VA99

I don't think it has been addressed, but could be wrong. It would be a very powerful thing if everyone would do it. Unfortunately it's not likely to happen as most nurses are not unionized and many are single breadwinners who won't risk the loss of pay. We could really control our own destiny for the first time in Nursing history should we stand up for ourselves... we are the largest portion of the healthcare industry.

I live and work in Charlottesville... L&D. No real OT at present because I'm .75%, but I'm FT school too so I guess I really am in OT. When I was working FT, it almost killed me. espec. in the summers. It's nice to have the $$, but I would prefer a life over money any day.

Nurses fall into the same category as EMT's and FIrefighters. Pay attention to which candidate supports us on this. One of them does! (hint... it's NOT Dubya)

Hi Angel: I too agree we need to standardize things . I have been in nursing for close to 25 years, this is my second nursing shortage, and it feels worse than the last one already. The problem with standardizing things is complex, and unfortunately there is no easy solution. When I started my NP certification, there was a requirement that you have at least 2000 hrs IN YOUR SPECIALTY before you could even apply for school. It wasn't much, but at least it was something. I think I had about 15 years of nursing experience at some really big time institutions before I started my program and I think that the judgment and knowledge base you gain from working first is irreplacable. Getting back to the degree issue, We have successfully changed the advanced practice model, I'm changing with it- into my last 15 hrs of my MSN so it is possible to effect change, even with an old girl like me. What is hard is that it doesn't always happen overnight. The Diploma and ADN I am not sure how that will change, and I am certain it will not happen quickly. We have been trying to change that for as long as I have been a nurse. The best I can think is that make that the entry, then we set a limit to how high on a clinical ladder one can go based on your educational level. Unfortunately there are a whole lot of ADN and Diploma nurses out there and the numbers get larger every year we have a nursing shortage. I agree that we have a confusing profession. I don't know what schools you are applying to, but I can tell you that some very good MSN programs operate under the same premises of not requiring experience, and their grads do quite well, so who knows? I have taken to looking at it this way... PA programs are almost as confusing as NP and RN programs. have only a two year program at the AD, BS or Masters level and they do not have experience when they graduate either (although they are so competitive to get into that schools usually ask for some background as a volunteer or worker in the health care field before applying). I guess it is because we are a relatively new profession ( first NP was in the 60's.. not really that long ago when you compare it to Medicine), so we have come a long way in a short time. Remember professions evolve, they usually don't just appear intact and at full power overnight. We are all still in the process of developing our roles as APN's, over time it will clear up.good luck with whatever school yo choose.

I am going to answer in a polite manner, though I take great offense at being referred to as a Pretend NP. Prior to 1999 the only requirements to become an NP were a license to practice as an RN and at least 200 hours in your area of specialty. This program is no longer available as it has been mandated that all NEW NP graduates must have a MSN ( the rest of us are grandfathered). The programs stil exist, but are for post MSN certificates only. If you take the time to research the history of the NP, you will see that the original NP's were trained on the job, following that, they developed programs such as the one I attended which was based at a major university and staffed by MSN and PhD instructors. The programs consisted of 16 weeks of intense didactic & clinical experience and a 5 month preceptorship, and the program was incredible. Training wise it was actually better than most of the MSN programs I have dealt with, especially in it's clinical experiences. To that end, I am one of those who was an ADN with National certification as a Women's health care NP, a DEA number and prescriptive privileges. For the record I am not uneducated, even though I had a ADN when I became an NP, I had close to 200 college credits to my name. It has taken some time to be able to afford (both monetarily and work wise) to return to school, but I am now finished with my BSN and pursuing my MSN. I have been practising for over 10 years as an NP at major teaching institutions, am well respected by my peers and the Physicians I have worked with. For the record, I have precepted and taught at four University MSN NP programs.