If you were in my shoes...

Specialties NP

Published

Consider the following:

1.)wife of an active duty soldier /moves every 3-4yrs

2.)one class away from completing AS

3.) current LVN in CA (moving in 6months to unknown location at this time)

4.) new mom to a 4month old

5.)uncomfortable with putting child in daycare,prefer having myself or husband watching her only

Goal: Work on base as a FNP

If you were in my shoes,how would you get there? There are several options available(some solely depend on what state we live in at the time). Those options depending on the state,includeonline LPN to RN bridges such as ,ISU,Excelsior (yikes) please share your thoughts

Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Yes my kids went to daycare. Realistically there was no other way. We had no family nearby. Part of the time we were both active duty. I did pre reqs like English history etc while we were stationed in Alaska and Korea. When we went to Nellis in Las Vegas I did one year of a&up, micro etc then did an LPN. Then we moved to Indianapolis and I did an ADN at a private college becuz the wait time was years long at any cheap state school. I worked for 8 years as RN then did Bsn and MSN online then did two post MSN certificates

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Who knows what NP education will look like when you are ready but I can only hope there are some major changes made.

Are you referring to the distance learning options for NP? What do you mean you hope or major changes?

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Then we moved to Indianapolis and I did an ADN at a private college becuz the wait time was years long at any cheap state school. I worked for 8 years as RN then did Bsn and MSN online then did two post MSN certificates

That's why I went to a private college here in California. We moved from Tennessee and I was accepted to a BSN program there RIGHT before my husband got orders here. I really hated going to a private college bc it seemed like everyone thought they were entitled to pass everything JUST because they paid. The staff was completely unstable and unprofessional. Horrible experience, but it DID allow me to move forward so I cant be too ungrateful.

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There is a lack of consistency between NP programs here in the United States. For some programs, the curriculum does not adequately prepare students to be safe providers, let alone pass their boards. Plus, NP students have trouble finding willing preceptors to mentor them, for a number of reasons. For instance - who can blame a provider for not wanting to mentor someone for free and get behind on his/her work, especially with employers stingy about providers meeting a quota of patients :/ ? Who can blame a provider for not wanting to get involve with a faculty that has a reputation of not periodically checking in on the student's progress, while they pocket the money that student paid for the program? Though, do not get me wrong - it is not just the NP programs that have these problems.

Here in the United States, the education system (in general) is a colossal mess.

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This is incorrect- WGU grads can be licensed in all 50 states without ANY problem. I think you have them mixed up with Excelsior- which DOES have restrictions on licensure in several states.

Maryjean, you have misunderstood my post. I said she should check with her state and I stand by that comment. I was referring only to LVN-RN. Last time I checked, 's LVN-RN program was not acceptable for residents of my state, Washington State.

You are correct that WGU's BSN is acceptable in all states. Washington just had an issue with online clinicals required for LVN-RN licensing and maybe that has changed

However, I could easily be wrong. I try to give uber-helpful info when I reply and my main point on that is that before starting a college program, the OP (and any potential student) should check to make sure that the program that they are considering is acceptable to their state's licensing agency and not take some random internet stranger's word for it. That could be a frustrating mistake.

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That's why I went to a private college here in California. We moved from Tennessee and I was accepted to a BSN program there RIGHT before my husband got orders here. I really hated going to a private college bc it seemed like everyone thought they were entitled to pass everything JUST because they paid. The staff was completely unstable and unprofessional. Horrible experience, but it DID allow me to move forward so I cant be too ungrateful.

Because of competition for spots and high demand, California is hard on prospective nurses. I hope your next post is in an easier state. Good luck on your journey.

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Maryjean, you have misunderstood my post. I said she should check with her state and I stand by that comment. I was referring only to LVN-RN. Last time I checked, WGU's LVN-RN program was not acceptable for residents of my state, Washington State.

You are correct that WGU's BSN is acceptable in all states. Washington just had an issue with online clinicals required for LVN-RN licensing and maybe that has changed

However, I could easily be wrong. I try to give uber-helpful info when I reply and my main point on that is that before starting a college program, the OP (and any potential student) should check to make sure that the program that they are considering is acceptable to their state's licensing agency and not take some random internet stranger's word for it. That could be a frustrating mistake.

I don't believe has a LVN-RN program anymore? They offer an online BSN Prelicensure program w/clinicals completed locally. Having my LVN wouldn't necessarily give me an advantage or shorten the length of the program unfortunately.I wish there was a program with online courses,Skype check ins with instructors and local clinicals with flexible hours. Oh well,maybe on a diff planet lol

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.
Maryjean, you have misunderstood my post. I said she should check with her state and I stand by that comment. I was referring only to LVN-RN. Last time I checked, WGU's LVN-RN program was not acceptable for residents of my state, Washington State.

You are correct that WGU's BSN is acceptable in all states. Washington just had an issue with online clinicals required for LVN-RN licensing and maybe that has changed

However, I could easily be wrong. I try to give uber-helpful info when I reply and my main point on that is that before starting a college program, the OP (and any potential student) should check to make sure that the program that they are considering is acceptable to their state's licensing agency and not take some random internet stranger's word for it. That could be a frustrating mistake.

Wgu does not have an LVN-RN program. We have a full, prelicensure BSN program in five states with no restrictions on where they can practice currently. I believe you are referring to the RN-to-BSN program mistakenly. Our 700+ clinical hours are in person in some of the most recognized healthcare facilities in the country.

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