Biology to Nursing: UAB AMNP

Nursing Students School Programs

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I recently graduated with a BS in Biomedical Sciences and am actively considering changing to nursing. I am looking into the AMNP program at UAB in Alabama. I have heard that the program is really intensive and extremely competitive to get into.

I shadowed a Family Practitioner a few years ago, and in her office, she employed a FNP. Honestly, I learned more from the FNP about healthcare than I did from the doctor, and I thoroughly enjoyed working with the FNP so much that I shadowed her more so than the physician. She challenged me to think rather than just sit there and watch her and say nothing. The only reason I did not change to nursing then was because my advisor pushed me to continue on my path and shadow other health professions first. I have shadowed in multiple health fields, since then, in pursuit of finding something I liked, but nothing made me feel like I did when working with the FNP. Unfortunately, I had gone too far into my major to switch over.

I have read that your GPA has to be really high to be considered for the AMNP program, which I can understand due to the rigorous course work involved. I graduated with a 3.66 overall GPA and my pre-reqs GPA is a 3.71. I was heavily involved on campus. During my senior year, I worked and conducted research. Are these stats appropriate for this program?

What I am afraid of is not having experience working in a hospital or with other nurses (except for the FNP which may have been too long ago).

Do you have any suggestions? Am I good to go, or should I go shadow to have more recent experience? I can shadow a nurse at my local hospital but they only offer, at max, 12 hours of shadowing time.

It sounds like you know what you want! I believe that you have to be an RN before applying to NP school. ( all the NP schools I looked into had that requirement). Perhaps there is a way around that?

You could apply to a accelerated BSN program (1 year). Work for a year as an RN, then apply to NP school.... most of the NP I looked into required clinical hours.

wishing you the best....

Thank you for the reply and the encouraging words. The University of Alabama at Birmingham has an accelerated program that molds BSN and MSN together for graduates of non-nursing programs. This is the program I mentioned in my post. It's a program that lasts about 3 years and is apparently very intense.

I missed the part where you mentioned the school!

I think it is always a good thing to work as a nurse (even just a short time) ..get experience and really tells you if your going the direction you thought you wanted :-)

I have heard the same about the Alabama program...intense, but achievable!

Hi! Did you end up applying for UAB's program? I am finishing up my application and hoping to submit within a few days.

Hey! I applied to the program as well, did you end up applying?

Hey! I applied to the program as well, did you end up applying?

I did! I submitted everything on the last day. >.

Yes we should definitely get a new forum started

vgjj, I am interested to hear the outcome? Were you able to get in with the shadowing mentioned? I am in the same boat as you... I have been under care of NPs in the past and found that they were better providers than the majority of the Physicians I have been to. I know for sure this is what I want to do, but am nervous about the shadowing requirements!

I did not apply for this past cycle due to some unforeseen circumstances. I have yet to begin shadowing. I'm hoping to begin getting some hours within the next month and some volunteer hours, also. I don't think there is a "required" amount of hours, but I want to shadow to learn more about the profession and to show the admissions committee that I am serious about and committed to the nursing profession. And yes, NPs seem to put more emotions into their work, while physicians are more straightforward. That's definitely what I like most about the profession.

Hey! I applied to the program as well, did you end up applying?

bnspenc1, I noticed in the AMNP 2016 thread that you were accepted into the program. How is it going so far? Would you mind if I picked your brain about the requirements and what to expect throughout this application process? I would really appreciate it. :)

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