CardioNP

As far as the program being hard to pass, i am not sure. However Concordia has an excellent pass rate. I also applied to Indiana wesleyan university which also has a great program. I completed by RN-BSN at IWU. They have a new cohort beginning every couple months I have already been accepted to IWU for the April 2012 cohort. So if i get into Concordia I will have some decision making to do. Feel free to email me at: [email protected] with any questions that you have.

Yes. I applied back in October before the deadline of November 1. Did you apply also?

I have heard good things about it. I applied this year. Should be hearing back within the next week or so. I have a good friend who completed his DNP online through Concordia and LOVED it.

Most require a 3 credit stats course at the minimum. Others may require inorganic/organic chem and GRE. As far as RN experience, it seems one year is sufficient for most programs if not two. Hope this helps :)

I have been researching the same subject HEAVILY. I feel I am in the same boat as you in all aspects. It appears an ACNP encompasses a very general aspect in providing health care to patients over 18 years old acting more as an internist. FNP care for patients from conception to death. Their scope is very broad and encompasses a medical management foundation. I have been looking in to the various ACNP/FNP dual programs, but they are few that offer an online components or very expensive. What I am beginning to understand is that you will learn the most on the job. So, FNP gives a broad range of specialties the license will cover and you will learn a specialty when you graduate.

Where have you heard USA had one of the best programs in the nation?

Can you enter the 3-year FNP/Acute Care program either in the spring or fall, or does USA only offer the 3-year DNP program in one of the two semesters?

Could use some help. I am finishing up my ADN to BSN degree with completion slated for May 31st, 2011. I currently have a 3.5 GPA. I have been an RN for 2 years this December working 13 months in the Coronary Care Unit and transferred to Surgical ICU where I have been for the last 9 months. I am our units education liaison and I am also on the hospital's Critical Care Council and General Council. Critical Care Council's duty is to review keystone data, revise standing orders, etc. The General Council also reviews keystone and voices change and revisions for hospital operations. I have been working on attaining my CCRN, but have put that on the back burner to begin studying for the GRE. The reason I am studying for the GRE now is to have time to take it again if I need to improve my score. Michigan State University accept applications starting in January 2011 thru May 2011 and I want to apply. Does my work history and "extracurricular" areas look appealing enough to get in assuming I score well on the GRE? If I don't get in to MSU's program, I would have to wait another full year to apply to any school including MSU. The other four universities except applications in the Fall 2011, but I would have to bust my butt to complete a couple prerequisites.

I have looking into this for a couple months now. I have e-mailed them regarding the program but I have yet to hear from them. I am also trying to find reviews on the program. If you hear anything or know additional info let me know :)

Surgical PAs assist in harvesting SVG for open heart cases. How wuld this be any different?

I was in roughly in the same arena as you are currently. I graduated with my ADN in December 2008 and began working Jan. 2009 in a Coronary Care Unit. In July 2009 I began classes within a BSN program and should complete it in March 2011. I also have been taking pre-reqs for a CRNA program concurrently with the RN-BSN program. It is very difficult, but if in the end you achieve what you set out to do it is all worth it. As long as you are happy. I tossed the idea of taking classes towards medical school and applying, but after much thought I didn't think I would be happy. My future plans in life would not allow addtiona school, that and my fiance said so :). I have been going to school full time as it is since I was 20 switching pathways once during my tenure. I am now soon to be 26 and well on my way to the best career choice of my life. The best advice I can give you is achieve the BEST possible grades you can. If you feel you can do better, take them again. If there is any certifications you feel will help you, take them. There is always going to be that one person who acheives a little biut more and will get into a CRNA program over you. CCRN is a must in my opinion. I have friends in CRNA programs all over the state and only 30-40% have a CCRN. If you don't have experience, take the CCRN to supplement your credentials. I just accepted a position in a surgical ICU which tops CCU on the acceptance roster being that you get more experience with Swan Ganz. I had thought about the NP role for a long time, too. The only portion I enjoyed is being able to work while in school. But I don't feel I would have fun. I want to have fun and enjoy my position and that is what you need to determine for you.

With the complexity and nature of CRNA programs, I don't feel that they would state "atleast one year ICU experience" if they felt it would not be sufficient. Those that had 18 years of experience prior may just feel they wish they would have done it sooner. Same concept for veteran ICU nurses who see new graduates being hired on. They just feel as RNs that they would have started in ICU, not the floor. Believe it not, people are critical of those that have confidence.

Actually, D5W is HYPOtonic. Also, the dextrose gets metabolized leaving just H2O. D5NS works the same way, but NS is an isotonic solution. This ort of thing is difficult to understand. Spent time becoming familiar. Like everything in the nursing world, you are either dealing with change or trying to remember what you already learned.

Yeah, I have check into that program at Case Western in the past. Only draw back is being a private school, the tuition exceeds $1300 a credit hour.