bobobijoux

It seems silly to get your FNP if you want to work with adults. Not only are FNP programs more competitive to get into but they focus on an age range that you aren't as interested in. The adult program focuses on ages 13+ which gives you quite a broad range of patients you can care for. Plus, you made a very good point of the aging baby boomers. AGNP really is a great way to go especially if that is what you are drawn to. I say go for it.

Candice, I live a bike ride away from SU. Oly to Seattle would be quite a commute! You could always try it and see if it will work for you but between gas costs and wasted time it may be better to rent a room.

Knightr4, UPenn's masters program requires a BSN but their direct entry program includes the BSN followed by the masters portions. It's like the SU program but instead of being an RN half way through you get your BSN.

Hi Cureac, Thanks for your thought! SU has an info session this Friday and I'm going to attend. Thanks for the information about the GRE and GPA. I've heard about the 2014 date of requiring your PhD... but I've also heard that it's just a goal. If that is that case shouldn't SU re-work it's program to comply with this? Do you know if SU is planning on redoing their program to comply with this goal any time soon? I've looked into PLU. The ELMSN program doesn't guarantee you will get into their FNP program which makes it less attractive. I am sure most students will start that program hoping to apply to the FNP portion. For the amount of money it costs it doesn't seem worth it. I don't really want to move but I would consider UPenn because it's not only an amazing school but my partner could possibly transfer their from his work.

knightr4, Those are all really good questions and I am sure with your ongoing research you will find what fits. I am going for the FNP program because it will qualify me to do exactly what I want to do. I want to work in a free/sliding scale clinic serving impoverished families. My main purpose as an FNP will be to work with this population. I currently work as a CNA with the elderly and I really enjoy it which has made me consider going the Adult NP route, especially since the FNP is harder to get into. But in being true to my purpose I know I will be happier with my decision to be an FNP. I would suggest really thinking about what population of people you want to work with. In your mission statement you will have to give good evidence that you really know what you are getting yourself into and that your program of choice aligns with you goals. I think practicality does play a role. Fortunately schools around here offer the program I want.

Hi everyone, I am wrapping up my prereqs next quarter so it's time to really think about what the next step is. Actually, I've been thinking about it a lot but haven't come to any conclusions. My dream is to be an FNP in a free/sliding scale clinic for the under served. I really love SU's values and mission statement and feel like it is a good fit for me. I guess what I have been struggling with is whether I should go straight into SU or go through an RN program and then apply to SU directly after. The pros of doing the RN program first are that it would be cheaper, not only is the program cheaper but then I can work as an RN while getting through the NP program. Working as an RN as I am going through the program will also give me a few years of experience which is a good thing. I figure that getting the RN program at Shoreline and then transferring to SU would put me roughly 60k in debt instead of 115k in debt. The major disadvantage of going this route is that it is going to take twice as long. It's 4 more years of balancing work and school... sounds grueling. Also, I wonder if I would be less competitive trying to get into a tradition MSN program without work experience or a BSN. Burnout is another factor. After 2 years of an RN program I may want/need to take a break and just work which drags this whole process out even further. Going straight into SU definitely has it's advantages. The program is only 2 years... much more doable. The main concern is that I feel like I am putting all my eggs in one basket with SU. I'm already waiting a whole year to apply, if I don't get in and have to wait another year, well I would but it would suck. I know I will get into Shoreline and be able to start next fall... Have any of you thought of doing a RN program first? I would love to hear your thoughts!

hi cureac, I'm thinking about UPenn, but I from Seattle and don't really want to move. Do the schools you listed have an immersion program as well? What do you think you could do differently this year to get in? Do you have volunteer experience and/or volunteer experience in the healthcare field. Anything you learned through the application process that would be helpful?

cureac, I'm thinking about UPenn, but I from Seattle and don't really want to move. Do the schools you listed have an immersion program as well? What do you think you could do differently this year to get in? Do you have volunteer experience and/or volunteer experience in the healthcare field. Anything you learned through the application process that would be helpful?

Do you think that it is imperative to have an RN write the letter of recommendation? I know that is suggested. Any thoughts?

As a CNL can you diagnose patients and prescribe medicine as an NP can?

Hi Abalone, I notices from other posts that you applied to both the ABSN and BSN. Is one more competitive than the other to get in?

Hi cw55, I pretty sure you will get in with 103 points! Especially because you are applying winter quarter which is a tad less competitive than fall. When I went to the info session at Shoreline, they said the lowest score one quarter was 97!

To Diddledi, It may be harder for you coming from out of state. People who graduate from programs here have the upperhand because they have had two years to network as they do their clinicals and may get hired right after graduating or at the very least have some leads as to where to start. Also, Bellevue College and Shoreline are both incredibly good programs which are well know by all the hospitals in the area for the quality of their graduates whereas I'm sure none of them know of a CC in Alabama. However, I think your best bet would be to find a job at an assisted living facility or nursing home and network from there to get a higher paying job in a hospital once you get some experience. Hope that helps!

To Diddledi, It may be harder for you coming from out of state. People who graduate from programs here have the upperhand because they have had two years to network as they do their clinicals and may get hired right after graduating or at the very least have some leads as to where to start. Also, Bellevue College and Shoreline are both incredibly good programs which are well know by all the hospitals in the area for the quality of their graduates whereas I'm sure none of them know of a CC in Alabama. However, I think your best bet would be to find a job at an assisted living facility or nursing home and network from there to get a higher paying job in a hospital once you get some experience. Hope that helps!

Honestly they are both good programs and you can't go wrong with either. I would go for the one that is more conveniently located for you. Another thing to think about is that Bellevue's program is 6 sequential quarters while Shoreline's program takes the summer off. I personally would rather just get it all done with no break.

Thanks Calinca! I got a book and will be looking it over soon! I'll look up this Mark guy and see what else is out there. Thanks for the suggestions!

I do live in Seattle and am interested in that GRE prep course if it can fit into my schedule. Is it a class at the UW or does he just teach it to independent students? Can you give me more info on it and how to sign up? I'm getting excited:)

Hmm... the seed is planted:) I'm going to think about it a bit more. How was your GRE score? I'm a little concerned about my dusty algebra skills but I'm sure I can fix that. How does applying for the second time work? Do you just resend the application form? Thanks for the encouragement... I might go for.

I've thought about it. I guess I feel like I won't be very competitive because I am still working on prereqs. I still have A+P I and II and the Dev Psych class which all won't be on my transcript when it's sent. What do you think? Maybe I should still apply and see what happens. Were you done with all prereqs when you applied the first time?

Calinca, your volunteer experience as a prison doula sounds incredible. I am sure you will learn a lot there and feel even more confident when it comes time to interview next year. I have a BA in Humanities and Social Science and never really had a plan for what I would do with that degree. Having dropped out of highschool at 14 I feel like my BA filled in all my educational gaps. I started thinking about healthcare a year ago and started looking into nutrition programs and naturopathic medicine with the intention of serving the underserved. For a variety of reasons (ie cost of programs and lack of jobs in those fields especially if you want to serve people who have no money), I quickly started looking at nursing. I want to become an NP, no doubt, it is my ideal job and I can't wait to be able to practice. Also, SU's jesuit tradition really fits into goals of social justice.There is no right or wrong way of becoming an NP, but I have been looking at all the possibilities. I was a little discouraged from SU's ARNP program because of what a few nurses said about not being able to get a job because of lack of experience. However, I have heard from multiple people that it really doesn't matter and that NPs have such a different job description that having RN experience is not critical for success. After looking at all the options, Associate RN, BSN, Accelerated BSN I am back on board with this ARNP program at SU. I'm finishing prereqs this winter and then I have to focus on my GRE, but I will have plenty of time to do that if I'm applying in 2013. I'm also working as a CNA and volunteering at the Bailey-Bushay House. Whatever happens happens but I would really love to get into the program the first time I apply so I just want to make sure I have all my ducks lined up. So, that's a little about how I found my way to this program. I would love to hear other people's stories too!

Hi Calinca, Thank you for your response. I've looked over some of the 2012 thread and it's very helpful. Can I ask why you felt you "bombed" the interview? What do you think you would do differently next time?

What does everyone perceive the job market to be like for graduates like us who will have no nursing experience. This is my main concern with this program and I would love to know what other people think of it. Does anyone know FNPs from this accelerated program that was employed right after?

Hi there, Sorry to hear you bombed the interview. Any advice? What is the interview like and how could I be more prepared? Also, I would love to read the posts from 2012, how can I find them? Tessa

I think you should go for it. Nursing is a boom bust profession at times, but once you have a job you're in. If it takes a year to start making two or three times the amount you are making now then it will be worth it.

Hi there, I already have a BA in a non nursing related field and am now looking into nursing. I am interested in either an accelerated BSN or an Nurse Practitioner immersion program. I would really like to do the masters program and become a nurse practitioner. My concern is that upon finishing the program I will have difficulty finding a job because I will have no nursing experience. Should this be a concern? Would it be better to just get my BSN? Thank you