out of my element. LOL! 

While we may be enrolled in different programs, you in DNP and I in MSN, many of our classes are the same. If we can stay in touch, like on here, I don't mind being what I like to call "a phone-a-friend friend". I don't mind helping with something if I'm able. If we take a class at the same time or one takes a class before the other, we can provide each other with some insight or help.
 

My offer to help and support others going through this program is open to anyone here. We are tackling a huge challenge, and we've already identified a few possible issues that one or all of us may encounter along the way. I'm all for helping each other out and providing support, just like if we were back in undergraduate school and doing study groups. While I have many friends who currently practice as NPs, most of them have been out of school for a long time. So, studying with or getting helpful tips from them just wouldn't be the same as working with classmates. 

I second this completely! If yall look back I provided my email please reach out and stay in touch. I would have provided my phone number but apparently there are rules to that on here. So please both of you reach out. I've already been in contact with one other through exchanging numbers through email. I truly believe that no one else will truly understand your journey and it is great to have a group of people with the same drive and ambition to uplift each other. 

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Graceful said:

I got into the dual DNP program. Applied in March. I hope to work full-time while in school full-time. I have little to no support system. I am just trusting God totally to walk with me through this. I will be transferring 12 credits, so I don't know how that will work with regard to years, etc. Trying not to be anxious but not sure how the work load will be. 

I am not sure of the ins and outs of your circumstances but I will say that even getting through nursing school shows your determination and resilience. You can and will do this, of course it will not be easy but once you get there and you look back on your journey it's going to be such an exhilarating experience. 
I am no stranger to running on my own sense or need to succeed. As a matter of fact it was like is up until I married a couple years ago learned what support looked like. Then I became a mom which made everything 1000x more difficult but I truly believe through these difficulties it gave me the understanding that I can do anything. Not saying that it will be easy but this is preparing you for this next step. I placed my email in another response earlier, please keep in contact. 

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JustAnotherNurse13 said:

I'm sorry you have little to no support. While having a support system through difficult times, like what we are taking on, is certainly relieving and helpful, I believe God puts us on our individual paths for various reasons that we may not understand or realize. God never places more burden on you than He knows you can bear. With that said, I believe you must be a strong and brave person, because you feel you're able to take on this challenge despite the absence of support. I say all of this with sincerity and hope you find it encouraging. I think we all could use a little encouragement right now. I don't know about y'all, but I'm definitely out of my element. LOL! 

While we may be enrolled in different programs, you in DNP and I in MSN, many of our classes are the same. If we can stay in touch, like on here, I don't mind being what I like to call "a phone-a-friend friend". I don't mind helping with something if I'm able. If we take a class at the same time or one takes a class before the other, we can provide each other with some insight or help.
 

My offer to help and support others going through this program is open to anyone here. We are tackling a huge challenge, and we've already identified a few possible issues that one or all of us may encounter along the way. I'm all for helping each other out and providing support, just like if we were back in undergraduate school and doing study groups. While I have many friends who currently practice as NPs, most of them have been out of school for a long time. So, studying with or getting helpful tips from them just wouldn't be the same as working with classmates. 

Thanks, that's so nice of you. We should all definitely link up, stay in touch and start a study group. We sure will take same classes and we could support and help each other out through this journey. 

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