Walden University for FNP, any suggestions?

theRNJedi · Jul 17, 2016

Graduated Walden in 2015. One major question to ask up front is about your clinicals. Online clinical programs typically require the student to do all the grunt work in finding a clinical site and mentor/preceptor. I found this to be the most challenging because I had no support in identifying a clinical site, mentor, and I had to do all the paper work for setting up an affiliation agreement between my school and the clinical organization. And If I didn't have that done by the start of the class then I had to withdraw, which delays my progression.

I would ask questions to every recruiter of each program about how the school works with students to plug them into clinical sites for practicums. Some students have great networks to draw on and others don't...so this process looks different for each student.

Most of the time with brick & mortar schools like UTA already have networks, clinical sites, and more support with this piece - and they have distance learning courses/programs to get that online convenience. Just be mindful that Walden is solely online. Yes they're accredited and reputable, but they have no office to drive to, no teacher to meet in person, no cohort of peers to bond with, and if you have complications and issues then you're left dealing with the school via phone and emails.

Needles to say, after my grad degree at Walden, I desired a more personal experience with face-to-face relationships, so I opted not to get my PhD from Walden and am going to a brick & mortar university.

Cheers and good luck.

-theRNjedi

nutella, MSN, RN · Jul 17, 2016

I am going back to school online at 48. I have been a nurse for 11 years and I hold a ADN since 2005. I never got the urge to get my BSN because I am good at my job and I make more money than the BSN nurses. I have been lucky I guess.
Anyhow, the whole reason why I want to be a family Nurse practitioner is because besides my full-time surgery center job as PACU/Preop nurse, I also work part time in a medspa to inject botox and filler. I am so good at it that I have clients who will come back to see me only. I see the opportunity down the road. If I can get my FNP degree, I will be able to make more money, work less and do what I like (botox/filler). I can probably quit my surgery center job which I don't care for.
I have a client who is a NP told me about Walden online, she definitely loves their program because it is much easier than other online universities and it does not take as long. I talked to Walden advisor online and she told me it will take about 2.5 years to get my FNP if I decide on doing the bridge program( I will not get my BSN but go directly to FNP). They are a bit expensive but I think it is doable since I am making okay money. I have also look into UTA (university of Texas Arlington) which has better reviews all around. They are like @10,000 cheaper than Walden but it will take me at least 4.5 years to complete my FNP. UTA does not have a bridge program which means I have to get my BSN first then move on to the FNP.
I am still trying to find out more about other online universities that do the bridge programs. I want to see if there are better choices out there. Please let me know if you have good experience with some online universities that have "bridge", I really need to start now, I am 48 and I think I want to get this done as soon as possible.

From an ADN to FNP in 2.5 y does not sound realistic to be honest. You need to think about the fact that you will continue to work and there will be only so many classes you will be able to do while working fulltime or even reduced. Most nurses have to go part time when they complete clinicals or find creative ways with scheduling. Finding clinical sites can be tough as far as I have heard.

To be honest, the 4.5 y sound more realistic.

It also depends on how long the classes are ...

KatieMI, BSN, MSN, RN · Jul 17, 2016

Sorry, but ADN to FNP in 2.5 years sounds heavily as one of two options:

- extremely weak (hense "easier") quality of education, or

- they cut a lot of corners. A whole lot, being exact.

I am in mostly online FNP program which takes 18 months (all students are required to have BSN and passi g GPA is above 3.75) and I can tell you that there is no humanely possible way to cram into one's head everything you need to know as an FNP practitioner PLUS everything you need for BSN (which is mostly research-heavy coursework) in 2.5 years, full time or not. And it just cannot be "easy" or "easier". Good grad school is hard and very time-consuming. With what was mentioned above, I would bring my money somewhere else.

Luvbuble · Jul 17, 2016

Graduated Walden in 2015. One major question to ask up front is about your clinicals. Online clinical programs typically require the student to do all the grunt work in finding a clinical site and mentor/preceptor. I found this to be the most challenging because I had no support in identifying a clinical site, mentor, and I had to do all the paper work for setting up an affiliation agreement between my school and the clinical organization. And If I didn't have that done by the start of the class then I had to withdraw, which delays my progression.
I would ask questions to every recruiter of each program about how the school works with students to plug them into clinical sites for practicums. Some students have great networks to draw on and others don't...so this process looks different for each student.
Most of the time with brick & mortar schools like UTA already have networks, clinical sites, and more support with this piece - and they have distance learning courses/programs to get that online convenience. Just be mindful that Walden is solely online. Yes they're accredited and reputable, but they have no office to drive to, no teacher to meet in person, no cohort of peers to bond with, and if you have complications and issues then you're left dealing with the school via phone and emails.
Needles to say, after my grad degree at Walden, I desired a more personal experience with face-to-face relationships, so I opted not to get my PhD from Walden and am going to a brick & mortar university.
Cheers and good luck.
-theRNjedi

I think I can find preceptors or hospitals to take me in since I have some connections. We have a lot of facilities and hospitals in Dallas, Tx, right? I also know a few NPs who had gone through this. I am a total introvert but no one can tell because when I am with people, I am talkative and kind of fun I would say. So doing everything online with no teachers or counselors, it is totally okay. The internet is my good friend. Ha ha ha ha.... (kind of sad but it is true).

Just out of curiosity, where did you do your preceptorship since you are in Dallas as well?? Do you mind telling me please? Thanks for your help!

Luvbuble · Jul 17, 2016

I am just going to get the FNP and get a job in the medspa. My goal is to be able to inject my clients without getting clearances from NP. I also probably take a job in a low T clinic as well. Since I already have the experience, it will not be a problem.

mkk99 · Jul 24, 2016

I personally would be wary of choosing my education based on it being supposedly "easy." I don't think nursing (at any level) is supposed to be easy and I would wonder if I would get the education I need to pass my boards and safely take care of my patients if the education is too "easy" (which says to me, tests are easy enough I don't have to study hard or at all, clinical preceptors who just pass me without actually assessing my skills, assignments which don't take any thought and are just busywork)

Buyer beware, BSN · Jul 24, 2016

From an ADN to FNP in 2.5 y does not sound realistic to be honest. You need to think about the fact that you will continue to work and there will be only so many classes you will be able to do while working fulltime or even reduced. Most nurses have to go part time when they complete clinicals or find creative ways with scheduling. Finding clinical sites can be tough as far as I have heard.
To be honest, the 4.5 y sounds more realistic.
It also depends on how long the classes are ...

UTA vs.Walden. With all due respect. Are you kidding me. The "bridge program" is a marketing ruse. Any self-respecting NP program alone takes at least two+ years to complete especially if you're working. The Walden recruiter is playing you. Go to a reputable school, put in the time and save yourself some hard won money. Also don't sign an arbitration agreement. That's like shooting yourself in the foot by giving up your right to sue them when you find out they lied to you especially about the preceptor situation. Look at it this way, you pay them a ton of money and then they say go out in the community and find your own preceptors Ã—5 because we don't get involved with that is outrageous. You have to know in this regard you are up against keen competion for limited spots from other NP schools, PA and medical schools. Go to UTA pay a lot less, much better reputation and reputable and discoverable ,by asking, graduation and retention rates. There is no quick and easy way to become an NP. You've got yo put in the time regardless of what the Walden shills who will tell you anything to get you to sign on the dotted line say. Stay clear of the for-profits they are not the benevolent institutions of higher learning we grew up with and besides you're still a young women. Put in the time to do it right.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jul 24, 2016

Moved to the Student NP forum.

WKShadowNP, DNP, APRN · Jul 24, 2016

I think I can find preceptors or hospitals to take me in since I have some connections. We have a lot of facilities and hospitals in Dallas, Tx, right? I also know a few NPs who had gone through this. I am a total introvert but no one can tell because when I am with people, I am talkative and kind of fun I would say. So doing everything online with no teachers or counselors, it is totally okay. The internet is my good friend. Ha ha ha ha.... (kind of sad but it is true).
Just out of curiosity, where did you do your preceptorship since you are in Dallas as well?? Do you mind telling me please? Thanks for your help!

The fnp program at Walden will not let you use hospital settings for clinical as it is not an acute care model. You would need primary care offices from a family Medicine provider, a pediatric provider, and a woman's health provider (read gyn/ob).

Walden's acute care nurse practitioner program, on the other hand, will let you precept with hospitalists and emergency room providers.

Rettaintx · Jun 10, 2017

I am in FNP program at UTA. It takes 2 years taking one class at a time. The counselor encourage one class at a time. I know two Walden NP students and they are not learning close the amount of material I am learning per their opinion. Good luck.

Dodongo, APRN, NP · Jun 14, 2017

...it is much easier than other online universities and it does not take as long...

Coooooome oooooon. I can't stand these Walden posts. It's embarrassing. Every post on this site about Walden makes me cringe.