UTEP, Texas Tech, or UTMB NP programs???? Where to go?

Riburn3, BSN, MSN, APRN, NP · Nov 11, 2013

I'm enrolled at UTEP in the FNP program having completed 3 semester so far. The online only aspect has been great, the class structure is very discussion oriented, and I can say I've actually enjoyed my experience so far. The classes aren't terribly difficult to the point that you're always stressed, but you still actually take something away from each class. As with all online programs, it's really about what you put into it yourself.

The faculty all are readily available, and if issues are found with the classroom structure, grading, or assignments, they are incredibly approachable, fair, and timely with their responses. The very first thing they told us during orientation was to "look to the left and look to the right", similar to how many popular movies threaten their students with failure, except they followed that by saying "each and every one of you is going to graduate". You truly get the feeling that these instructors want you to succeed.

In terms of the clinical aspect, you have to find your own preceptors, which is a pain, but if you are able to work with someone you already know, it makes the learning experience much more enjoyable.

I will also say that I have a friend in the TTU program and has been very complimentary about the program, but they also have seemed far more stressed about their program than I have been.

If you have any questions feel free to PM or post them here.

DJ1367 · Nov 12, 2013

Thanks for your response and insight, just a bit nervous. I was comparing the degree plans for all schools and noticed that TTU never has you taking more then 6 hours for any semester. This was a comfort in terms of not being overwhelmed and super stressed, however the UTEP plan has less time. I think each will be challenging and I'm ready for that, I just don't want to bite off more than I can chew in the UTEP program because some semesters are 9-10 hours with a clinical component. Do you work? Can you work? and with your degree plan are you allowed to make modifications? Thanks again for your time and assistance.

Riburn3, BSN, MSN, APRN, NP · Nov 12, 2013

I do work fulltime often 50 hours a week and I honestly haven't had trouble balancing it all. If there's ever the slightest amount of downtime at work I'll study for a bit or brainstorm for papers. One thing that might be important information is that even though some semesters have 9 hours, they often split the classes into half semester length classes, so you take 6 hours the first half of a semester and the last 3 hours in the final half. In fact, this semester was only 6 hours and I took both classes at the beginning part of the semester so I have been done since early October.

Although it might be anecdotal, a coworker who has been doing his clinicals and will be graduating next month said after you complete your general NP and graduate core classes, the last year of all clinicals is much easier in terms of your actual workload despite classes being worth more credit hours. In terms of the degree plan, I believe it's pretty set in stone but I would not be at all surprised if they work with you should something come up later on as all the instructors have been very friendly and approachable.

Like you, I got into TTU and UTEP but the deciding factor for me was UTEP was a shorter program and required fewer on campus visits. Plus, having known 6 people (soon 7) that have gone through the program while working fulltime (2 in my unit), passed their boards, and gotten solid employment, I was sold.

fuzzy911 · Nov 12, 2013

I'm convinced they are all basically the same. I am in Texas a & m cc program and my bff is at tech. We both did undergrad at tech. Our programs are very identical, except she has a few more campus visits then I do. Id look at $, time, and campus visits to decide. That and if u have a friend in any of the programs, it helps to have a reference.

Riburn3, BSN, MSN, APRN, NP · Nov 12, 2013

I'm convinced they are all basically the same. I am in Texas a & m cc program and my bff is at tech. We both did undergrad at tech. Our programs are very identical, except she has a few more campus visits then I do. Id look at $, time, and campus visits to decide. That and if u have a friend in any of the programs, it helps to have a reference.

This is very sound advice. My belief in nursing education as a whole, outside of maybe 2-3 schools nationwide, is that it's all the same and most of the real learning comes after graduation. The focus should be on time and cost effectiveness. It blows my mind when I see people posting they are dropping $70k+ on NP programs when at the end of the day mine is only $17k thanks to instate tuition. Certifications and experience is what opens doors in nursing, not how fancy the school you went to was.

DJ1367 · Nov 14, 2013

Just wanted to say thanks for your comments. The UTEP program is shorter. Good luck with your studies.

DJ1367 · Nov 14, 2013

Sorry to post this here, but I'm not allowed to PM until I'm more active on this site. But where did you find your preceptors? If I accept the UTEP invite I have to have 3-4 preceptors lined up by January. Thanks

Riburn3, BSN, MSN, APRN, NP · Nov 14, 2013

If you're from Texas, sign up for the Texas NP organization. It's free for students and there is a large database of preceptors there from all over the state. I found two of mine on that site by just cold emailing them out of nowhere. My other two I found just through personal connections having known several by being a nurse for a while. I honestly was really stressed about finding them all, but was able to.

It should also be said that they told all of our class they needed them by January, and hardly anyone had all 4 at that point. They tried saying people would be dropped without having their preceptors but not a single person has been dropped from the program and they actually will help you if things get desperate. Our class didn't receive our admission letters until the second week of december so it was a stressful time, at least you all have a little extra time. It is silly though asking people in some cases almost 2 years in advance for them to be your preceptor.

DJ1367 · Nov 14, 2013

I agree, it's hard to get people to commit to something in the future and so far away. That is comforting information, because I feel really pressured to find people. That's what I'm about to do now...look for preceptors. Thanks for the suggestion, I'm going to try that today. The benefit to Tech is that my hospital has a facility agreement, and I have had offers for preceptors already. But finishing a year early is very tempting. Thanks again.

fuzzy911 · Nov 15, 2013

The hours spent being part time..I couldn't fathom full time. I'm single no kids and work full time, 4 12s a week. Alot of people dropped the second class half way in due to the amount of time needed. These people were Monday through Friday 9_5 jobs. I can honestly say that I need about 4 hrs a day for discussion boards and responses, then hours (++) for papers. And that's only 6 credits, part time 2 class status.

icubel · Jan 31, 2014

I am applying at Texas a&am cc for the family nurse practitioners program, can you give any information about there program and how many times you have to go to the college applying at UTA and A & M and not sure which one I should go with.