GRE's/MAT's

underpaidrn · Sep 25, 2007

I am going back in January of 2008 for my Masters/Nurse Practitioner and I am having to take the MAT test in October. I am not sure why we need to take these tests. I am 52 years old and have life experience as an RN. I don't know why some schools require these tests and some do not. Hopefully someone out there will be able to enlighten us a bit.

fgoff · Sep 25, 2007

i too saw the requirement while researching msn programs for "acceptable scores" on this test. i simple would not do it. i looked until i found a program that did not require a test. i will start the online program oct 22.

good luck!

amberfnp · Sep 25, 2007

Hi underpaidrn (aren't we all)...I see you are from VA, so am I. What school are you going to be attending? I want to go to ODU but even their PT FNP program is essentially FT once clinicals start. Unfortunately, I do need to work FT or at least 32 hours/week.

I have broadened my horizons and looked into some online programs, the 2 top choices in Alabama, University of South Alabama being my 1st pick. One day I am all about it! And the next I feel uneasy. Mostly because of having to find clinicial sites and wondering about communicating with instructors. I did my RN-BSN at VCU and even though it was "distance", Richmond was only 1 hour away if I really needed something!

I have posted with a USA student on allnurses and have ready several of her posts to other students and she seems to have a good outlook on the program.

Look forward to hearing back from you!

amberfnp · Sep 25, 2007

fgoff, what school are you going to? I see you are in NC. I would LOVE to go to ECU but YIKES! the out of state tuition is almost $700 per credit hour!

underpaidrn · Sep 25, 2007

Hi 92MXMOM, I am planning on doing the ODU thing via satellite at the local community college. It's something I have thought about for a while and really want to do. I know that it's going to be a long time to finish doing it part time, but what the heck! If I don't start now, I never will. Thanks for the input!

fgoff · Sep 25, 2007

92mxmom, I will be doing the Liberty University online program for MSNEd. http://www.liberty.edu/

I think the tuition is $395/credit hour but there is a military (my husband is ex-Army) discount of $150/credit hour. That really helps.

Underpaidrn, I started at CVCC with the ODU program years ago when I lived in Va. Great program! Best of luck!

amberfnp · Sep 25, 2007

I was going to try to do the Oct GRE's but math I don't get along and I'm not sure that is enough time for me to prepare. And if I do choose ODU, I don't think I can start until next fall anyways.

I initially planned to do the Nurse Educator online starting this fall. Then...got married and bought a house, so GRE's got put on the backburner. During the last few months, I am in the mindset that a FNP would serve me, and my future students (as I think I would really like to teach), better and open more doors.

If I do the FNP, I would kind of be doing a satellite program. I live about 30 minutes or so from the campus but there is a satellite campus close to where I work. Clinicals could be near campus or near my home/work.

If you remember, keep me posted on how the GRE's are and school too!

amberfnp · Sep 25, 2007

fgoff

I looked into that school as well but I could not find the need for CNS's in this area unless you wanted to work at the VA hospitals. I primarily want to teach but like that having an NP gives you something to fall back on and seems to open more doors, at least in my locale.

One of the instructors I spoke with was VERY helpful, even giving me her cell # to call and ask questions. And it seems the school will essentially bend over backwards to help you get in regardless of deadlines. And being that their courses are 8 weeks, there are several admission times during the year. I have a friend there doing the Community Health track and she seems to like it.

Good luck to you!

birthrevolution · Sep 25, 2007

I honestly think that more schools are starting to require the GRE so that they "look better" and are taken more seriously as master's programs. (Not my personal opinion, I think the GRE is a ridiculous test that doesn't say much about a person's intellectual capabilities other than their ability to take a standardized test.) Kind of like how PhDs/DNPs are becoming more strongly encouraged for advanced practice clinicians.

I'm not sure how many master's programs require the GRE, but I have heard that they will waive it if you already have a master's degree or significant work/life experience. I also think that the weight of the GRE for someone with significant work and life experience would be less than someone who is straight out of undergrad or only has one or two years under their belt. The test is annoying, but with a little prep, I think that most people can do okay on it with a little prep work. I would encourage anyone to at least attempt it and not rule out any school you're interested in just because it requires the GRE.