Any UAB NP students/graduates?

Beth Beck · Aug 15, 2009

Hi,

I just received your information about online NP programs. I am also torn between an acute care NP program versus an Adult NP program. I talked to someone from Rush in Illinois. (Head of the Acute Care program)- I wanted to work in an area outside of ICU down the line. She suggested that I obtain my Adult NP first and get another quick degree in acute care. Down the line when you turn 60 will you be wanting to work in a hospital setting doing call and working nights and making rounds etc. I use to do this with a cardiologist as a nurse clinician and it got real old after one year- 70-80 hours a week working- making rounds, office visits etc. For myself- I now am working urgent care and enjoy the variable patient population. At the same time, I miss using my knowledge that I obtained while working in ICU, CCU, CVR, flight nursing and ER. If you have anyone else that responds- let me know. I wonder if they have a dual degree at UAB?

Beth

Riker3 · Aug 16, 2009

Beth,

We do have the same dilemma! I love SICU, but I am looking towards the future and not wanting to work weekends, holidays, nights, call, etc... I talked to one of the ACNP at work and she said that if you do ACNP you can also sit to take the Adult test, so then you would be certified in both. However, I still am leaning towards ANP; like you said, I could go back and finish the Acute courses and test out. UAB does not have a dual Acute/Adult. The Adult is 40 s.h. and the Acute is 46 s.h. St. Louis has a dual Adult/Education or Acute/Education, which is nice, but UAB has such a good reputation.

I think that I will miss the ICU and traumas, but I'd like to have a life too!

Beth Beck · Aug 16, 2009

Did you see the posting from someone else about an adult NP school. Have you checked out USA versus UAB and if so why did you pick UAB?

Beth

Riker3 · Aug 16, 2009

Did you see the posting from someone else about an adult NP school. Have you checked out USA versus UAB and if so why did you pick UAB?
Beth

Not sure if I saw the posting you are referring to...can you direct me to it? USA is rated #115 and UAB #26. No difference in accreditation, just a better school (in the opinion of US News&World Report)

Beth Beck · Aug 16, 2009

What makes UAB better than USA? - I am just asking for your opinion versus trying to disagree. When are you going to go? Are they on a semester schedule or are they quarterly? I will try and find the post.

Beth

Riker3 · Aug 17, 2009

Not sure the exact specifications as to why UAB is better, US News has a grading/scoring system based on several criteria. I like the fact that is is affiliated with a 900 bed, level 1 trauma center, that is nationally ranked as one of the best hospitals. That makes it more marketable, in my opinion, when I am applying for jobs. I don't want a degree from just any university, I would like a degree from a highly reputable institution.

I'm in the process of applying for Spring 2010 and they are on a semester schedule. Still have not fully committed to which program yet! Have you decided? Any thoughts??

I know you're not trying to disagree :) You're trying to make an informed decision. I think that USA is a good school; I know a lot of nurses that graduated from there since I only live 45 min away from Mobile. The 3 ACNP's that I've been talking to have all graduated from there. I really think that you can't go wrong with either institution, I guess you have to choose what program would work best for you.

Beth Beck · Aug 17, 2009

I am still trying to figure out. For myself, I want a different school than the one I attended at UW Madison. Even though it is ranked high, I believe that the amount of clinical and the knowledge received is not the best. Many of the NP students who graduate do not feel that they have learned enough to be competent. A great school up here near Chicago is Rush. At the same time, their clinical if full time- 40 hours a week. I don't see myself being able to accomplish that at my age. (57). I have thought of what you said about obtaining a masters in Acute Adult Care. What I thought may be a draw back for me is that even though I could sit for the Adult Boards- would I know enough to practice when I graduated. I feel pretty knowledgeable about acute care- but when it comes to trying to diagnose conditions that I may not be totally familiar with for adult patients- there is where I would want more practicum. I believe I am going to stick with Adult. I also just thought of something after I wrote you last. One of my friends who is a Family NP- takes call. She makes rounds on patients in hospital etc. She works 50 some hours a week. I think as I said before, I am heading for an urgent care outside of either area. I want to enjoy life - not be worked to death as everyone is right now. I don't know about the area where you live- but doctors up here in Madison are double booked for each appointment. Many are leaving private practice and are going into becoming hospitalists.

How far are you from UAB?

Beth

Riker3 · Aug 17, 2009

UW Madison and Rush are excellent schools! I went to the U of Iowa for my BSN and moved to So. MS a few years ago for a job that my husband took post masters. We are not going to stay here long term, but want to accomplish something in the meantime. I am about 4 hours from Birmingham. After much thought, discussion and research, I think that I'm going to go FNP for the marketability factor. Yes, I dislike peds, but maybe it's b/c I don't have enough experience. I just don't want to limit myself in the job market. I still will be looking for adult only jobs, but if they get an occasional ped, then I would be able to treat(hopefully). I've pretty much decided against the Acute, for reasons you stated....want a life! What university are you leaning towards? I only know one CRNA from UAB and she really liked that program(hard to compare NP vs CRNA though). But the 3 NP's from USA liked it. Also, check to see what the pass rate is on the NP certification exams...that's another way to determine if the school prepares their grads well. I know USA and UAB have 100% pass rate on the Acute. UAB told me 90-100% on the Adult. I didn't check FNP, but they are ranked #11 in the nation for FNP...but should double check. Keep in touch with your plans! :)

EMAJA1827 · Aug 19, 2009

Do they ever get full and cannot take any more or there is no limit because it is on line?? I mean for uab and usa. I like them for the stupid reason that they are not asking for a resume and an essay about why i want to be a nurse practitioner....ugh!! I have no time for stuff like that. I have been through enough of that already with the on ground schools. 2 rejections so far with a gpa of 3.2 ithought this was descent enough to be admitted. I guess more competition than i thought. Which is why i was happy to hear about usa and uab. St louis is talking about the darn essay also!!!

Riker3 · Aug 19, 2009

I'm sure they have a limit on admissions within the program, even online ( USA told me that) b/c the instructor still can only handle only so many students. I know for admit into USA you do not need a essay and for UAB you need only to write a "brief" essay. Guess I would rather write an essay than take the GRE. Is your nursing GPA 3.2 or overall GPA ?

jennjen512 · Aug 19, 2009

I am currently in my 3rd semester at UAB in the Adult/Gerontology NP program and I love it. I tried USA's NP program and dropped 3 times out of frustration on not getting answers to my questions. I can call or email UAB instructors and I get a response with 24 hours in most cases, sometimes even within 2-3 hours. When I called or emailed instructors at USA it would be well over a week before I got a response. I also feel tha UAB's classes are more conducive for learning the material, for me anyway. From experience I would say UAB is an all around better NP education with instructors and advisors who want to help you succeed! :yeah: