SopranoKris

Almost to the end of our first semester. Fairly straight forward work. If you complete the study guide for your Patho exams, then you'll do well. The papers for EBP/Research weren't too difficult. I work full-time in ICU (three 12 hour shifts per week) and the coursework is very manageable, so far. I'm not sure what it will be like when we start clinicals, but so far, so good. Much better than my previous school that crammed everything into an 8-week session. Having a 16-week semester gives you time to really study & absorb the material. The Patho exams were definitely challenging, but as I said before, if you do the prep work ahead of time, you should get good grades. My only frustration is that you don't get the opportunity to review the questions you got wrong on the exams. To me, that is an excellent way to learn. They will tell you which "concept" you missed, but not the actual question. I've made A's & B's all the way through so far, sitting on an A average with one last exam & one last paper left to go :)

If you work M-F full time, how are you going to do clinicals? As far as online AG-ACNP, there are many good programs out there, but you're going to need to go to campus for skills training. You can't really learn to intubate or place art lines without some hands-on training first. I'd be wary of any program that doesn't have at least one (if not more) on-site skills sessions.

Most look at your over-all GPA. The reputable schools will typically break down your previous credits and calculate a GPA for nursing courses, science/nursing-related courses, mathematics, and non-nursing courses when they're evaluating your transcript. How much weight they put into each category is up to the school. I've not been in your particular situation, however. Most schools post the minimum GPA required to apply on their web sites. The good schools are going to want higher than minimum. The average seems to be around a 3.2 cumulative GPA.

That 3rd sentence should read "Maryville does not do any on-campus intensives...". Just re-read it and noticed the awkward sentence structure. Sorry! Night shift brain

Most reputable acute PNP programs are going to require pediatric critical care experience before you're accepted. As far as ROI, that's going to vary greatly by geographical region.

I live 5 minutes from Michigan State's campus. They do not offer ACNP, otherwise I would have gone there. I work with nurses in their FNP program. We do the SAME coursework, and it's all online. MSU only has a few on-campus intensives/seminars, just like South Alabama. The tuition is much better at USA. I'm able to get my coursework done and still maitain a full-time schedule in the ICU (three 12 hour shifts per week). That will probably change when I start clinicals, but right now, definitely do-able. Everyone has to take the same "fluff" courses no matter where you go. From the students I talked to, once you hit clinicals, you get more interactive instruction. We have a few NPs in the ER that are USA grads. They're good at what they do and respected by peers/colleagues.

I would choose Frontier over Maryville. Much better reputation. Does not do any on-campus intensives whatsoever (how are you supposed to learn skills?) and they do a TON of group work. If you want to "secure" a spot just in case you don't get in, I'm sure Maryville will allow you to defer to another semester. They have 5 different start dates per year. I'd definitely hold out for Frontier's decision first!

I'm currently a student in University of South Alabama's Dual Role ACNP/FNP program. You graduate eligible to sit for both certification exams. Once you have the requisite ER experience, you can sit for ENP certification. South Alabama offers post-graduate certification, too.

I've never heard that. Not sure where this nurse got her info.

I can't imagine anyone being successful in a true ACNP program without having prior critical care experience. It is such a STEEP learning curve! And having never been at the bedside as an RN in a critical care role, to jump into ACNP? To me, that's just a recipe for disaster. You really need that solid foundation first.

I agree. For NPs, we could eliminate: Theory, Research, Healthcare Policy, and Informatics. Replace them with more clinical/didactic training. I'd much rather have more intensive courses that will make me a better clinician. I have no interest in the fluff courses, nor do I ever want to go into those fields down the road.

If you're feeling frazzled, why push it? What difference will taking a year off make? In the grand scheme of things, it's not that much time. Enjoy some undivided attention with your little one. School will always be there when you're 100% ready.

To the OP: I think you should heed BostonFNP's advice. She is *very* knowledgeable about NP admissions and what schools look for in their applicants. She is a seasoned professional and gives solid advice on this forum. I've never seen her steer anyone in the wrong direction. As to your wish to pursue acute care as an NP: reputable schools require experience in ICU or ER before you can be accepted into their programs. Most hospitals do not hire new grads directly into the ICU. I know the hospital where I work requires step-down experience with vent care before you can be accepted into the ICU training program. And to work in respiratory step-down requires med-surg experience first. So, it's not a matter of jumping feet first into ICU. In order to be an acute care NP, you're going to need quite a bit of ICU experience. You'll need exposure to art lines, titrating pressors, CRRT, post-open heart patients, balloon pumps, Rotoprone beds, emergent intubations, etc. You're not going to get that experience on a med-surg or step-down unit. So, you're going to need to "pay your dues", so to speak, to get the necessary experience to qualify for a reputable ACNP program. As far as the BSN being a waste of your time: NP programs heavily weight your nursing school GPA over your other courses. They do look at your non-nursing GPA as well, but the most emphasis is placed on your nursing courses. Most reputable grad schools typically require a 3.2 or higher GPA as a minimum. But if you look at their admission statistics, the average GPA tends to be even higher than 3.2. Yes, they may consider the fact that you completed courses at the graduate level. However, they are going to be taking a hard look at why your nursing GPA is so much lower. You can't state on an application "but my program was tough and they like to fail people". They won't know that, see that, or even care. That is why getting the BSN can boost your over-all nursing GPA. If it's "too easy", then it should be a piece of cake to waltz through it with a 4.0 GPA, right?

Most brick & mortar universities that offer traditional BSN programs usually have an RN-to-BSN program as well. Just know that the trend seems to be most of your courses will be online. I live 5 minutes away from a major university and the only difference between the online programs and the state school was the requirement for "clinicals" for the leadership/management course at the state school (basically shadowing a charge nurse & nurse manager). The majority of the courses were still online, very little campus time required. If you already have your ADN, most BSN completion programs are going to be non-clinical and more managerial in nature, e.g. leadership, informatics, cultural nursing, EBP, etc., because you've already obtained your RN.

Most RN-to-MSN programs either a) will not award the BSN, or b) will withhold granting the BSN until *both* BSN & MSN requirements are completed. Those that fall in category B will usually give you a "letter of completion" to show your employer if you need proof of BSN. There are a few school that grant an actual BSN, but you're really not doing an RN-to-MSN program. You're really just completing a BSN and then starting the MSN program immediately. One thing to consider: most RN-to-MSN programs will charge the graduate level tuition rate, even for your BSN courses. It might be less expensive to do an RN-to-BSN program and pay the undergraduate tuition rate. I would highly suggest completing your ADN, taking a few months off and concentrate on gaining experience as a new RN first. Then start an RN-to-BSN program while working. I would also advise taking some time off in between getting the BSN and pursuing the MSN. It's very easy to get burned out with school, especially at the graduate level when you are churning out APA papers in your sleep! :)