I am researching grad schools and became very interested in the University of South Alabama's ENP (dual FNP/ACNP) online program. I am interested in knowing how competitive the program is regarding acceptance. I have a GPA now of 3.3, 2.5 years ER experience in a level one trauma center, 1 year of trauma icu experience, 3 years of management experience, ACLS, PALS, TNCC and will have (hopefully) my CCRN cert when I apply. What are your thoughts considering the above information and your knowledge first or second hand on this university? Thank you for any information you can give.
I am currently enrolled in the Dual Role FNP/ACNP program. I am wrapping up my second semester. It is an online program and therefore you will have to teach yourself allot. However I have had all As and a good experience so far.
I am starting clinicals in the Fall and so we will see how that goes. Obviously they do not set up clinicals for you so that is the hard part of the program, finding clinical site willing to sign the USA contract. I will say the hospital I work at in Nashville refuses to sign the contract with USA for clinicals citing some thing their legal department doesn't like about it.
You know you can start the process of setting up an agreement between the school and your hospital. Hopefully it'll be hashed out by the time Fall comes around. I had to do that for one primary care site that was cool with starting until their lawyers got a hold of the 2-page agreement. Still waiting on finalization.
I am so sorry to hear about the difficulties you are having with finding a clinical site. USA usually have established contact with some clinical site but the problem I had during my time was that it was so far away from where I lived so I had to look for other clinical site closer to where I live. When you approach other sites, show them your Liability Insurance hopefully it will help reduce some fear that they may have. As students, you should be covered by your school. If you continue to have problem finding a site, contact your program director and discuss it with him/her. Few years ago, I learnt that as from March 2019, schools will be mandated to provide clinical sites for their students. I hope this helps and I wish you all the best!
LadyT618, MSN, APRN, NP
659 Posts
You know you can start the process of setting up an agreement between the school and your hospital. Hopefully it'll be hashed out by the time Fall comes around. I had to do that for one primary care site that was cool with starting until their lawyers got a hold of the 2-page agreement. Still waiting on finalization.