Devastated I was not accepted into FNP program?! Thoughts?

Nursing Students NP Students

Published

Specializes in Pediatric CICU.

  • I have 6 years CICU experience, mostly children with some adult.
  • RN of the Year Award
  • Safety & Communication Educator for Risk Management
  • Graduated with honors in BSN
  • Sigma Theta Tau Intl Nursing Honor Society Nurse Leader Member
  • Research Experience
  • Research Assistant in BSN Program
  • Stellar recommendations from my Director, a RN Educator & peer RN.
  • Preceptor & Mentor
  • On several hospital committees
  • Some volunteer experience
  • Stellar personal essay

This is only part of what was on my CV/Resume for FNP at the same school I received my BSN. Out of 300+ applicants I was 1 of 100 invited for an interview, but ultimately was NOT accepted!!!!??? WHAT!? I know of some already in the program without HALF of what I have achieved.

When I called to find out why I was told they simply had too many applicants & it was bc my interview scores were lower. Now, I have been on several job panel interviews, am familiar with them, and I have always done well. I come across as articulate, poised and mature.

So, I take GREAT issue with this bc

  1. I had to wait over 3.5hrs for my interview!
  2. I was the LAST to be interviewed out of 13 that morning.
  3. By the time I was interviewed there were only 2 (out of 3) left on the panel, so wouldn't that affect my score????
  4. I only had 10 mins and felt rushed, my interviewers were not familiar with my resume, I had to point out several things.
  5. I was asked idiotic and irrelevant Q's such as "This Research Poster you worked on, was it with floor RNs or ICU RNs?" HUH!?? When I explained it was a collaborative effort I was told "Well it was a Magnet project". NO! No, it wasn't! And, who cares?
  6. My interviewers kept reinforcing, practically debating that I had primarily peds ICU experience and no adult experience so I lacked the exp to be an FNP. Not ok! Doesn't the door swing both ways? What of adult med surg RNs trying to become FNPs? I personally know FNPs that were RNs in my unit and are out in the community doing well. I felt they had already made up their mind before I walked in.

I contacted a few of my BSN Professors over this. One was "flabbergasted" and urges me to appeal to the Dean. Another encouraged me to try PsychNP or PedsNP (as there is less competition for entry) and then transfer to FNP once I am in. Also, this school is allowing all Foreign Educated MDs to apply for their FNP program, so less spots for RNs. Another said I was "overqualified" bc of my ICU experience and FNP is not an acute care environment. Should I formally appeal? When I called the school I felt like I was getting nowhere.

I know I would be great as a FNP, I am a compassionate people person!

I could apply to other FNP schools, but to be truthful, I secretly want to apply to CRNA school as I have the qualifications but I don't know if its right for me (I shadowed a CRNA and loved it). I'm more confused than ever.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

This is the "sign"/"kick in the pants" that you needed to follow the dream! Apply for CRNA!

Posting from my phone, ease forgive my fat thumbs! :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatric CICU.

itsnowornever, I don't know what was the bigger sign, your post or your profile name! Thank you :yes:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.

I had a similar experience at the first NP program I interviewed with. I had adult and PEDs experience, and had many friends in the program with only PEDs experience. I was told my combined experience made me look like I didn't know if I wanted to work with adults or kids and I obviously didn't know what I wanted out of nursing. It was frustrating. But I kept applying to other NP programs and will graduate next year. Keep your chin up, you will find a path that is right for you

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatric CICU.

Thanks Christine, I was told sometimes they deny Peds experience RNs for FNP so they can beef up their PNP program which is usually lower in applicants. I want to broaden my scope as well and don't want to be "pigeonholed" in the future such as I am being now. I heard PNP jobs are quite limited compared to FNP. How are you finding your clinical rotations? Are FNP grads finding it easy to secure jobs after graduation? In what clinical environments are they finding jobs? Thank you for your reply :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
itsnowornever I don't know what was the bigger sign, your post or your profile name! Thank you :yes:[/quote']

LMAO didn't even think of that!

Posting from my phone, ease forgive my fat thumbs! :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OR.

ughhh. I feel your pain! I just had my FNP interview last month and it went terrible, which is surprising because I have been on a lot of interviews and I always do well! I was also last to be interviewed, at 7:30pm, my interviewer did not know I was coming even though I registered for that day! All she kept saying to me was "You don't have any peds experience." I mean, over and over again. Honestly, if you took one look at my resume you would know that, so why bring me in for an interview!! What, only ER nurses can apply because they have both peds and adults?? (BTW I do have adolescent experience but her reply was "But that doesn't count, now, does it?" lol).I also graduated with honors, spent two years overseas doing community medical missions and have experience in a lot of specialties, but I guess that doesn't matter! Then she started talking about their DNP program, but said the deadline already passed and I'd have to take the GRE.....omg, why talk to me about a program I didn't apply for and can't start till next year?! Then, about 7 min into the interview she suddenly got up and started walking out of her office while talking to me, I followed her out, thinking maybe I would talk with someone else but she shook my hand and that was the end of the interview!! I mean, never asked me why I wanted to be a nurse practitioner, what my strengths are, how I will do in the program, nothing!! I left there so confused....:(

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatric CICU.

Wow purelife, that sounds amazingly similar to my interview! Why is it that these schools want to use you as pawns to their own advantage instead of allowing you to pursue what you obviously qualify for and are applying for??

Another interview Q I had after competently elaborating on my argument that I have taken care of adult cardiac cath & open heart cases from 20-60 year olds was "But, you must admit you have no experience in taking care of a 70y old elderly patient w/ CHF & Aortic Stenosis". WHAT??? Why, is that what a typical FNP sees anyway?? I wanted to argue with her I've cared for infants with this diagnosis that are arguably more if not just as fragile as elderly patients. Frustrating!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

icuRNmia: It sounds to me as if they have a particular student profile that they were looking for -- and you didn't fit it. It had little to do with the amount or quality of the previous work that you have done. Your particular characteristics didn't match the ones they were looking for, thus making you less of a perfect match for their program.

I hire for an undergraduate externship and run into that issue regularly. I don't always choose the students who are the most "qualified" on paper, even if they do "interview well." I am looking for the best matches for our program goals and what we have to offer -- a good "fit" for us. For example, I will reject an applicant with higher grades and more accomplishments whose career goals don't match what we want to produce in favor of a "weaker, but still good" applicant whose is seeking what we want to teach. I'll choose the candidate who seemes genuininely interested in our patient population over a more qualified student who wants to use our program as a stepping stone to a career doing something else. etc.

It sounds to me that it might be best if you re-evaluated your true reasons for wanting the FNP and your long-term career goals and dreams. Consider not only "Which program fits MY needs the best?" ... but also ... "Which program's goals do I fit the best? Which program is most likely to see me as fitting THEIR goals and needs.?" Then choose a program and make sure to present yourself as someone who will meet THEIR needs.

Good luck to you. With your qualifications, you'll do fine once you figure out the "fit" issue.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in PICU.

Personally, I would not want to attend a school that seems so disorganized and unfair to it's applicants. If that's just the interview to get in, imagine what the exams would be like! I agree with the other posters who said to spend some time thinking about what it is you really want to do and go from there. If you really want to be a CRNA (because you think you'd enjoy the work, not just the pay and hours), then apply to CRNA school. Do you really want to do primary care? If so, then find a new school and apply to a different FNP program. There are good online programs, so you don't have to go to your local school. If you think you want to stay working in a hospital then look at the Acute Care programs. There are a lot more AC PNP jobs than there are graduates of AC PNP programs.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatric CICU.

Dear llg,

I must admit when I first read your reply I was a bit defensive! But, I took a deep breath and read it again, then took it to heart in as constructive criticism.

During my interview, when asked what my career goals as a FNP were, I enthusiastically described my future role as a FNP in a retail clinic or outpatient clinic type setting to promote health in the community. This answer was met with yet another jab at not having adult experience. Did I have ICU experience when I graduated with my BSN? Apart from 1 clinical rotation I did not, however I went on to grow in that nursing role right out of school.

As a BSN student of that university, I was a representative of the school in nursing research conferences in FL, TX & Italy so I don't see how my ability to be a positive role model for nursing has changed as I have only continued to strengthen my leadership abilities.

The school is looking to promote health in the community so how was I not a good match? Alas, I truly felt like it was a huge oversight on their part to pass on me for FNP. They have a reputation for being embarrassingly disorganized. It also may be due to the fact they are the ONLY school accepting Foreign MDs into FNP, thus leaving less openings for RNs.

I am glad you replied to my post and I will take to heart what you said, re-evaluating my reasons for FNP and doing a self-assessment to see which school is more aligned to my goals/needs. I will find my path to becoming an Advanced Practice Nurse eventually...:up:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatric CICU.

Annaiya- I AGREE! I am so disappointed in that school now. My reasons for going into CRNA are many: I like the autonomy, I like the role to relieve pain/discomfort/anxiety for procedures, I would love to advance my knowledge and skills as a RN, I am a bit of a control freak in my work, and of course the compensation/hours for outpatient settings are attractive. I have already shadowed some CRNAs and love it, but maybe its time to interview/shadow some FNPs... thanks for the ideas!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment