Walden University acute NP online program.

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Hello!

I'm deciding on which school to attend. Many people do not like online programs but I'm fine with it. I did my BSN via Grand Canyon University and I loved it. But for the ACUTE NP, I feel like I need skills? My friend went through an online acute NP programs and he's doing fine at a specialty dept.

I was wondering if anyone went through Walden University acute NP online program or know someone who did. If you did, what was your opinion on it. If you know someone who went through the program, how did they feel about it? If you have any other programs that you like please recommend!

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Specializes in Float nurse/Med-Surg.

Hi I currently applied and waiting to start at Waldens NP Program for Adult-Gerontology Primary Care. I have a couple of coworkers that graduated from Walden’s acute care NP Program. I know one was having a hard time finding a job but now he’s working under a rehab doctor at out facility. The other lady didn’t seem to had a hard time finding a job and is working under a cardiac doctor at our facility. I don’t know all the details of how the program was for them. Because both graduated from walden made me decide to go to walden for my NP.

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

Lots of info on NP programs in AN's student NP forum:

https://allnurses.com/student-nurse-practitioner-c186/

Biggest issue you will face is having to arrange your own clinical preceptors; with COVID-19 now, others finding it difficult. Some hospitals will not hire NP's from online programs -- check to see hiring requirements in your area.

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Specializes in CVICU, MICU, Burn ICU.

I would absolutely caution you against an online acute care program. It's bad enough to find clinical sites for primary care, but unless you are VERY well connected in the acute care/ICU/Surgical world, I would not do an online ACNP program. The skills required for this specialty need to be obtained through solid partnership between the academic institution and the clinical site.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

I've actually heard nothing but good things about Walden's online NP Program and the hospitals around my area specifically, do hire them. I can't speak for other areas but one of my greatest concerns (because I am in the same boat as you) is what WestCoastSunRN stated about the skills and clinical site acquisition.

Does it work the same as an RN program? You go through all the specialities or do you just search for the clinical sites for that specific specialty whether ir be FNP, AGAC, etc?

Seems like a bit to delve into before making a solid decision.

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On 8/4/2020 at 5:50 AM, Avi2020 said:

Hi I currently applied and waiting to start at Waldens NP Program for Adult-Gerontology Primary Care. I have a couple of coworkers that graduated from Walden’s acute care NP Program. I know one was having a hard time finding a job but now he’s working under a rehab doctor at out facility. The other lady didn’t seem to had a hard time finding a job and is working under a cardiac doctor at our facility. I don’t know all the details of how the program was for them. Because both graduated from walden made me decide to go to walden for my NP. 

oh WOW!. thank you for that input.. Do you know if that lady is working in the hospital right now?

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7 hours ago, WestCoastSunRN said:

I would absolutely caution you against an online acute care program. It's bad enough to find clinical sites for primary care, but unless you are VERY well connected in the acute care/ICU/Surgical world, I would not do an online ACNP program. The skills required for this specialty need to be obtained through solid partnership between the academic institution and the clinical site.

oh I see. Well, I was mostly interested to working specialty clinic which you can't really do for regular FNP from my understanding.

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5 hours ago, NurseGuy92 said:

I've actually heard nothing but good things about Walden's online NP Program and the hospitals around my area specifically, do hire them. I can't speak for other areas but one of my greatest concerns (because I am in the same boat as you) is what WestCoastSunRN stated about the skills and clinical site acquisition. 

Does it work the same as an RN program? You go through all the specialities or do you just search for the clinical sites for that specific specialty whether ir be FNP, AGAC, etc?

Seems like a bit to delve into before making a solid decision.

it's so hard to make a decision TBH. I'm having a hard time on which school. I not even sure if I want to work inpatient setting. I wanted acute NP so I can work outpatient specialty .. but do inpatient time to time. I live in Los Angeles and many jobs have this opportunity in big hospitals. Where else did you search into?

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Specializes in Float nurse/Med-Surg.

Hi yes the lady currently work in the hospital.

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

Make sure you've checked Walden's note on licensure ---not all boards of nursing recognize education:

Quote

Walden currently cannot enroll residents of the following states/districts into any Nurse Practitioner specializations: Louisiana, Nevada, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, Utah, Puerto Rico, and Rhode Island.

https://www.waldenu.edu/about/colleges-schools/college-of-nursing/licensure

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Specializes in CVICU, MICU, Burn ICU.
On 8/5/2020 at 4:05 PM, pulchra said:

oh I see. Well, I was mostly interested to working specialty clinic which you can't really do for regular FNP from my understanding.

I think ACNP program is what you are looking for. Just do one that is a local, brick-and-mortar or choose a well-respected distance program that sets up your clinicals . It's difficult to pick an NP specialty when you expect your practice to transition over settings, especially if you need to see ALL ages. In that case, you most certainly will require more than one certification. But think about what you want to do and who you want to treat and pick your initial certification based on that.

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On 8/5/2020 at 5:21 PM, NRSKarenRN said:

Make sure you've checked Walden's note on licensure ---not all boards of nursing recognize education:

Thank you. I'm from LA.

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