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Hi Nursekto, I started the Walden BSN program in 3/13 and will be graduating next month. I plan to start my AGNP classes in September. I have found that minute clinic types of places are very supportive for clinical hours. I wanted to do the FNP but there is actually a capped enrollment in the FNP program. I don't plan on working with kids but I love adults and geri s. The registration process went very smoothly. My husband is at DeVry for computer forensics. DeVry is partnered with Chamberlain -- and some of the people in his classes are just idiotic. I don't know what Chamberlain's admission criteria are, but if they are anything like DeVry's, that would be a sad and scary place.

Thanks RNOB. I've been looking at them too and I have to make a decision soon! Despite this horrid winter, summer (and graduation from Walden) is coming. Congratulations and thanks again

Thank you Rose

Congratulations! Where did you go to school and what did you do differently to pass the test? You must be so relieved to have the test behind you.

I am finishing up my last three classes from Walden's RN-BSN program. I am considering Chamberlain for my ANP but also taking a look at continuing at Walden. If anyone who has completed the ANP program could provide feedback that would be very much appreciated. I don't have any serious complaints about Walden, just some minor ones, like communication with Financial Aid about disbursements and some hiccups about registration. Of course there is always that instructor who takes FOREVER to grade papers (I have one now. It's driving me absolutely batty). I have learned a lot in a short amount of time but I would like to hear other opinions before commiting to a course of study that will cost a lot of money but might have little to return

Crystal I understand how you feel. It's a blow to your ego, but if you can get your appeal to the dean and let her know your psychiatrist is writing a letter of support it might help. My daughter is 10 and has ADHD, a mood disorder and anxiety on top of it all. We have been getting her treated since the summer and even though she's only in 4th grade we were admonished for waiting so long. It's not easy, but there are other programs which would scoop you up in a heartbeat. Good luck!

Congratulations! I'm sure you'll be very happy and successful.

I talked to the Simmons rep today and I agree she could not have been nicer. The cost at $57,000 for the two-year program kinda rocked me, though. I would like to do a Geriatric program but those programs are not exactly jumping out at me, so FNP is the way to go. I loved the fact that Simmons sets up the preceptorship for each student and there is a campus visit for a weekend. It looks as if a full-time course load at Simmons would take 18 months and part time would be 24 months. I have also looked at Chamberlain this school seems much more reasonable cost-wise. It is also local to me, which I like, and because my husband is a DeVry student there is a discount for tuition. It also appears from the Chamberlain website that the program is three semesters. Cost is definitely a factor for me. My husband and I are ready to make substantial financial adjustments while I am doing NP clinicals. I am currently enrolled at Walden for my BSN and my GPA is over 3.5. Most of the course work for which I am writing papers I learned in my ADN program, other than my research course. I just need the "BSN" after my "RN" to be more employable in my area. I have no interest in going to Walden for any graduate degree. If anyone has any insight into a decent school with a reputable program I would really appreciate it. I had considered GU, but it is cost prohibitive for me. Does that extra tuition for a school with as good of a reputation as GU pay off in terms of future earning? Thank you for reading!

Congratulations on passing and thanks tons for the study tips. I'm finishing up my BSN this summer and plan to start grad school immediately after finishing my BSN. Having that information is very valuable; I will probably make notes of what you have noted already!

Perhaps one of the reasons someone from Boston Night School is a better bet and gets the job because that is a person who is motivated to get a degree and not an Ivy League "legacy" who gets admitted because their daddy and granddaddy went there. Many factors determine who gets hired; it's not just school attended or who you know. It's your work, references and reputation that stand on their own that get you hired. It takes a lot of determination to get through any program while you work full time, have a family and a life to attend. If an on-line programs works for you and will help you get ahead, great. If going to a traditional school better suits you, all the better. As long as the school is accredited and you know your stuff, you have learned what you need to learn. I worked with an NP who argued about the existence of lung anatomy.

I have been in Walden's BSN completion program since March, 2013 and so far so good. I have to say that I agree with the other posters that the classes are a lot of work but manageable if you are organized. I have managed a full-time job, a family and school and I'm still getting A's and B's. No shortcuts, just hard work. And worth it.

I get that about hospice nursing too, which is the best nursing job I've ever had. I work with families and patients to provide comfort and dignity, and the absoute worst part of my job is the "office". Being aware from administration and management allows me to concentrate on one patient at a time and give them all the time they need. Patients and families love that. Of course I have some difficult patients, but I would rather take the time to educate and deal with difficult families who really need to vent as opposed to spending one minute more in the office than I absolutely have to. My answer to that question is "I love what I do, and I go where I need to be."

I've been at Walden since 3/4/13 also. So far the classes are OK but I think a lot of the paper writing is more concerned with APA format than with actual content. Otherwise I like the courses and I am starting Pharmacology in a week. I'm really looking forward to it; it's one of my favorite topics.

Good for you for listening to your instincts and giving him the time he needed. Sometimes as nurses we're so focused on getting through the day the entire reason why we became nurses -- to help those in need -- passes us by. That voice you listented to which tells you "this person needs something different" is invaluable. Your patient is a lucky man for having a sensitive and caring nurse

Walden just accepted me into their program and I have not had anything but positive experiences with them. Of course, this is just the beginning; who knows what my experience will be a month from now? I had a very bad experience at another university and was looking for something non-religious based and easy to work with. Walden accepted all of my ADN credits (including my informatics class). They accepted my Statistics class and a another upper-level class as well from my previous university. All of my electives and gen-ed courses were accepted as well. No one hounded me with phone calls; just enough to keep me on track and get my transcripts sent over in record time. All in all, off to a great start.