dilleweed

I'm 30, but still feel that the MSN is the way I will go, since I'll have the choice when I apply to programs next year. The MSN appeals to me because it's a faster route (I have 2 little kids and want to be done with school ASAP) - do I wish I was getting more clinical experience? Yes, but ideally I will get a job with a practice that is experienced with NP's and willing to give me a good orientation period. Ideally. LOL :chuckle If I have to get the DNP down the road, I'll do it part-time, slowly.

I'm really happy for you, after lurking and following your story!

This is the last year for the BSN program at UT. Starting next year, they will accept students who already have a BS or BA into an MSN-CNL program. I'll be in the last BSN class; I start in July!

I have to say that I found it really funny that while reading this thread, the ad at the bottom of the screen was for 'bacon salt'. :chuckle:chuckle

LOL - no worries. I don't feel hijacked. :sasq: I haven't seen anyone use the Sasquatch smilie so I figured I'd use it. I thought they would be quicker about hiring RNs, but maybe it's as slow as it was with me. I talked to the boss in either late November or early December about the job, and I didn't start until Feb 16. It took a long while. Good luck getting here! Be patient with the system. :lol_hitti

I have many reasons for choosing the NP route over the MD route. I don't think that it's valid to compare the 2 educations on a basis of one of many facets. Even if it were just a matter of time, the NP is still preferable b/c I can be an NP in 3.5 years compared to 7 years for an MD.

It is 1200 hours for a DNP, not an MSN. Most MSN programs that I have seen range from 500-650 hours. I like the idea of more clinical hours - I have seen a lot of threads on here from new NP program grads who feel like they're being thrown to the wolves! I know it's free labor... but there are lots of sacrifices to be made in the name of education.

Good point. It does sound like a very intense program... I was hoping to work while I went to school so that I wouldn't have to borrow as much loan $$. That probably means I'll have to cut back to part-time, or bite the bullet and borrow enough to just go to school. Thanks!

I would think that since most schools don't require any RN experience to enter a PNP program, you should do whatever you are most interested in and still feel comfortable with. If you want something besides NICU, what about taking some PRN work in the ED or PICU while you wait to be accepted to a PNP program?

Thanks! Today I found a program that is really intriguing. It's a DNP at Arizona State, hybrid online/on-campus where you just have to visit a couple times a semster. And it's only 7 semesters long, or 2.5 years! They seem to really emphasize clinical hours - by the end, you have almost 1200. I'm definitely interested in them, because it's not that much longer than an MSN. Maybe you should check it out!

I can reply with my own feelings on the subject, being in a similar boat as you. I'm about to start my BSN and will start my NP program in 2010. I am leaning strongly toward getting the MSN, and here's why: 1. I'm out of school quicker and working as an NP. 2. There are still not many schools offering the DNP (although it's growing), so I have more programs to choose from. 3. Once I'm working as an NP, I can choose to go back to school later on to get the DNP at a slower pace, rather than killing myself to get through it quickly so that I can start working. (I'm not a patient person ) There you have it... my own personal reasons for wanting to an MSN rather than DNP. I think it comes down to your professional goals and your personal situation!

Good luck getting into Vanderbilt! I really like what I've read about their program. If we decide to stay in Memphis, I'd like to do their distance program for my PNP. I guess since it's distance, I could technically do it from anywhere... but it's cheaper to drive 3 hours to Nashville than have to fly from somewhere else in the country. :)

Thanks for your input too, Briem! I will be in the 2nd degree BSN program at the University of Tennessee in Memphis. I'm really excited to finish A&P and Micro this semester and get started in nursing classes.

Thanks! ER is what I was thinking too, for seeing the widest variety of stuff. It's good to have your input.

I am starting my 3 semester BSN program in July, and will move straight into an MSN or DNP program in the fall of 2010 to become a PNP. I plan to work as an RN starting January 2010 and continue to work while I pursue the advanced degree. My end goal is to be in a pediatric practice as a primary care PNP. What would be the best RN hospital experience - I know there aren't any requirements, but for those of you in the know, what will benefit me and my future patients the most? Working in the ER? PICU? I currently work as an aide in a NICU stepdown unit and I worry about how specialized these nurses are. I want to get the most experience I can and not have my expertise confined to a very small population. Thanks! Liz:D

TiBette - were you happy with the program? Did you do it in one intensive year, or distance learning over a couple years? I'm really interested in their PNP program, but I wouldn't be starting till the fall of 2010. I"d love to hear anything you want to share about your experience there, and what kind of job you have now!

I got my letter last week! I'll start at the University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center in July!! Now I just have to figure out where I'm going to borrow the tuition and day care money...

Oh, I'm bummed now. Thanks for sharing the news. I think I'll go cry. I love the shows about 16 kids - it's a fantastic form of birth control for me!

I would rather look at the individual (if I"m in a position to take my time!) and how skilled they are. An M.D. after your name does not guarantee superior expertise or intelligence. Ever heard of the saying C=MD? Would you honestly rather be treated by someone who squeaked by in med school with straight C's than a NP with all A's in a doctoral program? My personal plan to become the best NP I can be is to take charge of my own education. If I don't feel that I"m learning enough on a certain subject, I've got the internet/libraries/experienced practitioners to research. Even now, as an aide in a children's hospital, I do my own research on illnesses I see in the unit because I'm interested. My education is my own responsibility, not that of the program I go through.

Cool! Yeah, I meant to say 'externship'... the internship isn't until after I finish the BSN!

After more than a month of waiting, I am finally being hired on at Le Bonheur to work in their Special Care unit (NICU stepdown)! I will be a lowly utility aide, but I don't care! Methodist is awesome about paying for schooling, so when I start nursing school in July they will take care of me! I hope that this will also help me get into an internship when I've finished part of my BSN program. yaaay job!

I totally agree.... the receptionists at both my kids' pediatrician's office and my OB-GYN office are ALWAYS surly and rude. I can't fathom why. If you hate people so much, why work as a receptionist? When I worked in a vet clinic as a tech/receptionist, I loved talking with and dealing with people at the front desk. I don't think I realized as a young college student the impact that kind of customer service has, I just did it because I enjoyed it. Now I know that it's part of the overall experience of the visit and it is very important.

I'm pretty sure that it was patient increase they quoted as the reason for waiting to hire CNA's. The CVICU is NOT yet open, but it's going to be really nice!! I meant to ask someone about ratios in the PICU yesterday, but I forgot - sorry! You should call a recruiter and get that info from them. :) Good luck - maybe we'll be working together later!

I'm a volunteer at Le Bonheur and won't start nursing school until July, but I can give you a little info. I am normally in Transitional Care, but I like to walk through the PICU to see what's going on, and I have befriended some of the nurses there (weekenders - I'm always there on Sundays). They seem to be pretty happy, as do all the nurses at Le Bonheur. They don't have CNA's but they are hoping to hire some soon, once they have more patients, I was told. I'm not sure what the ratio is, but I'm almost positive that the only nurses with a 1:1 are the ones doing ECMO babies (they are in the PICU rather than the NICU).

I did call the school to be sure.... my luck the person who told me 'yes' wasn't qualified to answer the question! I'll give it a shot, anyway.