University of South Alabama FNP

[odugrad]

I am applying to USA's FNP program for this fall. I would love to hear from someone who is currently attending or who has recently graduated from this program. Did you have trouble finding clinical preceptors? Are the professors available if you have questions or concerns? How often do you have to visit campus? Overall, are you satisfied with the education you are receiving?

Thanks

[gvwc]

Hi,

I did apply for FNP online for this summer. I have no idea how long it will take before I hear back from them... if I get accepted... I read a lot of positive and negative feedbacks about USA. As far as application process, the staff was pretty helpful. What state are you from?

Where are you from

[EquuszARNP]

I just spoke to the dean on the phone. She says she has students from all over the country. I've sent in my transcripts for an evaluation, thinking of applying in April, if they'll let me prove my licensure in May (scheduled to take the NCLEX May 1). I'm in Oregon. You schedule clinicals in your own area.

As a non-resident, their tuition can't be beat ($308 per credit for grad. tuition).

[Acestudent21]

I applied for fall admission, but to the BSN to DNP ACNP/FNP dual program. Did anyone else apply to this program? The tuition rate is also amazing. I think there are only 2 other graduate nursing programs with rates this low.

[amberfnp]

For the poster who was asking about USA FNP clinicals...

I am in the FNP program now, anticipated graduation in Dec :)

You do line up your own preceptors. The difficulty level of that depends on what is available where you live, and if you have to compete with other programs in your area. Where I live there are multiple NP programs, physician residencies, and a PA school. In addition, some facilities will not accept the abbreviated contract provided by USA and will want their own 'clinical affiliation'. This process can take months. They would like at least 100 hours to be with an NP.

They want your sites to be outpatient. No inpatient hospitals, nursing homes and the like. You generally cannot do clinicals where you work unless approved by your clinical instructor. You can do clinicals for the same organization, just not in your specific are.

There are 4 clinical semesters: Fall~60 hours, 40 in a family practice setting, and 20 of observation in radiology, derm, ENT, opthamology, ortho. Spring 180 hours~90 peds, 90 womens health (ob & gyn). Summer~180 hours in internal medicine. Fall (final semester)~180 hours primarily in family practice setting, told we can do a limited # of hours in a specialty, or go back to peds/womens health.

They have just started using Typhon Group which is a student patient trackings system. It is easy but time consuming and really only helps to support the school getting grants. Not really 'learning' anything from it. It does help you track skills and such but it does not provide a comprehensive list of what you will do in clinicals. It also has a portfolio feature that supposedly can be used to support your CV when applying for jobs.

Testing: final exams in the last year must be proctored. If your visit to campus is late in the first fall clinical semester, you will take the final there. For other semesters, you must have a proctored site, such as Sylvan.

[EquuszARNP]

Is there some flexibility on the timing of campus visits? I work on a ship, 5 weeks on/5 weeks off, so a campus visit date might fall while I'm offshore. Are they willing to work with students on exam dates and such?

I really like the idea of this program. Can you tell me more about the pre-req's? I have the list of courses...I have most but will need to take a few before the application deadline (they're reviewing my transcripts now). I didn't see a minimum RN experience requirement or a requirement for letters of recommendation, can you confirm?

Also, is it really only $308/credit for out of staters?

Thanks!

--Equusz

[amberfnp]

For the FNP program there is only one pre-planned campus visit, which is in the first clinical semester (first fall of the FNP role course-CMN 568/569). For us it was mid-November on a Tues/Wed. Womens Health had theirs earlier in the semester and spanned 3 days. This visit is for the whole class~150 in our class, so no flexibility. You cover pelvics, microscopy, xray, suturing, coding...all very brief overviews, take the final exam. They did get us great rates at a nice hotel and it was nice to meet my classmates.

Before I applied, I emailed the track coordinator and she said they have the option of bring students back each semester, but "have not had to do that as of yet". The business of videos and/or students doing some hours with their clinical instructor is left up to each individual instructor.

I didn't have any additional pre-reqs for the course after I completed my BSN. That covered all pre-reqs. Stats and GREs not required. No letters or essays. I think there was a preference for at least 2 years nursing experience.

And yes, in state tuition for the online programs, plus a $60 online fee per semester, and other normal college fees.

And tests, generally not flexible. For the FNP role classes, tests are basically every other Monday night, 8pm CST. You have a 30 minute window to enter. Period. We tried and tried to change it to a morning time, or have 2 entrance times but no go. For the classes during the first year (theory, policy etc), each class was different. Some offered 24 hour access, some offered a morning and evening entrance times, some only one entrance time.

Do you always have internet access on the ship? Would you be able to complete clinicals with that schedule?

[EquuszARNP]

Those tests are online, right? No problem there, our internet access is not crazy fast, but pretty reliable.

I expect to be able to schedule my clinicals during my off rotations. Since a semester spans 15 weeks, I'll have a full 5 weeks (or 10 weeks, depending on how it falls) off during that time, plenty of time to do the clincal hours required each semester. If absolutely necessary, I'll have some student loan money in the bank to cover my cost of living if I have to miss a rotation.

I'm looking at the RN-MSN program, and I think they have pre-req's. I haven't seen anything about nursing experience. I'll have to ask. Thanks!

--Equusz

[amberfnp]

The tests have all been online except the one we took on campus.

Regarding clinicals, just begin talking to and lining up preceptors ASAP, even before your clinical courses begin. While you can't complete the actual contract, you can get verbal agreements. What you may run into is preceptors that have vacations scheduled, have other students, maybe only want you in the office one or 2 days a week (when you would rather be there every day), or who work part time. Don't assume you can get all your hours in while on breaks.

I don't really know anything about the RN-MSN program, nor do I know anyone who went that route. I can tell you that I don't think I could make it through the program w/o prior nursing experience!

[EquuszARNP]

Thanks much for the info.

I have 17 years' experience as a paramedic, and right now I basically do primary care duties as a ship's medic. I run the clinic, suture, Rx meds, etc. So I think I can handle the program. Whether they accept me is another story, though. I don't think they will without that 2 year requirement.

[amberfnp]

Well sounds like you have the experience/foundation you need! My husband is a paramedic and he can outperform many of the nurses I know, even me!

Just had our 3rd test of the semester tonight and got my butt handed to me! Anemia is NOT my strong suit! First time I have even run out of time on a test.

Well, good luck to you! Hope you get in!

[EquuszARNP]

Just got this back from them:

Dear ---:

I'm sorry but we do not give credit for Excelsior courses.

That will leave you the following courses to get credit for:

Pre-cal algebra

General Psy

A & P I & II

C.I.S.

You can get credit for most of these through the CLEP program if you still want to come into our program

Good luck as you continue to advance your nursing education.

Bettye B. Odom, BSN, MS.Ed.

Director, RN to BSN Program

University of South Alabama

College of Nursing

Health Sciences Bldg; Suite 3053

Mobile, Alabama 36688

Phone: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

E-mail: [email protected]

Web: http://www.southalabama.edu/nursing/rnbsn.html

So they'll give credit for CLEP exams but not for Excelsior exams? They'll take my Excelsior nursing degree but not the pre-requisite courses I took there?

Pass. On to the next program. I'm getting good vibes from Albany State University's ADN-FNP program.

[Wall-E]

I applied for fall admission, but to the BSN to DNP ACNP/FNP dual program. Did anyone else apply to this program? The tuition rate is also amazing. I think there are only 2 other graduate nursing programs with rates this low.

Hey Acestudent21,

Which other 2 graduate nursing programs have low rates of tuition? I'm curious to know.

Mucho gracias!