So I jumped at the opportunity to start the new FNP program shortly after graduating with my BSN from WGU in 2020.
Thr differences between my eXperience for BSN vs MSN.
I had to apply and get accepted into the new limited access program. The FNP program was a minimum of 2 years at the time. No mater how quickly you finished your courses you would just have a wait till your next term. I had clinical hours to complete 650 rials hours in a 6 month term, and it was cutting it close. I had to find my own preceptors. I'm in Florida so it was pricey.There was a longer time to wait for approvals for end of term for clinical. Maybe a week. I was used to the speedy "no need to communicate if you passed your exam or finished your PA" type classes.
A few similarities. Books and everything were available in links or ebook format. I got a fancy kit That came with Welchyann product otoscope, Ophthalmoscope for assessments. The core MSN classes are the same or similar to other MSN programs as WGU. So I joined a few other facebook groups for Wgu as the FNP was new and did not have any resources to find online or anywhere else. The CPE or online portfolio are similar for PA and student response with feedback assignments.
Take away for core classes. If you have a degree with WGU, you should do well in the core classes. I did struggle and thought I might need to extend a term after a difficult class With statistics and excel. But I reached out and got help so I was able to move on to the next term.
Take away from FNP courses. So I have always been a great test taker. I did not fail any of the exams or have to do a retake at WGU. With that being said, those are some of the hardest exams I have taken so far. I developed some test anxiety after the first exam. I have always been and over study person and I was still just over passing the exams.
I really had to digest the books. There was no real study guide it was a lot of info at once. Only.tips I can offer is to type out the "guide" while you're studying. Join the FB group. Reach out to your program mentors and course instructors as soon as you to have any questions.
Clinical take aways. Just secure a preceptor right now if you can. Go ahead and jot down some info of people that might precept you before you start.best if they have at least 2 years experience. I had two doctors and one nurse practitioner. The school preferred NPs in primary care or psych. I did family care, so I chose family practice locations. I think PAs are accepted as well but I would also recommend you talk directly from someone at WGU as content and requirements are changing all the time.
Preceptor take aways. I was not able to really work during clinical time or the last term of the program. I needed 650 hours total divided in 3 terms. It was about 2.5 months full time hours. I worked per diem one shift a week and but the end I was burnt out. It is important to include other thing in the time frame, exams, documentation of hours and client cases, primary simulation checks off and evaluation time to approve for next term.
After awhile it felt like I was just working for free. Not really for free. I did have to find preceptors and I paid for their time. Not all of them though. The majority of my hours were free clinical preceptorship.
Make sure you have a preceptor you know and can get along well with. I was spending 40+ hours a week with my preceptors. I also had a need for them and a grateful attitude and I think that helped in the long run.
After you complete 500 clinical hours you can apply for AANP. I chose AANP over AANC because I heard you get a quicker ATT. I was authorized to test in two days. You can always pay to sit for both it you are nervous. Every job board I seen states to have either certification so the quickest ATT was my deciding factor. I was over my 650 hours when I applied. I wanted time to focus for testing. I purchased the leik book and did all the questions that come in the back of the book. I did them on the online format. I also used the cohen review and the cohen review q/a. I took the exam a week after ATT. I had been studying though out the program I did not feel confident. I just felt that I was prepared as I could be. I passed June 2022. I did not use any other guide. I am not affiliated with the Cohen review company. She was just a good value ($79) at the time.
After passing the AANP my final transcripts took three weeks to process. I feel like I should have waited till I graduated to take AANP. They will not give you official certification until they process your final transcripts. You cannot apply for your state license until after you have a certification with AANC or AANP. I then had to apply for Florida state board it took less than a week after applying. I received a license number on Florida mqa website.
To sum, I would recommend the WGU FNP program and the BSN program. I would also recommend a flexible mindset as the program is a year old. The director was approachable very receptive to feedback and changes that could help students succed. One change was that the minimum requirement is now 2.5 years.
I believe it was related to students from different colleges or not familiar with WGU's program practices, and they rushed into exams, or did not understand the essay style and APA paper style format that's custom to WGU. I cannot say this information is factual. This is my own speculation as I observed a few people asking on a public boards for direct answers, or stating they took one of the 3P classes( patho, primary care, physical assesment ) after being in that class for a week. I did take a minimum of one month to study per OA for FNP core classes. Everyone is different. I took more time as I am a read and write studier. There was no way I could have read and answered questions to the content in a shorter time frame. Anywho speculation.
I also not sponsored or affiliated by the school other than being a graduate. Please go to any school that you feel works the best for you and your situation (like covered tuition with military or hospital contracts are good options).
You can do the program. There are more resources available. It's up to you to get the most out of the program and pass your exams. Whatever school program you choose, I wish you the best of luck future Nurse Practitioner!
Dana MSN, FNP-C.
Also yay me for my first post after using this website for years as a guide!
