Phi Gam

What program did you get accepted into? My GPA is low as well.

I'll touch upon the "limited experience with common medical emergencies" statement. Based on the experience in my hospital I would have to disagree with that thought. I've been in the CVICU for 18 months, and rarely does a patient come in without secondary problems/diagnoses. Uncontrolled diabetics(increasing surgical infection rate), post-op stroke(from throwing a clot when coming off bypass), and sepsis(just bc multiple invasive lines and time in hospital always increases risk) are all things seen on a more regular basis than you would think. And withdrawals are definitely encountered, which is why there's usually prescribed liquor in the med fridge. CVICU can be a crazy melting pot of treatment. I've seen every organ system affected at some point or another. If you transfer there in the future you'll see.

One thing I would recommend is changing that last part of your post. Ask questions, ask questions, ask questions. Especially as a new nurse. I've been in the ICU for 18 months now, and I still ask my charge nurse or the more experienced nurses questions on a daily or weekly basis. You're not expected to magically know everything right away, so find someone you look up to and ask questions. Posting on allnurses is good too.

Being an RN before an NP can be very beneficial by helping you build a foundation of knowledge and skills as a nurse that you won't see as an NP. So much of what you'll use as an NP, in my opinion, could be improved by having real life experience as an RN first. I am currently in the process myself of applying to NP grad programs, and I consider the 3 years I've spent working as an RN as pure gold. Sure you can make the transition to an NP without the RN step if you want, and you'll probably be fine when it's all said and done, but unless you're severely hurting for time I'd recommend going the full route.

Being a NP would still involve a good amount of hands on involvement with patients. The wonderful thing about nursing is there are so many different avenues to explore as a nurse. Not everything has to be at the bedside treating sick patients in the hospital setting. If you're thinking about the grad school route, what I would suggest is something research-based. You can make it as much about the disease processes as you want and don't have to worry as much about patient interaction. That's my opinion. Hope it helps.

Has anyone else applied for acute care? I haven't seen any MSN acute care ppl yet.

Ugh, nothing again. Losing ability to wait. Must drive to AL and intercept USA's outgoing mail.

I like your thinking. Ha

Greeeaaaat. So we get to wait longer.

Yes, that was me. End of May is when letters are going out for MSN, or so I was told. And my fingers will be crossed until then!

They give you a JAG number? Oh I should be a shoe-in. Those are my initials.

I talked to someone last week who said the MSN letters would be sent out at the end of May, so those of us who applied can expect decisions by first part of June.

Geez. Starting to wonder what an online program would be like at a school that doesn't respond to emails.

Well no response yet to my email waiting for an update. Anyone apply for the MSN Adult-Gero NP program and get an email with info after applying?

I went ahead and emailed them this afternoon. Hoping they send something back this week.