What FNP program did you attend and did you like it?

allnurses Guide · Jun 11, 2012

I attended a Direct Entry program at Boston College. It was a total bricks and mortar program, and they arranged all our clinicals for us. Basically, I liked the program. It was far from perfect, but I worked my butt off and took the initiative to make sure I got what I needed. Personally, I would not have attended a program that made you find your own clinicals. My program was extremely rigorous and I would not have had time to look for sites. I also didn't need the added stress. The program was very expensive and that level of service was part of what I was paying for. We had the option to find our own sites if we wanted, but most didn't. The majority of the sites had served as preceptors before and were already vetted by the school. That's not to say there weren't some crummy sites that didn't work out, but the onus was on the school to fix it or find a replacement site.

Just my:twocents:. I wish you the best of luck.

Aradien · Jun 13, 2012

I hope you don't mind my adding my 2cents....I have been looking into programs for FNP (I have since decided that I did not want to do that so I am going to do my MSN in Nursing Informatics and Nursing Education instead). I am in Pennsylvania so I looked at Millersville, Widener, University of Pennsylvania (UofP), Drexel, and Jefferson University. Hands down, if I was going to do a FNP, I would go to UofP. They are well-known nationally, internationally, and would arrange all of your clinicals for you. There is really something to be said of a school that has the resources to line up clinicals for you to get the best experience that you can get.

I wish you the best of luck.

Aradien

KimmbaFNP, MSN, APRN, NP · Jun 14, 2012

I think you will find that most programs do not arrange your FNP clinical sites for you. The advantage is that you're not stuck going somewhere you don't want to be and can try to establish clinicals at sites that are more of interest to you.

Well written letters of introduction with a brief summary about yourself (intelligent, fast learner, enthusiastic, etc.), the program you're in, your goals and the requirements for a preceptor/clinical site (information such as "you can agree to precept for just one semester or the whole program and able to terminate with 1 weeks notice") work well for securing a good clinical site. In your closing paragraph ask for the opportunity to meet with him/her (personally address all letters - no form letters) so that they can determine if you'd be a good fit for their practice. Mail your letters (or better, hand deliver) to the sites you are interested in. I had no trouble finding clinical sites using this method.

I HIGHLY recommend Sonoma State University's FNP program (CA). The core faculty and director are incredibly supportive and helpful and they work hard to create a nurturing environment (more along the lines of what nursing is supposed to be all about). I had to transfer mid-program and can also recommend Marquette University (Wisconsin) where I originally enrolled. However, they do not have Family, so you'd have to consider Adult, pedi, acute care or another NP option.

UCSF's program is top rated, highly competitive but also has more of a "sink or swim" attitude (not so supportive) according to various graduates I know. I've heard both good and bad from Samuel Merritt Graduates. Most MSN students I've met who attended Univ. of San Francisco (I took several classes there with different cohorts) were very unhappy with the masters level programs there (worse than sink or swim, it's more of a "prove to us you're worthy to be here or else get out" type attitude from the 20+ folks I know who obtained their MSN's from there), however, their FNP is now a DNP and I don't know if students in the DNP feel as equally dissatisfied. (Perhaps others here have attended USF or the other programs and can weigh in on these perceptions?)

In my opinion it is better to find a program that "fits" well with you and is supportive, as when it comes down to it you'll be hired based on whether they like you and most don't care what school you attended so long as you've got the training/degree/credential.

All the best with finding the program that is right for you!

I'm wanting to enroll in an FNP program. I have 15 years of pedi and nicu experience currently.
I'm wanting to get the opinions of colleagues that have gone this route on their schools. What did you and did you NOT like about your programs?
What would be a deal breaker for you on a program?
What would you definitely look for in a program?

McNabK9, BSN, RN, APN · May 23, 2013

"I HIGHLY recommend Sonoma State University's FNP program (CA). The core faculty and director are incredibly supportive and helpful and they work hard to create a nurturing environment (more along the lines of what nursing is supposed to be all about)."

This was not my experience. I did the RN to MSN route. Presently I completed one semester of the FNP program. I am now on a leave of absence trying to find a school that offers CNL which was my first choice. The SSU CNL program was discontinued after the instructor retired. It is still in the catalog but not offered. So after completing most of the pathway track, right before entry to the CNL, I was told that it is no longer offered and my only choice at SSU was FNP. With these limited options I started the FNP. Myself and other students found the program very unorganized. The instructors and the program directors either had poor communication or no one could make a decision so that communication or communication content could be disseminated. I found this program acceptable during the undergrad portion mainly based on the high caliber of the instructors. The grade FNP was another story. It really came across as an unorganized program that was collecting alot of tuition to offer a program that the student has to maneuver through on their own in regards to the management of the program. One of those scenarios where you have to ask alot of questions but make sure the people running the program aren't embarrassed because they should be offering more leadership. Education needs to be more customer service oriented for the amount of tuition being paid. The course materials were not up-to-date causing confusion and constantly needing clarification which wasn't easily found. Alot of huddles with classmates to figure things out. Unacceptable in my book.

myelin · May 24, 2013

UCSF's program is top rated, highly competitive but also has more of a "sink or swim" attitude (not so supportive) according to various graduates I know.

As someone very familiar with UCSF, I'll just say I've found this to be completely untrue. I also will say that I think having a program that provides the entirety of your education, which absolutely includes your clinicals, is crucial.

BSN, RN, CEN · Mar 27, 2017

I currently attend Thomas Jefferson Univeristy. I am a student in the Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program. If you live within the 90 mile radius of the campus, they do provide clinical placement for all students. This is a huge benefit as many students sit out for a semester or two. Overall, I am very pleased with the program. At times, the professors are disorganized like many other programs. However, I don't regret my decision. Best of luck, and know that you can do this.