Wilkes postgraduate PMHNP program fall 2020

NPinthefuture, ASN, BSN, MSN · May 5, 2020

FNP Dreams,

That may be true regarding the COVID-19 crisis. Usually the schools do not find sites or preceptors.

NPinthefuture

FNPDreams, MSN, APRN, NP · May 5, 2020

Hi! WOW! really?! They are not doing anything for those of us already enrolled in the program. I’m knocking my head against the wall trying to find someone!! I wish they would help us too! I would want to see that in writing somewhere. Also remember that does not mean they will find someone within a reasonable distance. It could be hours away. Even in my FNP program that actually charged us and paid preceptors, I found most of my own! I know Wilkes doesn’t accept Telehealth

SykeRn0213 · May 5, 2020

WOW!, is right! I did ask about it being within a reasonable distance and she said absolutely it would be close to home??

I am now very confused! I will have to set up another meeting with her and discuss this. She did say that she is fairly new, but sounded like when she didn't know something she wanted to look into and was going to email me back the answer.

That is very unfortunate. She said students are not struggling with clinical hours right now due to covid that if they are they find placement elsewhere for them and are able to complete the hours on time.

Now, I am not sure if I believe anything that she has told me. I will schedule a meeting with her again and see if she can explain.

FNPDreams, MSN, APRN, NP · May 5, 2020

Just to confirm that this is the post graduate PMHNP program Wilkes offers? As far as I know no one has offered to find me a preceptor. They actually told us if we need to defer until the Spring semester due to inability to secure a preceptor we should notify the program director. Are you by any chance located in PA? Perhaps they are helping residents of PA only? I guess that’s possible. Yes, I would definitely confirm this. You can say you’ve heard from current students that they are struggling to find preceptors for Fall.

SykeRn0213 · May 5, 2020

Yes, the post masters PMHNP program at Wilkes Barre University. No, I am in IL. She even said they have a whole department that works on this for students! I feel like I am talking about a whole different school haha

This is pretty upsetting because that is what made my decision to attend this school. I am glad I read your post.

I gave her my unofficial transcripts to see how long the program would be for me and the cost - I am still waiting to hear back (I haven't taken patho, pharm, or health assessment). She still said it would only take 1.5 yrs but will look at my transcripts and let me know. That didn't make sense to me either.. 1.5yrs and still need patho pharm and health assessment?

How have you liked Wilkes, otherwise? I have also had my eye out for Eastern Kentucky, I am not sure if you heard anything about that school.

FNPDreams, MSN, APRN, NP · May 5, 2020

It is entirely possible that they are redesigning the program and in fact are offering this to new students. Is it fair? Not really, but as I mentioned, my prior FNP program charged us a fee for each clinical rotation which they then utilized to “pay” preceptors, so perhaps they are thinking along those lines. I thought I read that for accreditation, programs were supposed to start doing this.

I only need a few courses since I had the 3 P’s etc. from my FNP(which was also post grad). Students who are not already NP’s are a bigger profit center for the school and maybe they are offering this as an incentive. The psychopharmacology course I have taken was challenging but typical of online curriculum. My MSN was an on campus program (before online) and I definitely feel I was more engaged etc. but things are different today. My FNP was a hybrid, and I was required to be on campus all day x 6 days per semesters. If you missed class they had the option to fail you from the course. Even that program has migrated to fully online. As far as I know, Wilkes only requires one visit to campus during health assessment to assess skill development. I think it is on par with other PMHNP programs and at least they offer exams etc. Johns Hopkins charges twice the tuition and they don’t test people. Is it better? I don’t really know! You are going to learn most of what you need from your preceptor. Plus, I do not have a psych background and it sounds like you do, so that is a huge positive! Just start as soon as possible to secure a preceptor and you will be fine with Wilkes. EKU had suspended their program at one point so I wasn’t aware it was back up and running. I don’t know much about it. Liberty U. has a new program heavily faith-based so you’d have to be OK with that. Good Luck!!

SykeRn0213 · May 6, 2020

Ya, I hope you are right- that they redesigned the program. I guess I will wait for the admissions counselor to reply back to me.

Thank you for the info, I appreciate it!

GeroPsychNP, MSN, NP · Jun 24, 2020

Hi All,

I was accepted to the PMHNP post masters program for fall 2020 and paid my deposit but I have been having such a hard time getting my "program of study". I just want to make sure they counted my 3P's from my primary care NP program and to know how long the program will take. On this forum, it was mentioned that you have to take off for the Summer semester but the "admissions specialist" told me I can go straight through. I also asked for written confirmation that they will find my preceptors. No one will give me a straight answer in writing! It has been frustrating and I am strongly leaning towards getting my money back and going with another program before it's too late. Any thoughts or advice would be welcome!

PG-15, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN, APN, NP · Jun 24, 2020

Just to update. It is correct we will go through the Summer and complete the program on 8/8/21. We will still have a 2-month break between the end of 1st semester and the beginning of next semester as well as a month break between the end of the 2nd semester and the beginning of the final semester. They have also mentioned preceptorship starting in the Fall semester of 2020.

GeroPsychNP, MSN, NP · Jun 24, 2020

6 minutes ago, PG-15 said:
Just to update. It is correct we will go through the Summer and complete the program on 8/8/21. We will still have a 2-month break between the end of 1st semester and the beginning of next semester as well as a month break between the end of the 2nd semester and the beginning of the final semester. They have also mentioned preceptorship starting in the Fall semester of 2020.

Thank you so much for replying. This makes me feel a little bit better!

SykeRn0213 · Jun 24, 2020

30 minutes ago, GeroPsychNP said:
Hi All,
I was accepted to the PMHNP post masters program for fall 2020 and paid my deposit but I have been having such a hard time getting my "program of study". I just want to make sure they counted my 3P's from my primary care NP program and to know how long the program will take. On this forum, it was mentioned that you have to take off for the Summer semester but the "admissions specialist" told me I can go straight through. I also asked for written confirmation that they will find my preceptors. No one will give me a straight answer in writing! It has been frustrating and I am strongly leaning towards getting my money back and going with another program before it's too late. Any thoughts or advice would be welcome!

GeroPsych- I also have had issues with getting answers. Do you mind telling me what you had to submit for the admission process?

I filled out the application, submitted my resume and transcripts. According to the admissions counselor I will get a welcome call in the next two weeks and will attend orientation a week before classes start.... I thought there would be more to it, such as submitting a letter of recommendation and take an exam?

They also told me that they would find preceptors if I start Aug 31 2020. That is a really good idea to have them send it in writing! I wonder why they can't?

I do know they are super busy due to Covid but it is definitely making me wary about this program.

PG-15, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN, APN, NP · Jun 24, 2020

You're welcome! Know that I am also waiting for the official plan of study. I can, however, confirm that depending on your transfer classes, you would probably be only taking six courses- 16 credits like myself. 2 classes - 4 credit in the fall, six credits in Spring and Summer including 500 clinical hours for 2nd and 3rd semester. They have also begun zoom meetings starting tomorrow. I have mine tomorrow. There will be more dates added per my advisor.