profstudent4life

While I do think the National Health Service Scholarship and Loan Repayment program is wonderful, it worries me that providers will work for a few years in a lower paying job so that they can get their loans repaid, and then move on to a higher paying private sector job. While we certainly need good providers, I think the Loan Repayment is only a temporary fix. What happens when the program phases out? There needs to be long-term incentives, not just short-term.

How quickly does your shift go by? In general, does it drag, or do you look at the clock and wonder, "Where the hell did the time go?!" What is your specialty? Just curious to see how peoples' opinions differ...

You said that your friend was not an RN...I am just curious, then, did she complete a direct-entry program?

Several things. First, I have a business background and can tell you that objectives statements are worthless. It just adds space to your resume that you could use otherwise highlighting other accomplishments (i.e. foreign language or computer skills). Not many people really pay attention to them, anyway. Second, for your "relevant experience" section, I would advise only including CNA, Nurse Extern, and Patient Care Intern. The other positions are not really relevant to the position you are seeking to work in. Possibly leave the student manager position, because it showcases your management and people skills, but definitely cut out the volunteer teacher aide. Include this at the end of your resume under a "Activities, Honors, Awards" section, and just list the position title and dates, do not include details. Third, cut out your "job description" for the Student Nurse Assn. Did you actually WORK for them? If you didn't, do not include it in your work experience section. Instead, include this membership at the end (with your teacher's aide experience) under the "Activities, Honors, Awards" section. Again, list the name of the organization, member standing, and dates. Do not include details. So, in sum, you should have your "work and relevant experience" section with the following: CNA, Nurse Extern, Patient Care intern. (and possibly STudent manager). You should also have a section at the end where you list your Activities, Honors, and Awards, which list your National Student Nurse Assn membership, volunteer, teacher's aide, and your academic awards/accomplishments and any other relevant volunteer work. Also, do you have any foreign language or computer skills (i.e. specific hospital software)? You would want to include this, as well. I hope this all makes sense. Please let me know if you have any additional questions. Best of luck!

Forgive me if there is an obvious answer to this...but why are they only hiring ADNs? This confuses me, especially at a time when it seems "everyone" (and by everyone, I mean employers) is pushing the BSN.

If you do a search of several university advanced practice degree programs, several have already phased out the MSN degree program for NPs. So while you think it might not happen, it is already in the process of happening. If you have your MSN before 2015, you will be grandfathered in, to my understanding.

$43k for an ADN?!?!?!?!?!

LOL LOL LOL....love the wheelchair comment. Oh, the images that are going through my mind...thanks for the laugh!!!

To NPs, aspiring NPs, and anyone else who is reading...I just got onto a new insurance plan, moved, and had to find a new primary care provider. I have heard such wonderful things about NPs and decided to give it a shot and check them out myself. I had my first-ever appointment with an NP this morning. I had absolutely, hands down, the best experience EVER. She was absolutely wonderful, amazing, knowledgable, caring, etc. I seriously cannot say enough good things. She took her time with me, talked with me, LISTENED, and genuinely gave me patient CARE. She made phone calls to try to get me in with a good psychiatrist in the area. She mediated with my prescription drug plan. She explained things to me spent a good 30-45 minutes getting to know me, my health history, and my concerns. That is more time than a doctor has ever spent with me on a visit. She was, like I said, AMAZING. I actually called the office after I got home just to tell her how wonderful my experience was. I will never again go to a primary care doctor if I can help it, NPs all the way. To all you NPs out there, you have a HUGE fan in me!!!! Keep up the great work!!!!

I know where you are coming from...I have a bachelors in business and am about to graduate with two master's degrees (public health and health care administration) and would love to go back to school to become a nurse, but the costs are astronomical. ABSN programs are about $50k by the time you are all said and done, and ADN programs are so much cheaper! The thought of getting ADN-BSN is not necessarily the most appealing, but the costs are. Right now, I am leaning toward an ADN program and progressing from there, however I am worried about finding a hospital job right out of ADN. Good luck with your decision, I know I need it!!!

Samweston, Here is a link to an interesting journal article on the use of ACNPs in the critical care setting. It's from the American Journal of Critical Care. It gives pretty good overview of what ACNPs can and will do on a regular basis, as well as their general reception from others. Granted, the article is somewhat old (2002) and there has probably been more research done since it was published. I do think that, with the increasing role of hospitalist physicians, the market and need for ACNPs will increase. ACNP is what I am interested in...either ACNP or PMHNP (I know I know, two completely different things)!! Hope this article is helpful. http://ajcc.aacnjournals.org/cgi/content/full/11/5/448

Was trolling old threads, found this one, wanted to bump it up because it made me laugh for about half an hour, reading all the comments. Who says nurses don't eat their young, eh??

I don't see why you wouldn't be an excellent candidate. How is your GPA/GRE? My undergrad GPA isn't stellar, but I have two master's degrees (MHA/MPH) and a couple of years of health care experience in various arenas. I am applying for the Spring 2011 cohort, but have yet to take my GREs. I would focus on your letters of recommendation and your personal statement...from what I have heard from various people, admissions committees for these ABSN or direct-entry programs really weigh those heavily. Above all, you should have pretty decent science pre-req GPA, as they will probably look at this as a direct factor that predicts your success in nursing school. Good luck!!

BCgrad, Thanks for your input. I love working with the mentally ill, and am finding more and more that there is a vast shortage of good, quality mental health providers. Although I am "scared" of pigeonholing myself and not getting something that is a little more broad, like FNP, I know that if I really want to be a psych NP, I should just go for it. The job will find me. :-)

I missed that part re:the debate. Was that on the website or somewhere else?

...and PA #2, Nurse Practitioner #4, Anesthesiologist #11... Top 50 rank: 15 Sector: Healthcare What they do: Nurse Anesthetists work with Anesthesiologists to help administer anesthesia for patients prior to surgery, monitor and adjust the levels of anesthesia during surgery, and oversee the health of patients post-surgery. Do Nurse Anesthetists have great jobs, or what? Nurse Anesthetist stats: Pay Median salary: (experienced): $157,000 Top pay: $214,000 Opportunity: 10-year job growth (2006-2016): 23% Total jobs (current): 19,000 Online want ad growth (April 2009-August 2009): 30% Quality of life ratings Personal satisfaction, Job security, Future growth, Benefit to society, Low stress From the November 2009 issue http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bestjobs/2009/snapshots/15.html

...right below the PA job, which ranked at #2... Top 50 rank: 4 Sector: Healthcare What they do: In addition to performing routine caretaking tasks, nurse practitioners have the advanced medical training to diagnose and treat a wide range of ailments. They can also prescribe medication without consulting an MD. Why it's great: Thanks to the growth of retail health clinics and the shortage of primary-care doctors, opportunities abound for nurse practitioners in settings from hospitals and urgent-care centers to private practice. They can specialize in fields such as women's health or oncology. Experienced nurse practitioners looking for a change of pace can shift to teaching or medical research. Nurse practitioners are also specifically trained in patient teaching; disease prevention is typically a large part of their practice. "Helping people see that small changes in their lifestyles can make a big difference to their health is very rewarding," says New York City nurse practitioner Edwidge Thomas. Drawbacks: Constant insurance headaches. Education requirements are ratcheting up. Pre-reqs: Must first complete training to get license as a registered nurse; master's degree, plus certification. A doctor of nursing practice degree is increasingly in demand, which requires about three additional years of study. Do Nurse Practitioners have great jobs, or what? #cnnfb_connect {background-color:#f5f5f5;width:auto;height:auto;padding:10px;clear:both;overflow:auto;margin-bottom:23px;margin-right:-12px;max-height:440px;height: expression( this.scrollHeight > 440 ? "440px" : "auto" ); /* sets max-height for IE */} Nurse Practitioner stats Pay Median salary (experienced)$85,200 Top pay$113,000 Opportunity 10-year job growth (2006-2016)23%Total jobs (current)23,000Online want ad growth (April 2009-August 2009)30%Quality of life ratings Personal satisfactionAJob securityBFuture growthABenefit to societyALow stressDFrom the November 2009 issue http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bestjobs/2009/snapshots/4.html

I'm going to second luckylady's request...I am looking at psych NP program, as well, but am worried that FNP might be a better route, because there are more jobs for FNPs. Any insight into what the job is about would be appreciated!

I'm in the same boat as you, OP. I have not yet started my NP program, but am in the process of applying. I have to declare my specialty intention, and while I have always wanted to do Psych, I am wary of how many job opportunities there really are out there for something that is so specialized. FNP would be much "safer," but I am just not sure which route I should go. I am thinking that it would be best to do FNP and then go back and get PMHNP certification of some sort, but I just cannot decide! Have you had any further luck with your decision??

Beachbutterfly, try applying for loan repayment extension due to hardship. I'm not exactly sure how you do this, but I do know it is an option. Contact your lender and/or financial aid office and see if they can help. Good luck!

You have to remember, in the employment realm, as well as the real world, "perception is reality." More education equates to more knowledge, and in many people's minds, better care. This may not truly be the case, but it is all about perception. Hospitals want to achieve magnet status. The debate continues to rage on whether health care is a "right" or a "privilege," but nevertheless, institutions (even non-profit) must make a profit to survive. Making a profit means getting business. Getting business means getting customers. Like it or not, health care is a business, and while managed care does play a part in consumer choice, it also must be pointed out that consumers DO many times have a "choice" in who will provide their care--and they will "choose" those who they "perceive" to provide the highest quality.

Congrats to you!! I'm looking at Accelerated BSN/MSN program, as well. I have a business degree but am thinking about going back to school for nursing. How was the application process? How is the program so far? I know you probably aren't very far along yet, but best of luck to you!!

There are many programs that offer online A&P. Many community colleges have them, you just have to go to lab. Check out your local CC's to see what they have to offer.

You might want to look into Direct Entry Programs, as well (also called Graduate Entry Programs, and I'm sure there are other names, also). Those are programs for people with non-nursing bachelor's degrees who want to pursue a MSN. You basically do the Accelerated BSN the first 12-15 months, then take the NCLEX ad go directly into the MSN program. Usually, it is for people who ultimately want to be Nurse Practitioners. This type of program has several advantages, one being that you are saved from having to apply separately for the MSN upon completion of your BSN (you get both done in one application), and the second being that since these types of direct-entry programs are considered graduate programs, it opens up a TON of financial aid options. Therefore, you do not have to try and secure funding for nursing school, which is often difficult for anyone going back to school for any type of ASN or BSN program. Of course, you have to be okay with taking on the student loan, so if that is your main concern, DEPs probably are not for you, since there is a substantial cost. Hope this makes sense and helps you out!

I agree...I have seen this type of thing happen before, and it is not just limited to the health care field. A job I used to work at in college, this guy got fired and reinstated 6 months later. The person who had been hired to take his position got let go, and was completely out of a job. It was an awful and unfortunate situation, but there was some "legalese" behind it all. I sure wish life was fair sometimes...if it were, I would be a making the big bucks and not some of my former bosses! :-)