Walden University's Online AGACNP Program Review

Bluefamily, MSN · Nov 17, 2020

Hi Chris..I hope you're moving forward with your decision. I love the AGACNP program at Walden. The key to remember is that the health care world is fluid and ever changing. NPs must learn to advocate for themselves as the MDs, CMS and legislation fight to keep our reimbursement rates low and independent practice at Bay.

The challenges you encounter during the course of your education, teach you how to navigate the real world. Nothing is ever handed to you. I've enjoyed every minute of my education there. Not only am I gaining the hard facts pf science and the AGACNP skills of patient care and decision making, but the soft skills of navigating the health care landscape as well....jmho.

Good luck

Bluefamily, MSN · Jan 31, 2021

I agree 100%. I am a student at Walden also and have loved the program. The complaints you may have read about "you teach yourself" and "I am reading a book to learn this"...in the real world, what is it that you do anyway? Pick up a book and learn it yourself. The "soft skills" of the program teaches you how to do that.

The professors I have found to be as involved as you want them to be. They are there to guide and direct, not spoon-feed. As an experienced nurse and an adult learner, you know how you learn best. You know your strengths and weaknesses. Build on your strengths. Set yourself up for success.

Even the struggle for finding preceptors ( get them lined up VERY EARLY!) is a transferrable skill for job hunting after graduation.

In every area of the program (in both hard and soft skills) I've matured my practice. I've worked full time the whole way through. When I needed to take a quarter off, I did that and picked up right where I left off without losing anything except the time I took.

One of my professors advised, "You earned your BSN for everyone else---- you had bills to pay, a family to raise, you had other people depending on you. You had to hurry.

Your MSN is your gift to yourself. Luxuriate in the learning opportunity. This degree is because you want to know for yourself."

The program isn't easy, but it's worth it.

Good luck.

NurseKiker · Feb 19, 2021

On 1/30/2021 at 7:59 PM, Bluefamily said:

I agree 100%. I am a student at Walden also and have loved the program. The complaints you may have read about "you teach yourself" and "I am reading a book to learn this"...in the real world, what is it that you do anyway? Pick up a book and learn it yourself. The "soft skills" of the program teaches you how to do that.

The professors I have found to be as involved as you want them to be. They are there to guide and direct, not spoon-feed. As an experienced nurse and an adult learner, you know how you learn best. You know your strengths and weaknesses. Build on your strengths. Set yourself up for success.

Even the struggle for finding preceptors ( get them lined up VERY EARLY!) is a transferrable skill for job hunting after graduation.

In every area of the program (in both hard and soft skills) I've matured my practice. I've worked full time the whole way through. When I needed to take a quarter off, I did that and picked up right where I left off without losing anything except the time I took.

One of my professors advised, "You earned your BSN for everyone else---- you had bills to pay, a family to raise, you had other people depending on you. You had to hurry.

Your MSN is your gift to yourself. Luxuriate in the learning opportunity. This degree is because you want to know for yourself."

The program isn't easy, but it's worth it.

Good luck.

Hi, I am considering enrolling in their AGACNP program. Could you tell me what type of assignments you have and about how many papers you have to write per course? Also, do you know how long the program actually takes to complete? I will be doing the RN-MSN track but I can’t find an actual timeframe on their website. Thank you

Bluefamily, MSN · Feb 19, 2021

Hi Nurse Kicker,

Congratulations on your bold move and commitment to an advanced degree with 2 years of experience. Your courage, self confidence and nursing skill and acumen are much greater than mine was at that career mark. It's is to be commended. (I have always been a nervous nelly so please accept my compliment with the support I intended.)

1. The types of assignments are based on the class content. For example in the policy course, the nurse practitioner role is covered in terms of practice authority, reimbursement and political place in the healthcare provider landscape. In the pharm, patho, assessment classes the NP role is self explanatory.

2. The number of papers to write per course depends on the teacher. Actual papers are usually short (2-4 pages). The bulk of the writing is done in weekly discussion posts and classmate responses. Your posts can be as long or as short as you like, considering all the objectives within the discussion topic are covered.

3. The length of the program will be up to you. Depending on how many credits you bring in from your RN program, which pathway you take (instructor led or competency based) or even if you need to take timer off for life events (having a baby, moving, etc.). You will have to see what transfers in for you.

I will refer you to The school website for further information and a contact number. But wide guesstimate if you go full time with no breaks or quarters off could be 3-3.5 years.

Good luck. I've enjoyed the journey. I hope you will too. It's worth it.

NurseKiker · Feb 22, 2021

On 2/19/2021 at 5:32 AM, Bluefamily said:

Hi Nurse Kicker,

Congratulations on your bold move and commitment to an advanced degree with 2 years of experience. Your courage, self confidence and nursing skill and acumen are much greater than mine was at that career mark. It's is to be commended. (I have always been a nervous nelly so please accept my compliment with the support I intended.)

1. The types of assignments are based on the class content. For example in the policy course, the nurse practitioner role is covered in terms of practice authority, reimbursement and political place in the healthcare provider landscape. In the pharm, patho, assessment classes the NP role is self explanatory.

2. The number of papers to write per course depends on the teacher. Actual papers are usually short (2-4 pages). The bulk of the writing is done in weekly discussion posts and classmate responses. Your posts can be as long or as short as you like, considering all the objectives within the discussion topic are covered.

3. The length of the program will be up to you. Depending on how many credits you bring in from your RN program, which pathway you take (instructor led or competency based) or even if you need to take timer off for life events (having a baby, moving, etc.). You will have to see what transfers in for you.

I will refer you to The school website for further information and a contact number. But wide guesstimate if you go full time with no breaks or quarters off could be 3-3.5 years.

Good luck. I've enjoyed the journey. I hope you will too. It's worth it.

Thank you for responding! I have a question about a couple of the courses; in the advanced health assessment/diagnostic reasoning class it states that advanced procedures will be covered such as suturing, etc. Do we actually have hands-on clinical time to learn those skills or is a watch a video kind of thing? Also, can any clinical hours be completed in an OR or ER setting and can we use MD or PA as a preceptor or do they have to be NP only?

Bluefamily, MSN · Feb 28, 2021

Hi,

1. MDs, PAs and NPs can all be used as preceptors.

2. Clinical placements depend on your NP track of study. Say for example, if you are in the Acute Care track, an ER may be a good opportunity. I am fairly certain there are no OR opportunities since their is no First Assist NP Program at Walden.

3. The skill set (suturing, pap smears and punch biopsies are examples) techniques are covered in video format. However, practicing the skill is covered within your clinical placement opportunity under the guidance of your preceptor.

I hope this helps.

Julie Gamboa, BSN, RN · May 21, 2021

On 2/27/2021 at 3:53 PM, Bluefamily said:

Hi,

1. MDs, PAs and NPs can all be used as preceptors.

2. Clinical placements depend on your NP track of study. Say for example, if you are in the Acute Care track, an ER may be a good opportunity. I am fairly certain there are no OR opportunities since their is no First Assist NP Program at Walden.

3. The skill set (suturing, pap smears and punch biopsies are examples) techniques are covered in video format. However, practicing the skill is covered within your clinical placement opportunity under the guidance of your preceptor.

I hope this helps.

Aloha and thank you so much! I truly appreciate your thorough responses. I've decided that Walden U works best for my goals. I am currently lining up preceptors and plan to start next month. Yikes. Just curious, I understand Walden has FB accounts for different classes and/or cohorts. Can you share your experience with it? Thank you ?

Bluefamily, MSN · May 21, 2021

Hi Julie,

Congratulations on starting your advanced degree! The effort will pay off for sure. Set yourself up for success.

You asked if I could share my experience with Walden's facebook groups. Unfortunately, since I am not on facebook, I cannot supply my opinion. However, fellow students have spoken very highly of the groups.

Best of luck to you. :)

Jasmine James, BSN, RN · May 24, 2021

On 5/21/2021 at 5:27 AM, Julie Gamboa said:

Aloha and thank you so much! I truly appreciate your thorough responses. I've decided that Walden U works best for my goals. I am currently lining up preceptors and plan to start next month. Yikes. Just curious, I understand Walden has FB accounts for different classes and/or cohorts. Can you share your experience with it? Thank you ?

On 2/27/2021 at 8:53 PM, Bluefamily said:

Hi,

1. MDs, PAs and NPs can all be used as preceptors.

2. Clinical placements depend on your NP track of study. Say for example, if you are in the Acute Care track, an ER may be a good opportunity. I am fairly certain there are no OR opportunities since their is no First Assist NP Program at Walden.

3. The skill set (suturing, pap smears and punch biopsies are examples) techniques are covered in video format. However, practicing the skill is covered within your clinical placement opportunity under the guidance of your preceptor.

I hope this helps.

#3 is exactly what I was looking for. I was wondering how do you learn the skills needed for clinicals without any on site immersions.

Bluefamily, MSN · May 24, 2021

You learn the skills through practice.

Best of luck moving forward.

Julie Gamboa, BSN, RN · May 24, 2021

Hi Bluefamily,

I read some feedback online that Advanced Patho, Advanced Pharm and Health Assessment are heavy course to take while working. How was it for you and what do you suggest? Some have suggested to take the course alone instead of being paired with another class.

Thank you ?