Riker3

My husband is close to accepting a position in The Dalles, OR and I was wondering if anyone can tell me about the local hospital, Mid-Columbia Medical Center. Does it have a good reputation? Good place to work? Flexible scheduling? Can anyone tell me about the city of The Dalles? My sister lives in Portland, so we are familiar with all the tourist spots (Cannon Beach, Bend, Hood River), but have never been to The Dalles. Is the quality of life good? I've read posts in City-Data that refers to the people of The Dalles as "rednecks," but they don't define what a redneck is...this is hard for me to believe. What are the people like? Friendly? Liberal? Environmentally conscious? Any information or advice you can give would be greatly appreciated!! Thank you.

I didn't think about the non-degree option; I'll definitely have to check that out. I did extensive research on schools in my area, and UAB definitely had the best/most reputable program. Thanks for the info. Do you think that I'm more than likely "out" since I'm on the waiting list? I don't even know what ranking I'm in on the waiting list...so not even sure how many people would have to rescind their admissions before I get in.

My GPA is 3.5, perhaps that isn't competitive enough since I didn't submit a GRE? When I called the college and inquired about the program, the staff member that was the head of the FNP program(can't recall her name) said I was a "shoe-in" for the program; i.e. that I wouldn't have a problem getting in. I live in Mississippi, have over 8 years of critical care experience, graduated from The U of Iowa, and have my TNCC and CCRN. I definitely think it's either my GPA or not taking my GRE. Hopefully they will explain if they do ultimately deny my admission. The wait continues....

I just received an email that I am on the waiting list for UAB's FNP program. My heart just sank! Has anyone else been on a waiting list and has ended up getting into a program? Anyone know how many students UAB accepts into the program each semester? I'll find out for sure Nov 13 if I'm in or not, but I'm just devastated right now!

Can I ask what program you were in? Full or part time? Did you work? What specifically did you like about the program? Any info or advice would be helpful. Thanks so much! I'm completing my application the end of this week for FNP.

Sorry that it didn't work out for you. I plan on going full time and working PRN (no kids either) so hoping I'll have time for more of the BS :) Do you remember when you applied how long your personal essay was? There is no specification on the application of how many words or pages; just states "brief" Thanks!

Thanks everyone for all the input; it really puts my mind at ease to know what I'm going to be looking forward to. I feel good about choosing the FNP program, I think it'll give be a broad knowledge base, and like you said, be more marketable. I think my second choice would be ACNP, just because I love critical care, but I am thinking about my future as well( hours worked, call time, holidays, weekends, etc...) Good luck on graduation, celclt! And Abe, are you currently in the program or have you graduated? If you have graduated, did you have any problems getting a job? Where do you work?

Thanks so much for the advice; I plan on going PRN at work and working 1-2 shifts a week. I really want to do well in this program. UAB told me since I would start in the Spring(if I get in), that i probably wouldn't be able to go full time...should I try and knock Patho out right away?

What a relief to know! I have decided to apply to the FNP program for Spring 2010. What did you think of the Pharm, Patho and Research classes? Did you work during school? Did you go full or part time? How much time dedicated each week to school? Just wondering how much I can work and go to school full time. Also ,what book did you use for the Patho class? Would like to buy ahead of time and start reading. Thanks for any info/advice!!!

I'm sure they have a limit on admissions within the program, even online ( USA told me that) b/c the instructor still can only handle only so many students. I know for admit into USA you do not need a essay and for UAB you need only to write a "brief" essay. Guess I would rather write an essay than take the GRE. Is your nursing GPA 3.2 or overall GPA ?

UW Madison and Rush are excellent schools! I went to the U of Iowa for my BSN and moved to So. MS a few years ago for a job that my husband took post masters. We are not going to stay here long term, but want to accomplish something in the meantime. I am about 4 hours from Birmingham. After much thought, discussion and research, I think that I'm going to go FNP for the marketability factor. Yes, I dislike peds, but maybe it's b/c I don't have enough experience. I just don't want to limit myself in the job market. I still will be looking for adult only jobs, but if they get an occasional ped, then I would be able to treat(hopefully). I've pretty much decided against the Acute, for reasons you stated....want a life! What university are you leaning towards? I only know one CRNA from UAB and she really liked that program(hard to compare NP vs CRNA though). But the 3 NP's from USA liked it. Also, check to see what the pass rate is on the NP certification exams...that's another way to determine if the school prepares their grads well. I know USA and UAB have 100% pass rate on the Acute. UAB told me 90-100% on the Adult. I didn't check FNP, but they are ranked #11 in the nation for FNP...but should double check. Keep in touch with your plans! :)

Not sure the exact specifications as to why UAB is better, US News has a grading/scoring system based on several criteria. I like the fact that is is affiliated with a 900 bed, level 1 trauma center, that is nationally ranked as one of the best hospitals. That makes it more marketable, in my opinion, when I am applying for jobs. I don't want a degree from just any university, I would like a degree from a highly reputable institution. I'm in the process of applying for Spring 2010 and they are on a semester schedule. Still have not fully committed to which program yet! Have you decided? Any thoughts?? I know you're not trying to disagree :) You're trying to make an informed decision. I think that USA is a good school; I know a lot of nurses that graduated from there since I only live 45 min away from Mobile. The 3 ACNP's that I've been talking to have all graduated from there. I really think that you can't go wrong with either institution, I guess you have to choose what program would work best for you.

Not sure if I saw the posting you are referring to...can you direct me to it? USA is rated #115 and UAB #26. No difference in accreditation, just a better school (in the opinion of US News&World Report)

Beth, We do have the same dilemma! I love SICU, but I am looking towards the future and not wanting to work weekends, holidays, nights, call, etc... I talked to one of the ACNP at work and she said that if you do ACNP you can also sit to take the Adult test, so then you would be certified in both. However, I still am leaning towards ANP; like you said, I could go back and finish the Acute courses and test out. UAB does not have a dual Acute/Adult. The Adult is 40 s.h. and the Acute is 46 s.h. St. Louis has a dual Adult/Education or Acute/Education, which is nice, but UAB has such a good reputation. I think that I will miss the ICU and traumas, but I'd like to have a life too!

Opps....that's St. Louis University

Clinicals are arranged in your area. I believe that the three schools I listed require a couple visits to campus throughout the entire program. What I did was go on "US News and World Report" top rated graduate schools; printed out the list of the top 50 nursing grad schools in the country, went on each website to see if any were offered online. US News also has them broken down per speciality (i.e., Nurse Anesthesia, Midwife, ANP, GNP, etc...) Took some time, but I want to go to a good school.

I don't know of any list, but I can recommend a few schools that I have found in my research for online schools. University of Alabama at Birmingham has an online NP programs (FNP #11 in nation), with 2 (3 day) visits required for entire program. Also, University of South Alabama (CCNE); University of St. Louis (CCNE) and rated #52. All do not require GRE. Good luck

I am considering applying to UAB online either ANP or ACNP and was wondering if anyone could comment on the program? How do they like it? How much time committed per week? Full or part-time? Is the faculty readily available to help/answer questions? Also, I'm having a difficult time deciding between ANP or ACNP. Is it true that if you are ACNP you can sit for the ANP test as well? I'm leaning towards ANP, but have 8+ years in SICU, so thinking ACNP would be better suiting. However, I'm thinking about post-graduation and finding a job and having reasonable hours with no call. Anyone have any thoughts?

OSH has a SICU and MICU, both have 12 beds. They are starting work on the new CVICU and should be done by the end of the year?? The SICU mostly has CABG's, Cartoids, MVA's, ex-laps, some orthos, neuro. THe MICU has more of the post cath pts, sepsis, gi bleeds, OD's, respiratory distress. The MICU takes the SICU overflow and vice versa. All are run by the same Nurse Manager and Assistant NM's, but the staffing is separate.

I would definitely start at OSH; if you want to master your skills or find a higher acuity, you'll have to go to USA in Mobile, AL

I've worked at OSH for 2 years now and I'm not sure what the new grad pay rate is....I'm thinking $18-20/hr?? Just call HR and ask for Julie, she's really nice and will let you know what the pay scale is. As far as Atlanta vs. OS? Depends on what kind of lifestyle that you are looking for. OS is a cute, small town with good restaurants and culture(art). However, the hospital bores me. I really like the trauma and the excitement/challenge of high acuity patients(I worked at a University hospital previously). I work in the ICU and the acuity is fairly low, but the new heart surgery program is successful and bringing in more challenging patients. If you have to pick between SRH in Pascagoula or OSH...pick OSH. Please let me know if you have more specific questions that I can answer for you; happy to help.

I am considering applying to UNM, Nursing Education program...how do you like it? Approx. how many hours a week do you dedicate to studying/writing papers? I work (3) 12 hr day shifts a week and I'm nervous that I won't be able to dedicate myself to studying; plus I've never done an online course. Just wanted your opinion on the program. Thanks!

It's definitely based on your hospital's policy. Where I currently work, we just discard. At my prior hospital, you and a witness had to estimate the volume left in the bottle and then drain the waste down the sink and record. We had major issues with people stealing Propofol and even one of our doctors OD and died.

Do you know much about the VA? I think that TGH is too far of a commute, so I'm concentrating on St.Joseph, Moffitt, VA, and UCH. Which do you recommend seeking out?

I'm looking for some advice on which hospital to work at in the Tampa area. My husband and I will most likely live in Temple Terrace. What's the best hospital with the least commute? Pay scale for 6yrs of experience? Thank you for any input!