Walden University vs Wilkes University PMHNP

[psychgirl1, ASN]

Hi guys!

I have my ADN and I'm wanting to start PMHNP school. Im currently working in psych and I'm sure this is exactly what I want to do. Since I don't have my bachelor's degree (no desire to obtain it), I am limited in what schools I can attend. I need to go to a school that does ADN to MSN.

So far I have looked into Walden that is very popular and then Wilkes. I keep hearing Walden is a "diploma mill" and not a great school. Then I'll hear that its decent and worth enrolling into. I haven't heard much regarding Wilkes. Can anyone provide me any insight in which school would be better and why?

I keep seeing mixed reviews and Im very conflicted. I realistically would want to go to a program that I can work through and have balance. If you go to either school what is your workload usually like? Writing papers? Group projects? Power points? 

I am aware of the issues with both schools regarding clinical placements. Both school seem to have this issue.

If anyone can provide any insight that might help me make a decision I would GREATLY appreciate that!

Sincerely,

A very conflicted psych RN 😫

[MentalKlarity, BSN, NP]

It's a for profit school. They have shareholders and are to maximize profit. They accept 100-% of applicants and have minimal standards. I have seen functionally illiterate people graduate from their NP Program. Do not go there it's an embarrassment 

[psychgirl1, ASN]

@MentalKlarity are you talking about Walden or Wilkes?

[MentalKlarity, BSN, NP]

psychgirl1 said:

@MentalKlarity are you talking about Walden or Wilkes?

Walden. It is an absolute joke. I know providers who literally laugh about Walden graduates and I worked at a practice where Walden as the NP school meant the resume went right into the trash. No interview given no matter how much experience they had.

[FullGlass, BSN, MSN, NP]

psychgirl1 said:

@MentalKlarity are you talking about Walden or Wilkes?

Both of them are for-profit diploma mills.  There are plenty of reputable nonprofit schools out there, so please go to one of those.

[PsychDNPStudentInCO, BSN, RN]

FullGlass said:

Both of them are for-profit diploma mills.  There are plenty of reputable nonprofit schools out there, so please go to one of those.

I second this. Going to schools like these dilute the quality of the profession and does a disservice to the NP role so many others before us fought so hard for. I wish the BONs would do a better job of weeding out subpar programs, but they do not, so it's up to us to make the best, most ethically responsible choice in our education. You will have people's lives and livelihoods in your hands. Do you want to go to the program that is the easiest and quickest to get through but offers a low-quality education? Or do you want a high-quality education and give your patients the care they deserve? And, if you're looking for the easiest program you can find because you don't think you will make it in a decent program, should you choose a healthcare provider role?

[londonflo]

PsychDNPStudentInCO said:

. I wish the BONs would do a better job of weeding out subpar programs, but they do not,

It is the CCNE organization that needs to add stringent requirements to the quality of these programs before approval. The CCNE is supposed to do a 'deep dive' in to the curriculum (including placements), the financial background, the number who enroll and thus graduate, and the number of graduates who obtain a job.  ACEN does this. 

I respect your opinion PsychDNP but 

PsychDNPStudentInCO said:

Do you want to go to the program that is the easiest and quickest to get through 

But on these boards this is the most asked question. 

[SubSippi]

They are definitely diploma mills that make our whole profession look bad. People who went there for school always defend them because nobody wants to admit that their education was subpar. 
 

I know you don't want to get a BSN, so hopefully you can find a reputable program that works for you. But if not, consider it. You owe it to yourself and to your future patients to get a good education! 

[truckinusa, BSN, LPN, RN]

I'm not certain if certain aspects are the same with Wilkes and Walden.  WIlkes has a physcial campus in Wilkes Barre Pennsylvania.  They have an actual nursing school that is brick and mortar for BSN students.  Wilkes is a non-profit.  They have an endowment and its a private college.

The graduate nursing school is ran like a separate organization.  I don't know the CCNE requirements, but they basically use the fact they have an established university and nursing school to sell NP degrees.  The management and learning platform is ran by a company called Keypath Education.  They are out of Schaumburg, Illinois.  Many universities use this company.  Many "non-profit" universities and public universities use Keypath Education.  The whole relationship with Wilkes makes it where the students are disconnected from anyone in charge.  Had a recent exam where a good majority bombed the test because it was unrelated to the material.  Not a word from any instructors or Wilkes.  Just assurances something will be done.  Something better be done like teach the material!

To Wilkes credit, they seem to come up with solutions when there are problems.  Had a problem with an instructor and it was resolved.  They take their sweet time communicating about the simplest problems.  Sometimes they don't communicate at all.