KimberRN

I attend the University of South Alabama. The PNP program is completely online and only requires 1 visit to the campus for clinical orientation. www.southalabama.edu/nursing/

Look at Jacksonville State University. I did the RN-BSN program totally online (never went to campus) and completed it in 3 semesters, no clinicals either. I loved the school/professors. I highly recommend it!!! I am now in a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Program. You can PM me if you have any questions.

Hey..Did you complete all of your hours with an NP or did you use a physician for any of your hours? I am getting ready to start looking for preceptors soon and I would love to hear your perspective regarding your clinical experiences NP vs MD, etc. Thank you so much!

Hey..I am sending you a PM

Hey...I sent you a PM...

Did you take NU 506-adv theory during the summer? If so, how was it? I have to take it along with patho. I got my patho book in the mail today and I think I am going to get a head start on reading! Its good to finally hear from someone that is also new in the program. Lets definitely communicate for patho..BTW, what program are you in?

Thanks! Good luck to you...hope you get in next spring!

I am in the MSN/PNP program. Why did you end up not going?

I would be surprised if any BSN or MSN program would accept EC exams in lieu of pre-reqs, which doesn't make sense to me because they accept CLEP exams and they are the exact same thing! You can take online courses from a community college and they will transfer....they are easier than those EC exams anyway :) Is the pass rate still 60% on the CPNE? Since you have experience as an LPN you will do fine! I made flash cards on all the critical elements using acronyms..it really helped! Definitely call about those EC exams before you take anymore! Keep us posted...

Hey.. I graduated from Excelsior with my ADN in 2004. I went on to complete an RN-BSN program and now I am getting ready to start NP school in August! I completed all of my pre-reqs through a community college and I would definitely advise you to do the same! Most Universitys/Colleges will not accept EC pre-reqs but they will accept CLEP exams. You do not want to repeat those courses! Also, I had a bit of trouble when applying for my RN-BSN program because I did graduate from EC. A couple weeks before I started my RN-BSN program I received an email stating that they won't accept EC nursing courses! Luckily, I was able to jump through some hoops and do the program! For my Nurse Practitioner program it is a non-issue because I completed all pre-reqs at a traditional college. I believe EC has a great nursing program and really prepares you to function well as an RN! I learned more studying for the CPNE than I learned during the entire time I was enrolled in a traditional nursing program! Do they still require the CPNE?

Is anyone going to USA this fall? I will be in the Pediatric NP program. Any thoughts, opinions or words of advice? Thanks!

Hey! I just received my acceptance letter for the Primary Pediatric NP track! Have you heard anything about this program? Congrats to you and your upcoming graduation!! Thanks!

I just got my acceptance letter today for the Primary Care Pediatric NP track!!!! :yeah:Anyone else starting this program Fall 2010? Thanks!

The best way to break into school nursing is to apply for nurse substitute...this will get a foot in the door and you will see if its something that you could see yourself doing fulltime. You will rarely see job postings for school nurses because they tend to hire within. I started as a school nurse substitute last month and they have kept me busy. I absolutely LOVE it! They only downside is that it pays practically nothing , but like I said, its a foot in the door and its a great job! Good Luck!

Thanks Martha~ When I was hired they told me that their school nurses came from various backgrounds, not just peds. I did try for 4-5 months to get an interview with a large childrens hospital here, but only wanted experienced peds nurses. I will start a PNP program in the fall so that will definitely help! I will have a one day 6 hour training day and then I am on my own, is this typical? They told me that there is always someone to call with questions and at each school there is a manual that has all the info I need.. Thanks!

Oh, btw..what type of peds experience did you have before school nursing? I have only worked with adults (and newborns in L&D). I have two small children so I am not totally in the dark when it comes to kids...lol! I am still pretty nervous! Thanks!

Yeah!! Somebody replied! Thanks so much..I will check out that book. What role does a PNP have in the school setting? I searched this forum and could not find any info. Thanks again

Hello everyone! I have been trying to get into school nursing and finally landed a position as a school nurse substitute! The pay is is less than half of what I made previously....but its worth it because of the great hours, great experience (I am currently trying to get into a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner program and I need pediatric experience. I tried to get a job in peds offices and childrens hospitals but they all required experience), and its a foot in the door for a perm position. They told me I would be needed alot. I just have a few questions for all you school nurses please... ~What are some good books that would help someone brand new to school nursing? ~What are some of the biggest challenges you all face? ~Do most of you have peds experience? ~Have any of you gone on to become Pediatric nurse practitioners? Thank you all so much!!!

I applied to PSA healthcare and I have over 1 yr nursing experience. The recruiter told me they couldn't hire anyone that didnt have pediatric trach/vent/gtube experience. She was very nice and professional and told me to call her back when I have that experience. Just be careful that you are not put in any situations that would jeopardize the patient or your license.

Thank you so much for all the replies everyone!! I appreciate it very much. I live in Georgia so I am going to find out what is required. I think I may talk to the nurse at my son's school...maybe I can get in as a sub at some point....school nurse jobs are very few and far between.. thanks again!

Hello everyone... I am not a school nurse (I work in a hospital right now), but I think it would be a great job in the future. I just have few questions...I was doing some research and came across a school nurse certificate program through the University of Pheonix (this is very expensive, and is it even necessary or is this a waste of time?) Do you need to take a school nurse certificate program through a college? How does one become prepared to take the national school nurse certification through NBCSN? Do most states require certification? Sorry...I am so confused as to where to even begin. BTW..I have my BSN Thank you so much!

Thanks for the advice....I understand that graduate school will be tough and I am ready for the challenge. Maybe I should have asked the pros and cons to each school from students that attend or have graduated. I just hope I get accepted!! I graduated with my BSN with a 3.3 overall GPA, not really sure what else I can do to make myself more competitive.

Hello~ I have applied for the FNP programs at USA and UAB. I have been reading lots of threads here regarding these two schools. It seems that USA has alot more reading and seems more intense than UAB. Also, I have not read any posts with UAB FNP students complaining of a riduculous amount of reading and they seem happier with their program. These are just my observations from reading these posts. Does anyone have any insight or opinions they would like to share? By no means am I looking for the "easier" program, I just would choose a school that I feel I would be happier at and less overwhelming. Thanks!!!

I can't believe I was hired as a new grad in L&D! This hospital usually doesn't hire any new grads into OB, I was just at the right place at the right time. Your post made me feel better knowing that you felt fine after 12 weeks of orientation. My preceptor said that everyone will keep a sharp eye on my strips for a while, thank goodness!

Thanks for your response! You are right, there is sooo much to learn! I have to learn to scrub/assist/circulate too. After the 4 months on day shift, I will be trained on night shift..not sure how long that will be...hopefully at least 2-4 weeks.