figuringitout09

I'm at a crossroads for different reasons. I initially knew I was interested in mental health, decided to pursue the prereqs for a BSN with the intention of eventually becoming an NP, but now am thinking I may need to go the PhD Clinical Psych route. But to you I'd suggest if you can't imagine yourself being the one to cath people, draw blood, insert an IV, mess with bodily fluids, then you might not like nursing. If you are seeking more science than an MSW there are some clinical psych programs that may appeal to you. And as you know there are medical social workers so you can work in healthcare and still be an MSW. The military also hires MSW's if that appeals to you. But you are currently in grad school that's a nice accomplishment. You probably thought a long time before ending up there. Just some food for thought.

If you're not looking for a BSN there are several community college schools that offer the AS. In fact Pellissippi is to start an AS 2010 Fall. Most upper level programs (meaning you've already got your pre-reqs met) start in the Fall and you need to apply in advance. For the BSN option the only public program is UT all the rest, LMU, Tennessee Wesleyan, South College, etc. are private schools and therefore will cost more. I haven't heard about South having money troubles and they are in fact accredited. Hope this helps.

I was contemplating between a masters in psych counseling or becoming a psychiatric NP. I've been working on my BSN prereqs and have been quite pleased with my science grades (something that I worried about - but like you when I put my mind to something I can do it). I wish there was a direct entry option here but there is not so I'm earning a BSN first then will apply for a Masters program. I made the decision to go this route for financial reasons and flexiblity, like you I like changes too. With an NP in one area, I could do a post Masters and in a year or less be working in a completely different area, should I desire. I agree with the suggestions to shadow or volunteer if you can. I've been volutneering in a mental health hospital and really like it. Another thing that didn't appeal to me about the pscyh counseling route, and I imagine would be the same with the MSW is a lot of field and home visits (not in nice areas either). I'm entering this after a legal career and did not want to go back to certain unsafe areas for a future career.

Thanks, I was hoping maybe something came through for Knox I was unaware of :-) P.S. Looking at my last msg. I am the queen of typos today.

I'm guesing you guys are talking about UT-Memphis because I thought UT-Knoxville due to budget cuts had to do away with their directory entry MSN.

If you're looking at purely dollar terms it's $20,000 versus about two years of work. But then that doesn't take into acct. your current living situation. For example if you don't have a mortgage now or have low rent vs. the area the private school is in being quite expensive to live, etc. If you are thinking you are ready to start something NOW and believe that would be good for you then again the private school wins. Obviously there are many ways to look at this so if I were in your shoes I'd make a list of pros and cons.

I'm taking prereqs now for either Spring 2010 or Fall 2010 depending on which school I can get into. I'm actually hoping a bit for the (have to apply and interview for this school in Jan.) Fall school because that's a public school and would save me $$ but the Spring school moves fast.

I'm currently taking pre-reqs at South College. I'm not in the actual BSN program yet. I'd say it's quite competitive like all nursing schools seem to be. All of your pre-reqs are taken with various health students even those doing pre med, the majority of students in these programs are very driven. But I'm only my second week into my 2nd quarter here. The interview process to get into the nursing program is quite competitive as well from what I've heard. It is quite expensive though and I've thought about seeing if there was a way to transfer to UT. I went this route because of how fast it goes - but it can be a lot to take in in ten weeks. Feel free to PM me if you have other questions.

INFP here. In school now and interested in becoming a FNP or PMHNP.

Thank you RN007. I think this thread finally got me up to enough posts to be able to PM.

I'm in the Powell/Halls area.

Hey zenman is even in our neck of the woods. Sorry about all the rain we've had. Good luck in your studies as well.

Yes, I volunteered at a clinic where I know one of the woman was working on an ASN with the hope of getting into the direct entry MSN program. I'm sure this budget has affected many plans. I hope to do my Masters at UTK so hopefully they don't starting messing with that program:nono: Good luck in your studies. I'm still working on pre-reqs. I should enter the official BSN portition of my program in April if I rock through it too I would be looking at Fall 2011.

Interesting thread. I'm in my pre-reqs now for a BSN program that should all go right I'll start in April. I think one of my first posts on allnurses talked about thinking about counseling first and then got turned onto becoming an NP. Now I think think about FNP vs. psych NP. In my idea world I do both FNP then later psych NP the best of both worlds. Oh, and I'm also in East TN so curious how you girls RN007 and ladybugmo are doing.

Thanks for sharing PTYME. I'm heading the nursing route as well. As caliotter said if counseling is still an interest you can look into becoming a psychiatric mental health NP.

I can't answer that as I haven't attended any of these programs yet :-) As I have plans to continue to the NP or PA level. I personally don't mind the extras as they are needed by many of the masters level program as pre-reqs. Hopefully someone can comment as to the degree of difficulties of Knoxville area programs. I believe all nursing programs are somewhat difficult though and have strict grading policies compared to say a liberal arts degree.

Not to say it's not possible at all but summer pre-reqs, due to the shortern time frame tend to run long hours each day, I don't think you can finish the pre-reqs needed over the summer, IMHO. Check out this link from PSTCC it lists all the prereqs need of area schools. http://www.pstcc.edu/departments/curriculum_and_instruction/advising/transfer/nursing.pdf South College is not there but it's prereqs are: Algebra Stats Medical Law and Ethics A&P 1 and Lab A&P 2 and Lab Pathophysiology Micro Chemistry and Lab Organic Chem and Lab 2 Englishes Public Speaking General Psych Human Growth and Devel Abnormal Psych Soc Nutrition HTH :)

Are you starting from scratch or do you already have some pre-reqs? Also South College runs on quarters not semesters so it may not actually be more classes and only look that way due to the quarters vs. semesters.

Good luck. I know they cut their nursing program funding recently so my guess is it's more competitive. So that is awesome you are in. If I already had a BS I'd so want to be there. Hopefully someone can give you some advice.

Please tell me this is not Knoxville

BSN Algebra Stats Medical Law and Ethics A&P 1 and Lab A&P 2 and Lab Pathophysiology Micro Chemistry and Lab Organic Chem and Lab 2 Englishes Public Speaking General Psych Human Growth and Devel Abnormal Psych Soc Nutrition

Hi :typing Well I've been lurking here for a bit. Here's where I am currently am and why I'm on allnurses. I'm a mom of 3, was a paralegal for many years and have been self employed doing transcription the last several years. My husband's work is good (when it is available and it's never local). So I need a stable career. I am currently trying to decide whether to pursue nursing with the end goal of becoming a nurse practitioner or pursuing a career in counseling, both require master degrees (although the much talked about DNP is looming). I can obtain a BSN from a private local school in a bit over two years as I already have some college (but of course there is a price tag involved). I can do the masters portion at a local public university. I can obtain an undergrad in psych locally or even online and the masters locally. I started looking into becoming a nurse after I found out how little I would probably make as a counselor (although the education would end up costing me less) and someone told me about becoming a psych/mental health NP although if going the NP route I could see myself doing FNP as well. I don't want to be a hospital bedside RN as my husband works out of state and I don't think the schedule would be a good fit for me. I have done some volunteering and will do more but this has been in outpatient facilities, which I like. Has anyone gone through a BSN program knowing that they didn't really want to be what one may consider a "traditional" hospital bedside nurse? I've read that many who go straight through school to the NP find they can't get work because they didn't do a year as a traditional RN (I would hate to be in school debt to find this to be the case). I think highly of RNs I just don't think the majority of roles there would be the best fit for me and my family. I need to make up my mind and commit to school one way or the other pretty soon. Thanks for reading and I'd appreciate input.

Hm, good question. I too was wondering what the best experience would be for someone who thought they may be interested later in becoming a FNP.

Yikes, this thread is scaring me a bit. I've been looking into nursing school and have asked myself a similar question based on noticing the numbers applying to nursing programs (I read it's the 3rd most popular major in the US) and the waiting lists for some programs. I'm scared that if I commit this time and money at this point that when I graduate the market will be flooded. Any input on that? Or do you think things will be looking up in a few years due to the aging population?