NTPinky

The thing that turns me away from UX is all the programs I've looked at seem to only focus on design, whereas I'm more interested in the UX Research side.

Hi Lisa, Thanks so much! I've narrowed my choices down to a few informatics programs. But now I'm also getting interested in UX research, since I do a lot of pt education and am always looking for ways to make pt education materials more usable for my pts. I'm at a large HMO and there are people at headquarters with the UX Researcher title. I'm just having a hard time getting a hold of them to learn more and see if that's a better fit for me. I guess I could do certificate programs in both informatics and UX ?

Hi all, I already have an MSN (focus in public health) and have been thinking about getting into informatics. Since I already have an MSN, do I need to do another one specifically in informatics or is it OK to just do a certificate program? My BA is in Technical Writing. Thanks! Pinky

Just wondering how those who've graduated since this thread first started -- I'd love to hear updates on the job front from grads of this WGU program, thanks!

Hi all, I feel like I've hit a wall professionally. I'm 43, have been an RN for 10 yrs (my second career, before that I was a technical writer), mostly in the outpatient setting as a diabetes educator. I work for a big HMO and feel stuck, there's no real opportunity for advancement, and am not learning anything new. Most of our patients just have poor eating habits and don't want to change. Also, most of my time is spent on the phone with patients because the HMO wants it this way, so I've never even met the majority of my pts (the only time we see them face-to-face is to teach insulin injections). I have a master's in nursing, and have thought about getting a post-Master's FNP certificate but the job market here (I'm in the SF Bay Area) is very competitive. Plus I'm not sure if I'd even like it, so I'm hesitant to spend all the money to risk ending up not being able to find a job. A coworker said to go for the DNP, but honestly I'm still not even sure what a DNP actually does or how the job market is for them here. Nursing informatics seems even tougher in terms of actually getting a job. I don't get any support from mgmt either. I speak Spanish but barely have any Spanish-speaking pts despite my asking them for 2 yrs to give me more of them. A coworker suspects this is because of another RN (native Spanish-speaker) who doesn't want to transfer any of her pts. Sometimes I think of going for the FNP or other academic program just for the opportunity to learn more, even if I don't get a better job. That's how bored I am. Thanks for letting me vent! Pinky

Hi all, I was originally accepted into 3 different FNP distance education programs: Gonzaga, Frontier, and George Washington University. I finally decided on Gonzaga, but health issues made me defer enrollment twice. My health has improved, but now I'm struggling with the decision of deferring again vs withdrawing altogether. I live in San Francisco, and I never see or hear of jobs for new FNPs in this state. I don't want to pay at least $32,000 for a program only to find that I never find a job as an NP. I've also read negative comments on this site from those who don't think these distance learning programs are very good, so that concerns me too. Also, I've taken the last several months to try and get my health on track, and rest a lot, while still working 32hrs/wk, and I must admit I like my time off and being able to go out w/ friends or take a last-minute vacation for a few days. I'm afraid of having no social life. I also like being debt-free, and the thought of incurring debt from the FNP program makes me nervous, especially since new grad NP jobs seem non-existent here. I feel so lost... not too long ago I was so excited to do the FNP program but now the doubts and fears are more present than ever. I don't know what I expect from this post - maybe I just needed a safe place to vent.

Thanks so much for the encouragement! I'm going to start working on my application materials next week :)

Wow! You're my hero :) Depending on the school I get into I may not be starting clinicals right away, so that's a plus as I'd have some time to prepare and figure out my schedule... oh and accrue more PTO :) Thanks for sharing your story!

Which school are you going to? I haven't even sent applications yet!

Thanks for the encouragement. I'm in an outpatient clinic so it's a M-F schedule. I know of other clinics that are open on weekends and/or evenings, I'd have to find out if they accept NP students to do clinicals there.

Forgot to add that the FNP programs I'm looking into are all post-Master's certificate programs.

I'd definitely do NP school part-time if working full-time... I doubt I could do both full-time. Thanks for your feedback! :)

There aren't any part-time jobs in my area so I'm stuck with full-time. I'd love to be an FNP and have several online programs I'd like to apply to, but I'm worried about pulling off both work and school, but I'm single and don't have kids so I'd have that much more time to dedicate to my studies. Is anyone here doing an NP program AND work full-time? I'd love to hear from you. I don't want to give up on my dream of being a FNP but I want to do it well! Thanks guys! Linda

I got an email that a message was posted in this thread by "kismet44RN," but I cannot find the message! Kismet44RN, please re-post or send me a private message. I'd like to hear about your test experience. Thanks!

I don't understand how if you just got passed the NCLEX in February, how you were allowed to take the CDE exam? Before you even apply for the exam you have to have spent at least 2 years doing diabetes education, plus have a minimum of 1000 hours of diabetes ed (with a minimum 4 hours a week).