University of South Alabama PMHNP Fall2020

Guest 533692 · May 21, 2022

Hello

This is a long post so forgive me in advance but here is my reflection on my experience at USA……

The program went fine for me. I got exactly what I paid for and not a penny more.

Being 100% transparent- you need to be self motivated to be successful at USA and most of these distance programs. You will be given modules to read and complete. Clinical has lots of busy work “journal” assignments which are only graded on your APA format. Got zero actual feedback on the CONTENT of the papers. I actually wrote “ no one is going to see this sentence or tell me to take it out” In 3 separate papers and no one saw it ….. I don’t appreciate busy work and wasting time but that seems to be the standard these days.

If you are someone that needs support or asks a lot of questions …. Keep that in mind. As a post grad with a significant amount of experience- I have my study methods, practices etc and did not contact anyone during the program for educational support. But the posts and announcements that the administration sends—They’re gonna tell you “ you are an adult learner and this is a self led program “. Aka figure it out.

I also saw that now they are heavily warning people that finding clinical is hard and if you don’t have a site or access to one….. you’re gonna have a hard time. SEVERAL people take incompletes at this school when they can’t find clinical sites and their answer will be to place you in Alabama. SO ….. if you live elsewhere— yes- they will actually expect you to pack your stuff and relocate temporarily to Alabama. You don’t have to but that is the extent of their “support” . I cannot stress that many of these online detached schools are going to do this, not just USA. They all write that they “help” but that “ ultimately you are responsible for procuring your site”. USA also requires in person hours and inpatient hours with a very limited allowance for telehealth. Telehealth was allowed temporarily for COVID- I am not certain this will continue and highly doubt they’ll continue to allow beyond a small number of hours. So you need a hospital basically with some outpatient opportunities…. Keep all of this mind please. My peers were a high percentage of psych RNs who were going back for their MSN .The psych nurses have sites, have experience with the meds and the psych climate. I think they had an easier time than RNs or NPs that were not psych affiliated.

I went to USA for two reasons—they didn’t require a letter of recommendation and because it fit my budget and I could pay for it in installments while working. Again- I have already done a lot of graduation education and was not looking to ask professors from many years ago for a LOR. If my life circumstances would have allowed - I would have tried something in person or at least with some live lectures believe it or not. Hear me out!!—Brick and mortar schools in my experience have clinical sites and relationships. It is unnecessary and undignified to be “cold calling” offices as you try to present yourself as a professional. But we know this practice makes it easier for the school and allows then to admit more students than they can actually clinically educate. I did wonderful on paper and found my clinical through a variety means and relationships. But the material - meh not so much retention. However —I still crystal clear remember the material I learned almost 20 years ago in my in person FNP school - the lectures, pneumonic reminders, why things are important….my professors were invested in their students being competent. That matters to me and I didn’t realize that when I went here. It may not be important for you but try to think beyond the “it’s online”. How do u learn? Do you care if you remember the material? I’m not being fresh- I mean it. Everyone has different motivations , learning styles.
You will get books and a reading guide and a four page single space, double sided study guide before tests which is basically everything in the chapters- and again- the answer from leadership if you ask how to focus this will be —you’re an adult learner in a self led program- it’s all importanT- figure it out. I would be willing to bet close to 30% of my cohort failed out or withdrew…. Tests are not all open book btw… you will use a remote proctor service that is very tedious to get on to and the tests that are open book are timed. And the coup de gras—— you will never be told what answers you got wrong on exams and it violates the honor code to ask. SO if they use the question on the test and the final ….. hope you don’t get it wrong twice. So much for caring if you learned => more important they can use the test bank again and not actually put effort in year over year to ask relevant targeted questions. Again- I did excellent on paper and I am a very good student (not to brag- wink) but ….think about who you are, your circumstances, and learning style. Bottom line —Can you teach yourself to be a psych NP?

Overall —USA was convenient. I got what I paid for and not a penny more. It’s yet another school that will take your money while modestly educating you and increasing the saturation of minimally prepared NPs….I’ll say -I’m damn happy I was already an NP …. I cannot imagine this being my entire basis of information but maybe for the current generation- this is the lower standard of educational service you all have unfortunately become accustomed to receiving- discussion boards, busy work no one reads , being told to “figure it out “ and of course- the ever increasing money grab. I think this is the first time I’m glad to be old.
Sadface.
Feel free to reach out if you have additional questions

peace ✌?

Dedon007 · May 25, 2022

Thank you for your insight into the program. I find it very honest and detailed. I just got accepted into USA and Idaho State University for BSN to DNP-PMHNP. I'm not sure I'll do well with the self taught kind of a thing and minimal support for clinical sites. I guess I'll be moving to Idaho for their program ?