ECrad64

Thanks for the advice! My 4 year old was dx ASD at age 2, but is very highly functioning. He attends a special preschool that mainstreams their kids to get them ready for grade school. I love medicine and the technical skills that go along with it, but I have always enjoyed working with special needs and I really feel that's where my calling is. I just wasn't sure if i should go into rehab or stick with nursing and become an NP and specialize in peds psych.

I'm currently in my 3rd year of nursing school. For the longest time I have wanted to become a nurse practitioner and work with peds. I'm now thinking that I want to work with special needs kids, autism, Downs, etc., but I'm not sure how I can get my foot in the door. There are plenty of children's hospitals in my area and I know they have specialized care for these guys, but what would be the best route for training? Ideally I'd like to work in a rehab setting or in a dedicated unit. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I'm about to finish my first semester of nursing classes in the weekend and evening college. I've completed the majority of my pre-req credits at Maryville as well. I think I found out in February that I was accepted. They accept 64 students and then have a waitlist. You'd be suprised at how many students from the waitlist got in. We had an orientation session in April or May that was pretty intense - went over study time, grades, expectations, etc. Basically scared the living crap out of us for an hour. After that a lot of people dropped. As far as the classes go, I have been very lucky to have some awesome teachers that really take the time to make sure you understand the concepts. First semester you will be split into 2 groups for your classes and will have class on Tuesday and Thursday nights. Clinicals are every other Saturday - there will be 8 of you in a group (we were put at St. Anthonys and Mercy this rotation). After first semester the group size is small enough that there is only one group. I wont lie, it's intense. I work full time and have my kids 50% of the time and I struggle to get my study time in. Is it worth it? YES! If you're true passion is to become a nurse then you will somehow make it all work. @barnettdcm - I'm not sure how long a go you talked to a recruiter, but they have changed their acceptance process. Previously you were required to have a certain amount of Maryville credits and current students were given first dibs on spots, but that is no longer the process. It is solely based on GPA now.

I was going to start Fall '11, but now I'm considering Spring '11. I'm confused though, you said you're starting in '11, how do you know that you've been accepted?

Are you starting your prereqs in the spring or clinicals?

I am currently enrolled in a BSN program. I was an MA and decided to go back to school with the goal of becomming an NP. Since I will be missing the 1-1-15 deadline, I plan to enroll in the DNP that my school offers immediately after I graduate. I currently manage 2 family practices with a total of 3 docs. They are planning on joining the two groups in the near future and are aware of my plans. Ultimately I want to stay where I'm at until I graduate with my DNP and then start working for the practice as an NP. Is this realistic? I know my docs are more than happy to hire me, but do I need the experience as an RN before I jump into the grad program? I make as much as a grad nurse now, so I'm not concerned about the money, but I want to make sure that I will be prepared for the job. Any advise would be greatly appreciated!

Sounds like someone doesn't have any kids yet :)

Does anyone know where I can find a listing by state of what NPs can and cannot do? I'm interested in finding out about prescribing proceedures and whether or not they can be in private practice. I live in Missouri, so if anyone knows their restrictions it would be appreciated! Thanks!!