namaste_melissa

LOOK AT VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY!!! First, to answer your thoughts about getting into a Master's Program without RN experience, Vandy's Bridge Program is designed to take non-RN college grads to Nurse Practitioner in two years. The only clinical nursing experience required is your coursework clinicals. The reason I mention that is because Vandy is very friendly to applicants without paid nursing experience. They have the new DNP program, and I would bet you can go from RN to DNP fairly quickly here. Three things to consider: There is a significant different between getting a PhD in nursing and getting your DNP - one is academic focused, one is practice focused. While watching laws go through, keep that in mind. Also, if you look at the Vandy model for this program, keep in mind there are very likely other schools that do (or soon will) offer the same thing. We get a lot of speakers (from Vandy) who are telling us the same thing about requiring the DNP to practice as a Nurse Practitioner. THEY ARE SELLING THEIR DNP PROGRAM! A few years ago there was some chatter about requiring all RNs to have a BSN to practice. That never happened, and the chatter has died down. Please don't panic! Check out the Vandy website if you'd like. www.nursing.vanderbilt.edu, and watch the American Nurses Association website for developments on the laws (don't know website offhand). All the best, Melissa

yes...Vanderbilt is in Nashville, TN.

Have you ever heard about Vanderbilt University's Bridge Program? I am finishing my pre-specialty year (3 rather grueling semesters), and I hope to sit for the NCLEX-RN this fall and continue another 3 semesters for my specialty year. After 6 semesters (in 2 calendar years), I will go from having a non-nursing BS to being a nurse practitioner! You should check it out... http://www.nursing.vanderbilt.edu/

I am getting ready to set up clinical rotations for specialty year in psych. Does anyone know what type of job/setting pays the best? I'm pretty sure private practice pays better than state hospitals...but does anyone have any suggestions?