First semester in NP program

CardioTrans, BSN, RN · May 2, 2006

It can be done. Adv Pharm will take alot of your time. Theory will take alot of your time. I just took my Adv Pharm final last week and I loved the class. It is very detailed and tons of reading but it was a great class. Theory was boring to me, but thats just me.

Good luck to you and keep us updated!!

mtnmom · May 2, 2006

Of course you can do it, but a lot depends on other responsibilities (i.e. family, house, etc.) and your support system.

I agree with cardio...both courses were a lot of work! But Pharm was much more relevant and applicable, and very interesting. I could take what I had learned and apply it and look for examples in my practice. Theory, on the other hand...a lot of work and just something that I had to endure. I did not care for it overall but it is a necessary evil to get through any program.

NPRoseMona · May 6, 2006

Thank you for your advice. I will keep you posted. By the way I am mother of 2 teenager girls! I have also admission for PhD in Nursing. It takes 4 years to complete my program (Full time). I don't know which one is the better choice. Any idea?

texas-rn-fnp · May 6, 2006

I just finished Nursing Theory through ISU. I hated it. It took me forever. It was a class I would prefer not to do but unfortunately most state board of nursing require it for you to get an NP license. It was no fun. Theory would be better incorporated into other classes throughout the program.

I am taking Pharm. and Patho. this summer through MSU. I would rather do that anyday.

npingeorgia · May 6, 2006

Yes, you can do it. I agree with everyone about the theory class. It is just something that you have to do, get through it and focus your time on the pharm. My idea of getting things done when i was in np school was to focus on the classes that will get me through my certification exam and that will help me take care of patients. Theory was a dreaded event and the professor was just as terrible. Don't make the terrible mistake that i did and insult the professor's favorite theorist, made the semester miserable for me. I still laugh about it though.

good luck!!!!

yellow finch, BSN, RN · May 7, 2006

I just finished Nursing Theory through ISU. I hated it. It took me forever. It was a class I would prefer not to do but unfortunately most state board of nursing require it for you to get an NP license. It was no fun. Theory would be better incorporated into other classes throughout the program.
I am taking Pharm. and Patho. this summer through MSU. I would rather do that anyday.

Are you in the online program because I just finished Nursing Theory at ISU, too. :)

texas-rn-fnp · May 11, 2006

yes. My first name is Kevin. What is yours?

The Theory instructor was nice. I just didn't get excited about a whole course in Theory. The stats were more informative and the Health Care Perspectives was very practical.

yellow finch, BSN, RN · May 16, 2006

Kevin, I'm Jules. I agree... it wasn't exceptionally thrilling, but a few things stuck with me. Guess most of these basic classes are a necessary evil for the MSN degree. Heh.

krisssy · May 24, 2006

I just finished taking Theory at MU online. I loved it. It was reading and discussing online with your group. We had a concept analysis paper to do at the end. I worked on it constantly, and I would have been overwhelmed with the two courses. But everyone is different. Being a former educator, I would say that we all have different learning styles. If you read quickly, then you can post to your group quickly and then go on to your other course. But if you are like me and have to type everything you read to comprehend, then stick to one course at a time. Since grad school allowed me to take one course at a time, I have become an A student. I could never do the A's with more than one course. But that is me. You have to think about your learning style and then decide. With theory, it also depends on the course. Someone was describing an undergraduate theory course with mult. choice tests. I would have hated that. But I loved reading and discussing the different theorists, and I will definitely apply it to my practice.

Krisssy

patrick1rn, MSN, RN, NP · Jun 2, 2006

I just started my MSN/FNP program myself here in Indianapolis and I am very excited and look forward to finnishing my degree and working as a NP in a outpatient clinical setting. I have my BSN..

I am also a medic in the army guard and spent 6 yrs on active duty as a paratrooper/flight medic with a pretty good active duty unit.. 160th Soar

I m in the army guard now in Indiana and went to Afghanistan last year and well I did what had to be done clinically for my patients, alot of basic suturing, I and Ds and general sick call. Any NPs who work in immediate care clinic or ER , I would like to hear from you. Please share your experiences with me as to what you do in your settings and what you dont do as to give me some more insight...

auntsas82 · Sep 7, 2010

I just finished taking Theory at MU online. I loved it. It was reading and discussing online with your group. We had a concept analysis paper to do at the end. I worked on it constantly, and I would have been overwhelmed with the two courses. But everyone is different. Being a former educator, I would say that we all have different learning styles. If you read quickly, then you can post to your group quickly and then go on to your other course. But if you are like me and have to type everything you read to comprehend, then stick to one course at a time. Since grad school allowed me to take one course at a time, I have become an A student. I could never do the A's with more than one course. But that is me. You have to think about your learning style and then decide. With theory, it also depends on the course. Someone was describing an undergraduate theory course with mult. choice tests. I would have hated that. But I loved reading and discussing the different theorists, and I will definitely apply it to my practice.
Krisssy

I am assuming you mean MU as in Mizzou, columbia MO? Just looking into the program, any other feedback you can offer me?