JayMH1984

I know exactly how you feel. I am currently in a BSN to DNP program to become an Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. I have worked in health care for 10 years, the first half in health information management, and the last half in nursing. I absolutely love being a pediatric critical care nurse, and I would love to be a pediatric critical and acute care nurse practitioner. I am not opposed to relocating or anything like that, but I am opposed to taking a large pay cut, losing benefits, and working more hours, etc. just to have that "NP job". Salary negotiation is a big decision for NP's, and many will take lower salaries just to have that "NP job". Not me! The amount of reimbursement that physician practices and/or hospitals receive for NP services can be in the hundreds-of-thousands of dollars range - and even after paying support staff and over head costs, there should still be money at least in the $100-150K range left... and NP's are settling for jobs in the $60K range with less fringe benefits thank they got as RN's? No thank you! I will only work in a position in which the practice or company does for me what I do for them, and respects my education and experience. I applaud you for doing the same thing! Lucky for me, the company I work for is good to all RN's - staff nurses and NP's alike - but it took some time to get there. I have had friends over the years who have gone back to school, completed their education to become a PNP, and then been offered jobs at our company FOR A PAY CUT (sometimes up to $10/hr when looking at base pay and shift differentials, etc) - luckily every single one of them refused, but could you imagine if they didn't? Keep your chin up... I think you are doing the right thing! A word of advice - put a business plan on paper, showing the cardiologist how much you will bring into his practice and how much you want of it, leaving the rest to him. It may work in your favor. Good luck!

i am in the bsn to dnp acute care pnp program... is that what you will be doing? either way, the director for each program is the same, (moderator edit of name - please do not post names in public per tos) i am not into the pedi specific coursework yet, but i am still really liking what i am learning so far. what is your background? pm me anytime! sincerely, jay h.

As far as psych specific, I haven't heard much from my cohort, because we haven't gotten to specialty coursework yet, but I do know that USA has a good reputation for preparing PMHNP's. I have only heard good things, but again, it is all hear-say. Only negative things I have heard about about the FNP program.

About to start the Fall semester at USA... it will be my 3rd semester, and I have a had a good experience so far. What is everyone elses' experience with USA... Those that have moved further along since this thread was started? Sincerely, Jay H.

It's okay... I totally understand! I don't check very often either! Thank you for the info... I was wondering about any and all of the courses you have taken so far? Talk to you soon! Sincerely, Jay

Lisa - Do you happen to have any syllabi that you can share? I am interested in seeing what the courses this next semester have to offer, and hate that I am not able to see the syllabi until the course starts! Thanks so much for your input, and let me know! Sincerely, Jay H., RN, BSN, CCRN, CPEN

That's great! I think you will love it... I am loving it so far! Best of luck! Sincerely, Jay H., RN, BSN, CCRN, CPEN

Hi Lisa - I am in my 2nd semester of the BSN to DNP program, and so far, I feel that I have gotten a lot of use out of the required book on the book list. I have not purchased anything from the "recommended" book list, but I can tell you that I have had some friends that have done so and have said that it is a lot of expense for something that they are not using... so I would say to get the required books only... Trust me, they are enough! Haha. I am working full time while taking two courses at a time, and it is do-able, you just really have to be disciplined and schedule study, reading, and writing time. It can be a lot of work at times, but if you spread it out, it is manageable. It is definitely challenging and rewarding, the professors in the DNP program at USA thus far have been great. Good luck! Let me know if you have any more questions! Sincerely, Jay H., RN, BSN, CCRN, CPEN

I am in my 2nd semester and I still work full time, 36 hours a week (three 12 hr shifts). It is do able, but you REALLLY have to be able to manage your time and schedule time to work on your school work. Are you in the BSN to DNP program? Are you doing the 3 or 4 year schedule? Let me know! Congrats! :-) Sincerely, Jay H., RN, BSN, CCRN, CPEN

Four years ago, I started out in PICU in the Dallas/Fort Worth/Arlington, TX Metroplex at 26.78 base pay, plus shift differentials for nights and weekends. New grads in this area have a wide range of pay... anywhere from $19.50 up to about $28.00. Pretty low cost of living, depending on what area of the metroplex you live in.

I am in the BSN to DNP program at USA, I started last semester Spring 2011, and I am loving it so far. I am in the Acute Care PNP program with Nursing Education subspecialty added. I loved meeting other people in various stages of the DNP program at orientation, and it was great to meet some of the professors as well. You can tell that they are very passionate about what they are doing... and I, for one, appreciate that. I have gotten good feedback in my courses, made good grades, and feel like I am learning a lot... it is a very well organized program. You definitely have to dedicate yourself to it, though. Let me know if you have any questions! Sincerely, Jay H., RN, BSN, CCRN, CPEN

criticalcare rn - I am not sure about the amount of applicants for the MSN to DNP program, but I can tell you that the residency is 540 clinical hours divided into the 3 final semesters of the program that are dedicated to a major doctoral project in your area of specialty practice.

Kev - You can enter the 3 year program in the Fall and the Spring, but the Spring "3" Year is more of a 3 year and 1 or 2 semesters. Romanryster - Feel free to send me a message asking any questions you may have... I will answer as best I know how! Sincerely, Jay H., RN, BSN, CCRN, CPEN

I started The University of South Alabama this Spring 2011 Semester, and I am loving it so far. The instructors and professors have all been wonderful, I love the flexiblity of the online coursework, and it is organized in a way where I feel like I am learning a lot but not having to devote my entire life to it. I am in the BSN to DNP Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner track, with the Nursing Education Subspeciality added. I really enjoyed going to Mobile for orientation... even though some of the exercises were kind of painful, I think it was all helpful. Plus, USA's tuition is VERY affordable compared to other institutions. Good luck to everyone! Sincerely, Jay H., RN, BSN, CCRN

It is all online with a session on campus once per year of 3-5 days, and clinical and residency experiences established in your area. Everyone in the distance nursing programs pays the "Web" tuition, and it is very reasonable. Less than what I was paying for in-state tuition at the University of Texas at Arlington.