University of South Alabama MSN program

peaceful · Dec 23, 2009

I see your email. Sorry ignore my post about PM.

Thanks,

peaceful

cmmg · Jan 8, 2010

I'm in my 5th semester at USA (FNP program~class of Dec 2010). I have taken all the courses you mentioned. Assessment had a SOAP note or 2 and an assessment video. The other courses were mostly writing, some with tests, some without. I honestly don't recall which class it was, but I think only one of them had a paper more than 10+ pages. There are many "threaded discussions" where you (or a group) are given a topic and you post/crosspost.
In my opinion, the research class was the hardest, probably because I just wasnt interested in it and the reading was very dry. Those were the harder papers to write and the harder tests, for me anyways, and I still got an A.
I got all A's and 1 B in the courses you mentioned, which are pre-reqs for all the NP tracks. I don't know anything about the psych track, however, this semester was a whole new ballgame that I just don't think I could've imagined. Considering the amount of reading, clinicals, assignments, working, kids, etc (taking 4 classes)...I went into finals with 4 A's, then got the blow to my ego when I landed with 1 A and 3 B's~still not bad but I expected better of myself. The amount of reading is insane and some test questions are just downright nit-picky! I really don't know how it compares to other programs, online or traditional, but I've been told many times that online courses are in general much harder.
Good Luck to you!

Hi 92mxmom, since this is your 5th semester at USA, do you have any helpful advice to upcoming NP students in those classes which dropped you to B's? Don't get me wrong, I think B's are good, however, being the overachiever that I am, I strive for A's. I am not afraid of hard word but you said the reading is insane and test questions are picky. What helped you to still pull off 3 B's and 1 A? Are there any books you would suggest to help along in the programs classes as well as clinicals? Actually, how are the clinicals? Any and all suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks CMMG

amberfnp · Jan 8, 2010

CMMG,

I can tell you it was a blow to my ego to have gotten 3 B's (CMN 571~health promo, CMN 568~Adv Family Nsg 1, NU 508~Roles). The only other B I got was in patho. All of these Bs were like one stinkin point from an A! But the end of the fall semester was quite busy...trip to AL mid-November, chasing spring preceptors, papers due, finals to study for, in-laws for Thanksgiving...you get it I'm sure!

For patho, the first test was the worst! Cellular level stuff that is super hard reading for me.

CMN 571 and 568~Just a ton of material. Both exams were comprehensive of the whole semester and just no way to review all the reading, esp that of 571. Our 'final' for 568 was only worth 10 points and I could have failed and still made a B for the class, so I just didn't put any effort into studying for that. Why was our final only 10 points you ask? Actually, our true final was given when we had our campus visit, and we still needed 10 more 'test points' per the curriculum, so we had a short final.

For 508, I'm not sure exactly why I ended up with the grade I did. I can usually write and acceptable paper, but apparently didn't do so well on the final one. We also usually get feedback with specific comments and this time did not. I got an email that we would receive a graded paper back but never received it. This is NOT typical of most of the instructors I have had. Perhaps I will email today now that they are back in the office!

For classes with tests, expect a test on average every 2-3 weeks.

If it works with your lifestyle, try to devise a reading schedule and leave yourself enough time to go back and at least review the stuff you highlighted. They recommend reading all material at least 3 times, but this is just unrealistic for most people.

There will be an area for 'group study'. Some get together and summarize chapters to make a study guide...I often participate to make myself read and take notes, but seldom use the completed guide because most end up being so long, may as well read the books again :)

Get some NP certification review books for practice questions and NP review CDs.

Clinicals are set up by the student, not the school. There is a list of school affiliations on the college of nursing site, but you can deviate from that list. However, some facilities, especially those larger health systems, health depts and military bases may require their own contract which can take months to negotiate (in the middle of that now...leaving my womens health preceptor in question which is super frusterating). Whenever possible, try to find a privately owned practice because then you should only need signatures of the office manager and/or physician owner. How clinicals go, well that depends on you and and your preceptor!

If you live near your clinical instructor, you may be required to do some clinical hours with them. Most of them live in or near AL (i.e. FL, LA). I'm in VA, so not an issue for me so far, although sometimes I think it would be beneficial.

cmmg · Jan 9, 2010

Thanks for the pointers. Such a big help! Do you have any names of NP certification books and/or NP review CD's that you found helpful? Thanks again! CMMG

amberfnp · Jan 9, 2010

Try Fitzgerald or Hollier.

Cinqly, BSN, RN · Jan 11, 2010

This thread has been helpful! I'm also starting Spring 2010, although I'm having second thoughts. I'm only taking one class, but it is research and I just DREAD research! I disliked research and statistics in undergrad, and although I made A's it was very tedious. Oh well!

Good luck to everyone that is starting!

meandragonbrett · Jan 18, 2010

Are you guys surviving the semester so far?

nurmom0831 · May 28, 2010

are the test proctored? How are the classes going. I am thinking of applying for fnp program for spring 20111

amberfnp · May 28, 2010

Currently, for the theory courses (politics, research, pharm, patho etc...) all tests are done at home on your computer. For the FNP program, once you start the role courses, most tests are done every other Monday 7pm CST (no flexibility here). The final exam of each semester is to be proctored either on campus, or if you don't live near campus, at a testing facility such as Sylvan.

We have been told (at least the FNP people) that they have the option to make all tests proctored, or to require us to have video equipment at home for them to monitor us during our tests. They have not mentioned going that route at this time.

As for the other tracks, from talking with other classmates, each program is very different in the rules and types of assignments. I can only speak for the FNP program, for which I'm a bit fed up, but too close to graduation to transfer. My best bit of advice at this point for FNP is PAY ATTENTION TO DETAIL on all emails, assignments etc. Follow/play by their rules, even if they don't make sense to you. The rules seem to change by the day...gotta keep up with them. I think one of the most important things I learned in nursing school was "be flexible". If there was ever a time you need to repeat this to yourself, it's in grad school!

KimberRN · May 28, 2010

Currently, for the theory courses (politics, research, pharm, patho etc...) all tests are done at home on your computer. For the FNP program, once you start the role courses, most tests are done every other Monday 7pm CST (no flexibility here). The final exam of each semester is to be proctored either on campus, or if you don't live near campus, at a testing facility such as Sylvan.
We have been told (at least the FNP people) that they have the option to make all tests proctored, or to require us to have video equipment at home for them to monitor us during our tests. They have not mentioned going that route at this time.
As for the other tracks, from talking with other classmates, each program is very different in the rules and types of assignments. I can only speak for the FNP program, for which I'm a bit fed up, but too close to graduation to transfer. My best bit of advice at this point for FNP is PAY ATTENTION TO DETAIL on all emails, assignments etc. Follow/play by their rules, even if they don't make sense to you. The rules seem to change by the day...gotta keep up with them. I think one of the most important things I learned in nursing school was "be flexible". If there was ever a time you need to repeat this to yourself, it's in grad school!

Hey! I just received my acceptance letter for the Primary Pediatric NP track! Have you heard anything about this program? Congrats to you and your upcoming graduation!!

Thanks!

Blessedx3 · Aug 11, 2010

My friends in the PNP program are VERY happy. For anyone interested in the FNP program at USA--I would never go through this program again. There isn't one person in our graduating class that would say the FNP program is what it should be. It's funny how the PNP program can be awesome--and the FNP be so crazy. They are still weeding people out going into the last semester. Please PM me if you have any specifics.

niudou · Oct 30, 2010

Hi Blessedx3, I was just accepted in 2011 FNP program at USA. Your words were quite discouraging and worred me. Would you tell me more about that program and school? What other schools would you recommend for online FNP program? Thanks so much!