Anyone applying to Yale GEPN program for Fall 2009?

jumbo05 · Feb 18, 2009

Hi all - I'm joining this a little late in the game but have been lurking for a while here. I'm in for PNP at Yale but like a few others am debating between Yale and JHU. Hopefully the visitors day next week at Hopkins will help make the decision easier! Both are great programs so I'm sure life will work itself out in the end. Congrats to all who got in to Yale!!

lauralou2008 · Feb 19, 2009

Just to clarify about the RN licensure timing thing: It is true that you are not eligible to sit for the NCLEX until January of your 2nd year at Yale, when you have completed all the required courses. The woman I stayed with during the interview visit is in her second year (so, first year of "specialty"), and said she just qualified and will be taking the NCLEX during Spring break, so that she can work during the summer. I didn't think to ask how hard she'd heard it is to find RN work, given the points Charmed made... Hey all you "older" kids (I think I've got 10 yrs on you both) going to JHU next week: Please come back to the forum with your perspectives! I wish I could be there!

jumbo05 · Feb 19, 2009

During our lunch with second year students (so they were in their first specialty year) they too said they were only eligible to sit for the NCLEX once they got to their second year. I can't remember if they named January specifically but I do recall them confirming they had to wait until their second year. None of them had taken the NCLEX yet so if you heard January that may very well be correct!

And yes, I will give feedback on JHU's Accepted Students day! I am still working on my pro/con list for both schools but I think seeing Hopkins in person will give me more perspective (since visiting Yale definitely did).

calalilly · Feb 19, 2009

I was wondering if there was anyone out there in the Onology NP program. I was wondering if anyone felt the oncology program was too focused? I am worried that during some of my other clinicals I may realize I dont want to be held to an oncology track. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

LillyB · Feb 19, 2009

Calalilly, I don't want to sound harsh, but it is called Oncology NP track for a reason. As you know, cancer is a very complicated disease(s) so being trained as a nurse practitioner specializing in cancer, wouldn't you want to be focused on learning as much about it as possible ? If you are worried about sticking with it already, than you might have picked the wrong concentration. Unfortunately, it does not seem that Yale will freely allow switching specialties. Have you applied and been accepted to other schools with less stringent rules? Some schools will allow you to pick or switch specialties later on. I guess for the Oncology NP at Yale you have to really know that this is what you want to do, or you might end up unhappy. Is oncology really what you want to be specializing in? If I may ask, what were the reasons that you picked this particular specialy? My advice is for you to think really long and hard about it before you decide which program to go to. On the other hand, maybe it is hard, but not impossible to swich specialties at Yale.

Biddy · Feb 19, 2009

I'm not oncology--I'm gerontological...haven't seen anybody else with this specialty here. I am debating between specialties with my choices--ANP at Hopkins, GNP at Yale. I actually asked Angela if it's possible to go from GNP to AGNP, as now that I'm thinking about it seriously, it seems having the combined degree is ideal. I want to do long term care, and I was thinking about places I've worked...there's always a couple of younger patients (car accident victims, etc.) in with the elderly patients--would I not be able to treat them as a straight GNP? However, looking at the certification website, Adult NPs (as well as Acute Care and I think maybe Family?) can currently take the certification exam for GNP based on work experience. If this isn't going to be changing in the next 4 to 6 years (you can do the master's at Hopkins part-time, thus cutting down on the cost via working as an RN), then I could do the ANP at Hopkins, work with a geriatric population, and end up with the dual degree anyway. Or I could go to Yale and come out as a strict GNP. However, I'm thinking if they are willing to let people not trained in that specialty test into it, then perhaps GNPs are just that desirable and that's the way to go.

I was then reading another thread on this site about the versatility of the FNP. (Hopkins has more flexibility, and I believe they let you change if you choose to do so...the benefits of a larger program, I guess). Mind you, I have no desire to work with children. None. Zip. Can't imagine that's going to change as I do RN clinicals, but there's always that chance. Some people are of the mindset that the FNP is the only degree to get, as many hospitals want to employ FNPs over other NPs because they can see anybody. However, some NPs have responded horrified, saying their hospitals will not employ FNPs because the versatility of the FNP is interpreted by some (including insurance carriers) as too broad for the hospital setting and some think FNPs in hospitals work out of their scope of practice. These same NPs, who are mostly in larger places including cities, say their hospitals are highly specialized and only hire Oncology NPs, ACNPs, etc.

I find all these considerations interesting and oh-so-confusing. It would seem being more specialized is better perhaps for cities, but if you want to live rural, generalized is best. But who knows...It's hard to know the misinformation on these sites, and everyone has a totally different opinion. There really isn't a particular answer. However, Calalilly, I can see where you'd be concerned about not being able to switch. The inflexibility of Yale's program is a bit disconcerting, especially if you're not sure. Do you have other programs you were accepted to that are perhaps more flexible? But hey, you can always switch to GNP!

suga70 · Feb 19, 2009

For any prospective Yale students from the Boston area:

I'm getting together with another student whose going to Yale next fall to get drinks and pizza at California Pizza kitchen in Wellesley, MA. Let me know if anyone else wants to come! We can talk housing, Yale, nursing, etc. Anyone is welcome! Next Tuesday the 24th!

jumbo05 · Feb 19, 2009

Ooo I'm in Boston but unfortunately can't get myself to Wellesley. If you guys end up doing another get together somewhere in the city (= T accessible) I'd definitely be game!

jnd1213 · Feb 19, 2009

I would totally be up for meeting you guys in boston as well. Unfortunately I live downtown and do not have a car! bummer.

suga70 · Feb 19, 2009

do you guys want to reschedule for a place downtown? I could ask her if she wants to change location since I can definately get downtown from work and she seemed indifferent to where we went - just let me know!

jnd1213 · Feb 19, 2009

I didn't intend to change your plans! If it's not inconvenient for the both of you to meet somewhere closer to downtown then I'd love to join. I've been having a really tough time trying to decide where to go to school...so talking to people who are in the same boat (or going to a program that I'm very close to choosing) would be really helpful. Advice and input from friends/family who have no idea what nurse practitioner's are is getting a little old haha.

jumbo05 · Feb 19, 2009

I'd love to join somewhere downtown too! Although I just realized I can't make the 24th (I read the original message too quickly to notice the date I guess - I saw a Boston meeting opportunity and got excited. haha). Are you guys firm on that date? I don't want to change location and date - that's asking a lot but obviously brainstorming with people in the same position would be great!