[Tanguera]

Thanks Cozzy for the postings about ETP. Yes, I think I've been looking at schools primarily based on their NIH ranking and overall reputation of the school, but I guess I should be doing more research. It is just harder to get the inside scoop on programs because I feel like I'm easily swayed by the NIH rankings right now.

After reading your posts, it seems to me like I might not be happy at Columbia as I am looking for a program that really takes students step by step. Somehow I get the impression that Yale and UPenn are like that, and although they will cost around the same amount, I am not worried about paying top dollar for an education as long as i thnk it is worth it in the end. For undergrad, I did the same, and I don't regret it one bit!

In Columbia, do they allow students to change specialties? I am thinking I'd like to apply to the FNP track, but then again, I hardly know anything about being an RN, how am I supposed to make a decision applying for a specialty now?

[Asherah]

Originally Posted by Tanguera

I am thinking I'd like to apply to the FNP track, but then again, I hardly know anything about being an RN, how am I supposed to make a decision applying for a specialty now?

Many folks would suggest one step in determining if a specialty is for you is if you have the chance to shadow an NP closely. You can at least get a feel for their specific role, the patient demographic they work with and what a typical day may be.

[Tanguera]

Hi Asherash,

Thanks! Yeah I am hoping that I can shadow sometime this coming year. I am goign to start doing research in a hospital for their dept of emergency medicine. I was assinged to the neonatal ICU so I hope that after this research project is over, I can find a way to shadow some FNP's in the hospital.

I am considering applying to Hopkins. Are you doing the BSN/MSN program? Would you recommend the program? I'm looking at that program because I assume that being affiliated with a hospital like Hopkins, I'd get to learn a lot. But it seems from other posts in this forum, just b/c a school is affiliated with a certain teaching hospital, that doesn't mean that all of the clinicals are in that specific hospital.

What is the situation for clinicals in Hopkins? how abot the faculty? Are the students happy there?

Thanks!

[cozzy66]

Yes you can switch specialties in Columbia. If you are in the FNP track and decide Pediatrics is right for you, it's not a problem. You can not switch into CRNA or midwifery track if you are not accepted to it. There are so many specialties for the masters track, it's easy to switch around.

I think if you are looking at a program that will take you step by step, an accelerated program will not be right for you.

[LovetoTravel2001]

I am in the ETP program right now and would like to just put some thoughts out there for people who are considering applying to/attending Columbia for the ETP program... Making the decision of where to go to nursing school is so different for so many people. I know that a whole lot more than 'which school offers the "best" (a difficult to define term) education' when into my decision and I think that if that is the case for you too, don't rule out Columbia because some people have negative opinions of the program. First off, I want to start by saying so far I have really liked the clinical experiences and classes I have had and have found the summer to be challenging but manageable - and I have learned A LOT. But also I want to acknowledge that many other factors go into where to attend that may or may not make Columbia right for you - my husband and I wanted to live in a big city (that eliminated a lot of 'top' programs), we wanted to stay in Northern CA (not many programs there) or move to the east coast, I wanted to be done and working as an RN ASAP (FYI: Columbia was the FASTEST program I found) and did not want to have to apply/relocate to go on to a Masters program, I wanted a guaranteed spot in my chosen specialty but also wanted the flexibility to change specialties if by chance something during my first year changed my direction, and, quite frankly, if I was going to move across the country, I wanted to be going to a school that the people eventually hiring me in CA will had heard of. Lastly, as far as the financial part of it, if you evaluate it based on the concept of the "time value of money" (think back to high school econ...) the fact that you are done and working faster in this program than any others means you have more money (that can gain interest) faster, and less money (loans) that are collecting interest while you are in school, not to mention 'lost wages' of even a few extra months of being in school. Anyways, that's just what was going through my mind when making my decisions and I don't think anyone should feel ashamed to be weighting all these factors, which after all, may make Columbia the right or wrong place for you...

[SFChef]

Thank your for your feedback. Columbia is top on my list, and it's great to hear when people have a good experience. Often times we only hear from those who are unhappy.

Just out of curiosity, what is your ETP specialty?

[LovetoTravel2001]

My specialty is Acute Care. So far we haven't done anything specialty specific (classes or clinical wise) but in the spring we will be somewhat placed within out specialty for integration - I think everyone has to be in a hospital so if you were FNP, I think you go on a med/surg floor but being acute care I will be in an ICU or ER. The clinical coordinator seems very willing to work with us on where we would like to be department-wise (ER verses ICU, etc). I will post more as the year goes on! Good luck with you application process - it will all work out in the end.