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!
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.
Thanks. What did you mean by seeing "all" ages? Do you see all ages as an acute NP?
Thanks. What did you mean by seeing "all" ages? Do you see all ages as an acute NP?
There are situations where you would need to see all ages. If you are a hospitalist at a small community hospital, for instance. If you work in a procedural specialty that sees all ages. Some specialties see patients of all ages. If however, you want to work in an ICU - you would choose either adult or pediatric ACNP - and unless you are at a small community ICU, you would be fine. Or if you want to work in cardiology - you can choose pediatric or adult.
There are situations where you would need to see all ages. If you are a hospitalist at a small community hospital, for instance. If you work in a procedural specialty that sees all ages. Some specialties see patients of all ages. If however, you want to work in an ICU - you would choose either adult or pediatric ACNP - and unless you are at a small community ICU, you would be fine. Or if you want to work in cardiology - you can choose pediatric or adult.
Walden does not do any hands-on skills training at all. I would steer clear of this for ACNP. You really need to have that foundation in training on how to insert art lines, central lines, IOs, chest tubes, suturing, lumbar punctures, intubations, etc., before starting clinicals. I know FNPs from Walden's program, and they do well. I do not know any ACNPs at our facility who went their program. As stated above, some hospitals will not hire from programs that have no actual campus.
Walden does not do any hands-on skills training at all. I would steer clear of this for ACNP. You really need to have that foundation in training on how to insert art lines, central lines, IOs, chest tubes, suturing, lumbar punctures, intubations, etc., before starting clinicals. I know FNPs from Walden's program, and they do well. I do not know any ACNPs at our facility who went their program. As stated above, some hospitals will not hire from programs that have no actual campus.
I'm just curious, does the training during clinical rotations not suffice for getting your skills that you speak of?
Depends on your clinical site. However, the skills @SopranoKris stated require practice and training. Clinical sites don't have time to practice, for example, art/central line insertions on live patients where there are more risks than a simple IV insertion especially in today's covid environment.
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pulchra, BSN
32 Posts
Thanks. What did you mean by seeing "all" ages? Do you see all ages as an acute NP?