I want to projectile vomit right now (rant)

May_baby · May 4, 2006

Dudette, you have my complete and total sympathy.

I know you've worked your butt off, and now this?!

I say GRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!

Wish I had something helpful to recommend but I'm at a loss.

APP · May 4, 2006

Could you just do the extra coursework? or is it the clinicals being short-changed?

bruinlaura · May 4, 2006

I'm feeling a little better today. I don't have many specifics. A fellow classmate told me about the plan change because he had just seen our program director to get a plan for registering (I had already done that weeks ago). The main thing I know is that I was supposed to end in dec 07 after a year-long residency (32 hrs a week x about 46 weeks is almost 1500 hrs) and now we end may 07.

The thing is, this residency coupled with my other clinicals would have given me around 2000 hrs of clinical as opposed to the measly 600 most programs provide. Hence I would have a easier time with prospective employers concerned about my lack of RN experience because I have had a similar amount of hours as a PA would be trained and they practice right out of school. Now I can't possibly have a one year residency because the program is only a year and the residency didn't start until jan 07 in the old plan. They can't drop any of the didactic and even if they did, how could I take it if it wasn't offered anymore?

The director just replied to an email I sent him and assured me the program was still good and at par with the other programs on a national level (whatever that means). So we'll see. I meet with him next wednesday.

Thanks for the empathy.

Calinurse2b · May 5, 2006

Hello Bruinlaura- I've been following the Columbia ETP forum(s) for the last several months and really wasn't motivated to sign up for an account until I read your post. I noticed that you are at Columbia?

I am starting their ETP program in a few weeks and your post made me slightly nervous. So the overall ETP program changed completely? I was under the impression that the ETP part is 1 year, and then the MSN part is 1 1/2 years = 2 1/2 years total and graduating with 2 degrees. Why the sudden change and why would this not be told to incoming students?

Thank you!

May_baby · May 5, 2006

Calinurse2b,

BruinLaura is referring to her speciality year of the FNP program, hence the clinical hours she is talking about. At Columbia you will complete ETP before your speciality year(s).

Does this sound right BruinLaura?

Calinurse2b · May 5, 2006

May_baby, thanks for getting back to me although what I was wondering is if the entire ETP into MSN program was changed. I will be starting ETP this June and then will be moving into my FNP specialty the next year. I am going into this program with the impression that there is the ETP part for 1 year and then an additional year and a 1/2 for the FNP specialty part. From what Bruinlaura was saying, it sounds like they are reducing the FNP 1 1/2 years to 1 year?

I do not really know what the positive or negative aspects would be of this sort of change but it does seem like incoming (and of course- current) students, would be informed of this.

yogagal · May 5, 2006

Calinurse, Bruinlaura is entering the Acute Care NP (ACNP) program after finishing the first year of ETP. I think she meant that the director of the ACNP master's specialty program resigned and that the ACNP curricula is being revised, NOT the entire ETP program. The FNP specialty is a different program with a different director, different requirements etc.

bruinlaura · May 5, 2006

The ETP portion of the program has not changed. It is my masters program.

And I think it is extremely sketchy that they decided the change it ONE MONTH before classes start.

They have to eventually tell the incoming ACNP class since you are responsible for signing up for the appropriate classes at the appropriate times and the program plan you are given at the beginning is how you do that.

Calinurse2b · May 5, 2006

thanks for the clarification yogagal, it sounds like I am worrying for nothing. guess its probably moving and life-change jitters that are making me slightly neurotic.

take care,

Calinurse2b

yogagal · May 5, 2006

Calinurse, I totally understand, I'm having similar jitters myself, I can't believe I'm moving to New York in just a couple of weeks (from Cali), yikes!

Bruinlaura, I'm thinking positive thoughts for you, I hope everything gets figured out for you and all the ACNP peeps!

elizabells, BSN, RN · May 7, 2006

Oh, Laura. I'm sorry, pumpkin.

My understanding (read: rumors I've heard) is that the powers that be decided that the program as it stands was too much like the DrNP program and were forcing through the changes. D.R. tried to stop them, but when he couldn't he resigned in protest.

I feel you, girl. The NNP program is similarly screwy right now.