Accepted and Disappointed

Nursing Students Post Graduate

Published

Specializes in critical care.

I finally received my admission letter for the Adult NP program with a start date of Spring 2008. When I met with the advisor this summer we mapped out my classes with a graduation date of May 2010. In the letter it states due to clinical sites I will not be able to start clinicals until FALL 2010 which changes my graduation date to 2011.

I am very disappointed and I am not sure what to do! This is the large state university, the first year is online and after that is on campus and they arrange the clinicals. Total tuition will be around 16K. Because the program is so slow now it will be nearly completely covered by tuition reimbursement by my employer.

I am contacting other schools to see if they have similar wait lists. One I am looking at is a private school (20K tuition) that meets in a one-night-a-week format, is 2.5 years, arrange your own clinical. There is also a state school online, cheaper than my current program, but you also arrange your own clinicals.

Also changing schools means changing from ANP to FNP, since this is the only school offering ANP.

Any thoughts?

D

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I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason- even if we do not understand it or like it at the time. Maybe the blessings in this situation are that the tuition will be pretty much covered, and you can take classes at a part time rate, allowing yourself to focus more on each one and get as much from it as you can. If you really have your heart set on ANP, will you feel like you are settling for FNP? And if so, is it worth it for just an extra year? In the grand scheme of things, a year is not all that much longer.

On the other hand, if you really feel like you must be done by 2010, then good luck on your search for other programs!

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Specializes in Maternity, quality.

I agree with Cardiac-RN. I know this isn't what you had your heart set on, but it may be worth it to be able to have your tuition paid for, the time to invest fully in each of your classes, and the ability to pursue the specialty you are truly interested in. Best of luck, whatever you decide.

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Specializes in critical care.

I was pretty ticked when I got the letter Friday but now I have settled down some! I e-mailed my advisor to ask her if I am definitely 2010 or if there is any possibility of 2009. But I re-mapped my classes and I can take summers off if I start clinical in 2010. (I was going year round Spring 08-Spring 10). So that is a bonus. Plus the tuition reimbursement. After some research I should consider myself lucky to be going to a school that arranges clinicals for me, all of the other schools in my state do not. At least I know I have a spot in 2010.

Thanks for the encouragement!

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Specializes in a variety.
I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason- even if we do not understand it or like it at the time. Maybe the blessings in this situation are that the tuition will be pretty much covered, and you can take classes at a part time rate, allowing yourself to focus more on each one and get as much from it as you can. If you really have your heart set on ANP, will you feel like you are settling for FNP? And if so, is it worth it for just an extra year? In the grand scheme of things, a year is not all that much longer.

On the other hand, if you really feel like you must be done by 2010, then good luck on your search for other programs!

I concur with you Cardiac, RN

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From what I see, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. Getting your clinicals arranged for you is really a big burden taken from your shoulders, and getting the program paid for by your employer is nothing to overlook either. Good luck with your program. Sounds like you've decided to stay with your original choice. Hope it is beneficial for you.

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

You sound very fortunate to me. So many students have to arrange their own clinicals -- and either get delayed because they have trouble finding a preceptor or don't get a very good clinical experieience. You also will avoid having to go deeply into debt to go to school -- unlike a lot of people.

So ... it doesn't match your fantasy world exactly. Real life rarely does. Make the most of your situation and, in the long run, you'll probably be happiest if you stick with your original school. It sounds like an excellent situation to be in (even it is not exactly perfect.)

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Specializes in critical care.

Thanks for all your replies. I have decided to stick with my current school. They arrange the clinical placement and have the better reputation. I think it is the best decision. And you are right, a year doesn't really matter in the big picture.

But, the plot thickens! I was talking to a nurse at work last night...she is in the same program, same school....was also told the same thing "can't start clinical" until x date, which was later than she had planned. However, she did not alter her plan and ended up getting into clinical early. Maybe people drop out, slow down or switch programs...

I had re-mapped my classes giving myself summers off, but now I am wondering if I should just go back to my original plan of going year-round? Any thoughts? Is everyone going year-round?

:banghead:

D

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