FNP Walden

myelin · Mar 14, 2014

AN encourages lively debate. We ask that you debate the topic, not the poster.
And...to be honest, this constant arguing about which school is better seems extremely small and unimportant in the grand scheme of APN practice.
Please stay on topic.

I appreciate your thoughtful posts, but I'm going to respectfully disagree with you, trauma. The oversupply of NPs (fueled by for profit programs with low standards for entry) is a huge threat to the field. This is undeniable. Saturation of the field will cause salaries to fall even further. There's a reason all medical schools have extremely high standards for entry and all docs across the board command salaries of 150k+ while NPs are sometimes begging for half that.

Mark Hill BSN · Mar 14, 2014

Boston-I'm curious as to why you would ask this?

This was asked in the hopes that I would say that I would rank myself high among my peer, in an attempt to, somehow, prove that my experience at Walden was the exception to the rule, and that most people will not do as well. Also, since I am an average guy, most graduates of Walden would certainly be below average, proving on some level that graduates of Walden will "hurt" the NP profession. Because of course, anyone who would go to Walden would have to be just a point or two above mentally handicapped...which of course is about as far from the truth as it could be...

Mark Hill BSN · Mar 14, 2014

I appreciate your thoughtful posts, but I'm going to respectfully disagree with you, trauma. The oversupply of NPs (fueled by for profit programs with low standards for entry) is a huge threat to the field. This is undeniable. Saturation of the field will cause salaries to fall even further. There's a reason all medical schools have extremely high standards for entry and all docs across the board command salaries of 150k+ while NPs are sometimes begging for half that.

Waiting on proof of this statement....

Trauma Columnist · Mar 14, 2014

Changing the face of APN practice isn't rooted in the education or school you attend - its based on the political action committees (PACs) located in our legislature.

So...IMHO the answer to APN practice issues lies after school when you get into practice....

myelin · Mar 14, 2014

Waiting on proof of this statement....

Uh, I'm not sure what "proof" you are looking for? Do you mean oversupply leading to falling salaries? I believe both law and clinical psychology are good examples of this problem. Both fields commanded very high salaries until they started opening lower tier/for profit programs, and now both fields have a huge oversupply and salaries that are getting cut. Or do you not believe that high standards is not what leads to higher MD salaries?

myelin · Mar 14, 2014

Changing the face of APN practice isn't rooted in the education or school you attend - its based on the political action committees (PACs) located in our legislature.
So...IMHO the answer to APN practice issues lies after school when you get into practice....

Wait, what? I don't see how this reply has anything to do with my post? I'm not arguing about changing the face of APN practice, I'm looking to make APN practice actually worth something. My only point is the following: Market saturation is never, ever good for a field. By lowering standards and flooding the field with new graduates, we will see a further fall in our wages. This will vary by specialty. I'm in a less popular one, so I'm holding my breath that things will be okay for me. Only time will tell.

allnurses Guide · Mar 15, 2014

I have a documented IQ of almost 130 did very well on the GRE, and my overall GPA is 3.75.(4.0 in graduate school), and all I have managed is to become a FNP. [/quote']
This about sums up your respect for the profession then? I can see why you are so defensive about your education then. Don't things make much more sense to most readers now?

allnurses Guide · Mar 15, 2014

This was asked in the hopes that I would say that I would rank myself high among my peer in an attempt to, somehow, prove that my experience at Walden was the exception to the rule, and that most people will not do as well...[/quote']
Actually Mark, mind if I answer the question that was asked of me? I only insist as so other readers don't think that the incorrect assumption that you jumped to is my motivation for the question.
I asked the question to try and understand your perspective. And it resulted in providing a great deal of insight into understanding the origin of your posts. It is a bit of clarification to better understand your views in the original topic.
In retrospect, now knowing your assumption of my motivation for the question, I find it rather interesting you managed to both brag about yourself and say that you were average in the same sentence.

Mark Hill BSN · Mar 15, 2014

Uh, I'm not sure what "proof" you are looking for? Do you mean oversupply leading to falling salaries? I believe both law and clinical psychology are good examples of this problem. Both fields commanded very high salaries until they started opening lower tier/for profit programs, and now both fields have a huge oversupply and salaries that are getting cut. Or do you not believe that high standards is not what leads to higher MD salaries?

Documented proof would be nice. When the NP requirement becomes DNP (and it will sooner rather than later), any assumed saturation of the NP profession will take care of itself. Your area may be saturated with NPs, but there are many areas of the US that are severely underserved by healthcare providers, and even more demand will become apparent in the coming years with the institution of the Affordable Healthcare Act. If your area is saturated I suggest you relocate. As far as salaries go, I had 2 job offers before I finished school. One with a starting salary of $120,000, and the other $146,000 per year. Why, because I live in a very underserved area, and many doctors here see NPs as a major income source. My clinic is a part of the rural health initiative in Mississippi ($75 reimbursement per patient, per visit), and NPs get reimbursed at the same rate as MDs, so it makes sense to hire an NP for less money, because it makes for greater profit margins. I saw 22 patients Thursday at $75 a pop, and my salary cost by employer $560 dollars for the day. I made him $1650, while only costing him $560. A balance in his favor of $1090 for the day. NPs need to educate themselves on their value, and stop settling for dirt wages, while their employers make a killing off of them. This is not an education problem it is a "not knowing what your worth problem"!

Mark Hill BSN · Mar 15, 2014

Actually Mark, mind if I answer the question that was asked of me? I only insist as so other readers don't think that the incorrect assumption that you jumped to is my motivation for the question.
I asked the question to try and understand your perspective. And it resulted in providing a great deal of insight into understanding the origin of your posts. It is a bit of clarification to better understand your views in the original topic.
In retrospect, now knowing your assumption of my motivation for the question, I find it rather interesting you managed to both brag about yourself and say that you were average in the same sentence.[/quote
I am far from bragging on myself... potential, and realized success are very different things....I am simply stating that I have failed to reach my full potential, which makes me very average. But, your statements makes NO sense as usual. How could admitting that I failed to reach my full potential academically and professional somehow make things so very clear to all of the supposed readers of this thread, when in fact, I have the utmost respect for anyone who chooses to pursue the noble healthcare career on whatever level they choose. I don't judge people based on what they accomplish, I only judge myself. Start making sense please!

Mark Hill BSN · Mar 15, 2014

Uh, I'm not sure what "proof" you are looking for? Do you mean oversupply leading to falling salaries? I believe both law and clinical psychology are good examples of this problem. Both fields commanded very high salaries until they started opening lower tier/for profit programs, and now both fields have a huge oversupply and salaries that are getting cut. Or do you not believe that high standards is not what leads to higher MD salaries?

Documented proof would be nice. When the NP requirement becomes DNP (and it will sooner rather than later), any assumed saturation of the NP profession will take care of itself. Your area may be saturated with NPs, but there are many areas of the US that are severely underserved by healthcare providers, and even more demand will become apparent in the coming years with the institution of the Affordable Healthcare Act. If your area is saturated I suggest you relocate. As far as salaries go, I had 2 job offers before I finished school. One with a starting salary of $120,000, and the other $146,000 per year. Why, because I live in a very underserved area, and many doctors here see NPs as a major income source. My clinic is a part of the rural health initiative in Mississippi ($75 reimbursement per patient, per visit), and NPs get reimbursed at the same rate as MDs, so it makes sense to hire an NP for less money, because it makes for greater profit margins. I saw 22 patients Thursday at $75 a pop, and my salary cost by employer $560 dollars for the day. I made him $1650, while only costing him $560. A balance in his favor of $1090 for the day. NPs need to educate themselves on their value, and stop settling for dirt wages, while their employers make a killing off of them. This is not an education problem it is a "not knowing what your worth problem"!

Mark Hill BSN · Mar 15, 2014

Boston, I am curious as to why it would be so important for you to understand my perspective. Psychoanalyzation wont be necessary, if you want to know how I feel about this subject just ask me. Repressed feeling about my childhood will have NO bearing on my thoughts or words, I assure you.