trinarn94

Hi all: I have a phone interview today for entry into spring semester at Brandman this coming January. I have lots of questions, and am really not sure that I want to do the DNP in the online format. My BS and my MSN were both completed in online programs with clinical in my community....all done while I worked fulltime. I'm now at a new RN CM position, with probably less flexibility as far as time off than the one I'd been at for 8 years, and I'm concerned. If they offer, not sure if I'll accept, but I'm going through the process. I really wanted to do the DNP in a brick and mortar setting, but can't afford to not work right now. I am applying for the PMHNP program BSN-DNP. Although I've already got my MSN, it's not in a clinical specialty. It's in nursing administration and I don't work in nursing admin nor do I want to. I'm a case manager. Trina

DNP-SSD Thank you for your very informative review of Brandman's PMHNP Program. It looks like that is the route I will be taking. Although I hear the difficulty in your message, it sounds like it will be the only option for me. My only other choice is to wait until I'm retired and go to USD at that time (that doesn't make a lot of sense, now does it?). I interviewed at USD last week and the professor I interviewed with told me in no uncertain terms that I would not make it if I tried to work fulltime. I believe they will be accepting me for their fall, 2013 start date (should hear 04-10), but I just can't stop working all together right now. My husband is retired and I'm the primary support right now, as well as responsible for carrying our health insurance (although he could get Medicare if he wanted to). To make matters worse, I don't work in clinical nursing. I work in managed care (insurance) as a case manager and my job is being eliminated probably by July. I am interviewing for positions, so I won't be a long-time employee by the time I will need to ask for LOA to do clinical. On a positive note, I expect I'll be working in a hospital or large healthcare system, so I'll have access to patient experiences, but not necessarily psych. Why do they ask you when you apply to list 5 places where you could do your psych clinical? I just assumed they would be helping to arrange for that. Anyway, I'm in a quandary, but know I can't stop working altogether and just go to school as I've got bills to pay (not to mention tuition). So we shall see. Thanks again. Trina

So Sally Ann: I had responded to kacsper because it sounded like (a bunch of threads back) that he was starting right away (a year or more ago), but now that I've read through all the threads it sounds like he's rethinking his options. I just finished my MSN and want a break before I start, so I'll be applying the next application period. What specialty are you doing? I live in Southern CA so it's only a couple of hours drive, or I can save mileage and fly. I've been also looking at programs in other parts of the US, but it sort of makes sense to do a program that's a little closer to home. Did you apply to other DNP programs?

So kacsper: How is it going so far. I just graduated with an MSN in Nursing Administration from CSUDH and I wanted to apply for fall or spring 2013 admission. I would be doing the PMHNP program.

Lots of state universities also have the RN-MSN option and you would pay less tuition than attending an out of state school. I'm about to graduate with the MSN from California State University Dominguez Hills. Because I'm a California resident, tuition has been very affordable. I work fulltime M-F and have been able to finish the program in 2 years attending full time and summers. I have a Bachelors in Business and an ADN. Check into the state universities in your state that have online programming for working professionals. Trina

Hi Christine: Thanks. The last time I had checked Brandman was still in the process of being evaluated for accreditation. I so prefer to attend a brick and mortar campus and would really like to go to USD here in San Diego, but I'd need a minimum of 2, maybe 3 weekdays off a week to do their program, and I really need to work fulltime with benefits. I've done my BS and my MSN in online programming and I'm really pretty worn out with the online education realm (I attend CSUDH...final semester for MSN is fall, so one more to go...just finished my first role option semester and it was pretty tricky working 40 hours M-F and going every day after work for another 3-6 hours of clinical, again 5 days a week). I just don't see how I'd work the clinical for a PMHNP DNP around a M-F work scheduled...what do you think, and what is the work schedule that you keep while in school? I'm more worried about the clinical component than the classroom. Since you are already a PMHNP maybe you don't have as much clinical to do as I would. My MSN is in nurse administration, so I'll have the full clinical hours to complete (even post-MSN to received the PMHNP credential and the DNP). Thanks for the info. I'll check online at Brandman's website. I don't think the cost would be as much as USD, and the travel would be no big deal. I'd have to drive (from San Diego). There are no direct flights from SD to John Wayne airport, so it doesn't make sense to do anything other than drive, so it would just be the gas and the overnights. That shouldn't be problematic. Thanks again for the info. Trina

Hi: Not currently attending Brandman but considering them for spring or fall admission 2013. Any news whether they have received the full education credentialing they were going for? What specialty are you looking for? I have a lot more homework to do before I apply. I am actually hoping to attend USD in San Diego, but not sure if I can make a work schedule that will work out around the need for on campus attendance 2 days a week. I'll be watching to hear what others say. Trina

I think the MSN is going to be eventually replaced by the DNP or at least a doctoral degree of some type, so that advanced practice nurses will have entry into advanced practice at the doctoral level, so I would think that the DNP with a dual specialty would be the way to go....this would be most pertinent if you are younger....because I think it will be awhile before this happens. I am getting closer (within 7 years or so) to traditional retirement age....and I doubt if the change will occur by that time. Trina

Thanks, I will. I had forgotten. When I was looking at them I had my mind made up totally on PMHNP, since I'm currently a BH CM; however, since then I have talked to many people, and from some the consensus is that FNP will make me more marketable as a DNP. I'll be needing to make up my mind during the next semester of the MSN (which is my second to last, and the first of my role option which is Nurse Administration), not an area of practice where I want to culminate my nursing career, with or without the DNP. Trina

Hi LPN2RN I'm thinking of going with the PMHNP track, but I'd also be interested in doing a double major in PMHNP and FNP if that is a possibility. I will be waiting to hear that they received the CCNE accreditation. Hopefully, I'll see you there. Trina

Hi, Trina back visiting again: Beginning my MSN role option clinical at CSUDH in the coming semester, and will finish in fall, so I'll be ready to start the DNP program at Brandman spring 2013. Still on track. I've been to the open house at USD and would really love to go there, but I would have to leave my job, because I work M-F 5am to 2pm, and USD requires on campus attendance on M & T. So Brandman is my next choice. Anyone currently attending, and have any input postivie or negative? Have they acquired that CCNE accreditation yet? Thanks, I'll be checking back Trina

Thanks for the info. Let me know how you like it. When do you start? I won't be starting their DNP program until spring 2013. I've still got 3 semesters left of my MSN program. I really prefer to go to University of San Diego, but my work schedule is not flexible, so I'll only be able to do that if we get a work from home option (and that would only be maybe if they let me work odd hours, and I doubt it), or if I change jobs, or job-share so that I can have 2 days off a week for on-campus classes. USD is in my area (I live in San Diego), and I really like the on-campus support. I think it would also be helpful in accessing clinical sites if the college is right in my own community. Hope they pass their accreditation. When do they graduate their first class, or have they already? Trina

Hi! Best of luck to you. We were in somewhat different a situation when I went to nursing school. Hubby and I were buying our first house, and we were both working. I quit my job (a day job) to go to school fulltime days for nursing. I took an evening job (when hubby was home) as a transcriptionist and unit secretary at a hospital to help pay bills. We had 3 kids at home (one in elementary school). I hired a live in housekeeper/nanny to get the kids breakfast, pack lunches, and walk the little one to the bus stop and pick him up there when the bus dropped him off. During the day she cleaned, did the laundry. In the evening she prepared the meals and cleaned up after. It worked out great. I was able to work, go to school and have study time. Hubby participated in sports and hauled the boys around in the afternoon/evenings. I did miss out on some fun times with the kiddos though. It sounds like you have a support system in place living with family, so you should be fine. Just be patient with hubby, because he will feel like he's missing out on time with you and the little ones, but he really needs to focus to get through school. Before you know it, it will be all over, and it will be your turn. Trina

Thanks!! I'm checking it out right now. Trina

Hi, No one responded, so I'm going to try to bring this to the top again. Has anyone done a cost comparison of the online PMHNP DNP post masters programs? I'm doing it myself by going through them one by one, but it is onerous. Some are less expensive but take twice as long, some are apparently more expensive, but take less time, and of course I'm looking for quality, and achievability, as I will be attending online from San Diego, but traveling to most for some on campus sessions. Any thoughts/recommendations? Thanks