NicuNurseD

I have done Micro and A&P I and II on Summer A & B terms while teaching middle school summer school and taking care of two kids on my own, a combination which horrified my advisors. But I did well and did not feel overwhelmed. (Pharma was offered once I was in the Nursing program.) So I would not be the type of person to discourage you from what seems to be daunting undertakings to most people. Like you, I took on as many courses as I was allowed to because I wanted to start nursing core courses as soon as I could. I would say it depends on you--your capacity to learn and retain, your coping mechanisms, among many other factors that only you can determine. Best of luck! I hope you do manage to square away your pre-reqs in the quickest time possible.

Congrats on your new job! To add to the previous replies that have been quite thorough--bring a teachable, open mind on your first day. If your unit is anything like mine, your training will be a few months long with your preceptor, so take this opportunity to learn as much as you can with the safety net of having that mentor with you during the entire shift. A little bit of nerves is healthy. I'd be more worried if you felt no anxiety at all. Just remember that if you are unsure of anything, ASK. NICU nursing is challenging but such an amazing and fulfilling job. I am happy you are going to be part of it! Best of luck to you!

I'm a bit of a sneakerhead so when I first started working as an RN, I thought I could wear the most comfortable sneakers I have (Adidas Ultraboost III). My legs ached so much the following day! A couple of veteran nurses advised me to try Danskos (which I swore I wouldn't wear for what I thought were lack of aesthetics :-D ). But, lo and behold, no leg pain, no foot pain, no back pain. Really awesome support for me. I've worn the same pair for two years now. I use their Pro line. Love that they're easy to wipe clean, too!

Thank you, Scottishtape! I just might do that.

Not sure what your reply means or the fact that you likely created your account just to post this reply. I've been reading posts on this site for a while before deciding to join, and for the most part commenters have impressed me with their empathy, insight and candidness.

The funny thing is she doesn't strike me as an intellectual snob in the least. While she did earn her doctorate from a top tier university, she spent many years working at the community college from where I earned my BSN. I got the sense she was sincere in her advice. To quote from her message to me: "My feeling is that having a degree from Nova will hurt you at a really top-notch school for 2 reasons: (1) your own self-assessment of how difficult a grad school you could handle and so apply to; (2) you professional plans. If your future focus is going to be anything relating to NICU-NP, then that is what your MSN needs to be in. You can always get a doctorate in Education, although this degree is not thought well of at all in Nursing (even tho' many faculty members, especially older ones have it; the impetus now is to have all faculty with doctorates in NURSING). Going to Nova and then going into a NIC -NP program looks as though you don't have your s--t together. Don't do it. Keep racking up those 2000+ hours for further certification. Wait a year. Then apply." I respect her professionally and personally, and this is why I'm still torn about what to do, even on days I feel like I should never turn down a free degree.

Thank you for your reply, Nurse Beth. At this point, I think I'll let fate decide for me. If I get in and I get the full scholarship, I'll go to Nova. And then try for Duke when I feel ready in a few years. I was a teacher for a few years, and I absolutely respect students who apply themselves and never pass up an opportunity to learn more and be better.

First off, forgive the rather silly title of this topic, but I am merely quoting what my former professor in essence told me when I asked for a referral. Let me explain: I am currently a staff nurse at a Level III NICU, with hopes of one day going into the neonatal nurse practitioner program at Duke University. This is a goal I am giving myself two or three years to achieve. At this point in my practice, I do not feel ready, experience-wise and skills-wise, to tackle the rigor of the program. At work, however, I could earn an MSN (Nurse Educator track) completely free, thanks to a scholarship opportunity which will fund studies only at Nova Southeastern University. My long-term goal and my idea of a perfect work setup is for me to one day work as an NNP and then teach one or two classes at a college or university. While earning valuable clinical experience in the next two or three years, waiting to be ready to apply to Duke, I would fully make use of my time by pursuing an MSN in Nursing Education. Not a good idea, however, according to a former professor of mine, whom I had asked to be my reference for my Nova grad school application. "Having a degree in Nova could absolutely hurt you. It will look like you have settled, and when you apply to Duke, they will see your degree from Nova and it will look like you don't have your sh*t together." I honestly never even thought of it that way. Education is education; admittedly, we all want the chance to learn from top-ranked schools, but to say any degree, even one you work hard at and learn much from, could work to your disadvantage is surprising and, frankly, disillusioning to me. Curious to see what you all think of this. Thank you!