Advice about Vanderbilt MSN/FNP

[grantchatt]

:bowingpur ADVICE??SUGGESTION??

I AM CURRENTLY TAKING THE PREQ'S 2 GET N2 MY LOCAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE..I WILL BE FINISH IN TIME TO APPLY TO THE NIGHT NURSING PROGRAM FALL 2011..THE COST FOR THE NURSING SCHOOL(NOT INCLUDING PREQ'S) IS ESTIMATED AT AROUND 7-8K..IT WILL TAKE ME 2.5 YRS TO FINISH AND AN ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE IN NURSING...I HAVE A BS IN ORGANIZATIONAL MGMT ALREADY..I FOUND THE VANDERBILT PROGRAM THAT STATED THAT I COULD LEARN THROUGH VIDEO LECTURE (DISTANCE EDUCATION)AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE SO THAT I WOULD NOT HAVE TO RELOCATE OR QUIT MY JOB...I WOULD GO TO THE CAMPUS TIME TO TIME FOR 5 DAYS AT A TIME AND THEY MAY ALSO BE ABLE TO SET UP MY CLINICALS AT ONE OF MY LOCAL HOSPITALS...

MY ISSUSES: I HAVE NO NURSING EXPERIENCE...THE FIRST 42 HOURS WOULD BE MY PRE SPECIALITY TIME THAT CAN BE COMPLETED IN TWO YRS 6 SEMESTER(IF I UNDERSTOOD CORRECTLY)..THE COST PER CREDIT HOUR IS 1030K PER HOUR...THEN I HAVE ANOTHER 40 CREDIT HOURS(THAT CAN BE COMPLETED IN THREE SEMESTERS FULL TIME BUT HAS A TWO YR OPTION AS WELL) AT SAME COST TO GET THE MSN/FNP..THE TOTAL COST FOR THE CREDIT HOURS ONLY IS ABOUT 87K...IS IT WORTH IT???I WILL STILL HAVE TO WORK AS A RN TO BEGIN WITH(GUESSING)SINCE i HAVE NO NURSING EXPERIENCE???DO YOU FELL THAT IS A TRUE STATEMENT??

I HAVE A DAUGHTER AND A FULL TIME JOB..SHE WILL BE GOING OFF TO COLLEGE IN TO COLLEGE IN 2013 AND I AM WANTING A CAREER CHANGE AND TO TRAVEL NURSE A WHILE(OR AT LEAST THE OPTION OF TRAVEL)..THE VANDI PROGRAM WOULD BE THE FASTEST WAY TO GET TO WHERE I THINK I WANT TO BE AS FAR AS A NURSING EDUCATION..OR...SHOULD I DO THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE..THEN FIND A BSN PROGRAM THEN A MSN PROGRAM??THEN TRY TO GO FROM THERE???FROM MY RESEARCH MOST OF THE BRIDGE PROGRAMS ARE EXPENSIVE...

HOPE I DID NOT LEAVE ANYTHING OUT..I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE AND INPUT, INFO, ADVICE..ANYTHING..I AM DUMB TO THE WORLD OF NURSING AND THE PROPER AVENUES TO GO...THANKS:redpinkhe

[Browndog]

Couple of random thoughts to consider.

1. The Vandy program is very expensive and loaded with theory course and papers. Not really known for "bug - drug" or diff dx.

2. You will find that most, not all, but most NP jobs require some type of experience. Getting a job as a new grad is hard enough with nursing experience....without experience it is very tough. There are those who will tell you otherwise. Just my opinion.

3. Have you considered getting an accelerated BSN and working while completing an MSN.

Good Luck

[grantchatt]

Thanks...I will look into the BSN more.