anichka

My partner is not an RN.

My partner just got invited for PMHNP (I am a recent MSN-APNI graduate and working on my DNP).

Have any PMHNP applicants been notified yet? I did not see any on this thread.

Stuff like that happens in the military. They need a nurse, they find a nurse. It's the "needs of the [Navy, Army, etc]". I see that sort of thing frustrate healthcare professionals, maybe more than your run-of-the-mill joe (although, as a linguist, my peers were pretty irritated too when they ended up doing stuff other than what they trained for). That said, I have had incredible experiences in the military, and I don't regret joining. I just caution that people be realistic about expectations, especially people who come in with a high level of expertise. The military can be a frustrating environment when it comes to professional fulfillment - it's not like a normal job where you can reasonably expect to know what type of setting you will work in, or how you be employed. If you keep an open mind, though, and a positive attitude, it can take you amazing places (literally and figuratively).

I would be very curious to hear your experience once in the service. I am in the reserve but not as a nurse. I thought about doing a transfer - I may still - once I finish my current commitment, but I will see how options look when I am eligible to do that (still a couple years away). I am currently an NP student, but I have been in/around the military in some capacity for 23 years. When I deployed last summer, I met someone who was actually trained by the Navy to be a PHMNP. I was surprised to find he was not, however, working as an NP - but as a floor RN. This struck me as so odd, that the Navy would spend so much time & money training someone, yet not use them that way. But it happens all the time (ha, actually, I was trained as a linguist by the Army and many times language training goes out the window when you spend more time in motor pool). Anyway, I also took the opportunity on deployment to talk with a couple NPs, one O6 and one O5 about their jobs (one Navy reservist and the other an active Army officer). They function as managers in the military. They do not function as practitioners. This interests me NONE. I can do my current military job and be a manager. But then when I de-mobbed, the person who gave me my exam was an AGNP - and she sees people every day, loves it, got promoted unexpectedly early (think she was an O5 if I recall correctly), and that made me think again. This is a lot of anecdotal stuff, and in sum I've only ever met one PMHNP in the military. For myself, I would want to know that I can see people. I am not changing careers to be a manager. But those are my goals. Just make sure you go in with expectations that you may not be seeing patients all the time, you may have more paperwork and other "stuff" you have to deal with. It seems like sometimes people in healthcare don't realize that you have to make the side of your commitment to the military - whatever branch you are in - important, too. You're not going to just go in an be an NP; you're also a soldier, sailor, airman, marine - first and foremost.

& as far as experience, it's probably 50-50 with people who have any direct patient care (CNA, EMT, phlebotomist, etc.).

I am in the program now. We have people with all sorts of backgrounds, from doctors (yes, really, someone who got a medical degree in another country and I think maybe one ND), pre-med, psych, to LAS backgrounds like myself (English lit, music anthropology, classics, theater).

Link to St Joe's contract. They are all pretty comparable around here, from what I have found: St. Joseph Medical Center – Tacoma - Washington State Nurses Association

You can find out about specific hourly rates through the union websites. Two big ones are WSNA and SEIC. In this region, I don't think it's too hard to find a job. I am pretty much a new grad and found exactly what I wanted within a matter of weeks of applying. If you are looking more towards Seattle, things get a lot more competitive. I have even heard of new grads in Seattle starting in Tacoma because there are more opportunities there. At your level, I doubt it would be too hard. The major hospitals to look at for job listings are St Pete's in Olympia (Providence), Multicare in Tacoma (several hospitals, including Tacoma General), and the Franciscan network (St Joe's in Tacoma, and I think St Clare's is the one in Lakewood). There's also Western State (psych hospital) in Lakewood, if you're interested in psych. There are smaller places too, like Capital Medical Center in Olympia.

I am an NP student now in WA state. From one of my recent classes, people tend to be rather tight-lipped about salaries here, but I would guess in the 80-90K range for a new grad. This is a fantastic state to live in if you're interested in residencies. I would apply now if you're looking at getting into one later in the year. Places you might want to look for jobs, aside form the hospitals and USAJOBs, are Sea Mar and Valley View, in Thurston or Pierce counties.

I should add that I am in the 2nd year right now so I can't answer any post-grad questions!

For the PMHNP track, many people do work during the 2nd & 3rd year. 1st year everyone is just getting by. The school recommends no more than 24 hours/week. Out of the 12 or so students currently in 2nd year PMHNP of APNI, I think exactly half are working, and a few more will probably be getting jobs in the next few months. As for the other tracks, I think that FNP/AGNP are too busy with school to work. Not sure about the CMN. I know a few Public Health track folks are working part-time, too.

What is meant by "reserve corps"? If that term means simply the reserve, you're likely to deploy in any of the services as you are going active duty. If you're not willing to deploy, don't join. Period. You would be letting down your fellow service members if you are not. Find another way to pay for school.

Thanks for asking this - I will be looking for a job this fall. I am planning to apply all around the sound (as far south as Centralia and north to Tacoma and Shelton, west to Aberdeen). I will not be an ADN but rather midway through an entry-level MSN program. I'd really like to find something in an ED or behavioral health, so I will apply to those positions first and then broaden my search as time goes on.

Seattle U offers one on the west coast - the APNI program.

We have a several people who come in from Lynnwood. Some of the clinical placements this year have been in Everett so far, which makes things easier if you can switch for it. Some people have previous graduate degrees and have gotten credit for other courses, and I am almost certain epi is one of them. Not sure about the others as we haven't gotten there yet. The school does offer some scholarships as well. They were not available during the summer, but first thing in the fall, the call for applications went out.

Also, since you are not applying for a year, it is important to keep in mind they may change the program some between now and then. They are continually working to improve the curriculum and delivery, so this is not set in stone! I would venture to guess the Monday/Friday arrangement would be fairly constant, however, to allow for scheduling of clinicals.

I am not sure I understand your question about the first year of FNP track - the first year of the program is the same for *everyone*, regardless of track. We are all working towards the RN during that year. After that, we begin the work in each track the 2nd year (starting in the 2nd summer) of the program. If you go to the CON website, you can see what classes you have to take for each track. If you mean what is the first year like for everyone, it is fairly busy. You are cautioned it is best not to work. First quarter, summer, is intense. Expect to barely get enough sleep, time to work out, time with family, etc. that 8 weeks. Then you get a nice 5 week breather between summer and fall. Fall quarter is light (and that is where I am in the program right now). Classes are Mondays (ALL day long) and Fridays, to keep Tuesday-Thursday open for clinicals. I have heard this is the pattern of the program throughout the first year. So you have one long school day Monday, one short school day Friday, and one clinical day in the fall. There are Saturday clinicals as well (as mine is this quarter). Starting in the winter quarter, we will have two clinicals/quarter. So, an example schedule is long school day Monday, clinical Tuesday, clinical Thursday, and a short class day Friday (every other Friday, for winter). I believe the spring quarter is about the same. So... that it is for the first year of the program. If you want to know about the 2nd year for the FNP track in particular, someone else will have to chime in. I am a commuter student and I have found the schedule to be very accommodating so far to me living far away. You can frequently trade clinical sites to find something closer to where you live. I believe we are not able to use the HRSA scholarship anymore while we are in the program (I don't think it qualifies, being a direct entry program), but HawaiiGuy might be able to speak to that more...

PLU is closer to me too (I live in Olympia) and I ended up renting an apartment for the summer. I am going to try commuting this fall though because classes are only on Mondays and Fridays and my clinicals are on Saturdays in Tacoma. So far, it is pretty good. We did have a challenging quarter though, and I am thankful for a break right now! In terms of preparing for SU applications, I would recommend several things: be well acquainted with the mission of the school/CON. If you have time now, volunteer work is always helpful! And shadowing an NP, if you can find one, may benefit you as well. PLU appealed to me because they get more clinical hours (1000 versus SU's 660), and I just felt at home more on their campus. They were planning to switch to DNP though (maybe this year?) so I don't know how that may affect people hoping to do the ELMSN to become a family nurse practitioner.

I got into SU this year so I am already in the program now. I was bummed about not getting into PLU, but there are pros and cons to both programs.

Sounds exciting! I would love to go to those places. When does the fall quarter commence at UW?

It is not an issue - very common for people to come from the semester system and it all transfers no problem. The only classes you may need to take over are ones that are not w/in certain time limits.

Keep your chin up! If it's going to happen, now would be the time to see movement, right? People should be finishing up summer classes and getting final grades.

When I went to an ELMSN info session last year, I met a woman who got off the waitlist for the BSN program right before the semester. She said she got a phone call only a few days before the program started - literally like a three- or four-day turnaround between finding out and starting school. She was surprised, but happy, and I don't think she had any idea it was coming until she got the call.

I would re-take the GRE based on your writing score. It seems like most schools want a 4.0 for the writing. The other parts of your GRE seem solid, though. If you can find someone to shadow, I would recommend that as well. If you do it, try to incorporate what you learn into your essay to show your understanding about the role and profession.