drewrucker

Hey just wondering if anyone is applying to UAB's MSN program. I'm applying to their FNP program, but still unsure as to whether or not i'm making the right decision about school choice. I'm specifically wondering about the time commitment. I work full-time and am wondering if I would still be able to keep my full-time job and do the distance learning format full-time as well. Also, cost is a major issue to me as my husband is racking up a gizzion dollars in dental school loans. Any info would be awesome.

In my opinion I would snatch this opportunity up. You are gauranteed to graduate with no debt and graduate with a job, which thousands of new grads don't get for months. I wouldn't worry about the three year committment b/c you're only agreeing to work for the hospital for 3 years, not a specific department. You will probably be able to transfer to different departments within the same hospital in case you don't really like the one you got assigned to. You may have to work there for 6 months to a year, but after that it shouldn't be too hard to transfer. I know a lot of people that did that at the hospital that I work at and it has worked well for them. I was really envious of these people when I was looking for a job myself, but now all is well bc i found one too. Hope everything works out for you.

I am a huge believer that networking is the key to getting any job. If you know you want to do mental/health nursing when you graduate and not in a hospital you need to start contacting the places where you would like to potentially work when you graduate. Ask them if you could shadow a nurse for the day; see if you can volunteer, etc. Also, if your school allows you any say in where you spend your clinicals, you may be able to spend some clinical hours in the office where you would like to work. This would give you the perfect opportunity to network and mingle with prospective employers. You have to chatter!!!