Advanced Practice Program @ SUNY Upstate

Published Dec 24, 2007

34 Posts

I'm looking at applying to the MS in nursing (Family Mental Health/Psychiatric Nurse practitioner) program at SUNY Upstate. They have an established FNP program and are planning to start the psych NP program next year. I was wondering is anybody is currently attending or has attended there for their advanced practice education? I am wondering how competitive admission really is there.

I am an ADN with a BA is philosophy. Because I have a BA, they have a program where I can take several excelsior exams in order to essentially opt out of doing a BSN by proving comparable knowledge. I graduated my BA studies 7 years ago with a 2.51 (did some additional graduate course work and maintained a 3.8), graduated my ADN studies 2 years ago with a 3.01. I have a little over a year as a psych nurse (as well as my initial med-surg time) and 5 years paraprofessional experience in psych, and 8 years of service as a medical specialist in the Army Reserves. My skills in psychiatric nursing are strong and I am knowledgeable beyond what my grades reflect as I struggled to work full time while attending studies throughout my academic career... thus my less than stellar grades.

I'm wondering if any one has knowledge or experience of this program, or perhaps with another program, and can comment on whether I am setting myself up for disappointment or if my academic/work history might give me a shot at advanced practice studies.