I was advised by staff to start a thread for nurses pertaining to graduate school until staff decides if there will be a forum just for graduate school.
I thought this could be a place for nurses interested in going to graduate school, nurses in graduate school, and nurses who have finished graduate school to share their experience and questions. Maybe those in graduate school or who have finished graduate school can help those interested in it.
So, what specialty are you interested in, where do you go or want to go or have graduated from? Online or traditional? What is the experience like? Anyone in direct entry MS programs? Are you in a nurse practitioner MS program or a different type of nursing MS?
I am a retired school nurse teacher and elementary educator looking to go to graduate school for nursing. After taking a refresher course in med surg, I have been considering many options including school nursing MS, pediatric nurse practitioner (Can you do this without hospital experience since nursing school?), informatics, administration, child psych.(have not been able to find such a program?), case management, patient education (PARTICULARLY FOR CHILDREN). I have looked into so many things that I am totally confused. I have even looked into a direct entry MS proigram, because my BSN is so old. So any comments or suggestions on my situation would be appreciated. For personal reasons, I cannot work right now, but I am able to go to school online. I am considering the online Stony Brook Pediatric Practitioner and Clinical Specialist Program. Anyone familiar with it?
I am very interested to get answers to my questions and also to hear where you are and what you are doing in the world of graduate education for nurses. I hope we can all help eachother.
Specializes in Acute rehab/geriatrics/cardiac rehab.
Thanks for this forum. I've been an RN for only a year (I'm an older new nurse) and I've been accepted into an ANP MSN program which I'm supposed to start in the fall part time (one or two classes at a time since I plan for the time being to work full time). I'm hoping and praying that this is possible. I realize that once I start clinicals I may have to work part time or try working three 12 hour shifts a week. I'll take it one day at a time...... :)
Yeah, new forum. I am finishing my BSN and concurrently starting my MSN. My husband thinks that I am crazy. I am starting classes on an online program in two weeks. I am going insane trying to think of how I am going to pay for all of this. I did my FAFSA today, it gave me some outrageous EFC. Stress, we must live on it right? Starting a CNS program.
It's not so much ethics as law. I think that giving unknown meds from unknown suppliers without a proper order or prescription would violate most State nurse practice acts.
Though i'm not yet a nurse practitioner, I can tell you from working my way through nursing school as a pharmacy technician, that pharmacies are not legally allowed to fill prescriptions that were written by a physician that is not liscenced in the United States. Based on this legality, it seems rational that any order or medication that is not from the United States should not be filled or administered in the United States.
I really need help from those who have completed their MSN-FNP. I will start school this fall taking 3 classes---Path, Role Development and Healthcare Policy. My questions are 1) Is this too much 2) Is patho. very difficult 3) I have heard that obtaining the MSN in FNP or Education is not as difficult as the 1st degree--ADN or diploma. What do you think? I desire to be an FNP more than you know. I work a weekender position and would also like to know if this is enough time to get everything done. Oh, by the way I will go to school online. I received my BSN in May taking online courses and this was the best experience. Thanks for any advice you are able to offer.
I'm actually applying for a pediatric nurse practitioner / educator track. I'm excited, but very scared! I never remembered being anxious about nursing school in this manner... now, I am for the NP part! I'm hoping that this is normal. Any input?
I recently obtained my BSN and will start back in the fall for the MSN-FNP online. I am very scared as well. I guess this is a part of it, huh?
I just started my FNP program and finished up my first semester last week. Right now I am caught between two schools - I'm trying to figure out which one I will ultimately attend.
I, too, was very nervous after I applied to both programs - with regards to actually getting accepted and then nervous about paying for school and being able to get the work done (I stopped working every weekend and switched to per diem due to the birth of my son, so our income has drastically dropped).
So far, I have enjoyed being back in school (after I graduated from my BSN program 8 years ago). It has been a challenge, but is a nice diversion to the same old routine my days were becoming. This is actually funny for me because when I was in my BSN program, I was always telling everybody that I would never go back to school and that I couldn't wait to get the heck out!
I guess things changed as I matured! It will be nice to talk with everyone on this thread. :)
HOW MANY CLASSES DO YOU THINK IS A COMFORTABLE AMOUNT TO TAKE EACH SEMESTER? I WORK A WEEKENDER NURSING POSTION AND WILL REGISTER FOR 3 COURSES. PLEASE SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE OF TAKING PATHO AND ADVANCED PHARMACOLOGY. I REALLY FEAR THESE 2 COURSES MOST OF ALL. PLEASE SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE. I CAN'T THANK YOU ENOUGH.
I think I have FINALLY made a decision. I have an appointment with an advisor re. applying to an online psychiatric nurse practitioner program. I am sooooo excited. And I met a psychiatrist who said I could do clinicals through him where he works-at my favorite hospital in my area. He said he does clinicals with nurse practitioners all the time. If there is anyone out there with experience in a mental health nurse practitioner program , please let me know how it was, what the courses are like etc. Thanks! Krisssy
mom and nurse
513 Posts
Thanks for this forum. I've been an RN for only a year (I'm an older new nurse) and I've been accepted into an ANP MSN program which I'm supposed to start in the fall part time (one or two classes at a time since I plan for the time being to work full time). I'm hoping and praying that this is possible. I realize that once I start clinicals I may have to work part time or try working three 12 hour shifts a week. I'll take it one day at a time...... :)