oldnightnurse

I graduated from Frontier last fall. I was fortunate that I had worked many years in L&D and knew many of the CNMs in town. I was able to find willing preceptors because of that. I know that many students have a difficult time finding preceptors, no matter what school they choose. I'd suggest that you network as much and as often as possible, especially if you don't work on a unit where the CNMs see your face regularly. Best of luck to you!

There sure does! Experience is a beautiful thing!! Congratulations!

Sugarcoma, you are correct. This is probably the page you read: http://www.midwives.org/academics.asp?id=162&pid=56. About halfway down the page it states "The Master of Science in Nursing degree will be granted upon completion of all remaining coursework in the clinical specialty track. No Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree is awarded as part of the Bridge entry option." I wish that I had known about that option before I started the RN to BSN program that I finished in August. I sure wouldn't have borrowed $25k for that degree! Oh well, it is what it is. It brought me to where I am, and I am thankful! Good luck with whatever you decide.

Hey ms_sheesh and Sugah Britches, I've been really busy and haven't had a chance to come back here to post. I got my acceptance email so I'll be joining y'all in Hyden in February. I've been doing the happy dance since I found out! Fingers & toes still crossed for everybody else waiting...

Congrats to all who have been accepted so far:yeah: For those of us who haven't heard, fingers and toes are still crossed! I'm going to go ahead and call tomorrow to see if they can shed any light... Almost two weeks after I sent my application packet in, I received an email from the student services coordinator to set up an interview. Forwarded in that email was an email to me from the registrar that had been addressed to me at "gmai.com" instead of "gmail.com" to let me know that they had received my application and all that was needed was the interview. I had not received it since it was an incomplete email address. Are you all getting your acceptance email from the registrar? I emailed the ssc last Friday and have not yet received a reply. Several weeks ago I emailed the director of the WHCNP/CNM program, as advised by another person in administration, with a question regarding preceptors and still haven't received a reply. I don't know if they're sending replies to the wrong email address or not responding because they're extremely busy or what. It's frustrating to be told that "she will respond" and not hear anything back. Then again, there was no time frame given, so maybe my expectations are out of line... FrontierFNP, when you refer to being "very on top of administrative staff" are you speaking of things such as this or am I misunderstanding? No matter what I end up doing, I'll have to stay on top of the financial aid piece of things; I already owe close to $25k in student loans for my RN to BSN program and I'm praying to find scholarships/grants to help pay for a nice chunk of my MSN. There are several scholarships with looming deadlines that I want to apply for, but I have to know what the heck I'm doing in order to apply!!

I'm right there pacing with you Sugah! Dang, I think I have a full-blown twitch now - hope I don't drop the turkey tomorrow! LOL! Good thoughts for all of us and Happy Thanksgiving to y'all too!

I'll chime in from the Gulf coast of south FL... The job market here is pretty sad, both for RN's and ARNP's. There are more PRN positions posted than regular ones because they don't have benefits attached and are obviously the first ones cancelled when census is low, and they all pretty much want experience. Regular staff is cancelled left and right because of low census (which only contributes to this particular area's infamous reputation as foreclosure capital of the nation). I hope to be starting back to school in February to become a WHNP. I figure chances of remaining here and finding suitable employment when I finish are slim to none, but life is an adventure and I'm ready for the next chapter!

Hi everybody, I also applied for admission to Class 73 (WHCNP) and had my interview in mid-October. I'm in the hand-wringing, hair-twisting, floor-pacing "oh my gosh I'm gonna start twitching!!" mode now! lol! I was told that they hoped to be able to let applicants know by the end of November. I SO want to call, but I know they've got to be busy and I don't want to be a thorn in someone's side, ya know? I still have time to apply to U of Cincinnatti, but I am SO drawn to Frontier that I just don't see myself going anywhere else... Here's hoping for the news we all want to hear! Kathy

I just finished my RN to BSN at Nova. Part of the program was online and part was face to face. You're right - the school is very expensive. Due to my own experience with the school (not the main campus) I can say that I do not ever intend to pursue another degree there. The location where I was based was the single most unorganized group of mammals I believe I have ever come in contact with! It sounds like your friend is having a far better experience; I'm glad to hear that! There may well be hope for Nova, however my experience left such a bad taste for me that I'll likely seek my highest degree elsewhere. I am not young either (50), and plan to start an MSN (ARNP) program in the spring. I'm thinking of going the education route if I decide to go for a PhD. By the time I'd even finish it I'd probably be 65 and would need to sit in a high chair to lecture...lol! llg - thanks for the excellent advice to aec rn bsn - it is helpful to several of us! Kathy

I'm exactly where you are... 24 of my 25 years of nursing have been in OB - LDRP, nursery, SCN, mom/baby (though I did do about a 2-1/2 yr part-time stint in a peds office and peds/adult home health in addition to my full-time job when money was tight). Women's health is where my heart lies, but my head keeps telling me I need to go with FNP. I checked the box for WHNP on all the referral forms I gave the people I needed to have fill them out, but I still haven't checked the box on my actual applications. I have to make up my mind soon because the application for Frontier is due in a couple of weeks. I'm really leaning towards going with my heart though. I feel like I didn't make it to 50 to finish my RN to BSN then finish my career with something I don't wholeheartedly want to do. I've got at least another 25 years to work and I want to be happy. If I have to relocate, life will go on - and who knows, it may go on in an even better place! Good luck with your decision!