MiahMSN

Thanks for the replies. I agree, I need to try a different clinical setting, which is why I'm hoping I can do my last 80hrs in urgent care (or even retail clinic might be interesting). And I agree, not every nurse needs to go to NP school just because. Nursing is a second career for me and I knew I didn't want to do bedside for long. I like the the thought of being a provider and continuing to care for pt's in a clinical capacity without breaking my back. And I wouldn't say it's trendy, at least not in my area. Maybe because I'm in California, but surprisingly many of my coworkers are not interested in NP because the pay isn't that significant starting off and I would say majority of the nurses I've come across are all about the $. I just have to find my happy NP place lol

Post-masters FNP student here, will graduate in May 2017. I'm starting to realize I dislike family practice and can't see myself doing this. It seems a like a never ending rat race, not enough time to see pts, finish charts, review labs, and the thought of 9-5 mon-fri just depresses me lol. It doesn't help that I'm an RN in Los Angeles and will likely take a pay cut as an NP. To make up for this, I plan to keep my RN case management job and move into per diem which is $68/hr and I already know I won't make this as an NP, which sucks. I'm just having all types of doubts about NP now that I see it up close and personal. Anyone else have this experience and decided to go into a specialty area and really enjoy it? My program allows me to do 80 clinical hrs in a speciality area my last semester, so I'm going to see if I can do this in urgent care as I really have an interest in area and like the hours. I'm willing to work for my money, but I don't want to sweat for my money, ESPECIALLY when it's a pay cut, and that's the feeling I get with family practice.

I am in the exact same boat. Got my MSN may 2012 (in which I took advanced pharmacology fall 2011). I will finish my post masters May 2017. According to the BRN (it took a week of calling to actually get someone), by the time I will apply for my NP license, my pharmacology would be pass the 5 year mark, and thus I would need to retake it. So I am now enrolled in advanced pharmacology....the exact same class at the same school I took it and received an A in 2011 (much cheaper to take it there than my current school). Also remember, it is not when you completed your MSN program, but when you completed the actual pharmacology class, is when the 5 year timer kicks in.

You can find a school much cheaper than that. Try Husson University, University of South Alabama, Indiana State University, University of Southern Indiana, Northern Kentucky University, and Eastern Kentucky a university. I have an MSN already so I was looking for the most affordable program available, and was torn between a post-masters in FNP and PMHNP. I decided to go with FNP. I found these school and a few others by doing research on this site then researching the schools individually. All were at least $600 or less/unit. They are great state schools with online format and excellent pass rates. I went with Husson University...so far so good! You should look into them. $88k is way too much, in my opinion.

I'm doing a post-master's FNP with Husson University in Bangor, Maine. I'm in California. Chose Husson after researching dozens (and I do mean DOZENS) of online programs. They were one of the most affordable and the program director is AMAZING! It's only $548/unit and they have 100% pass rate for FNP with ANCC. They do not find your preceptors for you if you are out of state, but if you give the clinical coordinator leads, she will go to bat for you trying to help. I was having a hard time finding my pediatric placement, which is our first clinical rotation that I'm in now. Well she called one clinic on my list and was initially told no, but ended up getting a yes (how she did it, I'm not sure lol). So I would look into Husson (Husson University). It has an awesome reputation in Maine. Like I said, I already have a Masters (did a direct-entry MSN with clinical nurse leader option a few years ago) so I only have to do the FNP didactic courses and clinical. I believe the regular MSN NP is 2 years or so, so I'm now with the rest of the MSN students for pediatric didactic and clinical which is our first rotation. Summer will be family/adult health 1, fall Women's Health, and finish up Spring 2017 with family/adult health 2. Although online, we do several synchronous online classes throughout the semester where we video conference through zoom with our professor (they are about 4hr classes). We also have a 1 week intensive before summer semester starts where we have to come to campus for a week and go over suturing, ECG reading, radiographs, etc. (you can stay in on-campus housing for cheap). I know this is lengthy, but wanted to provide as much info as possible and pay it forward with giving back with helpful information, as I've come to this site for years and used it as a great resource. Allnurses is actually how I found Husson as it was listed in a thread for online NP programs and I added the school to my list to research and it ended up being the best program for my needs and bank account, as I'm paying for the program myself without loans (but regardless you're doing a post masters or the full MSN NP, you can't beat $548/unit!). Hope this helps. Good luck!

I love YouTube so I'll definitely check him out, thanks!

Hi! I completed a direct-entry MSN with CNL role option in 2012 and will start a post masters FNP program in January 2016. My MSN includd advanced pharm, advanced patho and advanced health assessment, and since its been within 5 years, I don't have to take them again for my post masters. However, I really want to brush up on pharm and patho, before I start. We'll have a 3 day intensive health assessment refresher before clinicals in January, so that's helpful. But I still want to refresh the other 2. Any recommendations?? Thanks!

i would love to get Loan Repayment as well. Did you apply the NHSC loan repayment?

This, too, also worries me! I am starting an FNP post-masters program in the spring as I already have a direct-entry MSN with CNL role option and have been a nurse for going on 4 years now. I am now a nurse case manager (inpatient) and work for the highest paid healthcare organization in California. Well I'm transferring from LA to central valley with my organization, and for them central valley is considered a part of the northern Cal region, so the nurses make the same as bay/San Francisco. Well I'm going to be making $76/hr as an inpatient nurse case manager, which is a $22 jump from the $54 I make now. I'm so freaking perplexed by the salary difference between southern and northern cal, it has me questioning if I should do NP at all?? Now I do believe in not doing things for the money, but money is just as important to me as job satisfaction, and I do not apologize for it. But in the end, I know that I want to be a primary care provider. I also know that I'm unique given the organization I work for and that I'm in California. What also pushes me to stick with pursuing NP is the fact that if I ever leave California and practice as an NP in another city, say Atlanta or Houston which are two that I'm considering for the future, I would make more in those cities as an NP than an RN...definitely wouldn't be making the $54 or $76 as an RN there, but as an NP, I could get close. So I guess it all depends on where youre living and what you are willing to accept.

303 views and not one like. This site is something else sometimes. Congrats to you! Job well done! What a great example of perseverance and dedication. Best of luck in your new role and the DNP program!

Synaptic NP, it seems you are arguing brick and morter vs online, and I could be wrong, but I think JulesA is referring to quality of program and specifically for profit schools. The two are not one in the same, IMO, as I know of several quality public and private institutions with online NP programs that likely allow for "open book" unless exams are proctored.

Thanks, Juan! It makes me nervous because it's a big commitment to have to fight with the BRN after the fact. Ive found so many great programs outside of California with great pass rates, I don't want to be limited to the few programs in Cali! Glad to hear of you and your colleagues.

I'm applying to post-masters FNP programs for spring admission and the programs I've selected are all out of state (due to flexibility with online didactic, limited campus visits, cost, etc). I am aware that if I do not attend one of the BRN approved NP programs within Cali, that the program has to be accredited and I have to pass one of the national NP exams (national exam is not needed to practice as an NP when you've completed an approved NP program within Cali, although your employer may require it). My question is did any of you have any problems applying for your license with the BRN once you passed your exam? also, the University of Southen Indiana states that California residents are not eligible to complete their program because they are not recognized by the BRN. I find this so odd because their NP program is both accredited and eligible to sit for both national exams, which is whats required for Cali if your school is out of state. So its so confusing why they would not be recognized. And it's so hard to get someone on the phone at the BRN to clarify. i just want to have a good idea of the process and any hurdles that I may encounter. I greatly appreciate if anyone can share their experience! Thanks!

Um, as an NP aren't you considered an APRN?

JulesA, you are a true gem on this board! I'm starting a NP post masters program in the Spring and you have provided so much great education for future NPs and nurses in general! I love reading your posts! You always remind us not to sell ourselves short and to look out for our best interests! Just wanted to say thank you for the contributions you make to this community!

Nelda, would you mind sending to me as well? I plan on starting a post-masters FNP in January and it's only going to take me a little over a year, so I want to get a heads of up in studying. Thanks!

So I'm looking for personal experiences from those that have completed a post master's certificate in FNP (or any post master's NP program). A few questions: Which post master's NP programs did you consider and which did you finally go with and why? Did you feel the online portion (didactic) was pretty thorough? Was it difficult securing your own preceptors/clinical sites (I know this is a requirement for most post-master's programs that are online)? Did you do it fulltime or part time and how long did it take you? Was it difficult to work even on a part time basis? Did you feel prepared for boards after completion (and of course with your own studying/prep)? Was it difficult securing your first position? Just a little background: I'm a second career nurse (10 years spent in marketing/public relations). I completed a direct-entry MSN program (clinical nurse leader role) and have 3 years of med-surg/tele experience. I am now a nurse case manager and work registry to keep up my clinical skills, but I'm really thinking about taking the plunge to get a post masters in FNP, and it doesn't seem too bad as the programs I've been looking at only require the FNP courses/clinicals since I've already completed advanced pharm, patho, and health assessment with my other MSN. I'm mainly looking at Indiana State University. From what I've read, it's a pretty solid program and it's the most affordable (post masters is only about $12000 and my job will pay around $3000, so I figured I'll just pay the $9000 myself – I REFUSE TO TAKE OUT ANYMORE LOANS). I don't see a lot regarding one's experience with a post masters NP programs, so any thoughts, guidance, experience you can share would be greatly appreciated.

Nextcase, I got you PM and just responded! Thanks for the insight! Yes, from my interviews I can tell that employers are not thrilled about having to pay case managers hourly in California which means time and a half when there is over time. One of the interviewers tried to say "you all are professionals, it sort of dumbs down your role with hourly pay"....uh, yeah ok, if you want me to believe that I'm of less value because I get paid hourly for the work that I actually do and am not as "professional" then keep dreaming! lol. I really think all nurse case managers should be paid hourly.

I was just offered a workers comp field nurse case manager position at Aetna. I don't have any case manager experience, I'll be coming straight from bedside. They offered me $80,000 (although this is an hourly position which breaks down to $38.46/hr). This is a pay cut for me as I'm in Los Angeles and I currently make $47/hr after only 2 1/2 years experience. Don't know if I will take it yet. I asked for more and was expecting at least to be offered $85,000, but they are saying this is non negotiable, especially since I don't have the experience.

Hi - I've been a medsurg/tele nurse for 2 1/2 years and a NICU nurse for almost 1 year and I'm burnt out on both bedside and working nights (I think more so nights than anything, and it's taken a toll on my health, relationships, etc.). So I started looking into Case Management positions and workers comp really appealed to me. Interviewed and received my first offer from Aetna this morning. I'm wrapping up final interviews with ICM (Integrated Care Management) this week and think I have a fairly good chance of getting an offer from them as well. The thing about it is I'm taking a pay cut - Aetna offered me about $10,000 less annually than what I make at the hospital doing my 3 shifts a week (not including when I sometimes work per diem at my old job, which in that case would be about $15,000 less annually). The position is hourly and I was told there can be some overtime, but I don't want to have to rely on overtime to be compensated for what I think I'm worth and the income that I've been accustomed to. It also seems like Case Management, particularly in workers comp can be pretty stressful and a lot is required of you from the insurance company. My question is to all the workers comp case managers out there - do you love the work? Was it a hard transition from acute care? Do you find it rewarding? What are the challenges? Lastly, can it be lucrative salary wise the longer you work in it and once you have your CCM? Just need some real world input that would help me make a better informed decision. Thanks in advance!

My goal is to obtain my CCM - but I need experience in case management before I can even sit for the certification. So once I've had a year under my belt, I plan to sit for the exam.

Thank you both. Sorry to be confusing, Been there done that, but you can actually put in a transfer after 6 months. I just felt like maybe I should put in my 1 year mark on this floor. But since my 1 year will be here in January, doesn't hurt to start applying now. I sent my boss an email asking if we can meet and discuss my exploring other opportunities within the hospital since it seems my career goals are headed in a different direction. Hopefully she is supportive and this doesn't back fire on me! Thanks for advice!

So just little background - I've been a nurse for almost 3 years now. Nursing is my second career as I worked in marketing and public relations for 10 years prior. I have a MSN because I decided to do an accelerated direct-entry MSN program for those who have bachelors in other fields. In nursing school, I knew that I would eventually work in leadership, administration or management (my MSN emphasis is the clinical nurse leader role aka CNL). However, I wanted to make sure I got 5 years of clinical bedside experience under my belt before leaving the floor. Well, I just can't do it anymore. My first job as a new grad was on medsurg/telemetry floor and I actually still work on this floor, but on a per diem basis, as I started what I thought would be my dream job in January 2014 in a level 3 NICU. So here I am with 2 1/2 years with current medsurg/tele experience in addition to 10 months of NICU experience, and I'm realizing I'm done with bedside. At first, I thought that it was just working medsurg/tele (which I loathe this unit) and that I would feel better once I went to NICU, which is the area I wanted to work in during nursing school. Well, that isn't even the case now that I'm in it. I make about $47/hr in my NICU position and $55/hr in my per diem position (I'm in Los Angeles), so the money is great, but not worth my happiness, health, and lack of job satisfaction. I mentioned health because I work nights and I feel that my physical and mental health has taken a complete blow by working nights for almost 3 years. I absolutely hate it. I'm tired all the time. I've gained about 10 lbs. I'm agitated and snappy with my boyfriend and mom. And I just feel like I have no life anymore because on my days off all I want to do is sleep. Now before anyone says maybe I just need to move to days, I trained during days as a new grad and when I moved into my NICU position, and on both floors I completely disliked days, so while nights don't agree with me, I know I wouldn't be that much happier doing days bedside either. I've come to realize that I'm ready to leave bedside. I really want to secure a case management position. I've been struggling with this decision for the last few months for several reasons: first, I feel guilty with wanting to leave the floor so early on in my career and a part of me feels that I should just tough it out. And secondly, I worked really hard to get into NICU (said dream job, or so I thought) and I know the hospital spent a lot of money on training me those first 3 months. So this is where I'm conflicted. But I'm quickly coming to the realization that I owe it to myself to be happy and actually enjoy my job and feel like I'm good at it and making an impact on my patients' lives and I'm smart enough to know that this can be achieved away from bedside and floor nursing as well. So at my current hospital where I work NICU, nurses are allowed to put in for a transfer after 6 months (granted you have to meet the qualifications of the position and interview for it). There are a few case management positions available and I really want to apply for them. I meet all of the initial qualifications - BSN (I have a MSN) and at least 2 years of acute care nursing (I have almost 3). The position says CCM and case management experience preferred but not required. So I need help in going about telling my manager that I want to go into case management and apply to these positions - she, of course, would be notified of my request once I apply so I want to make sure I talk to her about it first. Any suggestions would be extremely helpful. I really want to get going with applying for positions in case management, even if they are outside of my current hospital. Also, has anyone ever been in this position with knowing you were in the wrong place and asking for transfer with less than a year in said position? I really appreciate any suggestions, tips, words of encouragement, and for reading this long dissertation lol

As I anticipate starting a direct-entry program in the fall, I'm not too worried about the workload or the sleep deprivation or even being confronted with some very sad cases during clinicals. HOWEVER, what has got me anxious is my ability to handle the dirty (literally) side of nursing. While I don't consider myself a squeamish person, I'm not too confident in my ability to handle certain smells or clean intimate body parts, other than my own - oh, I could just see myself dry-heaving until my face and eyes are bloodshot! SMH......I'm starting a CNA course next week to get some experience and get my hands dirty prior to the fall. I know for most of you, Nursing was the first time you ever had to bathe another human being or were exposed to such smells and sights. How did you overcome the "oh, I think I'm going to be sick" of it all? I'm sure you get used to it after a while, just like changing your babies' poo-y diapers (I don't have kids, so I'm not experienced in this area either, although I do walk my mom's pekingnese from time to time and am ok with scooping up her poop.....although I know that doesn't compare LOL )! I really don't want my sour stomach to get in the way of my dreams. So any tips you use to hold your breath, while keeping a calm friendly face, and not passing out, would be greatly appreciated!:)