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Whew, this question stirs up all sorts of feelings! Some of us are raised in a family where being a DOCTOR is considered the highest achievement. Not to mention a society that tends to place docs on pedestals. If I had a dime for the number of times my father said, "You're too smart to be a nurse--become a doctor!" Blech. Don't do that to your children. Yes, I considered it. Before I made my decision, I shadowed NPs and MDs/DOs. I chose the NP path because of the dynamic, brilliant, compassionate people I met who were NPs, who loved their jobs, and who made sure that their FAMILIES were still the first priority in their lives. I'm not saying that MDs/DOs don't have these qualities--but many told me that it was very hard to balance work and family. Namely the ones who are women. Choosing your life's path is not about the slaps on the back you hope to get, the name in lights, or the big, fat check (although money is helpful)--you have to think about what makes you tick and what you value to decide which way to go. Both paths are honorable and very challenging. I chose the NP path because I knew it would give me the opportunity to balance life and work; I can also change the specialty I work in (within reason) and have very flexible hours. Yes, I've had to explain what an NP is/does so many times. But this profession is great--I wouldn't change the (rocky) road it took to get here. Good luck!

My advice: apply, get in, and either a) defer at least a year to get peds experience, or b) do your MSN piece by piece as you get experience. Pediatrics is a specialty--not adult medicine in miniature. When I was getting my ACPNP, every single day of my past nursing experience (4 years) was valuable. Yes, it's sometimes frustrating to practice bedside nursing when you know you definitely want to become an NP and do it as soon as possible. HOWEVER, you will have plenty of time to practice as an NP, and you have a great opportunity now to get peds experience and make sure you're choosing the right specialty. Good luck!

Grnrn, Good luck in your program! With regard to your question, it's all relative. If you're applying for a per diem/PT/PRN job, the employer will probably not care if you're in grad school. The reaction you get will also depend on how much RN experience you have. If you're young and a relatively new nurse, they might be a little harder on you--but again, it depends on the interviewer/nurse manager. I moved to a new city and found a PT job while in my NP program, too. It worked out well, but I wasn't broadcasting my grad student status. If someone asked why I was PT, I told them, but I didn't want to be labeled or hyper-criticized if I didn't do something perfectly. In a nutshell, I think it's FINE to tell the interviewer. But be sure to test the (personality) waters before you jump in. Good luck!

Glad to help! Did my MSN through Rush University in Chicago. With regard to choosing your specialty: yes, FNP gives you more options in the sense that it covers the entire age spectrum, BUT if you lean toward one patient population more than any other (Adult, peds, onc, women's health, or gero), I highly recommend choosing a program that lets you focus your energy, studying, and clinical hours. If, however, you're sure you want to work in family practice or another outpatient, adult area, FNP is great. I add this because state boards of nursing are gradually requiring that NPs practice only in the area in which you have specialized (i.e., no more grandfathering of FNPs who work in pediatric acute care, for example). Just bringing this up now to spare you the need to get a post-master's after your FNP (unless you want to!).

Hi sage2320, How exciting for you! It sounds like you already have many questions for the open house, but I'm happy to add a few. I just completed my MSN online (with a few trips out-of-state), and it was no cake-walk. Not because it was online--simply because it's an MSN! You're right to ask them if they would assist you in any way with finding preceptors if needed. I was lucky in that I had been working in the area for 2 years before I needed to find preceptors, and I knew many of the people I wanted to work with. However, at least half of them I found through word of mouth. Ask around for the people who LOVE to teach and love what they do. Your clinical experiences are KEY. I'd also ask which portions of the program take place on campus--in person. Ex: invasive procedure workshops (I did acute care), special lectures, clinical time. Even though a program is primarily online, both you and they need human contact. Find a mentor who has been through the same program or who is a faculty member. Ask about the kinds of positions graduates go for (not sure what specialty you're considering). Ask about testing vs. papers (my program was tipped in favor of papers, whereas I prefer testing as I go). Ask about board exam prep--are you on your own, or does the program spend some time preparing you for what to expect. Ask about clinical hours--where can you do them, in what areas, how many do you need, can you focus in one area more than another if you're particularly interested, etc. Some of these may seem basic, and you've probably already considered them, but I hope this helps. Good luck!!

Hi everyone, I'm a newly-minted acute care PNP with NICU, PICU, and pedi heme/onc experience. My only ED experience was a clinical rotation during my MSN, and I loved it. I still feel very new to the ED, but I'm interviewing for a position (peds ED). Not at all a fan of night shifts, so that would be a compromise I'd have to make. Just looking for some feedback from NPs in this area and maybe some encouragement! You'd think I wouldn't be nervous after all the ICU experience, but this is unfamiliar territory. Thanks a heap! K.

I'm a new graduate acute care PNP who started out with a business degree before going into nursing. My goal at the start, like yours, was to become a nurse practitioner. I had aspirations of getting through my BSN and MSN as quickly as possible to get where I (finally) knew where I wanted to go. I, too, looked at direct-entry MSN programs as a means to to this, but I ultimately decided to do an accelerated BSN first, get some experience, and THEN decided what specialty I wanted for my MSN. Yes, it took more time, but every single ounce of experience I had as an RN was invaluable to me to get through my MSN. (I've been a nurse for 4 years and did the MSN during the last 2.5 years). My interests changed after I had been working as a nurse, and by the time I applied to grad school, I was confident in the specialty I chose. My advice, too, if you want to work in the ED as an NP eventually: get critical care experience. ICU experience is especially invaluable. Just my 2 cents, but I hope this helps!

Hi everyone, I'm a new grad acute care PNP looking at job options, and although I haven't interviewed for it, yet, there is a position open for a PNP in liver transplant. Anyone have experience with this area and have any thoughts or advice about the patients, care required, potential for job satisfaction, etc.? I have no experience in this area since the hospitals I have worked in were not transplant facilities. Any thoughts are appreciated. Thank you! K.

Hi everyone, I was wondering if anyone has a particularly well-designed documentation sheet that they carry during shifts and would be willing to share. Something you use to write down your shift report at the start of your day and track meds, vent settings, lines, procedures, psychosocial issues, etc. I am trying to design one to use for myself, but I know there are some organized PICU nurses out there that might have some great ones! Thanks in advance! Kathy:wink2:

Hi John, Thank you for that great insight! Do you happen to know anything about the hem/onc units in those hospitals? That's what I'm looking at in particular. I'm working at Denver Children's now, and we have the same type of population as Santa Rosa. We are affiliated with the University as well, and I love the teaching hospital environment. It also allows me to work on perfecting my Spanish :) It really depends on which hospital has the right position open (right now Methodist looks more promising), although I would lean toward Santa Rosa if I had the choice. Thanks again, and let me know if you think of anything else!

Hi Texas Nurses, I'm thrilled to be moving to Texas this summer, but I'd love some of the 411 on nursing in San Antonio. I'm specifically looking at Methodist Children's Hospital and Santa Rosa Children's. Any thoughts as to the different working environments, support for nursing, medical communities, etc??? Thank you so much!

Hi there, I graduated from the Duke ABSN a couple of years ago, and after hearing your choices, I would definitely go that route. The program was still in its nascent stage when I was there, and there were definitely some improvements needed, but overall I learned a great deal and felt prepared to enter the world of nursing! Also on the plus side, they just moved into their new school of nursing building which is gorgeous, and now the SON is finally close to the hospital (we were out in a building a few blocks away when I was there). Some profs were better than others (like any school), but I still maintain a connection to some wonderful mentors that I met there. The included Master's credits are a great plus as well. My plan has always been to go on to get my MSN and get at least some of those credits to transfer. I'm in the middle of a PNP program now (in Colorado), and the credits have helped. Also, it is, believe it or not, a big plus to have your BSN first, even if the direct MSN would give you lots of clinical hours. Employers and your nursing peers will expect it, and they might judge you more harshly without it (we can be tough on each other, unfortunately). My original plan was to jump right through to get my MSN, but I am so glad to have 2 years of clinical experience first--especially since I'm in a field that I didn't know I would love until after my BSN was complete. You never know what will draw you in during that BSN, so committing to the MSN does lock you in to that area (I chose Duke over another direct MSN program as well, and I'm so glad I did!). Finally, don't worry about your age! We had students aged 21-55 in my class, and everyone brought something valuable to the table. Your background, whatever it may be, will be a great asset, and your life experiences will make you a wonderful nurse. Please feel free to ask any more questions about the Duke ABSN if you have some. Congratulations and good luck!