University of Southern Alabama, looking for a review!

graceofone · Nov 26, 2009

It is a master's program, do not let the fact that it is online fool you. It is hard! No master's program is going to be easy and the person that tells you it is lying. Nothing worth having is easy! The workload is extremely heavy. I am finishing up the first clinical semester of the FNP track and it has been a whopper. Expect 200 plus pages of articles and 3-4 chapters in at least 3-4 books for one test. In the promotion class for the FNP track we read the entire Bright Futures book (look it up) for the first test with at least 300 pages of articles. That class is only 2 credits! The instructors are a different story feel free to PM about that. While tuition may not be an issue, there are other costs associated with this program that could make you go broke, i.e. not working, the cost of printing out everything, etc. Again I am in the FNP track not AC but I personally know other RNs in the ACNP program at USA and it is just as hard and time consuming. Good luck!

loveLA824901 · Nov 26, 2009

I actually applied for this school and got in for Spring 2010. I have two colleagues who attend, and they're very satisfied. They both still work full-time, and are bogged down with the work. Hope this helps some.

Daitch · Nov 27, 2009

Wish I could PM ya. My membership ran out a little bit ago. The instructors filled with drama? Do they hold that, Im better then you attitude? How do they test online? Is it timed? Monitored?

Again thank you for your time!

nikkif75 · Nov 27, 2009

How do you send a private message? I would love to ask you more questions about the program, graceofone, but can't figure out how to send a message-

Thanks, Nikki

graceofone · Nov 28, 2009

Tests are online, timed, and they are closed book per honor code...they recently told us that all finals will now be proctered at a test center per your expense. Tests are typically 35 ?s 35 minutes.

JALEXSHOE · Nov 29, 2009

I just graduated from USA's Online FNP program... Officially, I graduate December 8, 2009, but I am done never-the-less.

The program is continuously evolving. It has changed since I have been in it, and is reportedly changing every time we get an announcement. Part of this, is the times we live in, and part of this is probably related to the fact they are going up for accreditation again, and changes will be made according to whatever guidelines that would impose.

The first year of actual clinical courses relating to my track, the tests were approximately 40-55 questions, and you had a hour to complete the exam. You only had a 30 minute window, once weekly, in which you were able to sign in. We averaged 4 exams per clinical class, per semester. For example, you had to sign in between 7 and 7:30 pm Monday evening on the required date and you had about 50 minutes to complete the exam (roughly a minute a question). They were expected to be closed book per the honor code. The last semester, we were given a little more time to complete the exams, but they were more comprehensive of the program's entirety in nature.

There were many articles and texts to be read as was mentioned, and no real focus or direction is given as to what is to be studied. It is more a "know everything" attitude. Now occasionally, they would give the class a few sentences about possible focuses or things to not worry about, but these in no way were study guides. I tend to think they were more apt to "calm" us down a little to help us focus and not be so anxious. Initially, we were able to review the exams, and discuss alternate answers if any. After the first two semesters, this was no longer allowed, and we were not able to see what we missed. We were given a paragraph or two post the test of areas most missed on the exam, and what topics would be of best benefit to review and study for the future.

The first semester was the hardest. This really was the "weeding out" period. The last semester was the easiest. The year of prereqs prior to entering into the clinical portion, in no way prepares you for the onslaught you are about to enter.

If there were any feedback that is not totally positive in this post, it would be, that I did not feel stopping test review and evaluations were conducive or helpful to me in my growth as an ARNP or learning. I believe test review is a very important part of learning and processing information. Also, I do think that they could of been a little more focused in the articles and amount of textbooks required. I felt many of the souces conflicted each other. This left me confused on some issues. But this is true in life also. There will be times in treatment, that I can find more than one approach, and I need to be able to reason them through.

This is not a focused, hand-holding, mentoring type of program. It is online. It is a state school with a wonderfully affordable tuition. There are "get what you pay for" type of benefits from this. Now I would not state the instructors were mean or not willing to answer questions when asked, but this is a very self driven program and puts way more weight on the learner than it does the teacher. We were expected to put the work into this ourselves as they were giving us the information needed, they expected us to learn it, in whatever way, we were able to.

Many people used to brick and mortar type of institutions are very used to having mentors or someone that they can go to, to define little questions. There were no video lectures, so if you are an audio or kinesthetic learner, then this will also makes things harder for you to process. Visual learners who are very organized and self directed, do very well.

There will always be folks who are disgruntled and unhappy, because perhaps, their expectations are greater, or they just didn't understand what they were getting themselves in for. And I will say, I had some of the same disappointments initially. But I had to step out of the box, and put it, in perspective. I will say in their defense, there are no disclaimers stating such, on any of the websites. But from reading other posts, I hear that this is not uncommon, and is rather expected. The closest thing I heard that explained it adeqautely, as we were young students, we were given teachers, who taught, nurtured, and helped us along in our infancy, as we progressed, we were given instructors, who showed us technically, and demonstrated, and then we evolved to professors, who were there to speak, but that it was given, that we had already been nurtured, already been instructed, and had arrived armed with the skills that we needed to only be able to be told what we needed to know and that we had the skills to proceed.

I am very happy I am done. But really the best information would come from the horse's mouth. I would write the program instructors and ask them many of your questions, because as the program is changing, any answers you would be given are likely also to change. There is good and bad in every program. So, understand that, and know that I never met anyone truly evil in the program, and most were actually quite positive and helpful, when I requested them to help me with some issue. I just didn't ask a whole lot, I knew it was on me, and I embraced it, and still am better off for it, I think. I am also happy, they have a 100 percent board passing rate, so they must be doing something right. Now, I must move on to that hurdle. I just wish I could get a seating certificate sooner, lol.

Good luck to all those, who would wish to go on and to anyone who attends this school. I will not speak badly of them, I have fond memories, and I have some hairy ones. Overall, I was given a gift, I have my Master's, and some of this I earned, and some of this I was blessed with, for there were times, I looked into the air and asked God to guide my hand (mostly on test days). ANYTHING in life, that we achieve is flavored by the approach in which we attempt it. I prefer to look as mine as a positive one, for I don't ever want to be negative in anything I am involved in. I have a great sense of peace and I do believe this helped me through. As my glass is always half full, I never worry about thirst, for I know I will be quenched.:redpinkhe

amberfnp · Dec 4, 2009

JALEXSHOE and other posters,

I am just finishing up my first clinical semester in the FNP program and anticipate graduating Dec 2010. It is not easy but anything worth having isnt! While I personally have my own opinions and suggestions of how they could do things differently, its really a matter of playing the game the way they want you to play it, whether you agree or not. All programs have their strengths and weaknesses just like this one.

I agree with ALL of what JALEXSHOE has stated, especially the fact that the pre-req semesters are NO indication of what to expect during the last year. Not even close. And the test review issue too. And to be honest, I am scared to death going into the next 3 semesters, especially summer with 180 clinical hours in 8 weeks~not working is not an option for me, but at least I only have to do 2 nights/week (which unfortuntaly lead to some sleepy days).

Many of us are on Facebook and vent and study together there. It's been a great outlet!

I also cannot speak of the Adult program, but from what I hear, for example, about womens health, that it is very different than how things are done in the FNP track. Number one being like only 12 or so people in the class versus 150 in FNP!

Anyways, I guess I didn't really offer any new info, just wanted to say I agree with JALEXSHOE, and if you have any helpful hints for us "Innies" please feel free to pass them along!!!

JALEXSHOE · Dec 4, 2009

I also hear the other tracks are quite different. I have someone in my graduating class that attended the Mental Health program, and she loved it. Very small class, she said they nurtured them. I also heard the Women's Health Classes were the same. I did not hear great thing of the Acute Care track. I was informed it was very unorganized, but in fairness, it was new, and it was someone in its first class. I will say, that the FNP program, is much more organized by systems, it is just the volume of information and the fact that it spans from the womb to the tomb.

Hints for the Innies...

Pay serious attention to every article they give you. They love to test off them things. They are also very fond of taking information out of "tierney" which is the McPhee book. If they give you a crossword puzzle or a miniquiz or slides of any kind, pay attention to these. You will see some of the information again.

Always be prepared...don't just study what they tell you, study what topics are covered under the unit given.

Know age recommendations for screening exams. Know your drugs for pregnant patients. Know developmental milestones and immunizations. They also like to ask Diabetes medication questions.

Don't stress over getting A's, be content with B's, this is a good grade. :twocents:

If you make it through the first semester, you will understand how they test. You will be tested that way for the next year. :eek:

Summer is doable. Just do have your preceptors in place and be ready to hit the floor running. If they offer to let you start early, do so. Summer census can really hurt one for hours with early closure. :yeah: In fact, start lining up preceptors six months early. You will need an Internal Medicine doctor, a OB/GYN, a family practice doctor, and a Pediatrician. I strongly recommend you make some of these ARNP's as the AANP requires some of your clinical hours be with an ARNP, and they feel the ANCC will follow.

You will be very happy with the fall (last semester). It was glorious.

amberfnp · Dec 5, 2009

Thanks JALEXSHOE! Although I know there are more clinical hours and more difficult grading criteria, I'm looking forward to only 2 classes for the rest of the program. I did 4 this semester. I don't know how people can do pharm or patho on top of clinicals!

I sure hope things come together for me over the next year. Right now I feel so inadequate and actually at time even question my basic nursing skills! There is so much I don't know and I'm so worried I'm going to make a fool of myself in clinicals.

Anyways, congratulations to you! Isn't this graduation day?

JALEXSHOE · Dec 5, 2009

Don't feel bad or question yourself so thoroughly. This is actually a good thing, and shows that you have sense. Once someone is really exposed to this kind of volume and the amount of information required to be a mid-level provider, it is daunting. And I would be disheartened to hear of someone saying this was cake. Either they were bloody brilliant, or they are a fool. As I think neither applies in this situation, I would have to say your situation is amazingly similar to many others in the same shoes you are. And this is a compliment.

Anyone doing patho and phys at the same time, needs an outboard motor, not just a paddle, when going up that creek...

Yes, today is convocation. Thank you. I did not attend. I am working, trying to pay for my board certifications, and as I live in central Florida, this would of been more than a day trip for me.

Take care.

amberfnp · Dec 7, 2009

JALEXSHOE,

May I ask you a couple more questions? In the final 3 semesters, how often/how many SOAP notes will we be expected to produce? We only had 3 this semester, but of course we only had 40 hours. Also, did you ever change clinical instructors? My current one will not be with us in the spring and I'm wondering if the format I've been using to suit this instructor will be anything like what the next one will like. You know, once you figure out what someone likes to see you go with it!

Are you doing one or both certifications? Which one is it that you find out if you pass or fail right after the test?

Thanks again! And feel free to email if you would rather.

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