FortunateFool

Hello- I have recently just finished all of my science pre-reqs and will be applying to programs this fall. I already have a bachelors degree, so I have the option of applying for a couple of accelerated BSN programs (Illinois State U. and Southern IL U. - Edwardsville; 12 month and 15 month respectively) or apply to transfer into a traditional 4 year program and finish out the nursing sequence there. The goal is to hopefullt go to grad school right after I graduate to study to become a nurse practitioner. I suppose I was wondering if being in an accelerated BSN program would actually hurt my chances of being accepted into a top tier NP grad school. I currently have excellent grades, however I don't know if these grad schools would think that a 12 or 15 month program is a little too quick for them. Transfering into a a traditional program seems like it would allow enough time to build an impressive academic and volunteer resume, but I guess I don't know. I am also aware that there are direct entry NP programs, however you have to state what specialty you want to do when you apply to those, and as someone who doesn't have a nursing background, I would want to do clinical rotations first and earn my BSN to see what I'm really interested in before applying for an MSN specialty. Do you guys have any advice?

Air force vet here. I actually just finished my science pre-reqs and will be applying this fall for an 2010 start date, so am definitely glad that whole portion is over as A & P had me pulling my hair out. Currently a AF Reservist of a large medical unit, and the dream is to commission as a nurse when I'm done, and hopefully become a flight nurse.

Hi! Long time reader, first time poster here. I'm currently working to obtain my BSN and I'm looking at NP grad schools to attend after I obtain my BSN. I'm really interested in the Psych-Mental Health NP profession, but I haven't been able to find too much information about it here in the site. If anyone could answer any of the following questions, I'd greatly appreciate it!: 1) Am I severely limiting myself opportunity-wise by planning to go directly into PMHNP? Or would I be better off by going the FNP route and then try to obtain a certification in PMHNP? I've already decided to go the NP route rather than the PA route, however I don't know if I might be inadvertently be locking myself into something. 2) The plan is to go directly into grad school after obtaining my BSN, however I've read that some new grad NP's are having trouble finding jobs since they have no prior nursing experience. Does anyone know if this applies to psychiatric-mental health new grads with no experience? 3) Would anyone happen to know what the job market for PMHNP's is like right about now? I would ideally like to work for the government (the VA, for example), but am still curious about the job market as a whole. 4) And finally, which might be a ridiculous question but I have to ask, but is the PMHNP profession dangerous? It may be foolish to listen to a "friend of a friend's friend" when I was told this, but he said that you would have to worry about stalkers or mentally instable people that might target you after treating them in the office. Ridiculous most likely, I know, but I just thought I'd ask regardless. If anyone can answer any of these, it would greatly be appreciated, as these are really the burning questions in my mind that I haven't been able to find any info on anywhere. Thanks in advance!