UMAshtangi

I think it's really dependent upon what area you're in, AND how flexible you are. As I was studying for boards I heard Amelie Hollier (2012) saying that when she found her first job she was determined to stay with it for a year (APEA). I think that's sound advice. I live in Southern CA, and there are plenty of NP job listings. ALL of the interviews I had asked me about previous RN experience, and were pleased with my ICU experience as well. Ultimately, I was job offered by a company I did rotations with as a NP student. They're a great company to work for, lots of team spirit, great pay, 4 weeks PTO, money for CE and DNP, full benefits, etc. I feel very fortunate to have such a great work environment right out of school. Be flexible, and you'll find something. Also, look for a state with good practice autonomy as you'll probably find more openings there.

I just graduated from the NP program (MSN) at UAB. It was hard, but doable. I thought that, overall, the instructors were helpful. Like most nursing schools things can get chaotic, but if you stay on top of what you are supposed to do then things get done. There was no thesis for us; we did a comp exam during the final semester.

@SCSTxRN: YOU are an example of the family we like to have around. Helpful, aware of your loved one's safety needs, etc. Unforunately, most family is, as aforementioned in a previous post, trying to sneak in KFC for dysphagic nana, or having family reunions in the middle of the ICU, yelling at me because I won't tell you (the long-lost cousin who flew in from Timbucktoo) the intricate details of my patient's past 3 weeks in hospital. One thing that I will be snippy about is HIPPA. Most of the nurses I know have stopped even trying to enforce any rules about visitation because we know that administration will roll over on us. What's the point of even having rules. Things have gotten to the point where, in the name of "satisfaction," we have lost their respect.

Is there any update on what the process for applying for a furnishing number is? The new law will go into effect on 1/1/13, and I haven't heard anything from the BRN, or seen any new forms/information on the website.

I did two of the APEA "predictor exams." They say a score of 65-68 correlates with passing the board. I scored 76 and 80. But I seem to do really well on her quesitons, and less well on Fitz. I guess we'll see on Wednesday.

Hi Mahaandai: So although the Fitz material is good, you think it's harder than the actual AANP?

Hey all: My AANP is on Wednesday, and I'm really really nervous. I'm doing the APEA audio CD review, plus her review questions book. I also did the Fitz audio CDs with review question book. It seems that the Fitz is WAY too much information.....from those of you who took and passed the exam what do you think? The APEA questions seem much more straight forward. Fitz is a lot of patho and disease process, and MOA of strange meds. Hopefully, the AANP isn't like this.

Do you feel the AANP questions looked more like APEA or Fitzgerald? To me, it seems that Fitzgerald has some pretty oddball questions that are deep in patho. APEA is more straight forward and to the point.

How did you do on the exam? I have the same preps as you plus Kellerman. No matter how much studying I do I can't seem to break 70-73%. I'm getting discouraged. My exam is in 3 weeks.

If you're getting 90% then you'll own this test! My good thoughts are going your way! I'm hoping to schedule my AANP exam the last week of November or first week of December. I'm a bit nervous though...I'm doing the APEA and Fitz Cds, and I went to the live Kellerman workshop. I have the question books from APEA, Fitz, and Kellerman. With APEA and Kellerman i'm getting about 70% right, and the Fitz questions seem REALLY hard and many geared toward actue care practice. I talked with a few NPs and they said they were getting about 70% right when they passed. Kellerman said that we're ready when we're getting about 77-80%. Any thoughts on this? I find that one of my weaker points is theory (what theorist says blah blah blah), and issues (what is medicare part A, B, etc). Will we see any of these on AANP or only on ANCC? Thanks everyone!

I see this is an old thread, but I just read it. I've just been trained on injectables, and will train on some lasers this month. I'll be finishing my NP in December, and have been offered a commission position at a practice probably one day a week to start. It seems like NP jobs in primary are are drying up, but for some reason there seems to be a lot of opening for part time cosmetic RN/NPs. How feasable do you think it is to hold down a few different part time jobs where you go to each for a few days every month? I'm talking like being in Seattle for 4 days, then Denver for 3, SF for a few. Am I thinking too grand? Also, how does one become a national trainer for Botox and filler products? Thanks, Vince

I would say that going to a good school is more important that the online/not online component. I'm doing the Adult NP program at UAB, and it's the #10 adult NP program in the country (Vanderbilt is #11). It's a mostly online program with clinicals done in your home area, and a couple visits to campus for various things. The degree doesn't say UAB online...it says UAB. Your future employer does not need to know that you took didactic classes at home in your underwear at 2am.

Erin: You get some basic pointing in the right direction; however, when I spoke with a big-wig in the department before applying they made it sound like they had peeps all over the place, and would place you with them. Not so in my case....I would rely on your own contacts, and then if the school can help you it's a bonus.

Hello: I finished my (accelerated) BSN in May 2010, and started UAB's ANP program in August 2010. I have absolutely no regrets. Yes, when you hit the floor as a new nurse the amount of clinical practice information that you don't know will astonish you (no matter how high in your class you graduated), BUT DON'T LET THAT STOP YOU FROM DOING WHAT YOU WANT TO DO!!! I had my sights set on one or two specialties when I started my prerequisites, and I'm not stopping until I'm at goal. If you want to be a NP, and you know you want it, do it. Your first year is all theory/didactic courses anyway. You won't be touching patients as a NP student until your 4th semester, and by that time you'll probably have been a practicing RN for about a year. That being said, it's a total package. If you don't have a great GPA you'd better have amazing references and letters of rec. The GRE is waived if you have a GPA over 3.2. The program is good so far....LOTS of self-motivated learning. The teachers guide you more than "teach" you (I"m doing the distance accessible program). Downside is you have to find your own preceptors. That's true for many schools though. If you have any questions feel free to ask. I hope I can help.

I had wanted to apply to the FNP program, and was advised to apply for Adult NP for the same out of state reason. I have no real desire to see peds/ob, but also didn't want to close that door. I'm about to attempt a "change of concentration." Wish me luck. My unsolicited advice to you is apply to the ACNP, and on the application where they ask your 2nd preference for program list something else. You can always turn it down if you really have your heart set on ACNP.