JenDandy

Yay for you! I will sign up for the ANCC as soon as I can get up a few hundred dollars.

That's the agony of it all. I've invested too much into being a NP, I think my plan will be to take the mds job, get certified as a NP and hold out for a good NP job in my area. That could take awhile as there is no NP shortage but at least I'll be in the market.

No, salary hasn't been discussed at all. Since I'm basically just changing positions in the company I'm guessing there will be no pay increase.

Yes, it seems either decision will have some sacrificing. This is a 300+ bed unit and I would be one of 5 mds coordinators. I will be getting someone trained in teaching mds to teach me. I could tell them to go ahead and let someone else have the job but I hate to burn my bridges like that. I have helped out a little with mds before, so I know enough to know I would like the job, even the care plan meetings. But I spent about 50k to get through an Adult NP program. Ugh, talk about the road not taken.

I know this isn't Dear Abby but if anyone has the time, I'd appreciate some insight. I am in the middle of preparing to get my NP certification (graduated December 2012). Meanwhile, I've discovered I'm pregnant and the ltc facility where I work currently has offered to train me for an mds position (understanding full well I'm pregnant.) So, I'm kind of in a pickle. I definitely want to get my NP credentials but at the same time I don't think anyone with any foresight will want to hire and train a pregnant NP. The facility where I am now knows I'm pregnant and still wants me to stay, though training for an mds position is a long-term committment. So, I'm wondering what might the value be in focusing on an mds position vs. trying to find a NP job. I've got a lot of money in student loans to start paying back and was depending on an NP salary to help me out. Or, do mds coordinators make better money than a floor nurse? My guess is no, so I'd still be muddling through on a rather crummy salary for making headway on student loans...or would it be for the best at this point and time to let the NP plans rest for a couple of years and focus on doing mds? I was told a good mds coordinator is worth his or her weight in gold (though I wasn't given any figures.) Anyway, I doubt I'm even making much sense, but as I sit through another sleepless night these concerns are running through my mind and I'd just appreciate any insight on the matter.

I recently took the AANP and failed (ANP). I made it about 2/3 of the way through the test and did not pace myself and had to start willy nilly marking answers because I was running out of time. Still, I was not prepared and it is my fault, I know. I took the APEA course but admittedly did not put into it what I should have. I did recognize some of the questions but the cardiovascular questions really messed with my head because I was not familiar with heart sounds. With student loans nipping at my heels and other financial issues from not working for two years I understand it's time to get serious and I'm ready. I have Millonig's Adult Nurse Practitioner Certification Study Question book which I am going through, and I'm going to focus on the APEA course this time, but I would like to know if anyone has taken both. I am wondering if one is easier than the other? I don't know whether or not to take the AANP again or focus on the ANCC. Everyone I know who has taken the ANCC has passed, though I'm sure neither exam is a piece of cake. Anyway, I appreciate any information, suggestions or study tips. It was really a low blow to see "did not pass" show up on the screen, though I can't understand why I expected any different, as poorly prepared as I was.