Several years ago I got into some heated arguments with people on this sight about Walden University, and their quality of education or legitimacy. I Don't hear much about that anymore.
Well let me just give a little update after almost 4 years after graduating Walden's FNP program. After graduation, licensure, and certification (ten days after graduation without a prep course) I went to work with my last preceptor in a family practice clinic. I worked very hard, and learned a great deal. I did some overtime and made almost $130,000 my first year out of school. My next year, I was given a satellite clinic on my own, and built it up That second year I made $157,000 in salary. After 2 years in family practice, I began to get a little bored, and decide to move into emergency medicine.
I took a job in a critical access hospital in Montana, became ATLS and NRP certified and started working ER as a sole provider in this rural community. My first year of that I made $161,000. Mainly though, I got a massive amount of experience and knowledge from this first ER gig. Ultimately, I started doing a little Locums work on the side, and realized that not only did I enjoy locums work, but there was a huge demand for locums ER providers.
Within a few months, I went out on my own as a private contractor working locums assignments all over the US. I have numerous state licenses, and have many ongoing contracts with small critical access hospital in many states. Also, I work telemedicine in 5 different states. This year I have made $200,000, with 9 weeks off so far and have 10 days planned off around the holidays. I work when I want to, and I am my own boss.
My point in all of this is...; My Walden education experience was a good one. I got what I needed to be successful in my profession. Don't let people tell you what you can and can't do. Decide what you want to do and do it! Don't let peoples opinion dictate your life, they don't get to live your life.
Ironically, I heard a lot of skeptics talk about how it would be hard to find a job after graduation from Walden University......NOPE, not one time have I had a single issue in finding a job, or negotiating a contract due to where I went to school. In fact, no one has ever even asked where I went to school. However, when I was sitting in an interview with a CEO a couple of years ago, I happened to look on her wall where there just happened to be a diploma from Walden University hanging. We talked about our common alumnus status for a brief moment, then I signed the contract.So maybe, just maybe, my Walden affiliation HELPED me get employed....who knows?
