If you were in NP school again, what would you do different?

mrspopeye · Mar 12, 2009

Do you mind sharing where you went?

I graduated from St. Louis University. I could have gone to Vanderbilt for the same price.

JDCitizen · Mar 12, 2009

Hmmmm my little old program covered this somewhat.... The doctors/NPs/PAs I had clinicals with went over billing, coding and the business aspects most every clinical day. What is shocking is that I went to lunch with a group of doctors and 8 out 10 were ripped off by staff the first few years and all admitted to haveing lost thousands of dollars due to lack of business/billing savey.

sandnnw, BSN, MSN, EMT-B, APRN · Mar 17, 2009

No kidding, it's often referred to as "Wonderbilt" As in, I wonder if I'll ever get my student loans paid off. We paid a very high price for that diploma, I hope it pays off one day! Great school, great mission, greater price.

Teacher First · Mar 21, 2009

I wish I could have gone a little slower. I am in my mid fifties and can't go too slow or there won't be much time to practice! Ha! But really....I already have my MS and took the post-Master's cert. in FNP. I work full time and took 2 classes a semester, it about did me in! But I will finish next month and am ever-grateful. Looking forward to a new chapter in my life!

Polley93 · Apr 5, 2009

is taking some kind of a billing/code course recommended by any of you actually in the profession to those of us who are in the education process?

carachel2 · Apr 6, 2009

My little old public university has a mandatory class where you learn how to negotiate your salary, productivity bonuses and specific parts of a contract. Legal issues are covered as well as the specifics of billing in every day practice. I had NO idea to look for this in a program, but looking back I wish *I* would have interviewed the school better. I would like to see better electives and the chance to explore one particular specialty more in depth.

kanzi monkey · Apr 6, 2009

I'm about to graduate and one thing that has been nagging me is that I feel I haven't been put to the test regarding forming a differential. One of my preceptors is good about asking for "on the spot" differentials, but I wish that this was an element of my coursework. Instead, we did hours and hours of case studies in the comfort of our homes with our textbooks. I don't feel the NP exam really puts you on the spot anyway, since it's multiple choice (so, if there's a differential, your options are already listed).

I want symptoms presented to me and then for someone to say "Kanzi. What is the differential for this patient". This is a hard question for me to answer on the spot--and since it's what I'm training to do, I want to feel more comfortable with it.

Polley93 · Apr 6, 2009

This is very helpful to know indeed. I have learned much from reading all of the posts regarding what people would do differently. I am just on the beginning cusp of my program and having these suggestions from the get go has been very helpful. I appreciate you sharing your thoughts, it truly gives us "noobs" a headstart on adding some areas if it ends up to be a weak one in our given program. Thanks again! :bow:

Editorial Team / Admin · Apr 6, 2009

I want symptoms presented to me and then for someone to say "Kanzi. What is the differential for this patient". This is a hard question for me to answer on the spot--and since it's what I'm training to do, I want to feel more comfortable with it.

You will find this helpful, kanzi. Many presentations to help you hone your ability to differentiate. Along with real life presentations, this is a good study aid.

eMedicine CME Case Presentations Index

kanzi monkey · Apr 6, 2009

Thanks Siri! Excellent resource

jlcole45 · Apr 7, 2009

I would have found a cheaper school- that big monthly school loan payment sucks. Especially so when working alongside colleagues who passed the same board exam and make the same pay I do and accomplished it for half the price. I would have researched programs more thoroughly before deciding.

Well that helps me feel better about turning down Duke FNP program.

I am sure it would have been a great experience but

At my age I just couldn't justify going 50,000 in debt.

DrZaphod, BSN, MSN, DNP, RN, NP · Apr 8, 2009

I graduated from St. Louis University. I could have gone to Vanderbilt for the same price.

I just graduated from there, too, and am staring at enormous debt. I wish I would have researched a bit more, too. Just heard it was a great grad program from several CNS's and went.