Walden NP students

Buyer beware, BSN · Jan 11, 2017

OP,

Walden is the online version of Laureate University.

A thorough web search should yield more information on this corporate conglomerate than any anecdotal heresay.

Dodongo, APRN, NP · Jan 20, 2017

Please reconsider these 100% online for-profit "schools". Do yourself, and the profession, a favor and go to a reputable program.

Cococure · Feb 14, 2017

Hey I would seriously consider the comments above . I am not knocking Walden by any means but I work with a few nurses nurses that went their and still cannot pass their FNP boards. I am compare course work with current students and it's no comparison...I would be a A++ student if I went there, some students have remarked that "they bought their degree" and some have regrets. Try to see if your local university offers a hybrid program ...that is what I am doing and it's a good mix. Also finding preceptors can become a task unless you have connections. I live in a large metropolitan area and some offices will not take online only students. Last thing ...it's a pretty expensive program.

Lool around and good luck!

Riburn3, BSN, MSN, APRN, NP · Feb 15, 2017

A former coworker I know went to Walden for her FNP and she is doing very well, although I think she was somewhat of a perfect candidate for them. She currently works as an ER NP, a large chunk of her nursing background is in the ER, and she did a huge chunk of her clinicals in the ER that she currently works in. I'm not a fan of for profit schools with little oversite, but in certain circumstances where the student has solid experience and connections, I can see where they can be successful.

Academically, I can't say I'm very impressed with their program. The spouse of an Internal Medicine physician I work with is currently enrolled in Walden's FNP program, and as an older student, she really struggled with the online aspects of the program and would ask me for help. The assignments in her patho, pharm, and advanced assessment courses were pretty pathetic, and even with her poor writing skills (partially because English isn't her first language), she would get full credit every time. She also wasn't actually taught any skills to prepare her for her clinical rotations.

I'm actually a fan of online programs if they offer good on campus experiences and clinical oversite, but schools like Walden are out to make a quick buck, typically from students that had substandard GPA's for admission to more traditional programs.

RNJack-Bama · Feb 15, 2017

Thanks everyone for your input. I really appreciate this!!

CLB_81 · Feb 21, 2017

I am a recent graduate of Walden's FNP program. I don't have anything to compare the program to because I only know people who have graduated from this university. It is pretty much self propelled and you get what you put in it. I took my boards on December 13th and passed. I am currently working as an Orthopedic NP.

LexaneRN · Feb 22, 2017

I graduated from Waldens AGACNP program and also passed boards the first time, as did the classmates that I kept in contact with after graduation. I have several friends who did the FNP program through Walden and also passed boards without issue. It was a good program but like most online programs you likely get out if it what you put into it. The most difficult aspect for many seemed to be lining up clinical sites. You must start early to ensure success. I had several job offers before graduation. Good luck to you!

Jules A, MSN · Feb 22, 2017

I graduated from Waldens AGACNP program and also passed boards the first time, as did the classmates that I kept in contact with after graduation. I have several friends who did the FNP program through Walden and also passed boards without issue. It was a good program but like most online programs you likely get out if it what you put into it. The most difficult aspect for many seemed to be lining up clinical sites. You must start early to ensure success. I had several job offers before graduation. Good luck to you!

While I have no intention of bashing any particular school, because frankly I think most are light on actual medical education anyway, touting pass rates is underwhelming to me. I've been told boards are a way to ensure a student knows the minimum knowledge, which I guess I can accept, but I can't help thinking that anyone who tests fairly well and takes a review course could likely pass so I'm not reaching around to pat myself on the back for passing these things and I've been through more than a few.

LexaneRN · Feb 23, 2017

Thank you for your opinion. I was not "patting myself on the back" I was merely answering the OPs post. He asked for feedback from Walden students. Only those who have attended the school and completed the program can provide feedback on what it is like,as a previous student. We are all on the same team, regardless of educational background. I have no regrets about my educational experience. I thoroughly enjoyed it, had dynamic discussions with my class mates and instructors, and learned a ton. Online learning may not be for everyone but I have no regrets.

JulesV · Mar 22, 2017

Congrats!! I'm a recent graduate as well. I put a lot of work into the program and was very successful. I'm preparing for boards as I've been out of commission the past few months due to emergent surgery and feel like I need to re-focus and study for boards. I'm reviewing Barkley at home in preparation for my boards. Did you do a review program?

I have friends that graduated from UCLA np program and I felt I had put the same amount is studying into the program the kicker was I did not have to go to class. I had great preceptors and I'm an ER nurse. I learned suturing and intubation and other small procedures. I loved my experience!

JulesV · Mar 22, 2017

Substandard GPAs...? That's a horrible, uneducated and unprofessional statement and opinion.

I graduated with honors from both of my undergraduate programs in nursing and in biology. Yes. I have 2 undergraduate degrees, graduated Summa Cum Laude in both programs. In case you don't know that means "with highest honors."

You have your opinion based on an "older" student with ESL as there a disability. That's terrible to even throw out there. I'm appalled.

I'm a recent graduate and can say you get out of the program what you put into it. My husband is a UCLA physician and he was impressed with a lot of the work and the support I received from my professors. Being an ER nurse I chose precepting in the ER and inpatient critical care units. I was suturing, inserting chest tubes, resetting dislocated fingers/knees/ankles, casting and splinting and ordering life saving drips and medications.

Moving on, you get out of Walden what you put into your education. I wanted to still work and not sit in a classroom all day. A coworker had attended and graduated before me and passed her boards the first time. By the way her primary language is Amharic - she's from Ethiopia and is one of the top neurotrauma ICU NPs.