armyrn79

I would suggest CNM honestly. I followed one for my women's health course in my FNP program and she did 2-3, 12-hour night or day shifts delivering babies and the other days in clinic seeing OB patients or women issues. I just didn't care for the night shift. I like my day only clinic schedule.

It can be overwhelming at times, but just stay the course. Try to carve out time for yourself and family. Are you doing the MSN or Post MSN track?

I enjoyed the program. Because a good portion is online, you must be a self motivator. Plan your schedule accordingly. I graduated in December and passed boards 2 weeks later.

I chose FNP because the Army only recognizes FNP, ENP, and Psych NP’s. Since I plan to stay in for another 6 years it was the only way to get out of the OR. Plus FNP is one of the most diversified specialties.

Well I have been in the OR strictly for over 10 years, so I completely understand where you are coming from. However, I think you can still do it. The program teaches you everything you need to know. You just need to have solid clinical experiences. That is key.

Yes. NP school doesn’t require specific specialty experience like ICU/ER for anesthesia school. I do have a background in ICU, PACU and step down, and I’ll be honest and say it does help especially with patho and advanced pharm.

Hello. Actually she taught my pharmacology course. She was great.

Yes I’m happy overall with the program. I got my MSN already online so I’m used to that format. A lot of information is self paced and taught for sure. This course is taught through PowerPoints over voice lecture. His lectures are very detailed and have over 100 slides. Takes me a couple of days to get though the assigned lectures. Thankfully the reading requirement is not as long. It’s a useful adjunct. Once you start clinicals I found it all comes together a lot more. I have five months left and I’ve learned so much more doing the hands on experience and interacting with patients.

--------------------- actually taught Patho when I took it last year. He’s teaching my Advanced Primary Nursing Care for Adult now. A lot of information and challenging at the same time.

I’m lucky that I found my preceptors at my work. I didn’t have to use them. They will always suggest you try to find local ones since you could travel up to an hour or more if they have to find you one. Some people still don’t have preceptors because of everything going on with Covid. But they are allowing people to make up their hours in other semesters.

Sure I’m glad to answer your question. I’m in the post Masters’s program. So I am taking one class at a time. I’m enjoying the program a lot and learning a great deal. All of my classes so far usually have one or two papers in addition to exams. Some classes do have quizzes as well which helps you retain the information. I’m also working full time, which can be challenging, but most of my classmates are working full time as well. If you have any more questions, please feel free to ask.

It took me a few months when I applied.

Hello. I’m actually going to Carson Newman University for my FNP. Purdue didn’t offer to help find a preceptor when I was inquiring and this school does. I am doing this program as a post masters. Finishing up my advanced health assessment course. Four more courses after this one. I like the program a lot.

Yes you can practice in any state that you want. Just have to take your boards once, and apply for a license in that state.

So far it is going good. In my third week of Advanced Health Assessment. They switched to Canvas for all your assignments and test. So everyone is getting use to that. I go to my skill intensive in July for 3 days. Right now we video record ourselves everything going over different body systems until our intensive. I don’t mind talking one on one. Feel free to sent me a email.

Yes all of my courses are online. I have a three day residency over the Summer for adv health assessment. I did a brick and mortal school for my BSN.

I get that. I work full time as well. I hear you can take them separately, but honestly it was better together since the exams are a total of 80 questions 40 from Patho and 40 from pharm with a combined grade. The systems coincide together as well which was helpful. So whenever we discussed the GI system we also went over the medications as well. I don’t regret taking them together and now that it’s over it was worth it.

I just finished advance Patho and pharmacology. They were tough taking them together but I learned a great deal for sure. I just started advanced health assessment. It’s a learning curve for sure. But I’m only taking one class at a time. So I can focus more on this course. The application process was pretty easy. Had to write a essay and get reference letters. Basics items for any applications nowadays. Feel free to ask me any more questions. I just convinced one of my friends to go back to school for NP. Lots of opportunities.

As a OR manager I have sent a number of nurses to other departments to help out. The floors have been very appreciative and are willing to train them. My hospital also started a crash course in taking care of critical care patients. My plan is to float nurses up there on a continuous basis to train with other nurses on the Med Surg unit, ER, and ICU. We also created a unit to take care of only suspected or diagnosed Covid patients which I’ve sent three OR nurses to help support that unit. All the other nursing sections have also sent people there and too the floors. I tell my nurses I rather you volunteer to go somewhere you may like rather then management come down and tell you when things get worse. Most have been pretty receptive. I can’t have nurses just sitting around, getting paid, and not supporting the mission when it comes down to it. It’s all hands on deck!

Hello, Yes I like the program so far. As far as work load it’s manageable for sure. I’m taking pharm and patho right now, which I thought would be super hard, but the content aligns with both classes at the same time. For instance, when we have lectures on respiratory drugs, we also are going on the respiratory system in advanced patho. Also, the exams are together. So we have 40 questions for pharmacy and 40 for Pathophysiology. As far as the preceptors, I was told they do have people who will help me find preceptors, but they still encourage you to find local agencies and they will reach out to secure it. I’ve already found a FNP at my hospital who is willing to assist with networking since he is also the manager of the clinic.

I’m currently in the program. It’s my second week. I’ve done online before so the set up is familiar. I like the program so far. Seems to be very organized.

I appreciate your advice. I’ve been a OR nurse for 9 years and I’m starting my FNP program next week. Ready for something different.

I circulate. I’m active duty military, so as officers it’s expected we mainly circulate. Plus I’m a head nurse now, so I barley circulate. The price of management I guess. ☺️

I have been a OR nurse since 2009 and will start my FNP program in January. Don’t let other people discourage you. Follow your dreams. Feel free to reach out with any questions.

Thanks so much. I will email them right now. I’m super excited to start.