by captn_smallfry

Ok, so Im looking to go back to school. I need to know the pros and cons of NNP vs PNP. I would like to have a family one day... so, which is better time wise, money wise.... Also, any advice on the GRE??? How to study when you have no clue what you are doing!!! Im totally stressing about this! Plus I only have a 2.8 undergrad gpa... so will they even look at me? I cant help it I hated med surg and geriatrics!!!! (no offense out there, just not my thing). How do you portray your passion for continuing your education and do good in the world, when you suck at test taking?

Re: Confused!! Need advise... grad school.

First off, what type of setting you you like (inpatient or outpatient)? NNP is an inpatient role.

There are two types of Pediatric NP programs (primary care or acute). Most of the PNP programs in the country are primary care (and thus prepare people for outpatient and clinic settings). PNP-Acute Care programs prepare individuals for inpatient and PICU settings.

Most graduate programs have a 3.0 GPA requirement. While you cannot improve your BSN grades now, you can show the behaviors that a trusted nurse does: precepting, charging, being involved in journal clubs, practice studies (research) at your unit of facility, doing posters at hospital, state or regional conferences, etc. Show an admissions committee that your activities and behaviors today show that you are committed to the profession.

Another consideration would be to take a graduate class at a local univeristy as a 'visiting' or non-degree basis. In this way you can show an admissions committee that you can do well at the graduate level (and look, you got an A in a graduate class too!). This graduate course professor could also be a potential recommendation for you.

Good luck

Re: Confused!! Need advise... grad school.

Hi there!

I do have some advice for you on the GRE as I just took it August 2008:

1. My best suggestion is to prepare by purchasing a prep book or two from the bookstore and, depending on how intrinsically motivated you are, study on your own. I took a Kaplan course (EXPENSIVE!!) to prepare for my GRE and was extremely disappointed in it--I did all of their assignments and on the actual GRE I did worse than the Kaplan diagnostic I took before I started studying **GASP**. If I were to do it again I'd study on my own rather than trying to learn an entirely new strategy from someone else. If you keep organized and give yourself enough time, I know you can study alone.

2. The math material can be learned by just reviewing. The concepts are not difficult--basically just algebra and geometry. It had been a long time since I'd done this kind of math but once I looked over it again I remembered and ended up scoring the best on this section of my GRE.

3. The verbal section is a different story. The score you receive basically depends on your "natural" vocabulary--it's hard to improve in a short amount of time. Depending on when you need to take the exam, I'd suggest subscribing to a newspaper/journal of some sorty (i.e. Wall Street Journal, The Economist, etc) and just reading an article or two daily just to be exposed to new words. There are flashcards out there for the Top 400 GRE words and it wouldn't hurt to memorize these as well.

I wish you the best of luck! The GRE can be daunting but take your studying day by day and trust yourself! You'll do great!