NPs Advice Please!!!

Specialties NP

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I am currently a BSN student graduating this year. Although I may get many bad remarks for this I hate med surg and definitely dislike bedside nursing. However, I am willing to integrate myself in both aspects to get good experience because I may possibly want to do NP. My gpa is in the low 3.0... Anyone can post their stats for getting into NP school? I would love to do FNP because the opportunities are so broad, but I definitely love neonatal and pediatrics... Any advice on what I can do to increase my gpa after BSN or anything that will help make up for a lower gpa? Also I do not like the thought of doing primary care, so a hospital setting would suit me fine. Any FNPs that practice in a very different role or setting? Also, what are the salaries that NPs are offered after graduation? How many years of experience (if any) did you have? Clueless about the experience and classes I may need to take after my BSN to attract schools...? Oh yah, currently in the FL area. Just want to know any details or advice that one may want to share! Thanks!!!

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Specializes in Critical Care & ENT.

Missy,

Congratulations on finishing up this year! As you know, nursing is a practice. The more experience you have the better. Your GPA does not sound like a problem. Most graduate programs will accept students with a 3.0 or better. It really depends on what school you want to attend and the program. I suggest that you pick a few schools that you are interested in and then look at their graduate admissions requirements. That should become your roadmap on how to get in. It's always good to have more than the minimum if possible. If your interested in Peds and Neonates, then work there after graduation. That may help gear you in the right direction. You may then even consider being a PNP.

Where in Fla are you located?

Where in Fla are you?

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Thanks for the advice! Great!! I'm in the Tampa Bay area, so definitely looking into USF and UCF... USF I'm interested in their FNP/PNP program but UCF they have a BSN-DNP program that I would love to get into! I plan to take the GRE and a few graduate sciences to boost my gpa upon graduation so hopefully all goes well:)...

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FNP programs train you to work in clinic not acute care. do you like or dislike the hospital

setting?

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Specializes in CCU,ED, Hospice.

Congratulations on the BSN. When I was in nursing school, I hated cardiac and just knew that I wanted to be a midwife. 15 yrs later, I work in the CCU, have my CCRN and will rush a pushing woman at full pace to the nearest OB nurse.. I am currently enrolled in a FNP program and hope to work with post op CABG patients. I love me some cardiac. Point of all of this, you never know where you'll end up and what will appeal to you when you jump in the mix. Keep an open mind and get as much experience as possible. Good luck on the FNP...

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Really... didn't know that. I like the hospital setting minus bedside... Are you currently a FNP?

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LOL Awesome story... sure will.

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Specializes in Critical Care & ENT.

Missy,

USF and UCF have pretty good programs from what I hear. I think they also have hybrid programs with some online and some classwork. Again, I would just work a year or two after graduation to get your feet wet. There are so many factors that can determine what specialization you choose. USF is a pretty good school and I do not think they require the GRE. I would focus on getting some nursing experience as a RN first. Over the next year, see what you like/dislike. Take some time to browse online at various schools and visit USF and UCF. Good luck!

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Thanks soooo much for the advice!! Def will take it=)

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