RNLady115

May I ask in what area of the U.S. you are located?

I believe next year ODU moves to a DNP-only program for FNP. I'm starting their program in less than a week, and I'm pretty sure we're the last MSN FNP class to come through (or so I've heard). Best of luck to you!

If you're only looking at getting a nursing degree (and are not applying to other programs that need GRE's), I would suggest taking the MAT's for ODU. Not as intense to study for. I got a 437 on my MAT and am starting the MSN FNP program this Monday. However, this may be the last program they offer for an MSN for NP. I believe next year it is DNP only (twice as long, twice as much $). Best of luck to you!

Patti_RN- Have you completed your course of study? Do you feel that you were well prepared? I am starting in September and am extremely nervous about the cost of the school.

That is a bit of a ridiculous statement. To be a good nurse, you need to do more than just task. You have to understand the meaning as to why you're doing what youre doing and esuring the therapy you are doing is appropriate. Critical thinking is a key skill along with a strong knowledge base. A "Floor" RN has to constantly use those skills.

Hi Everyone! Hoping to refresh this post. I have just applied for Georgetown's FNP program and was told my admissions packet would go under review on Monday. I am nervous, as I have been accepted for a Master's program that is non-clinical, but got denied for two other FNP programs. I am starting to think it's a sign... For the few people that have heard their admission decisions, how long did it take once your packet went under review? My entire life surrounding work and my career, and my finances, are going to be dramatically changed soon depending on what their decision is, so it is making me extremely nervous! Any and/or all input is appreciated! Thanks!

Hey Nakeia, I would like to PM you to ask you more questions, but I haven't posted enough to use that function yet. Could you tell me, however, what the differential pays are? Specifically weekends, nights, and weekend nights? Thanks! I just want to see if it is comparable to what I am making now. I know my base pay is low, but my weekend night diff at Sentara is pretty good.... Just trying to see if the grass would be greener :)

I was told by a recruiter that she would forward my application and resume to the nurse manager. Lo and behold- 3 weeks later I finally got a call from the nurse manager. She said she had noticed that I had applied in April, and she had no idea! IDK what the deal is with the recruiters- but I would suggest trying to get the email address of the nurse manager and contacting them yourself. It seems that you would probably get a much quicker response that way. I finally have an interview with them!

I've got about 2 years of Med/Surg experience on me, and I was lucky in that I went to a hospital-based diploma school so finding jobs was a part of the perk upon licensure. My best advice to you is to contact the nurse manager directly. If you really want to work on a unit, you could always call the unit you are interested in, and get the nurse manager's telephone # or email (you could always make up a story saying you wanted to write the NM an email praising the quality of care your grandma got or something to get it if they don't want to give it out willingly). Better yet, just walk up on the unit looking super nice and professional, see them face to face, and hand them your resume. I'm currently looking at other areas of nursing (I'm somewhat satisfied doing what I'm doing now, just ready for a career advancement into something either informatics or critical care). Anyway, my lesson learned the past month is that recruiters are for the most part worthless and they take forever to get back to you, if they even do at all. Would you be willing to move away from your area? Is your RN-BS an online thing where you have some freedom to move further away? Try looking at not-for-profit health systems as opposed to universities. It's like pulling teeth for me to get a response from major universities right now (which is surprising, b/c I'm in an RN-BS program too). Best of luck to you! Give us an update when you hear something!

Thanks for the advice! I wish I had my BSN done by now, I have a feeling they would be more responsive to me if I did. I think I may just try to get the nurse manager's email address and forward her/him my resume. That was how I got my first job (why does it seem that recruiters are a total waste of time? LoL) Thanks again for the advice!

If anyone could provide me with some advice or information, I would greatly appreciate it!... I currently live in Norfolk, VA and would like to relocate to the Richmond area. I have applied multiple times to VCUHS online, and have received absolutely no response whatsoever. While I am still a new-ish nurse (almost 2 yrs experience in MedSurg), I graduated magna cum laude in nursing school, I am one semester away from getting my BSN (through VCU, I might add), and have been awarded a nurse excellence award through my current employer. I am just Very surprised I haven't heard a thing. Should I be driving up to Richmond to go to the HR office and hand in my paper resume, or would this be a waste of time? I would REALLY like to transition to an ICU position, preferrably surgery/trauma.. What is the likelihood of that happening considering I do not have any previous critical care experience? Also, could anyone tell me what the going hourly rate is at VCU for RNs with a bit of experience? How about shift diff for weekends, nights, or weekend nights? I am really only interested with employement with VCUHS at this time... Thanks in advance!!!

Sw88tPea- can I ask, you said you graduated from nursing school in 2010- What type of nursing did you do prior to being commissioned? What was your GPA in your BSN program? I am considering applying when I graduate from my RN-BSN program this December. My GPA will hopefully be around 3.5, and I will have about 2.5 years of med/surg experience at that time. It is my understanding that it has become extremely competitive. Also, I live in Norfolk, so the idea of being stationed at Portsmouth kills me (part of joining the Navy is to move away and start a new life). Were you told that San Diego just wasn't going to happen? I know one of my barriers right now is my weight and physical status. Could you give me some basic physical goals I should be working towards so I could successfully complete COT without looking pathetic? (I plan on beginning Weight Watchers soon to assist in my goal of weight loss). Just not sure what I should be physically training to do. How many miles do you run in a day? How many push ups do you do at once? Thanks in advance for your advice!

Nursing school is so challenging for a variety of reasons. Usually, their attendance policies are much more strict than regular liberal arts classes. Clinicals rotations can be stressful, as you are being exposed to environments and experiences that you could never imagine (unless you have been exposed to an acute health care environment before). You may question if this is "really what I want to do" as you will confront ethical issues, and may be exposed to very sad cases of individuals whose families don't care about them, or who don't care about themselves. Rotations are often done early in the day to mimic hospital shift turnover schedules, so it's not like a 9am class that you roll into. You may have to be there at 6:45am and stay until 3pm some days. There is also a plethora of information to remember on humans in multiple developmental stages. Pharmaceutical knowledge is also very important, especially on your "common" drugs. Beyond the science, you have to understand What to Do in situations, and the reasoning behind what you do. There is no way you can simply memorize things and regurgitate it on tests. You have to have comprehensive knowledge of all subjects, and your knowledge is cumulative. Everything you do is based on what you learn from day one. Testing is also different, as you will be given situations, and you will have to pick the BEST answer, not the right answer (as they will give your answers where two or three are right, but which one is the Best?). Also, bachelor's prepared nurses have to have knowledge in clinical research, statistics, information technology, nursing theory, etc. You have to learn to be flexible with your schedule, and you have to learn to very quickly adapt to certain situations. Some "old-school" instructors may be very strict, and have little patience for error in a clinical setting. Finally, usually grading is much tougher. I know for my university that I am at now for my RN-BS, anything below a 78 is failing. An A is 94-100. Not the typical 10-point scale you may be used to in high school, so achieving a great GPA is a harder challenge. Nursing school is time consuming and can be very stressful, but if you maintain great study tactics, utilize study groups, and take your grades seriously, you should do very well! Just remember to try to go with the flow. I wish you the best of luck in your nursing endeavor!

I recently transferred from my job as a med/surg/tele nurse for approximately 1 year to L&D, which is what I thought I always wanted to do. However, almost a month in now and I am realizing that I don't like L&D half as much as I thought I would! A big part of it is the unit itself, the other part is that I miss all of the critical thinking involved with med surg and the different systems you have to look at to treat the big picture. It's already been a big blow to realize that what I thought I wanted to do this whole time turns out to be something I'm not into. There goes my plan on being a WHNP. The one thing that I have thought was cool so far is watching the CRNAs with the epidurals and the anesthesia in the OR for emergent C/S. I've considered looking more into doing something critical so if I try to pursue nurse anesthesia, I can do so with the work experience required by the programs. My company has a transfer policy of 6 months. You have to stay in a position for 6 months before you can request to transfer. I am required to orient in L&D for almost 4 months (that's 4 months of base pay). I am unhappy and am not sure what I should do. I love the company I work for, I just think I would be better suited in a critical care unit or the ED. What should I do??? I don't want to quit the company I work for, but I feel it is pointless to train 4 months in a job I know I won't be staying at, or that won't help me with my long-term professional goals. Help!

I work at Virginia Beach General, normally weekend shift. They are telling me to pack a bag, be prepared to be in the hospital by early Saturday, and be prepared to stay until at least Monday morning. They are providing child care to people who absolutely have no other options. Everyone scheduled is required to be at work, and if you are scheduled to be in right when the hurricane is full force, then plan to come to work early. They are locking all doors and putting up security except the front ED entrance, as we are not a shelter. They are providing us with places to sleep, and it seems that if you are mandated to stay due to your schedule, you will get paid on call pay. I guess having to stay at the hospital is safer than trying to stay home for me. Unfortunately, my home is right on the water on the Chesapeake Bay, so I am concerned we will get flooded out, and when I get back to my house Monday night, it will be a disaster. My BF wants to rough it out, but we will probably flood, so I think he is coming to his senses and will be staying with my Dad in Williamsburg. Regardless, Norfolk and VA Beach are boarding up windows and buying out generators, bottled water, flashlights, canned food and batteries left and right. Hoping we don't have any serious injuries. I know my unit plans to be completely full in regards to pt census.