University of South Alabama online program

JALEXSHOE · Oct 18, 2009

If one was to be asked about ANY program they were in, they would say, if they were honest, they both loved or hated some aspect of it... Even if those are strong terms, they would be generally applicable. There will always be a red herring, someone, that will have multiple complaints or none, but in general, things are pretty 50/50 for most folks, who settle in and realize that the things that are worth having in life (mostly) require some kind of gauntlet to achieve them.

That being said, (big breath), I am fixing to graduate from the FNP program here, and that prior statement in this letter is pretty applicable for me.

I do not feel all warm and fuzzy, and will be asking no one to bring me bedroom slippers and a latte, lol.

I do, however, feel, I achieved something...because I worked my ever loving butt off to get through this program. There were times that were lovely and filled me with great joy, and there were times that I was filled with great angst and railed against the system being presented to me...

In the end, I sucked it up, and did the job that was supposed to be done, as others had done, some time before me...always feeling grateful for the blessings I did receive along the way.

There are programs that are warmer and fuzzier as I have said, but you are going to pay three times the tuition to attend them....you get what you pay for. It is still a rock solid education and has an excellent board passage rate....

But know...as a scenario to demonstrate... Education is a little like an airplane that needs you to get off of it. One must get out of their comforable routine and get on a path that moves them forward...some of us are ready and some of us are unsure....But if you were in an airplane and given a parachute as the plane is going down,,,what would you do? Some of us know our destinations and some of us are unsure of where our connecting flights will be until we get there...But back to the going down part...(getting started)

Now this plane could be crashing, it could be that it is fixing to land in enemy territory, or you need to be somewhere at a certain time where you are being dropped...whatever the reasons, you need to bail out of that plane...I bet you will figure out where the ripcord is if there is no one to hold your hand on the way down...some might stay on the plane and prefer to die, some might just holler and complain about it, but will likely do it anyway, some will just figure it out and say nothing, and a precious few will look at it like it is an adventure, and jump for the pure sin of it....

This program and probably many others like it, are very like that....You can look at like its an adventure, or like it a tragedy...or somewhere in between. It is what we put into it, the energy we emote that makes the difference...it also helps seed the outcome and the general aura of how we perceive it.

The thing to remember, is this is about you...it is about your committment and dedication and drive...but remember it is not personal...just as being put in the parachute situation isn't....To each their own....we all find our ways to success. So, if you find you are whichever of those people, just figure where and how you want to be taught, and make sure you have the tools, that if you jump, you are able to find the ripcord.

I really wish you luck...truly,,,,all of you....there is no sense of reward that is as worthy as something you really work for and earn...there is pride and honor in this...even if at some time, you wanted to wrap that ripcord around someone's neck....but as a NP, even I did that, at least I would know how to fix them (grin)....:redpinkhe

Cinqly, BSN, RN · Oct 23, 2009

So, those of you that said there is a lot of reading and that it is a very tough program, I have a few questions.

First, are you on-campus or distance (all online)?

Second, are the classes full of "busy work" or is it that they have such high standards? Why are the tests so hard (meaning must you read 250 pages of junk to find one minute detail they are asking for or do they focus on the bigger picture)?

How many classes did you take at one time? Do you have the option of taking only 1 class at a time for a few semesters?

I have been accepted for Spring 2010 for the Acute Care NP track. I was very excited, but now after reading all these posts I am nervous. I must work full time, and I was planning on being part-time status in school, with no more than 2 classes (pref 1 per semester at first). I don't know how flexible they are, however. I am currently enrolled at our local university in their FNP program, but have only taken one core class so far. The class had a lot of busy work, but was doable with a full-time job. If anyone would be willing to give me more detailed info, please PM me. I would really appreciate it!!!!:redpinkhe

JALEXSHOE · Oct 23, 2009

first, are you on-campus or distance (all online)?

usa is a distance learning program, but there is some mandatory attendance components to it and it can change from semester to semester. my requirement was to go at the end of the first semester for about 3-4 days and take my final exam and do my suture, ortho, gyn, and micro labs, etc. they did announce that this requirement could change, and that they had the authority to do so and might... i also know that this has been different for each class, each semester. so there is no uniform answer, and the program requirements are changing, so it may be different altogether.

second, are the classes full of "busy work" or is it that they have such high standards?

there is an enormous amount of reading, there are multiple articles, several textbooks with many chapters each to be consumed in a very short time. our tests were roughly 40-50 questions, timed with a half hour window to enter with roughly a minute or so a question to complete. they are closed book. there are written assignments too...there is no way to tell you, until you see it, the information that one needs to know is very broad and extensive. you got accepted to the adult acute care program, they are different than the one i am in. i was in the fnp program and it covered things from the womb to the tomb (so to speak). it becomes much more involved when you throw peds and ob in there too. but many classes have done it this way before, been under the same conditions, and many have succeeded. this is not a spoon fed education. you want it, you will earn it. :twocents:

why are the tests so hard (meaning must you read 250 pages of junk to find one minute detail they are asking for or do they focus on the bigger picture)?

get a fitzgerald review book of the fnp exam, and you will get a rough idea of the type of questions or sign on to the ancc web site and look at their mock exams. it is like any nursing/medical exam, sometimes it is focused, and sometimes it is one sentence in one book, somewhere...

how many classes did you take at one time?

full time grad school is 6 credit hours which is 2 classes at 3 credit hours each. the program is set up for 6-7 credit hours per semester. it is very linear. you would have to talk to a counsellor about doing it slower. i do not even know if this is an option, because the classes are linked together, some of them being clinical hours/lab associated with the core class and they are only offered once a year...etc. it could literally take 4-6 years to do this the way you are speaking of.

do you have the option of taking only 1 class at a time for a few semesters?

this would need to be discussed with an advisor. some classes have mandatory clincal requirements with them.:heartbeat

i have been accepted for spring 2010 for the acute care np track. i was very excited, but now after reading all these posts i am nervous. i must work full time, and i was planning on being part-time status in school, with no more than 2 classes (pref 1 per semester at first). i don't know how flexible they are, however. i am currently enrolled at our local university in their fnp program, but have only taken one core class so far. the class had a lot of busy work, but was doable with a full-time job. if anyone would be willing to give me more detailed info, please pm me. i would really appreciate it!!!!

this is a program with a good reputation. as far as your capabilities and prioritizations skills, that is strictly an "up to you" scenario. everyone is different. there is a lot of work in this program and a lot of content to be absorbed. i don't know if any arnp program is easy or that it is not going to be a lot of work. i think completing something of this measure gave me an enormous respect for it, as it was much more intense and involved than my associates and bachelor's programs. you might want to visit the school and get a feel for it....talk to some of the advisors. i worked full time, but i lost many friends along the way....i think we lost at least 20 the first clinical semester. it is worth it, but it is work...i don't know if anyone will tell you otherwise about any program. we had people ask this same question in school when they were doing poorly, and they were advised, well drop out and work then, save your money up, so when you come back, you can devote all your time to studying....they were drop dead serious....

i wish you luck. there is still a reason to be happy you got accepted. don't be unhappy or nervous about. that you got in, is a great accomplishment. whatever you do, you will be happier for it. i don't think there are bad decisions in education, just better or best choices for you... this is actually a positive post, but i would not want to paint a rosy bed and state there are no thorns and make you think you are preparing for a cake walk. there is an enormous responsibility that comes with this degree and this institution takes that seriously...i think their last board passage was 100% and pretty much hangs out there in that neighborhood.

Cinqly, BSN, RN · Oct 24, 2009

Jax,

Thanks for the info! I realize it is an all online program, but I was just curious if anyone living in the immediate area had any info (on local preceptors, contact with professors, etc).

I was looking at the schedule for spring vs. summer and I noticed that the spring track is over 6 semester and the summer track is over 8. I may just aske them to defer for a semester and start in the summer. Plus I'll be transfering one class from another graduate program.

I know that ANY program is going to be tough, and I am totally ready for it. I just wanted to ease into it (if ya know what I mean!). I really appreciate your feedback and I think I need to get in touch with an advisor and hear it from the horse's mouth.