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Question about the Fitzgerald PMHNP review course. How as the final practice exam? was it all based upon the workbook? I don't want to pay for any repeat for just ceu's.

If you have an ADN already..they do award a BSN if you have completed the hours and It takes a little longer to get you MSN. You still have to complete all those prereq's, along with the other. The AMNP is very fast paced, so fast, they do not recommend that you work,

Nope, and that is exactly the way I am about to completed my MSN degree. I have a projected graduation date of Dec 13 and have received 3 offers for positions contingent upon program completion, passing the boards, and become certified. A Degree is a Degree. What you must be aware of is the accreditation of your chosen college, their board passage rates, and the requirements needed to be able to sit for the certification exam!

You are correct, and I was being honest about how hard and obscure the exams were, even with that info above it is no guarantee you will do well. You do have to have some background/knowledge to even contemplate/understand what is being asked. The search was just to back up my initial response, if I found it. The professors even tell you that you can try to search, but the way she words the exam, you do have to have a very good basic understanding to put 2+2 together. I put hours upon hours into that class, and did very well in the Adv Diag and Assessment class just from taking patho first. I am currently in Adv Pharm and find all the hours I put into the patho/assessment are coming together. I also did extremely well the OSCE for assessment, I just hate being video taped, then having to critique myself...ugh! I am currently ANCC certified via the old way, pencil/paper as a PMHRN.

We call Adv Patho, NUR 612 at UAB, the "beast". They use Huether/McCance lastest edition. it is do-able, I took with Issues during the summer and almost made an "A" in the class. You can find the answers, each test lets you have about 90 seconds per question. 60 seconds to understand, 30 to possibly find somewhere in the book. I rented it online, which is searchable. I also had a friends older version, who had cut out the index, tabbed it up, and placed in a folder for quick looks ups. Now all this is for online only, I do not know if they offer it via "brick n mortar" style anymore. I also just finished up NUR 614 with an "A" in that class, thanks to the patho, next is 613 pharm.

Have been an RN for 25 years, currently the last 10 or so in psych. I had an overall 3.23 which I pulled up from a 2.65 during my younger years (1985). My last 60 hours gpa was a 3.44. I also finished 3 grad classes with my undergrad degree. I had great references (one is a instructor at UAB SON whom I had worked with for a few years) Instate gets first preff, then the mobility students, rest is filled in with others. They are planning on decreasing the amount taken in (BSN portion of study) from 120 to 100. (I was privileged to sit on a meeting about this, heard strait from the dean!) It is going to get more and more competative due to the economy, we have many cc in the area churning out ADN's and UAB will not hire you unless you sign an agreement to began seeking a BSN within 2 years of your hire date. We need 80% of our RN's to have a BSN or higher and are currently only at 60% maybe? This is a requirement of the ANCC for our Magnet status.

They use the latest Huether/McCance for Patho and Bates' for assessment. They do not currently have a Mobility program for BSN-DNP like they do for the RN-BSN-MSN mobility/bridge programs. I was able to knock out nearly 12 hours with undergrad studies. You must have a MSN to apply for the DNP track, no DNP hours can be used for MSN track. It is a pretty intense course. It is lots of reading, video, ppt's, and online sites used. Have not had an issue with faculty not responding, well only 1 so far, and that might be a culture thing, not sure. The DNP is a collaboration between three universities, UAH, UAB, and UA. All three will be listed on the Diploma. Take Patho, Research and Adv Assess alone, Adv assess has a 2 day onsite intensive that you will be critiqued from a full HP focused assessment video done on a standardized patient. It is either P/F, no between. Patho, very deep, we call it the "beast". Research is pretty intensive also and includes a research group paper/project. Issues and roles pretty straight forward, with papers also. Pharm, most people enjoy. The specialties parts most everyone enjoys, have not heard much about them, and have not finished them as of yet. I am in the PMHNP track, but still have to do the for-mentioned.

Increases your chances, they have had a record number of applications, from the grape vine, all over the nation. I only applied to my #1 choice and made it in, but I am in-state, and work at the hospital connected. Also my track is not a overly popular one, psych.

They calculate both and take whichever is the highest. But sadly only those that are used to complete a nursing degree, not any fluff, or extra. I too started out low from years ago, foolish, and just trying to make it through to the finish. I worked hard and brought that up to a 3.31 overall. It let them know I was serious about what I was wanting, so I made it in to the grad track I wanted. Best bet is to talk to an adviser or the admissions coordinator about it, and get in writing. You can and people have negotiated with them, not much, but some.

I would suggest you get an older version of the patho book, cut out the index, tab it up and have in a seperate binder/folder. I purchased an uptodate book via online from the evolve site. Did wonders, easy to search, especially for test. They are very deep. Also make sure you take patho before the Adv Assess and Diag. It has helped a great deal..... I am to take Pharm/issues the first sememster, NPN psychpharm for summer and research for fall...

That is me..LOL. Yes, I am about to grad with BSN. I am currently taking Adv Assessment/Diag. Have another video to do..first thing out of his mouth was..do I have to do that again? I plan on going a little slower, finish up Dec 2013. Need a mental health break...LOL

It is exciting, but scary also. I am working on 614 Adv Assess/Diag as I read this. #2 SOAP note. I have soo much to do for the next 6 weeks that are left in this semester..then i can slow down some!, well maybe a little...2 classes better than 3. At least only 1 has another paper due (Issues).

Me too! I start the PMHNP track Spring 2012 part time.

I did a double post, this is the edit. I am hoping everyone gets accepted. They have had a record number of applications and I know due to the potential of over saturating the area with BSN students they are decreasing, potentially, the amount by 20 for admission next fall. I really should have done this years ago when I was a resident in Louisiana, but did not have the wisdom I do now, and things change. I am capable of doing so much but have been shot down for lack of the sheepskin hanging on the wall, now it is my turn to tell them na...not interested..to busy...LOL

I was at work Sat, some little voice in my head told me to check the mail as I drove past the box, but just did not do it. I had to work yesterday so when I saw everyone was receiving letters...I asked my son, who was coming down to B'ham to check and see if anything from UAB. Naturally he forgot...Finally I returned home, actually got a little nauseous just before husband checked the box...dang him..one piece at a time..then the big envelope...I was a RN-BSN-MSN student, but not officially in the Psychiatric-Mental Health Primary Care track. Finally I can concentrate on my current stuff and keep that all important GPA up..LOL.

I know, I have found out they are having a big meeting friday, do not know why so that might delay it a little. also the director of my chosen track has been racking up airline miles for school business, so know they have not really sat down as of yet, ....I can say anything really i tend to procrastinate also, but am really a planner type of personality...LOL

Not so sure about that. They made it very clear that even though I am in the RN-BSN-MSN tract, the only thing I have the upper hand in is I am a long time in state resident and UAB employee. I can be wait-listed until the next admitting semester.

No, I am about to grad with a BSN. I have taken all the hours I can (12) as an undergrad toward a MSN degree. So the non-degree thing is out. If I am rejected for spring 2012, will have to wait until fall 2012 application time and take a break? Will really screw up my timeline.

Have no idea how long the interview, not in the program, am in the RN-BSN-MSN mobility track with hopes to get into the pmhnp track starting Spr 2012. I just happen to have worked with a few of the faculty that have courses and do clinicals with the programs. But it does not give me any edge at all. unfortunately.

I would have these answers below ready also, it is from the applyyourself.com area, which if you have applied will recognize.. From your own personal experience, explain your understanding of nursing, and why the nursing profession and the AMNP program is a good fit for you. Outline your nursing career goals. Describe your interest in the Clinical Nurse Leader track or one of the other master's specialty options.

Be ready to explain why you are changing to the field of nursing, what your plans for the future are. This program is very fast paced and stressful, let them know how you plan on handling this, along with supporting yourself. They feel you do not/can not work to finish this program (from the mouth of a friend who is one of the main instructors). I have been privileged to talk/work with many as students on my floor. They really like the program, but also agreed with her statement, if you want to do very well. Also, a friend who just finished her BS in psychology is planning on going this route, my faculty friend asked her those questions also.

Lize321, I too have applied for UAB spring 2012, but for the PMHNP track. I do know it states 30 days from last day of application submission, but I am guessing that is business days and not calender days. So, in theory, that should be around/after Nov 4th? Then letters will be mailed out, so that next week will be a hectic, anxious, watch, and wait for me also. But, I still check email everyday, and the apply website for any messages. I am also having a hard time concentrating on my current classes, which is Adv Assessment and Diag and I cannot afford to fail this one. I have a very high "B" which is required to pass, but an onsite intensive is fast approaching. I will be critiqued in my assessment via video and it is either a pass or fail, no in between. It also has to be passed to get credit for the entire course.

I am awaiting to see if I am accepted for the PMHNP program, part-time spring 2012. My GPA overall is high enough for waiving the GRE and MAT. They actually calculate both, overall and last 60 hours taken and take the highest. I also know a young man that has applied to the PMHNP track, but they have required him to have one years experience before even considering his application. He is currently taking courses as a non-degree student, but you can only take 12 hours of those and only certain ones. I do know they also have decided to decrease the amount of students being accepted into any nursing program, not sure why, but could be lack of staff? also, there are many cc in our area graduating 100+ students each year and flooding the area. The ANCC recommendation/proposal of having a DNP to practice as an NP after 2015 has also driven many to return to school. If you decided to do the no-degree thing, you need to take patho, research, and adv assess and diag alone. Very deep, lots of discussions, activities and papers. You also have to have a "B" in each class to count and can only repeat once. Just some FYI stuff.

[/url]BCgradnurse I really like that intervention, will have to remember it.

Just about to finish it up, awaiting acceptance/denial for continuing my degree. It was not to bad getting in, my adviser practically told me on the spot whether I was in or not and I still had 2 more classes to do. I would not take Informatics/Research with patho or assessment. Very difficult class, over 1/2 have dropped for this semester already. I started last fall 10, basically part time, could do in three, but with those last 2 classes, did not make it feasible. I also took 10 hours of approved grad classes (Adv Patho, Roles, and now Adv Assess and Diag) but it does not guarantee admission to the MSN tracks. The only thing it does, per my adviser, puts you ahead somewhat and even more so if you a resident of the state than those from other states. I have enjoyed the classes, and they accepted some of my "old" stuff from 82-85, well bascially all of it. They even have a Statistics class, hidden one, for just nurses that is online totally and can finish in a few weeks, if needed. They will give you the CRN # if you need the class. I have been nothing but impressed with the program, and should have done this years ago when living in LA and gone to LSU, but the bridge programs were way different then. If you want more info, feel free to email me at [email protected]. I know, no email addy should be given out, but this is one I made just internet stuff, but do check it.