Walden University - the latest on the FNP program

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Hello all... ...long time reader, first time poster.....

...seeking info on the Walden FNP program....

So, I have a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Texas at Austin, and I am a Registered Nurse in Texas (Associates level).

I have been researching programs to bridge from my RN with non-nursing Bachelors degree to MSN-Nurse Practitioner. ....Ball State, Samford, Frontier, Walden, etc.

I have applications out, and most of these seem pretty competitive to get into. Walden, however, seems to be a pretty straight shot in if you meet their qualifications. I spoke with an adviser this morning and was told that all is currently well with clinical rotations in Texas and, further, licensing as an FNP in Texas.

I have read older posts where folks were voicing concerns over being able to genuinely become licensed as a Family Nurse Practitioner in Texas after completing the Walden program. Walden tells me that they currently have FNP students in Texas, and that everything has been straightened out. I do intend to contact the BON, etc, but I wanted to see if any Walden FNP students from Texas are out there and hopefully get some feedback.

The Walden FNP program is so new that they have not yet graduated any Nurse Practitioners (just started September 2012). So, there are not yet any "proven cases," but there are people who have done the research and who have made the tremendous commitment to pursue their FNP through Walden. I would love to hear from you on your knowledge, experience, and verification of legitimacy of the program.

Anybody out there in this program and well on their way, and possibly in Texas, and can confirm that this is a legitimate road to FNP for a nurse in Texas?

Thanks so much,

Michael

Specializes in Certified Family Nurse Practitioner.

I attend Walden, and I have had a great experience so far. I start practicum in September. As far as credibility is concerned, that will all depend on who you talk to. My state board of nursing defines credibility as any university that is "nationally accredited", and Walden university is CCNE accredited and meets the those requirements completely. Walden's program is very tough and time consuming, and is very difficult to do while working. Do your homework, but if you decide to attend Walden, just know it will not be easy. Credibility like beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. I went to a highly respected school for my BSN, but I'm sure anyone outside the deep south has never heard of it (William Carey university).....does that make it credible....?....you tell me.

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George and Mark,

are either of you from Texas?

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I'm also attending Walden and it seems like a good program (in my 3rd qtr). I echo what someone said earlier, the advisors don't always know what they are talking about. Just call the admin if you have real questions about clinicals, plan of study etc. However, the classes are set up well, the teachers have been awesome so far and very supportive. Assignments are difficult and a lot of work but not too bad, it is definitely do-able and seems like an appropriate level of work compared to other online classes I've taken. The important classes (like patho etc.) are higher workload and the other classes are less (like policy etc.) I learned a lot in all of the classes though and I thought policy would be an awful class, I actually enjoyed it and learned from it.

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I attend Walden, and I have had a great experience so far. I start practicum in September. As far as credibility is concerned, that will all depend on who you talk to. My state board of nursing defines credibility as any university that is "nationally accredited", and Walden university is CCNE accredited and meets the those requirements completely. Walden's program is very tough and time consuming, and is very difficult to do while working. Do your homework, but if you decide to attend Walden, just know it will not be easy. Credibility like beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. I went to a highly respected school for my BSN, but I'm sure anyone outside the deep south has never heard of it (William Carey university).....does that make it credible....?....you tell me.

All of Mark's posts are about Walden. I'm gonna go ahead and say "user paid by Walden University to say good things about it on message boards" -- Capella puts a bunch of these people out there for psych programs, and Walden is really the same type of for-profit situation as Capella.

Possibly the same with george82 - his one and only post is defending Walden.

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Hi, I am from Texas. I am also a grad student of WU taking MSN with FNP as specialty. I am a transfer student from another Tx State University. All I can say is that I do not have any regrets at all enrolling with WU. All my professors have PhDs and are very professional. The classes are challenging and you need a lot of your critical thinking skills to pass the courses. You do not have to be a genius but you need to read a LOT. You are looking at 8-10 chapters and 3 to 5 peer reviewed evidence based articles to read per class in each week. And by the way, I did my homework also. I called Tx BON and ANCC to verify WU's credentials. I suggest you do the same to have peace of mind before you make your decision. And do not worry, there are a lot of us WU FNP students from the lone star state. Goodluck!

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Specializes in Certified Family Nurse Practitioner.
All of Mark's posts are about Walden. I'm gonna go ahead and say "user paid by Walden University to say good things about it on message boards" -- Capella puts a bunch of these people out there for psych programs, and Walden is really the same type of for-profit situation as Capella.

Possibly the same with george82 - his one and only post is defending Walden.

This is funny....I wish someone was paying me to say good things about Walden University. If anyone knows how I can get that gig let me know where that line forms. I know it would be impossible to believe that someone could actually enjoy their experience at Walden, but it does happen!

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Specializes in Certified Family Nurse Practitioner.
George and Mark,

are either of you from Texas?

Mississippi, Laurel to be exact.

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Specializes in med-surg, family practice, bariatrics.

I will have to disagree as I have read several of Mark's posts over the past months and certainly believe he is stating from his own experience. I was accepted at both Georgetown and Walden University's online FNP program and comparing apples to apples in regards to program content, I chose Walden. My final decision came down to the cost of tuition. I believe you get out what you put into a program. As mentioned in earlier posts, Walden, as well as Georgetown, are both CCNE accredited which is an important thing to look at when applying to NP programs.

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suggest you check WU credentials with ANCC and your state BON before you make your decision to enroll, peace of mind is priceless....I have not heard of Capella...I have seen DeVry's ad on TV and the jokes about it at work, I am not impressed at all

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I don't know about Texas, but I do know Mark Hill as a classmate. WU has a challenging program and the first class starts clinicals in September. Students who transferred from many "known" programs are doing clinicals already and will graduate first. Every student who transferred from other programs have said the WU has a more organized program, more challenging program, and better instructors than the schools they previously attended. It is a good program, and like others, the more you put in it, the more you get out.

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Specializes in ICU & LTAC as RN. FNP.

I would like to add something to this discussion. I graduated last December from McNeese State Univ in Louisiana. The dean of our Np program left the univ at the same time, and now is teaching at Walden's. I believe she left so that she would have more family time. I won't put her name up on a forum board, but to me she was one of the best instructors/leaders/mentors I could have asked for. If that is the caliber of people Walden's hires, then I believe their NP program is alright. Our program was primarily online, however the univ is a real place a block from my home, Google McNeese if you want to.

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Specializes in Family Medicine & Nursing Education.

I see your point. If you have not chosen a path yet, may I suggest Aspen University. They have both a RN to BSN and a RN to MSN program. I understand fully how you need to see and feel a sense of progression as you move along; especially if you suffer burn out along the way. I completed the RN to MSN program in a 1-1/2 and am currently looking for that post master's NP program. I don't want to go directly into a DNP because I need to see completion, get the NP license and then work towards the terminal degree. Also, remember, time is money.

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