woofyrn

Excellent analysis, futureeastcoastNP.

Acourie, I'm just wondering if you might be one of the first ones to actually have to submit a portfolio, since January 1, 2014 was the first day this was required. I imagine quite a few (if not most) nurses rushed to get certified by exam prior to that date.

Thanks to both of you for your responses. It seems like a very labor-intensive process for both the nurse and the review panel, but I guess it gives a better overall picture of professional accomplishment. Makes me wonder why public health nurse certification is one of the first to change over (of course, i'm assuming this is the case) -- fewer nurses to cry and moan about not being able to take a simple test anymore? (I did read quite a bit of the graduate education guidelines, ParkerBC, although it did seem like advanced community health nurses are for the most part more of an afterthought).

Hey folks! I'm about to enter a graduate nursing program to obtain my MSN and eventually become a CNS dealing with HIV/AIDS as an advanced public health nurse. I want to thank everyone for their invaluable contributions to the other threads in the Public/Community Health nursing forum -- i've been voraciously reading them to see what others think about the direction of public health nursing. My issue (ahem....this week ) is in trying to decipher what the certification requirements for the Advanced Public Health Nurse currently are. I've visited the ANCC page and it seems that the exam for certification is no longer in force as of January 1, 2014 (although it seems if you have it, you can continue to keep it via CEUs). Perhaps there is another option, but I can't seem to find any information. To further muddy the waters, while applying for school for Fall 2014, there were specific academic requirements in the Public Health Nurse curriculum, including taking advanced health assessment, pathophysiology and pharmacology classes (as well as 500 residency-hours with a preceptor), in order to sit for an certification exam. I've noticed the new APHN Fall 2014 curriculum (freshly published, btw...) states NOTHING about taking these "extra" courses/hours, nor does it comment on CNS requirements vs. a "normal" APHN requirement. Anyone have any ideas about what's going on? I'm trying to decide if I should go ahead and take the Advanced Health Assessment course this Fall 2014, or if it would just be a waste of time. I did email the director of the program, and she said it's definitely NOT a California requirement for the CNS, but it seems like an awfully-large step backwards to suddenly not require more education for a particular specialty. Anyone with any inside knowledge?

I'm so very, very happy for you jojonavy! That's the best news!!!!!

There are near-legendary arguments on these boards about the wisdom of going back to school for your graduate degree without getting experience as an RN. Basically, what you're wanting to do is nothing that hundreds of others applying for the Masters Entry Programs at several well-respected schools aren't doing (Google it). The only difference is that you'll have your BSN, and others will have a Bachelor's degree in another field and an RN license -- then continue straight away into the two-year Masters portion. Since many of these programs are eye-poppingly expensive in that first hectic year where those students are taking ALL their clinicals that you've tucked under your belt already (at UC-San Francisco, that first year is around $55,000!), it probably would be financially beneficial to you to continue (assuming that's your goal, and you're already in a "studying for school" frame of mind). Especially since they're providing some sort of scholarship. The only red flag I could see is to be certain that you'd be able to attend classes/study and work all at the same time. It's difficult enough being a student, but it's a WHOLE other creature to be a new staff nurse and trying to not kill your patients while learning about advanced nursing theories, etc, etc. in grad school. Would you be able to devote enough time to work and school without short-changing either one? Only you can answer those questions about yourself.

Interesting to hear this is still going on to a certain degree. I graduated in 1993, and the only difficulties I *ever* had was during OB rotation -- and not from patients. Everyone else in our group got to watch a delivery, but the OB nurse was adamant that neither myself nor another male in our group should be allowed in the room. Never mind that the doctor was a male, lol. I'm sure the old hag had her reasons. Otherwise I never had any problems with my classmates. But then I was an openly gay male, and they all loved me. Wonder if it would've been different if I were straight.

Good luck everyone! I am curious to read that the CSU schools have notified applicants of admission status. I have an application into San Francisco State (which was due the same date as UCSF), without any notifications yet.

Congratulations, G!

Euthymia, check out Zillow and Craigslist for rentals in the Bay Area. Be prepared for sticker shock -- 1BR/1BA rentals average around $2300 in the vicinity of UCSF, and in much of SF. There are in-law units (basically renovated basements of individual homes), which are advertised on Craigslist and usually run somewhat cheaper than that. These are usually on the periphery of the City, since that's where most of the owner-occupied homes are located. Keep in mind that these are usually "illegal," although that isn't as shady as it sounds. It just means that most of the owners haven't gone thru the official City of SF channels to get permits to convert to in-law units. Many people live quite comfortably in these basic residences (mostly younger folks). The better news is that living outside SF and commuting in to campus is quite doable, since there is a well-developed transit network consisting of BART, SF Muni, AC Transit(Alameda and Contra Costa Counties) and even ferry service. I live in San Leandro, but within walking distance to a BART station, so i'll be commuting in from the suburbs and taking the N-Judah train on SF Muni to UCSF. It takes roughly 35 minutes to downtown SF, and then another 30 minutes to get to the UCSF campus. Not ideal, but since my rent is about $1000 cheaper living out here, it's worth it to me. I'd tell you to PM me, but i'm not allowed to yet.

I got an email today that I was accepted into program late this afternoon. Pretty surreal. Thanks to everyone for their kind words.

No email yet, website still reads, "Under Review." @angelasolleder, i'm really bummed that you didn't hear better news. I wanted everyone on this forum to get in, because I feel like I know you (since I re-read the posts nearly every day). If I don't get in, I'm not sure what I'm gonna do....I have a 4.0 GPA, graduated magna cum laude from nursing school, 20+ years experience in ICU in a public hospital, implemented a CHF/case management program, volunteer with Project Homeless Connect, Habitat for Humanity and HIV charities; have good references, and a "interesting" story to tell in my personal history/goal statements. I'm not trying to brag....I guess I keep on going over my "specs" to try and wrap my head around what more they could possibly want in a candidate. I've also applied to SF State for their graduate program also, but my first choice would be UCSF because of their HIV/AIDS program. Good luck to everyone, wherever you end up. We all have something to contribute in whatever fields we end up choosing.

Shoot, jojonavy.....I wished you'd gotten more hopeful news. I appreciate your letting us all share our anxieties here on this thread. I know further back you said you'd most likely apply again next year to some state schools. Good luck to you!

I don't think you need to apologize, Ivan0904 -- I (and i'm sure many others) appreciate that you took the time to post, so we can see the different responses and (more importantly) the rationale behind those responses. Frankly, I wish more people would do it!

Thanks for the info about UC Davis .... I have a nurse friend who was expressing some interest in the program awhile back, but was also uncertain about the commute (we both live in San Leandro). There's always the Capitol Corridor train which stops in downtown Davis.