vanurse07

Hi! I'm interested to know if NP pay at all NHSC sites is low? I just got an offer for 74k but that seems pretty low for this NE area of the country. I feel like they are using the NHSC incentive to make up for it, though of course you still have to apply and be accepted into the program. Just curious if any NHSC sites are getting closer to or meeting the average NP salary for their regions. Thanks for any input!

I don't have a code but do have one for sale! It's 2011 but I'm pretty sure all the info is the same. I just used it to pass ANCC!

I just passed the ANCC FNP boards!! I used several sources that I thought others here may find useful to know about. 1. Leik FNP Certification Intensive Review- Fast Facts and Practice Questions- My personal favorite. Has a nice review of everything then a little over 600 practice questions to do 2. Fitzgerald NP Certification Exam and Practice Prep- Also a favorite. Has several practice questions and a nice review of subject area. I just wish the content was reviewed then followed by the questions. It's an odd set up with doing the questions first then having the content review afterwards. I also wish the questions for each content area were grouped together then had all the answers at the end of the section or the back of the book. In this addition, body systems/content areas are broken down into multiple subsections. The following are also available for sale 3. 2012 Fitzgerald Review CDs/workbook- Same thing as the live review sessions she has. These are also nice to have and listen to while in the program 4. familynpprep.com- I liked the convenience of being able to do these online. The question content is ok. A lot more focused on theories than you actually need to know. I still have 30 unused tests. I thought I would be able to do more online tests over throughout my study time so I went a little overboard and purchased 35 tests- 5. Leik Adult Certification Intensive Review book- I actually didn't get to use this one because I ran out of time and figured the same content was covered in her FNP book that I used. 6. AAPA Comprehensive Review for Certification for PAs- This one was recommended to me by a couple of PA students I was in clinical with. Seemed to have a very good review of all systems but once again, I ran out of time and was only able to do a few questions from it I hope this helps!

I just passed the ANCC FNP boards!! I used several sources that I thought others here may find useful to know about. I am willing to sell any of them so PM me if interested! 1. Leik FNP Certification Intensive Review- Fast Facts and Practice Questions- My personal favorite. Has a nice review of everything then a little over 600 practice questions to do 2. Fitzgerald NP Certification Exam and Practice Prep- Also a favorite. Has several practice questions and a nice review of subject area. I just wish the content was reviewed then followed by the questions. It's an odd set up with doing the questions first then having the content review afterwards. I also wish the questions for each content area were grouped together then had all the answers at the end of the section or the back of the book. In this addition, body systems/content areas are broken down into multiple subsections. The following are also available for sale 3. 2012 Fitzgerald Review CDs/workbook- Same thing as the live review sessions she has. These are also nice to have and listen to while in the program 4. familynpprep.com- I liked the convenience of being able to do these online. The question content is ok. A lot more focused on theories than you actually need to know. I still have 30 unused tests. I thought I would be able to do more online tests over throughout my study time so I went a little overboard and purchased 35 tests- 5. Leik Adult Certification Intensive Review book- I actually didn't get to use this one because I ran out of time and figured the same content was covered in her FNP book that I used. 6. AAPA Comprehensive Review for Certification for PAs- This one was recommended to me by a couple of PA students I was in clinical with. Seemed to have a very good review of all systems but once again, I ran out of time and was only able to do a few questions from it I hope this helps!

I recently passed too!! For me, the most surprising thing was the number of alternate type of test questions- I had several pictures, drag and drop ordering and select all that apply. The good thing about the test is that for the select all that apply questions, they let you know how many to select unlike most of the practice test items I've seen. I thought the Leik FNP Certification Intensive Review- Fast Facts and Practice Questions and the Fitzgerald NP Certification Exam and Practice Prep books were the most helpful. I also purchased the 2012 Fitzgerald Review CDs/workbook that I listed to throughout the FNP program and study period. I too used the familynpprep tests. I thought I would be able to do more online tests over throughout my study time so I went a little overboard and purchased 35 tests- I still have 30 unused tests if anyone would like to buy them from me. I am also selling the Fitzgerald CDs and a Leik Adult Certification Intensive Review book. I think the book would be just as helpful as the FNP one I mainly used, just minus the peds section. Let me know if anyone is interested!

They also usually offer GradPlus loans for graduate students but at a little higher amount than the Stafford loans. This should make up the difference between the Stafford and cost of attendance, which should include living expenses. So while it is more loans, maybe ask your school about these.

Hey Wendy- What did you end up deciding to do? I am in a similar situation this year and am trying to figure out if I should start another program or continue waiting. I am told that if I dont get in for the fall, my application will be reviewed again for the Spring. But I'm trying to figure out how likely it is that I will get in either. Were you ever admitted for the fall 2010 or spring 2011? Did you find out what number you were on the waitlist? If I knew that I was somewhere at the top, I would feel more comfortable with waiting.

There are several HRSA programs and I'm not sure which one you are referring to here but the HRSA NHSC loan repayment program (for primary care providers) does not require you to have a EFC of 0. There is also a NHSC scholarship program which I have not looked into extensively but I doubt that one requires an EFC of 0 either. To add to this post, I agree $115k is a whole lot for the RN/NP portion, especially if you are looking to do more schooling. I did a MPH program (like you want to do) at one of the most expensive (but best!!) schools so if you're looking to add more education you may want to also factor in those costs which will probably add at least another $30k onto that. Because of this, I am now purposely choosing NP schools that will leave me with less debt than the MPH has.

Oh ok. Well I don't mind sharing my status on here- I just didn't want to make you if you didn't wanna. I also contacted them. Apparently we should be receiving a package soon outlining our options and next steps. So I guess I will stay tuned for that.

Exactly! it was fast and fair

True. Well we felt the same way. So that's more confirmation that yours wasn't bad! There def wasn't a lot of time for conversation. Just question, answer, next question, answer lol. I'm used to interviews that have more of a free flowing dialogue. I was pleasantly surprised by the writing sample. I was forewarned about it but I was expecting and prepping for the topic to be much more difficult.

Why do you feel that way? I went the second week. I don't feel like it went completely bad but if you had the same interviewers as I, I remember feeling a little unsure afterwards. I just didn't get much feedback/conversation during the interview therefore couldn't tell what they really thought of me. But I assumed it was them being pressed for time and maybe some personality differences?? I had another interview that I thought was WONDERFUL but I didn't get into that program. So it seems sometimes you just never know....Anyways I guess we will find out sooner than later

I don't think she applied to the FNP program. But you did and have an interview right? I take it you're still waiting to hear back. Me too. I was never given an exact time as to when we would hear back but interviews ended almost 2 weeks ago so I'm thinking they should be close. I'm tempted to call.....but think I should just sit back and wait.

Were you in the first or second round of FNP decisions? Also at what point in the review process were you contacted for an interview?

Kool. Thanks!

Thanks for all the helpful information!! Just one more question- an interview is definitely required right? I'm thinking its a no go for me this round because 2nd round application review ends this week and I haven't been contacted for an interview.

Congrats!!! :yeah:That's very exciting!! What department did you apply for?

Praise the Lord for He is good!!! I'm sooooo very excited for you. You should be so proud of yourself for never giving up!! Keep this strategy throughout all of life!!

Sorry to keep posting back to back responses but I don't think any of us should be so hard on ourselves. From what I've heard a lot of the FNP programs, especially in this area, have received soooo many applications this year. One of the schools where I interviewed was very honest and said they were telling all applicants that they should have a plan B (which in retrospect I appreciate so much considering I did not get into that one). Unfortunately, there are just not enough spots in the programs for FNP students this year. But my mom always told me that you don't stop after one no! And sometimes I don't think there is a rhyme or reason to why some students are selected and not others. What we really need is more educators and clinical sites so that these programs can accomadate all of us eager students who are begging to make a difference.

May I ask where else you have applied thats still accepting for the fall? I know CUA is but they're so expensive!!!

Oh wow. So the interviews are new. I don't know any current students but the FNP director filled me in on that part at one of the program info sessions. They also said they were looking to take less students than last years class. Eeek! @wicomico- Have you already interviewed or do you go tomorrow? I've already had mine and thought it went pretty well. Now back to waiting...

Hmmm well so much for that theory. You're well educated and clearly qualified!!

It's probably best to hear it from someone on the admissions committee or who is in the program (which I'm clearly neither lol) but I think they would also like to see some leadership experience. If you are able to go to one of the FNP information sessions (I don't see any coming up but keep checking the calendar on the website- I've found that it is frequently updated) they give you some stats on the May 2012 graduates that you may find helpful. They said the class had a GPA of >3.5 in nursing, >3.4 in the sciences, RN practice ranging from 1-10 years, a diverse nursing background, are global (I think this means they have traveled the world) and have multiple degree outside of nursing (which may be harder to achieve if that's not in your plan). Hope this helps a little!

Or if you still want to do a grad program look into a master's in public health- it'll open up lots of career pathways

Well I still think it's cheap because most of the schools I've applied to and attended are roughly $1100 per credit hour. So I guess everything is relative....