Which NP program did you/are you going to choose?

SCSTxRN · May 22, 2013

I chose UT Arlington because it was close, reasonably priced, and has my specialty and a good reputation. I originally chose Midwestern because it was closer and cheaper - but, at least among students, it has a horrible reputation.

I looked at the faster programs - this will take over two years, but I couldn't afford them. I also wonder at how much I would have been able to absorb at a break neck speed, while working full time.

rnwichita · May 24, 2013

I'm interested in Midwestern could someone please give me a brief preview, cannot find that info anywhere here.

NJprisonrn · May 25, 2013

I chose to go to a state school (Richard Stockton, NJ) for several reasons. My first priority was choosing a school that would set up my clinical or at least help out a lot with that process. Only UPENN and Stockton fit this criteria in my area (at the time, which was 1.5 years ago). I also looked at cost. Approx 750/credit in state tuition for Stockton, much more for UPENN. I prefer a brick and mortar school since I feel that class participation is an important factor in learning higher level info, at least for me. It takes me 45mins to get to school and most clinical sites, so I made sure that I could manage this while still working. My program is "hybrid" so I go to class 1-2 days a week, clinical 2-3 days a week (depending on the semester) and the rest (discussion boards, papers, etc) is online. Timing was another factor, since I decided to just do it full time and get it done. UPENN is under 2 years and Stockton is 2+ years FT. Both schools have a good reputation, only take a certain # of students, and have the FNP program. One major advantage to Stockton is that they only have an NP MSN, either Adult or Family. You get much more support from faculty since they only have to deal with a limited track. All this being said, you'd have to live in the area to go to these schools, as they are not online programs.

phillycpnp-pc, MSN, RN, NP · Jul 23, 2013

I chose Villanova. I went there undergrad. They offered some graduate classes at the hospital i worked at. Other classes were online and the rest are on campus. Also they find clinical placement for students.

priorities2 · Jul 24, 2013

I haven't applied yet, but here are my most important factors for a school: provides clinical placement and has an option to take courses on-site rather than online. Time to completion should be under 2 calendar years. I'd prefer to attend school somewhere that doesn't have an outrageous cost of living (i.e., not LA or NYC for sure). I want to attend an MSN program and not a DNP program, at least at first. Since I'm applying to PMHNP school, I want the coursework to be really strongly focused on psychology, mental health, psychotherapy and psychopharmacology... not just an FNP program with a couple psych courses tacked on.

LisalaRN99, BSN, RN · Jul 24, 2013

I got my BSN at South University Online and am applying to their FNP program next. I looked around and feel they have the best option for me at this time. The price is reasonable for online. I always had good advisement and help with the financial aid. I don't have to send for any transcripts and the application process is a sinch compared with many I checked into. I don't mind finding practicum sites. I already have most selected. All I need is a pediatric site now.

IrishIzCPNP, MSN, RN, APRN, NP · Jul 24, 2013

I only applied to Drexel and had Seton Hall as a backup if I didn't get I to Drexel.

First was finding a PNP online. I wanted PNP and needed online. I have too many kids and love too far from a campus to attend classes on a regular basis.

Drexel was what I needed...online PNP. So for me it was simple.

RNcarlo · Jul 25, 2013

Thank you all for your feedback. I ended up choosing South University Online based on a few things. The criteria that I set for choosing a school for NP was based on the availability of an "online course" with minimal actual classroom time due to the fact that I work full time and at best would only be able to go down to part time work status. Another criteria was the cost. $32,000 seems like a reasonable amount to pay, comparable to the rest of the institutions out there. I also chose based on the amount of clinical hours that the program provides, since I've been told that a DNP will be the next step requirement for all NPs and that the requirement for a DNP is at minimum 1,000 clinical hours; South University Online's FNP program provides 780 clinical hours. And finally, the last criteria I set for choosing an NP program was based on how heavy the GPA is weighed. This is because I attended Western Governors University which provides a "pass/fail" bachelor's which equates to a 3.0 GPA.

At any rate, I reviewed a few different choices as far as schools that met this criteria, but at the end of the day I went with South University Online because I know people who attended there and recommended it. I believe that although not all NP programs are alike, the level of success I will have is purely based on my efforts to excel in my field/profession. Therefore, I know I will be a great NP!

LisalaRN99, BSN, RN · Jul 25, 2013

I'm glad you made your choice RNCarlo! I am looking forward to starting the FNP program at South U. Online! Can't wait!

lhflanurseNP, APRN · Jul 25, 2013

I'm doing FNP through South University online. No campus visits required...ever...they come to your clinicals. Cost is reasonable too.

LisalaRN99, BSN, RN · Jul 26, 2013

I'm also enrolling in the FNP program at South Online. What do you mean they come to your clinicals??