DYS NP

I think it depends on what you can afford and how quickly you want to finish your degree. I worked as a nurse part-time in my field during the nonclinical portion of my program, got some tuition reimbursement, then left my nursing job to gun through PNP clinicals. I'm older and didn't want to take 6 years to graduate, so I did it full time. I could afford not to work for that last year, but a lot of people aren't in that position. I did miss that 2k/semester of tuition from my RN employer. On the other hand, my NP salary started at 33% more than my RN salary, so it was the right choice for me. Working part-time in a networked hospital system could help you line up clinicals though, if your program requires you to find them yourself, and you'd probably have preference as an existing employee if NP positions open up at your RN site once you graduate. Lots of variables to consider, you just have to figure out what'll work best for you.

Back up your argument with objective data from glassdoor and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Do a search for "Nurse Practitioner Salary GA." Many sites can be sorted by experience and/or type of practice. Good luck!

She's entering the labs, but I assume you still need to cosign? If not, you could request adding that level of control in the EMR, or limit the types of tests she can order to standard panels. Also, you might try approaching it with her as preventing financial harm to patients, a shared goal. No one wants to think their error cost a patient 1k. (I hope.) Good luck!

That's true OMH. Honestly, it's a pro or a con, since you can end up siloed in one area of practice without learning skills in other areas.

On the other hand, for most PA schools, clinical experience is recommended but not required for admission (this includes highly competitive PA programs like Yale, Cornell, BU). The undergraduate degree doesn't have to relate to health care. The 2000-hour requirement in the PA program is divided into 4- or 8-week part-time rotations across 7 practice areas plus 1 elective (8 sites). The NP requires a nursing degree (including clinicals) plus a year minimum of FT nursing experience (2000+ hours). In order to graduate, I will need 4000 RN hours in my specialty track in addition to the 500 minimum hours of NP preceptorship, half of which is with one preceptor in one clinical environment, similar to a residency. Working as an RN is a different role, but it requires intensive education, clinical judgment, responsibility, and immersion in the environment we'll eventually practice in as NPs. Given that nurse training/experience is a program requirement, it's puzzling how infrequently it's included in the equation.

Hi NurseBee, There are non-military loan repayment options also, if you're willing to work for a year or two in an underserved area. http://nhsc.hrsa.gov/loanrepayment/ loanrepaymentprogram https://bhw.hrsa.gov/loansscholarships/nhsc

where are they going to get all these preceptors, short of paying them a substantial sum? >> Good question! On the plus side, at least the burden shifts from the student to the program, which may help weed out bad programs. Willingness and ability to relocate seems inevitable. Programs doesn't have to say where they'll place you. I'd expect critical shortage areas would be open to precepting in the hope students stay on. (Not a bad plan when the Nurse Corps and NHSC offer NP loan payoffs to work in such sites.)

Exactly, UMB. Again, students in a preceptor bind, make some noise to the CCNE.

CCNE 2018 update to accreditation standards, in effect Jan 1, 2019: Key Element II-B: “Programs that have a direct care focus (including but not limited to, post-licensure baccalaureate and nurse educator tracks) must provide direct care experiences designed to advance the knowledge and expertise of students in a clinical area of practice...the program is responsible for ensuring adequate physical resources and clinical sites. Clinical sites are sufficient, appropriate, and available to achieve the program’s mission, goals, and expected outcomes.”

This is NOT true. It is important to be mindful of how to locate preceptors BEFORE you actually enroll in school. >> Hi, TraumaRUS, Can you show me where you got your information? Thanks, Emma

I heard that, as of 2019, the CCNE requires MSN programs to find preceptors for students who can't find them, or that program loses accreditation. Is this correct? If so, and you're a student in a preceptor bind, make some noise to the CCNE. That should put a fire under your program. ?

NP clinical requirements apply to all students, regardless of where or how they got their RN. It's hard to see how more than 5000 hours of RN experience will make us better NPs--a different profession requiring different skills—but I’m open to hearing your argument. My concern with this view is that it implies all nursing experience is equally valuable, regardless of specialty, complexity, range, or site, and that other experience (a four-year degree is required for DE entry) has little or no value. I learned how to manage a team and to separate EB science from shite as a medical research editor. Regarding the 500 hours required by the CCNE, med-school rotations per specialty last 3 weeks to 3 months for students with (largely) no clinical experience - then they take their boards. Most of us can pass a certification exam, but the bulk of our learning, as for any career, is in actual practice. I’d argue that a post-certification NP residency would better prepare me for practice than additional years of nursing before graduate school.

I'm in my final year of the Northeastern DE program. I applied to all of the programs mentioned above, and chose NEU because it had a pedi track (my first choice, Simmons, did not)awarded a BSN after the undergrad portion (most do not)guaranteed clinical placements (HUGE)It does take the longest of the 3 programs I feel confident recommending (Simmons, BC, NEU). The PNP DE track at NEU has a 2-year RN work requirement between BSN and MSN (for FNP, it's 1 year). There's an RN work requirement during the MSN portion also, in additional to clinicals. Simmons impressed me the most during the application process but didn't have a pedi track. MGHIHP impressed me the least--unprofessional, disorganized was my take-away from the info session through the application process. I will also stress what UMBdude stressed above: Make sure the program you choose 100% guarantees NP clinical placement. It's fiercely competitive in Boston because of the number of nursing programs and limited supply of willing/qualified preceptors. You'll hear horror stories from students in other programs about getting dropped because they couldn't find preceptors. One friend had to temporarily move to the western part of the state to complete her gradual clinical requirements because she couldn't find anything within driving distance. And it's VERY stressful looking. My NP clinicals start this fall, and I've got my placements without my having to do the legwork; both are in Boston and in the area of practice I requested.

From someone in the last year of Northeastern's PNP direct-entry program: It takes 5 years to complete full-time, not including the 8 pre-reqs needed before applying (stats, micro, A&P 1&2, chem 1&2, etc). Those took an additional year and a half. The total time will be 7.5 years. The BSN portion is 15 months (avg 16 credits/semester, 4 semesters)Work as RN FT for a minimum of 2 years before you can start MSNthe MSN portion is 2 years, with an ongoing RN work requirement that alternates FT/PT (depending on how "heavy" a semester is in terms of credit hours or practicum hours)The FNP program is a year shorter (4 years). They need 1 year of RN practice experience before starting the MSN but have the same work requirement as us during the MSN portion.

NEJM Journal Watch emails weekly summaries of the latest evidence-based research, with summaries by leading practitioners in the specialties they cover. I subscribe to the pedi and gen-med newsletters. They aren’t free; the hospital I’m affiliated with pays for the subscriptions. With time limitations, I like that someone else has sifted through the dross for practice/policy updates that are important and relevant.

Hi Survive, I'm a nurse in an NP program who's also interested (okay, passionate about!) preventive care. My background pre-nursing was in med/public health research. I found my sweet spot in community health centers affiliated with large teaching hospitals. There are a lot of these in Boston! I provide patient care but also participate in studies assessing new interventions (I work in peds, so for example, we have a study going on child-obesity prevention and on home visiting with pregnant/new moms to improve health outcomes and parenting skills). I couldn't be happier, because the direct care is so satisfying but relatively small impact, while participating in research can have a large positive impact. There are nurses who work only in research also. Good luck!

Hi Naz, Here's a schedule from our cohort. I would guess yours will be roughly the same. The longest breaks are Christmas after the fall semester (3 weeks) and a couple of weeks at the end of August (after summer 2). Congratulations and good luck! Fall 2015 Columbus Day Veterans Day Wed-Fri/Txgiving break Last day of finals 12/18 (3-week holiday break) Spring 2016 semester starts Jan 11, 2016 MLK Day Presidents Day Mar 6-13 (1-week Spring Break) Patriots Day Apr 28-May 8 (10-day pre-summer break) Summer 2016 semesters 1 and 2 start May 9, 2016 Memorial Day June 28-July 4 (1-week summer session break) Aug 22-Sept 6 (2-week pre-fall break) Fall 2016 breaks as above.

There have been no issues with clinical instructors; we've been assigned to one instructor in groups of 5 or 6 students. He or she stays on the floor throughout your clinical shift. They vary in quality/involvement/effort. Our current med-surg CI is just awesome; she's training us the whole shift, expects a lot, but is totally supportive and dedicated. All the 'firsts' are scary (IM injection, catheter insertion, IV pump programming, etc.) but she has you do it and talks you through each step; it's really experiential learning--ie, the point of clinicals. Conversely, our MH CI chats with staff or is on her phone while we try to keep occupied. I've compared notes with Simmons and MGHIHP, and they say the same. So far, assignments have been at the big Boston teaching hospitals, a walk from campus. My honest opinion of the program is...it's exhausting. An accelerated program means very little free time, not just for socializing, but for exercise, eating well, and, you know, that critical thing called sleep. Make an effort with your classmates, because counting HW and group projects, you'll be with them 50h/wk for a year and a half. As far as faculty goes, it's hard to overstate how much the demand for skilled nurse educators outstrips the supply. Because Northeastern's is an established program, it is probably doing better than most on this issue. Again, getting the same feedback from MGHIHP and Simmons. Sixty percent have been very good; 30 percent good, 10 percent honestly should have stayed in a clinical venue rather than getting into teaching. (We're only a third of the way through, so this may change.) It's a different set of competencies, and being great at one doesn't mean you'll be great at the other. Our lab TAs have been excellent (most are experienced nurses coming back to become nurse anesthetists). They've become friends and mentors. So do I love it? Ask me after I've slept. ; ) Do I think it's a good program overall? Yes. Will you leave it a competent nurse? Yes! We had a Sim this morning, and for the first time, I actually felt like I knew what I was doing (only 5 months in). The program's NCLEX pass rate is high also. Again, good luck, and I hope you hear soon!

Last year, I was called for an interview on 2/3, went in on 2/5 and was called that night to let me know I was accepted. It can vary; you interview with different people depending on what specialty you're applying to. I was FNP; pediatrics, psych, gerontology (etc) students each met with someone else affiliated with their area of specialty. Good luck guys, I know it's nail-biting time.

Hi Rebecca, Northeastern has a DE MSN psych track and doesn't require the GRE. Also, you're awarded a BSN after the undergrad portion (1.5 yrs); most programs don't offer that (RN cert only before the master's portion). You have assigned preceptors for clinicals with a 6-student max; your preceptor is with you on the floor throughout the shift. It's highly selective (28 out of 400 applicants) but if you have a great undergrad/prereq GPA and nursing/healthcare experience, you're in the running. That said--it's not perfect. Like any accelerated program, you're drinking from a fire hose, flat out for months-long stretches. You will not sleep some nights, and you will not get straight A's, no matter what your prereq or undergrad GPA was. Most professors are great; a few are meh, because clinical expertise doesn't necessarily translate to teaching skills. Great nurse educators are at a premium. I've heard the same thing from MGH, BC, and Simmons students, so weigh what you want carefully against each program. Regis does not (as of spring 2015) provide students with preceptors in the MS portion; this was huge for me but may not be for you. Regis does require the GRE but the program is less selective so that might not be a deal breaker if your GPA is high and you have experience. I recommend looking into the Regis direct-entry threads on this site to learn more. Good luck!

We started a Facebook group for the program at facebook.com/groups/1585094891741386/ to share program and FA information and more practical stuff like housing, parking, and carpooling. See you there!

Findecano, does your online application say "complete" in green at the top? If so, you know they received everything, and it wasn't lost in the system. Today was the last day for deposits; I don't know what their process is, but they might be waiting to see how many accept before making final decisions.

In my letter, it says to return the Confirmation of Acceptance Form by April 2nd.

I started a Facebook page for students accepted into the program. I haven't made up my mind yet about where I'm going, and I'd love to share information and perspectives! Search for "Northeastern Direct Entry MSN starting Fall 2015."

Congrats, Stewnurse!