peaceful

I am working 40 hours a week out patient psychiatric children's mental health clinic and two weekends a month inpatient hospital (ER, ICU and locked psych units) doing psych f/u, evaluations and discharges.

This whole process has been beyond bleak. I would rather just go practice in an independent state then fight the money and power of AMA. Our political network was weak compared to this organization. I am grateful for Senator Hernandez. We are lucky to have somebody like him on our side. This senator seems to really understand our healthcare system. Wish we had more like him who did.

Why am I not surprised?

I hope you find a new job that is positive, where you will feel supported and treated like a team player. It is crucial to be in an environment that one is allowed to ask questions! I was expected to be independent from day one. I was ready to practice from my many clinical hours and beyond difficult classroom hours. My supervising physician is helpful if I have a question. We communicate by text, phone and occasionally in person. He never makes me feel bad. A new NP needs to know when to ask a question or refer to a specialist. If not, now that is dangerous practice.

Good news today, passed 3rd time in the Assembly. We have a few more weeks to get this baby through. The Appropriations Committee is next up for vote. Then SB 491 goes on to the Assembly Floor which is comprised of 80 members for a vote. If it passes there, will go to the Senate for a final vote. Hopefully then onto the Governor. Deadline is September 13 or will die. Please call everyone you know to call their legislators. It is now crucial for each one of us to call, write, call again. Get your family, your friends to call. We made it this far, we can do this. Now is the time to get involved to make this work.

At the time my GPA was 3.5 with a BSN, 8 years experience as RN. My experience included working as a float in the acute care environment, tele, DOU, senior behavioral health, case management, psych adult locked unit. ACLS cert. I think the GPA requirement is higher now because there are so many applicants. What are your stats? Let us know and we can give recommendations. Also what are your goals? Why USA/which degree?

School will change you and your children's life. Go for it, do not look back. Nursing school is extremely stressful and difficult. I was in my forties while in nursing school for my BSN. I am now in graduate school, more than half way to my goal as an NP at age 54. Do not let age stop ya.

i agree with above post, university of south alabama is a good school. extremely demanding online program that is good for students that are highly disciplined and self-motivated. graduate school is not easy. lengthy, involved apa papers along with complex exams. my bsn program was a walk in the park compared to graduate school. i study every spare moment and work a few days a week. also deal with 15 year old that is not the easiest teenager.

omg, this made me chuckle. i do remember those convoluted diagrams last semester. either ya love theory, or hate it. class mates of mine were brought to their knees attempting to write the long, involved, apa correct papers. several had made good grades in patho, assessment, pharm and then could not make it through theory. just play the graduate school game. i don't fight it; just give them what they want. when you do get to take a class you love, well makes it all worthwhile. i am fascinated most of the time in graduate school.

i agree with above post. get your bsn and then keep on going. enjoy college, dorm life, and work part time as lpn. you sound like a go getter. my recommendation is that you go to school and achieve the highest degree possible. this decision will lead to a lifetime of expanded career choice, significantly higher salary and increased autonomy. just go for it! congratulations for being only 17 and so focused.

i also do not recommend becoming an rn to any friend or family. in fact, will quite strongly try to steer them away from this career choice (thankless job somewhat like a maid, along with managing out of control, angry families and no respect from hospital management, co-workers and physicians). the np role is a step up the ladder with the allowance of independent thinking. becoming an np is not for the faint hearted. extremely tough to get through school and pass the national exam. graduate school is nothing like getting your bsn.

Kyboyrn, Congratulations on your graduation! Let us know how the boards go. :yeah: Peaceful

All can change in an instant. Go watch a sunset, go to a movie, do anything that breaks you from the downward cycle you feel caught up in. You are young, you have your whole, wonderful life in front of you. Dream, dream big. Feel it, think it, drink in that image of what you want. I never let my self feel discourged for more than a few moments, there is just too many possibilities of a way out. I promise you things will change because they always do. In fact, I hear the phone ringing for you right now....

I agree with Blessed X3, go part time take all writing courses, core courses (theory, research, patho, pharm, assessment) first.

:yeah:Way to go Nursing 101. Congratulations!!!!!!!!! Tell us the secret to studying. Any tips now that you have passed?

I am half way through the FMHPNP program at USA. Program is extremely demanding (as are most graduate programs). Fair warning, getting through the core classes (advanced assessment, research, patho and pharm) will stretch you to the limits like you have never experienced before.

That seems like a good tip for patho. Wish I knew of this last semester. Do you have any tips on studying for advanced assessment? I am taking a summer course and so much info is crammed into short period of time. Thanks.

Your stats should be just fine. When do you expect to hear back?

University of South Alabama has a Family Mental Health NP online program, full or part time.

Follow your passion. I just finished my first semester of NP program. My advice, just go for it. Graduate school is difficult but do not let fear stop you.

These are not your friends. Your friends and family recognize the accomplishment you have achieved. It is absolutely awesome that your are starting a new job as a NP. You jump through so many hurdles to get there. Be proud, stay strong and don't listen to these idiots. It will all turn out fine. Find strong, accomplished women to hang out with. My best friend told me that I was selfish for staring grad school. I was so down after her email. She told me I was letting my son down, being selfish for wanting to go back to school! I was so surprised and shocked at her attitude. We are not even talking anymore. So I know how you feel!

Hi Amy, Start with exploring the University of South Alabama website, visit the nursing department, graduate admission site. There is tons of information including degrees available, course description, program tracks (length of time, class schedule for full/part time). The program is demanding/difficult. But the program seems doable with hard work. I am only in my 2nd week so check back with me later! Good luck on your exploring. You have so many exciting options ahead of you. Peaceful

I see your email. Sorry ignore my post about PM. Thanks, peaceful

Please PM me so I can include you in study group for USA. Thanks, peaceful

Al dente, Thanks for posting the Pearson Report, these statistics are interesting. Peaceful.