Which NP Program would you choose?

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Specializes in ER, Tele/Medsurg, Ambulatory PACU.

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So I’m actively applying to schools to pursue a career as an ACNP. A little background,  I have years of ER/trauma experience and I’m currently in the ICU as well; married, 5 month old baby, and supportive parents.. 

The 3 programs I’ve chosen to apply have pros/cons, but  I’m at a crossroads at which one should be my “#1” choice or sounds like the best program. My plan is to attend Fall 2021. Some insight will be greatly appreciated! 

Not in any particular order,

School #1

B&M, meeting once or twice weekly

3 years PT runs concurrently (Fa, Sp, Sum)

Clinical Hours: 840 (4 clinical rotation courses)

Pros: 

1. Schools sets up clinicals

2. Patho class and clinical immersion skills involves use of cadever

3. Faculty consist of NPs and MDs

4. Possible full tuition payment if you’re full-time or part time with the health system for 1 year (which I’m not but can be)

Cons

1.  Commute 1+ hr and I live in the northeast 

2. Clinicals are only assigned in school’s affiliated health system, wouldn’t be able to do clinicals in my home residence. 

3. School is expensive (probably will spend about 60k by the end even with my jobs tuition reimbursement)

4. More difficult to have a work/life balance 

SCHOOL #2

Former B&M transitioned to fully online (asynchronous)

3-3.5 years, PT OR FT (not concurrent)

Clinical Hours: 720 (240hrs per semester)

Pros:

1. Reputable school, has one of the oldest of the 3 acnp programs that exist in the state.

2. School is much cheaper than school #1 (925/pc with no additional fees) 

3. Ability to do travel nursing while in school to pay my tuition and home bills (can probably leave school debt free)

4. Online would provide a better work/life balance 

Cons:

1. This is the first time the program will be fully online, concerned for bumps on the road.

2. They no longer guarantee clinical placements, basically states on the website that you must find your own.

3. Only 3 clinical immersions throughout the program (is that enough to feel confident in your skills?)

4. Are fully online programs sufficient for the ACNP track? I’m NOT against it, I just want to know if it is enough to suffice the learning curves that exist with going from RN —> NP

SCHOOL #3

1. Hybrid, online (synchronous/asynchronous), and in later semesters class meets 1-2/week

2. 3-6(???) years PT or FT

3. Clinical Hours: 540 (180/per semester)

Pros:

1. My alma mater; well acclimated with faculty and professors.

2. I like that there is a synchronous online portion (doesn’t feel like I’m just teaching myself) 

3. Tuition is cheapest of all 3 (600+/pc, can easily pay my way through school, debt free) 

4. School will help you in finding clinical placement, but not all placements are guaranteed. 

5. Short commute to in-person classes (30-45 min)

Cons

1. This will be the FIRST cohort for the ACNP program (they have 2 existing NP programs ); concerned if there will be bumps on the road for it being a “new” track.

2. Requires the least amount of clinical hours for all 3. 

3. if the school accredited but the program track is new, is considered accredited? 

4. Also only includes 3 lab intensives for clinical immersions. 

Sorry in advance that this is kind of long. Any advice would be appreciated because choosing a school has become more difficult that I anticipated. Please feel free to PM me as well. Thanks a lot! 

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Specializes in Psychiatry.

Number 1 sounds like the best education by far, and having the school do clinical placement is worth a lot. Especially for ACNP, having a hands-on program like that will make a huge difference for feeling competent on Day one when you're thrown to the wolves. 

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Number 1 for sure. A few years of painful work life balance is worth a lifetime of good education. 

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Specializes in Psych/Mental Health.

Great breakdown. You've done your homework.

#1 is the best choice, IMO, hands down.

#3 would be second

#2 would be last in comparison

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Specializes in New Critical care NP, Critical care, Med-surg, LTC.

I'm a bit jealous over option #1! That's the one I would choose.

I do think that some people place a little unnecessary emphasis on schools finding clinical rotations. I had contacted potential preceptors before I enrolled in school, knowing that it would be coming. I ended up being delayed by COVID, but other than that I really didn't have trouble with clinical placements. It's a little annoying getting the paperwork/contracts signed, but I got to tailor my own clinical experiences to ones that I wanted with preceptors that I knew were going to be an excellent resource for me. I've read quite a few students saying their preceptors don't give them any time/attention/feedback. I had excellent experiences with mine because they came highly recommended and I was able to meet with all of them ahead of time. 

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Specializes in Vascular Neurology and Neurocritical Care.

Option 1. No question. 

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Specializes in ER, Tele/Medsurg, Ambulatory PACU.
9 hours ago, MentalKlarity said:

Number 1 sounds like the best education by far, and having the school do clinical placement is worth a lot. Especially for ACNP, having a hands-on program like that will make a huge difference for feeling competent on Day one when you're thrown to the wolves. 

Thank you for your insight! 

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Specializes in ER, Tele/Medsurg, Ambulatory PACU.
9 hours ago, djmatte said:

Number 1 for sure. A few years of painful work life balance is worth a lifetime of good education. 

Thank you for your insight! And I agree a solid education is worth sacrificing work/life balance. 

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Specializes in ER, Tele/Medsurg, Ambulatory PACU.
7 hours ago, umbdude said:

Great breakdown. You've done your homework.

#1 is the best choice, IMO, hands down.

#3 would be second

#2 would be last in comparison

Thank you for the compliment! And yes I’ve been doing a ton of research to narrow down my choices. I appreciate it! 

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Specializes in ER, Tele/Medsurg, Ambulatory PACU.
1 hour ago, JBMmom said:

I'm a bit jealous over option #1! That's the one I would choose.

I do think that some people place a little unnecessary emphasis on schools finding clinical rotations. I had contacted potential preceptors before I enrolled in school, knowing that it would be coming. I ended up being delayed by COVID, but other than that I really didn't have trouble with clinical placements. It's a little annoying getting the paperwork/contracts signed, but I got to tailor my own clinical experiences to ones that I wanted with preceptors that I knew were going to be an excellent resource for me. I've read quite a few students saying their preceptors don't give them any time/attention/feedback. I had excellent experiences with mine because they came highly recommended and I was able to meet with all of them ahead of time. 

Thank you for your insight! I have quite a few NPs who I know I can precept with.

However I’ve also—especially because of COVID—became wary of the stories of students whose clinicals were delayed or cancelled because they couldn’t find a preceptor; which I’m trying to avoid as much as possible. Also, having vetted preceptors I think makes a huge difference in the overall quality of a program. 

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Specializes in ED.

can you share the name of the schools, I am currently looking for one as well.

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