Advice about being a Nurse Practitioner

button2cute · Mar 20, 2005

I am finishing up my RN degree, have an active LPN license with 5+ years experience in nursing.
Any advice from anyone on becoming a NP?
Any good on line RSN-MSN programs with a NP option?
Also I'm 52 anyone think I'm too old to try to get to the NP level?
Thanks, if anyone can help!
Gary

Hello, Gary

Congratulations and sit for your boards right away. :)

If you decide to continue with your education for a nurse practioner degree. I would suggest to you the following:

1) I am not sure you can do all of your degree online. Because you do have

clinicals that you must attend.

2) Select a school that is in a state that needs nurse practioner. Because

you will be able to recieve grants for your education.

3) Select the type of nurse practioner you would like to be. Unfortunately,

nurse practioners specialize in one area only and must return to school

if you would like another area.

4) University of Delaware, University of Maryland, Drexel University, and many

more have great programs and have money available for upward bound for

RNs.

5) Select a program that has more clinical approach which will give

you a lot of patient contact.

6) Select a program by your learning needs and not by their reputation.

Try not to fit in any program ......you find one that you will enjoy to

attend and has the best learning process for you.

Lastly, these are several suggestions I can give to you as a colleague.

Good luck to you and your pursuit of your career and helping others.

Buttons

GARYLPN · Mar 20, 2005

Wow! That was very helpful Buttons! Thank you very much!

Gary

Hello, Gary
Congratulations and sit for your boards right away. :)
If you decide to continue with your education for a nurse practioner degree. I would suggest to you the following:
1) I am not sure you can do all of your degree online. Because you do have
clinicals that you must attend.
2) Select a school that is in a state that needs nurse practioner. Because
you will be able to recieve grants for your education.
3) Select the type of nurse practioner you would like to be. Unfortunately,
nurse practioners specialize in one area only and must return to school
if you would like another area.
4) University of Delaware, University of Maryland, Drexel University, and many
more have great programs and have money available for upward bound for
RNs.
5) Select a program that has more clinical approach which will give
you a lot of patient contact.
6) Select a program by your learning needs and not by their reputation.
Try not to fit in any program ......you find one that you will enjoy to
attend and has the best learning process for you.
Lastly, these are several suggestions I can give to you as a colleague.
Good luck to you and your pursuit of your career and helping others.
Buttons

zenman · Mar 20, 2005

I'm 54 and considering UAB's online program. Either that or more shaman training; it's a tough decision! Fun or study your brains out?

NPs Save Lives · Mar 28, 2005

Check out Florida State University at www.fsu.edu.. They have a great RN-BSN program and they just started the Adult Health NP track online. You set up local clinicals where ever you are. The entire program is online for both versions. I have had a lot of success with their programs. The instructors are awesome!! I am currently in my first semester of the NP track right now. Good luck!!

crazylilkelly · Apr 6, 2005

Check out Florida State University at www.fsu.edu.. They have a great RN-BSN program and they just started the Adult Health NP track online. You set up local clinicals where ever you are. The entire program is online for both versions. I have had a lot of success with their programs. The instructors are awesome!! I am currently in my first semester of the NP track right now. Good luck!!

Hey JScott,

I was wondering if getting an NP degree online (granted you do clinicals) wouldn't be looked on as good by employers? Wouldn't they be more likely to hire an NP grad who went to classes instead of doing them online? Thanks

NPs Save Lives · Apr 6, 2005

Hey JScott,
I was wondering if getting an NP degree online (granted you do clinicals) wouldn't be looked on as good by employers? Wouldn't they be more likely to hire an NP grad who went to classes instead of doing them online? Thanks

My degree doesnt' state that it was an online program for my BSN and it won't for the NP track either. The classes are the same material as the face to face on campus and it is more convenient for most who work full time to do it online. Either way you do it, I feel that I will be just as qualified to practice regarding which route I took to get the degree. I have spoken to some that like the online format better and those that do better with the face to face. I personally like the online because the instructors tend to be more flexible regarding deadlines in that format. I do miss the comradrie of the classroom setting. Sometimes we set a place to meet others in the online class or we send pictures to see other so we feel closer. Hope this answers your question.. Thanks for posting!! Jennifer :)

crazylilkelly · Apr 6, 2005

My degree doesnt' state that it was an online program for my BSN and it won't for the NP track either. The classes are the same material as the face to face on campus and it is more convenient for most who work full time to do it online. Either way you do it, I feel that I will be just as qualified to practice regarding which route I took to get the degree. I have spoken to some that like the online format better and those that do better with the face to face. I personally like the online because the instructors tend to be more flexible regarding deadlines in that format. I do miss the comradrie of the classroom setting. Sometimes we set a place to meet others in the online class or we send pictures to see other so we feel closer. Hope this answers your question.. Thanks for posting!! Jennifer :)
http://www.arnp.blogspot.com

I think I work better face to face but I'll keep the option open when I begin considering NP schools. :rolleyes: Thanks bunches!

CardioTrans, BSN, RN · Apr 7, 2005

I wanted to chime in on this one. I, just today, received my acceptance letter to UAB FNP online program. I will still have to go to campus one day a semester for certain labs (like suturing). My clinicals will be here in the city that I live in. For the first 3 semesters of the actual AP classes they are 2 days/wk. The last semester (the residency) they are 4 days/wk.

As far as the difference between online and on campus........ my RN-BSN program is completely online (other than clinicals). UAB is ranked in the top 10% of MSN programs in the country, my BSN degree says BSN, not "online BSN" and they accepted that. The reason I chose to do mine online......... Im married, work full time, have a 16yr old son and a 14yr old son. I learn better with the online classes, because I have to actually concentrate on the material. In class, I used to sit and daydream. It also helps, that I can do assignments at midnight, take tests at 2 am or on the weekends. I dont have to travel 2 hrs to campus and fight the traffic.

Its all in the person.... some people do well, and some dont. Individual thing.

Good luck in whatever you decide.

zenman · Apr 7, 2005

I wanted to chime in on this one. I, just today, received my acceptance letter to UAB FNP online program.

Let us know how it goes because I'm considering the same program as UAB is a great school. Plus I prefer online for adult learning.