ivanh3

No offense to the OP, but I think "broken" is a strong term. I do not feel that NP education is broken. Any program can be improved, and most quality programs (of any kind) constantly self evaluate to improve their product. I have to agree with the r...

To the OP, yes, there is high degree of probability that RNs going into advance practice contribute to the personnel shortage in some units. Here advanced practice broadly refers to NPs, education, and leadership. While there may or may not be a "nat...

I completed the the associates to masters bridge program at Graceland. It was a great experience. I felt like everything went very smoothly. If I had one complaint it was that the program moves more slowly compared to others. I had to petition the bo...

I am not sure, but it is a great program. It is very well run. Very smooth. Good luck!

I went to Graceland University for their ADN to MSN program and then obtained my DNP from the University of Alabama. In each case didactic was mostly online and of course all the clinicals were traditionally done.

Former Excelsior grad, current nurse practitioner. Dig in, dig deep, try hard, and then try harder. You can do it.

Freedom or free health care? What? No one said healthcare was free, but if you are talking about universal coverage, then yes you can have both. How silly to suggest other wise. Did you actually say something to the effect of get a job? You do realiz...

Yes, you can do it. Just don't go all weddingzilla, and it should go well. You can have both a memorable and meaningful ceremony within the parameters you mentioned, but you will have to work as a team. Congratulations! Ivan

I am wondering what the demands are if someone is offering a new grad 100K. Ask about the work environment. Being too busy right out of the gate may be frustrating for both you and your patients. This can add a lot of stress. Also ask about what kind...

The University of Alabama. This is not to be confused with the University of South Alabama. Both are good schools though.

I worked full time during my DNP. I was able to do my final project at my place of work and that helped quite a bit.

As a paramedic myself I would suggest you look into becoming a physician's assistant. I became an NP because I was already an RN, and it made made more sense for me. However, had I not been an RN, I would have gone the PA route. I have known several ...

You say the PAs are "way" better than the NPs. Please quantify. What standards are you applying? What outcomes are you measuring? If the best articulation you have is "way", that will simply not suffice. Measure "every" variable? How about just one?

Ouch. My program was "online". My instructors were knowledgeable, challenged me, put me under the gun and all that stuff. But then...how can that be? Ironically, my wife is in a brick and mortar program and she seems to, and indeed has to, be self di...

Well, after three long years I am finally finished with grad school! Through Graceland University's ADN to MSN program I have now earned a BSN with a minor in Spanish and an MSN in advanced family nursing practice. It has been really tough, not just...

I took the official Excelsior workshop back in 2005. Don't know what it is like now, but it was great then. I would say it definitely factored into my passing the CPNE. Ivan

Well almost three years after that last post I am happy to report that I just wrapped up my doctorate of nursing practice (DNP) at the University of Alabama. It has been a long journey, but it was worth every second of it. For those of you who are pr...

I am just wrapping up my DNP at the University of Alabama. They have an excellent program that can be completed in one year full time or two plus years part time. A portion of my clinical hours were done at work, but that was because my scholarly ...

Lots of posts here. Some good thoughts. And then there are some that are, well, not so well thought out. Before anyone goes and trashes "online" or "brick and mortar" anything, maybe you should do some research. If you have some stats that show that ...

As I recall, Graceland mailed all books to me, and I never really questioned if I had a choice. Probably should have. At the University of Alabama for my DNP I get all of my books from Amazon new, and they are usually less expensive.

I learned that people will steal underwear out of the washing machine, so you never know. The lack of preceptors is frustrating. I had to find my own and it was tough and nerve wracking. However, I don't think you can blame the schools. Someone ment...

I will echo some sentiments on this thread. If you are not a nurse and you want to be a provider then perhaps PA training would be more appropriate assuming you have all of the pre reqs. Ivan

Sorry I missed your question in another thread. Looks like you start today, so let me say congrats! Ivan

I am a Graceland RN to MSN graduate (2009), and I have nothing but positive things to say with one caveat (below). The instructors were excellent, and the dean was very involved. I did a lot of writing and research during my time there which has been...

Very little difference in pay, and I am not aware of differences in patient outcomes. There is a big difference in pre reqs and student loan burdens with PA programs having/resulting in more of both. PA schools are often very competitive and may req...