MedVision

Thanks for all of your thoughtful responses! I decided to remain at the dermatology practice with full time hours. I feel the experience will be priceless. An opportunity in retail health may be easier to come by. After additional calculations the pay is essentially the same. Both are hourly. When computing pay associated with the dermatology opportunity I calculated hours I see patients, not the 30 minutes prior in the mornings or the 30-60 minutes I remain after seeing patients. Not bad for 4 days per week! The retail clinic has since offered me a prn position. Best of both! Thanks again for the feedback!

What would you choose......... I was working 2 part time jobs, 1 as a NP in dermatology and one as a NP in a small family practice. In an attempt to get fulltime benefits (medical insurance, etc) I secured a job offer in the retail health setting. The dermatology practice then countered that offer and asked me to come on board fulltime with benefits. I've always been interested in dermatology and medical aesthetics. The only major issue is the pay is over $10000 less compared to retail health. Would love to hear feedback from experienced NPs. I'm leaning more towards the derm position as a long term investment in my career and job satisfaction but can't help but consider the extra money after being a broke student for so long. Any thoughts??!

Thanks for all the congrats and well wishes. I really hope we don't go to retesting like MDs and PAs. I never want to do that again.

Thanks TraumaRUS! I consider you a veteran on here! Let me ask you what's the next step?Apply for state license?Apply for NPI?Apply for DEA?No job yet, I have a baby due in 7 wks. Planning on starting a job in January. I wanted to get some of these administrative things done before baby arrives.Thanks!

Thanks!Ice 2015 APEA CDs and Fitzgerald book were helpful. Try to relax the day of and not look over too much info.

I used APEA CDs and workbook and Fitzgerald book.....I passed my exam today!

It still hasn't sunk in!!

Maybe I should meet with an advisor to determine what they cover regarding women's health. An OB nurse instructor did advise me to ask to be placed in a family clinic that does obstetrics. I can't believe programs aren't teaching how to insert IUDs. Surely family planning is well within our scope of practice! Maybe its state BON specific. Anyhow you guys can't begin to imagine how helpful you've been! Thanks a bunch.......I love this place! :loveya::

Student_FNP, There isn't anything specifically, my school does not have a women's health rotation. I want to ensure I'm adequately prepared. We don't even have elective hours to use how we please. All the FNPs I know keep telling me they do a lot of women's health and just finish the FNP program. However my instructors are telling me they are really cracking down on NPs working outside of their scope, understandly so. For example they made it sound as if working at Planned Parenthood would be outside of my scope as a FNP.

Christen, Thank you so much for your insight! That's the mindset I had when I selected FNP as my specialty, I needed that reminder! It seems to be the best of both worlds.

I'm currently an FNP student struggling with the same issue. I am considering a post master's WHNP to practice with both. Do you experienced NPs think it would be difficult to accure enough hrs in both specialties? For example in a family practice office could my women's exams count towards WHNP practice hrs and all others for my FNP. Basically I want the additional knowledge and skillset that WHNP would provide but I want to provide primary care for underserved populations as well!

So I am now considering a post master's certification as a WHNP after I graduate. How realistic is it to obtain enough practice hours in both specialties? I realize it is in a FNPs scope to provide well woman care, but I really want to be more of an expert in women's health with my primary care clients. I don't want to only do WHNP because my intent is to practice with underserved populations (low income, community health, etc). I'm really unsure if it makes sense to invest more time and money to add an additional specialty. Any NPs out there that are certified in both or have valuable insight I would love to hear your thoughts! Thanks in advance!

Hey guys!! I am a 1st yr prespecialty student at Vandy. If you don't get accepted for your 1st choice, you have to wait for the next yr to re-apply from my understanding. You are however, able to switch specialties through a lottery type situation in April or May of your prespecialty yr. It is based on availability and you have to develop a new essay, etc. Hope that helps, please let me know if you all have additional questions......good luck!!!!

Hey thanks for asking! It's been great! I'm a little intimidated by the amount of reading required but looking forward to hammering it out. @ Meredith- I probably have meet you, trying match 142 names with faces is insane!!!!!!

How's it going guys?! 7 days and counting! Can't wait to get started! Safe travels to all and let's enjoy our last week before VU owns us!!!

I'm always down for cocktails!!!

You don't have to spend time working as a psych RN prior to attending NP school. There are many, many programs that take students with a bachelors in something other than nursing and you become an RN in the 1st yr and then a NP a yr or 2 later. There is however controversy as to whether you should have that experience as an RN 1st, but it is not mandatory. I'm starting a program like this in a few weeks!

Meredith, I'm sooo excited I can barely contain myself. I think we are in for a whirl wind! I'm finishing up the clinical requirements and getting my books. Did you guys get 2 TB tests 2 weeks apart even if the 1st 1 was negative? I just looked back over that stuff and realized I only got 1.

Mammac5, Please let me know how much you are charging for your books. Thanks!

YES!!! Super excited!!! I am currently researching the prices for our textbooks and comparing them with what current student students are selling them for. Potter is INSANE!! Prices range from $355-$1003.....does that sound about right? I should probably IM you so the others on the thread don't get annoyed! Lol. Sorry guys!!!

Mammac, Congrats on completing your finals!!!! I'm sure the other incoming students you've shared experiences with would agree, that it's unfortunate you'll be leaving when we arrive on campus! We'd love to meet you and thank you for assisting in our preparation!!!! Best of luck to you!

Ooo I just thought of one more question! I've heard that it may not be neccessary to purchase all books listed for our 1st yr courses and the most important information needed is provided in the ppt presentations or can be found online. Is that true or was I talking to a slacker? Lol! If you can do without a few, which ones do you consider mandatory? Thanks

This has been such great information. Thanks mammac for sharing!!

WOW!!!! Thank you so much for your thorough response. That was really helpful in setting the stage for the year! You Rock!!!!!

I live in the Nashville area as well and would be happy to help anyone with questions about where to live!! I also have my eyes on Danskos!!! My plan is to try them on and compare instore prices with online prices! Mammac5, quick question(s), :) what kind of book bag would you recommend for lectures? I know we have to walk a couple blocks to and from the parking garage? Should we get one on wheels? Do we carry many books to class or leave them at home for reference? Would you suggest bringing a laptop? Thanks in advance!!!