dhigbee

This is a late reply, but hope it's helpful. University of Southern Indiana has a good program. I graduated from their FNP program in 2005. PM me if you have further questions.

I graduated from their FNP program in 2005 (with a MSN). It was a good program, with competent, caring instructors. Like all nursing programs, there was more emphasis on nursing theory and research than I would have prefered. Finding preceptors in your home area can be challenging. It helps to have connections or at least acquaintances in local clinics. Often your state nurse practitioner association can be very helpful with this. Dana

Not correct. A DNP requires 2-3 years after the Masters degree. To go directly from the Bachelor's in Nursing to the DNP is around 4 years of full-time study.

When I went to school, I did the 2 year MSN program in 3 years (part-time) plus I worked 16 hours (or less)/week. That was definitely as much as I wanted to manage at one time! At my particular program, the faculty recommended against anyone (working or not) trying to complete the program in 2 years, it was quite rigorous. Dana

Incorrect in my state. Chemistry is required, along with anatomy, physiology, biology and micro (among other courses) for ADN programs. Dana

I suffered with the impostor syndrome with my first several months of practice. Not because I missed bedside nursing at all, but because I saw myself making decisions that could have major affects on my patients' health status, and felt unsure in my role. It did pass. One point I'd like to make however, is that it's important to remember that all of us are fallible (yes, even medical deities), and all of us are still learning (hopefully). It's alright to not know everything, as long as you recognize your limits, and know how to access the information. Dana

I've decided that I no longer care what you call it. I just want to take care of my patients' healthcare needs to the best of my ability. To do that I pull from many disciplines (nursing, medicine, psychology, teaching, counseling, PT, and so forth). Dana

I like this designation better as well. I'd take it over mid-level provider any day. Dana

Differential diagnosis is something I do with every patient I see in the clinic settiing. (I'm an FNP). I expect it would be the same in any setting. Otherwise you could be missing things, to the detriment of your patient.

Well, not really. In Oklahoma our practice is independent, and is regulated by the state BON. In order to prescribe, however; we need a "supervising physician", who is available via telephone or email (or onsite) should we need a consult. The physician supervises our prescribing, not our practice... Clear as mud? Dana

I would think that most any hospital nursing experience would help to prepare for the nurse practitioner role. I never planned to be a hospital nurse long-term, but I "did my dues" in preparation for obtaining a masters degree. Specifically, I learned much about health assessment, patient responses to disease processes, disease management, current medical therapy, monitoring lab results, time management... I could go on and on. In addition, the people skills one learns (both with other medical staff and with patients) are invaluable. Dana

FNP's training is ideally suited to primary care, i.e. in a medical office, minor emergency, or community health center. In certain areas of the country, states are preferring ACNPs for hospital work, because their training is better suited for work along this line. (I'm so glad you ACNPs like the hospital - it's not my cup of tea). We need providers of all types and expertise.

As far as I remember, I had to have a minimum of 720 clinical hours for my FNP program. I don't think this is unusual for FNP programs. I searched online, but was unable to find the number of hours necessary for certification as a FNP. Dana

Somehow the posts that I was responding to disappeared. What I mean by the post above was it's probably healthier for one's psyche to stay away from the student doctor forums.

I'm just not sure it's worse the pain and frustration of endlessly reading these posts. It's important to know that these attitudes are out there, but don't let your practice or your self-image be influenced by them. Continue providing the care that only you can provide, and continue growing in knowledge and excellence. Dana

Woohoo!!! Dana

Yay DaisyRN!!! This is great news. May this "new" position be all you hoped for. Dana

I work part-time, which works out wonderfully, since I'm also a musician, and have evening music jobs. My one recommendation: Finish your NP, and work for a year or 2 as a NP prior to starting your family. Starting as a new NP can be quite challenging and stressful (although in a good way). It could be really difficult to combine this with pregnancy, childbirth, and raising a baby. Here's hoping you hear good news regarding your application! Dana

It depends on the school. I didn't have to for mine (University of Southern Indiana). Dana

Health care is changing in all sorts of ways, and patients are adapting. Dr. Nurse may be one way they will have to adapt, but we still don't have a clear outcome on this. Nephilim, you have no idea what it's like, day after day, introducing yourself as a NP. (At times patients look at you funny, and need education on the role.) At the end of the visit, you often hear "thank you doctor". In a patient's point of view, if you look like a doctor, talk like a doctor, and do the work of a doctor, they call you one. So I don't think patients are so confused after all. They see the term "doctor" as a role, not as a degree. On an amusing aside: I've often heard something to the effect from patients like "I've never seen a doctor that has made so much sense!". And I have to tell them that they still haven't. Dana

Unless you happen to live in Oklahoma. Our state physicians ramrodded through a law that prevents us from doing that. The only exceptions include chiropractor, dentist, optometrist and podiatrist...

I like A. Something like - These are my strong points, and this is what I can offer to your practice. The practice I joined didn't have a clear picture of how I could best be used to their advantage. (I also think there's nothing wrong with saying that you didn't receive the support you needed from your supervising doc). So sorry your first experience as a NP has been so rough! Dana

I bought SPSS for my MSN research project, and was told that we had to buy the graduate pack. Supposedly, the student version didn't have all we needed.

I work in indigent care, on a mobile clinic (actually a beautifully-equipped semi with 3 exam rooms, a small lab and a dispensary). Usually we have 2 providers available, but at times I am the only provider onboard. Why? Because they can't always get MDs that are willing or able to work there. So it's me or nobody. My patients can be incredibly complex, and some of them are in need of specialist care. We do the best we can for them, and I really feel the responsibility of their care. Periodically after a clinic, I feel the need to go home and get out the books (we don't have room for a medical library on board), and there are times that I've called patients with new instructions. What's interesting is that my co-providers are both young MDs (recent FP residency grads), and when I'm stumped about an issue, they're often stumped as well. I have better luck discussing patients at home with my husband, who's been an MD for many years. Of course, there are some times he says "look it up, that's what I'd have to do". Dana P.S. With regards to this thread's subject: I do not have a doctorate, I have a MSN. I always introduce myself as _____, a NP. Many of my patients call me doctor anyways, despite multiple corrections.

This NP has heard of Charcot Marie TOOTH Syndrome. It's not something one expects to see frequently. And yes, there are several types, including types 1 and 2.