Carolinamom

Ah, that does make it easier! I haven't actually started applying yet, but I'm not sure if the schools I'm applying to use NursingCAS or not. I need to go look. I don't think UAB does, now that I look at their application instructions. That would be really nice. I don't have very many people to choose from to write me references, so I hate to ask them to write me so many, but I feel like I need to apply to so many schools since they all seem to be so competitive!

I am looking at Samford as well, but I'm a little hesitant to even apply because of the first semester courseload, taking patho, physical assessment, and pharmacology all at the same time. Plus, clinicals begin in the 2nd semester, and from what I've heard, some clinical sites are booked a year in advance. Does that give the students time to book their clinical sites? I know most of you who are responding to this thread have not started the program yet, but have you heard from previous students regarding these issues? I wish we could put these types of posts in the practicing NP forum.

That seems like a high rejection rate! I was thinking of applying there because I got my BSN from there, with a 3.99 GPA for nursing courses but my first 2 years GPA brings my cumulative down to a 3.2. So does that mean they are accepting more students to the DNP FNP?

So, on that chart, does it mean that they are rejecting 49 of 61 applicants to the fnp tract???

How do you get people to write multiple reference letters when you are applying to, say, 4 or 5 schools? I feel bad asking people to write so many letters. Plus, I have been working for my husband for the past 6 years (doing nursing) and he can't write me a LOR, so I have to go back 6-7 years to try to get references. Are there any reputable schools that only require 1 or 2 (or no) references?

I used to work for a major regional medical center with huge staffing needs. I worked prn. My requirements were 24 hours per month. period. I'd tell them which 2 12 hour shifts, or which 3 8 hour shifts I wanted to work for the month and that's what I'd work. Now I work for a small community hospital and expected the same scenario. It's all I knew. My nurse mgr does the schedule and gives me (on an average month) 2 shifts to pick from. They usually don't work for me. Then, on my eval. I get comments that I'm not flexible with my schedule. Hmmm. How does it work with your hospital?

Good Luck!! I practiced dental hygiene for 2 years before attending nursing school. I have my associates in dental hygiene and wanted a bachelors degree so I decided to get my BSN so that I could work in just about any medical field and have lots of variety. I got burned out on dental hygiene very quickly as I did tons of periodontal scalings every day. I still fill in for my husband's hygienists when they need me, but I just can't do it full time. I love being a nurse!! You have so many different options. I did neonatal ICU for 8 years and now I'm in a newborn nursery because I've moved to an area where there is no level 3 NICU. I love working with babies, but only 12 hour shifts are available, so I figured I'd somehow put my nursing license to work in the dental office and take a break from the longer shifts while my children are still young. Anyway, good luck!

Brenney9101, thanks for your reply! I didn't even know such a thing existed as mobile anesthesia. I'm not sure if they exist in our area, but it's worth a look. My whole purpose for investigating this route is that I would like to work in my husband's office. He does not do any sedation other than nitrous. Dental assistants and hygienists in our state can monitor nitrous. At one time he did employ a dentist that did implants and she did IV sedation and I started IVs for her at times, but she's moved and is practicing elsewhere now. A friend of ours is an OS and his wife who is an RN works in his office. She does not start IVs, but recovers the pts. FWIW, I did speak with my BON and they said it is fine so long as I have a job description that necessitates an RN. However, in my state you don't have to have practice hours to maintain your license. You can maintain it by having CEUs. So, I may go that route if necessary and still work in his office regardless of whether it qualifies as "nursing practice". So, are you a hygienist or a nurse?

What I mean by "credit" is practice hours in nursing. Anyway, thanks for the luck.

Well, the reasons I am looking into it are these: (I am a neonatal nurse now by the way) I am also a Registered Dental Hygienist My husband is a dentist and we have two small children so it would be great to work in his office and get credit for practicing nursing rather than to have to leave my family to work in the hospital right now. As for job description, I would be reviewing medical histories, checking BPs prior to procedures, assisting with surgical extractions and other dental procedures, monitoring O2 sats with nitrous oxide sedation, administering medications, calling in prescriptions, and giving home care and follow up instructions... on top of my dental hygienist duties. It would really make life easier right now with the children.

I'd like to work in a dental office as an RN. Anyone know if this is an acceptable setting for an RN? I know there are currently RNs working in oral surgery offices, and the job description would be very similar. Have you or anyone you know worked in a dental office as an RN? I've contacted my BON about it, but haven't received a reply yet. (I know they would give me the definitive answer, but just thought I'd check here for advice).