satisfiedwithURcare?

This is so perfect! Thanks, Pixie.RN!!

Hello! Working on a course about curriculum development for my MSN Ed and have an assignment that looks at accreditation (CCNE or ACEN) and which asks answers to the following: "Our (fictional) baccalaureate program is new and was designed to fit current state standards. How much of the data used in the process of obtaining state approval can be used with minor modification for pursuing national accreditation? What will be required in addition to the information required by the State?" I am working with the assumption that this school is located in Michigan- and can't find any links on the BON/LARA website which describe the requirements for state approval of BSN programs. I also don't currently work in a faculty capacity, nor have ties to faculty in a Michigan-based school who may know how to obtain this information. Does anyone have useful/useful links to where I might find this information? Or useful tips for search engines or search engine phrases that might yield results about how schools of nursing may start applying for state authorization (in ANY state at this point)? Thanks for all your help!

My area is saturated with nursing schools AND Magnet hospitals (can count 6 off the top of my head) in a midwest metro area with a population of approx 2 million. Result: all ADN programs are being phased out since so many area hospitals are only hiring BSN RNs, and new faculty must have terminal degrees. I might repost this on the educator forum to see if there are any leads with online nursing schools, but really I am mostly bummed that it's been so difficult to find a program that will help me transform my preferred clinical path to a DNP. Thanks, Rose_Queen!

Background: I will be completing a MSN in nursing education August 2017 (two semesters). My background is in OB/perinatal nursing (currently focused on L&D) but my passion and reason for pursuing MSN ed track was because I think there is no market for nurse-midwives where I live and a lot that experienced OB nurses teach each other that is outside of what I have seen CNMs or WHNPs usually do. I figured a solid foundation in nursing education would be a good way to help staff guide future clinical practice projects and also provide a pathway to teach maternal-neonatal nursing for undergrad nursing students. So... *begin rant* now I am learning that I will not be able to teach in academia without a terminal degree of some kind, there are no jobs for nurse educators in staff development in my area and because I am not interested in research, have been looking for a (primarily online) DNP program that would allow me to focus on a project that puts research into practice within my clinical setting. To be clear, I could (and will) sit for the CNE at the completion of the MSN program but as with all educators (thanks ANCC), am not nor will be ever be considered an APRN. I am only posting in case there's someone out there who can commiserate with me. I am really disappointed in the lack of prospects my MSN will yield (as in, none- two years for a degree I can't use?). I just heard back from an "Executive Leadership" DNP program that I am not a candidate because ANCC says the DNP is for APRNs- sorrynotsorry, if I had wanted to practice as a WHNP or CNM, I would have pursued those tracks in the first place. They encouraged me to "check out" their DNP-CNS program, but again, why? There is no perinatal CNS exam. The CNS is not recognized in my state. Hospitals and OBs don't want to collaborate with CNMs because: malpractice. There is no room at the decision-making table for APRNs in women's health where I live and work. Why can't I be "just a labor nurse" who uses research to lead the way in evidence-based practice changes for the good of our patient population? I know I sound petulant but why, if the DNP is supposed to be practice focused, can't I continue and become an expert in my area of clinical practice and have a chance of earning those letters? *end rant*

How did it go, irish_rainbow? I will be finishing my MSN in nursing education next August and will (hoperfull- applying now) immediately jump into a DNP program, so trying to figure out the time I will need to set aside for the CNE next summer. My background is in L&D, where I help out in staff development, no formal teaching experience in academia. I used to be a good test-taker but in the last year, I've been a basketcase over my test even though I have a 4.0GPA in my MSN program. Would love any feedback!

I am 32 and will graduate with MSN in nursing education next summer. I'd like to thank OP for posting this question as I've had my eye on online nursing instruction as a possible career choice, and to llg for giving this career advice since I am looking towards my "next step." To those who work in online education, what experience are you looking for in applicants to instructor (or mentor or adjunct? so many distinctions!) positions in addition to a MSN in education? I feel like I will complete my program and not have a lot of teaching experience outside of the bedside to recommend me- makes me anxious!

I've recently begun the application process to both Georgetown and Simmons FNP programs. After reading all the comments on this thread, I have to wonder if I may be wasting my time... I obtained my BSN from UofCincinnati in 2006, and have since been working in a LDRP unit. My BSN GPA was 3.6. nursing experience is inpatient, L&D, postpartum, and Special Care Nursery RN; and outpatient, in OB triage. While my alwaysandforever nursing love lies in women's and neonatal health care and education, I don't believe advanced practice in those areas (WHNP, CNM or NNP) as the best fit for me and my family, at this time. My hope is to use a degree as FNP to help maintain gainful employment while pursuing my ultimate goal, which is to teach in academic settings. That's to say, educators/faculty don't make enough money for an investment in a MSNEd program to be sound, and I'm hoping working as NP will allow greater return on my investment. All of that said, this has me worried: I have *nothing* but OB, INpatient experience. I work nights at a moderately paced level 2 hospital. As any OB RN will tell you, I am used to managing patients' care by myself, and calling docs in only to catch babies, operate, or discharge triage patients (after we've run lab work, etc. that I probably suggested). I'm not trying to minimize the work that OBs and CNMs do, but I feel strongly that, particularly in triage, my job is exactly leading patient care. Will I find FNP a poor fit? (If I can even manage to get accepted?!) Many moons ago, I considered myself a strong student. But I'm not yet 30, and I'm feeling ancient! My last math course was AP Stats- MY JUNIOR YEAR OF HIGH SCHOOL. I passed the AP exam with a high enough score that I didn't have to take stats in undergrad. Is that acceptable? It's been more than a decade! Will I be enough?

One of our newer RNs goes by her middle name. On paper she is "Lastname, Firstname," but she introduces herself with her preferred name and that is how she is known- by patients, doctors, other staff, and admins. I would think if you went with M. Middlename Lastname until you land the job, and introduce yourself as "Mouse," it wouldn't be an issue.

Thanks for responding! I have been teaching childbirth and baby care basics classes for patients for the last 5 years and love it. I just wished it payed more. I am currently teaching a couple of classes/month, in addition to working on the floor. I am considered PRN staff, because I need the flexibility of schedule, but end up working 48-60 hrs per pay period (including call) to pay the bills, and all that adulthood nonsense. Since I am not a benefits-eligible employee, I do not qualify for my hospital's tuition reimbursement program (such as it is, blech!). My need for a more flexible schedule has kept me from precepting both new hire orientees and nursing school students- and I totally understand that preceptorship involves a prearranged time commitment, so I'm not mad about it. Maybe just a little wistful and eager for my momlife to allow me to advance in my worklife :) I just found a couple of job postings in my area (we are swimming in nursing schools) for clinical adjunct instructors and have begun the process of dusting of ye olde resume/requesting references... fingers-crossed that their needs match mine! As far as school goes... sigh. I feel like have been shopping around grad schools since my senior year as a BSN student. I AM VERY interested in Georgetown U's MSNEd online program. The biggest issue (my husband and) I have with MSNEd degrees, regardless of where I obtain it, is the financial cost vs. benefit breakdown: 1. I will have to take out loans to cover the cost, 2. I'll also probably at some point before graduation, need to cut back my work hours- I have no delusions that I'll continue to fill my life with commitments without something having to take a backseat; 3. in order to then advance as a teacher (say for faculty beyond adjunct), chances are I'll be taking out MORE MONEY to complete a PhD or DNP; and last but MOST important- I can't look at my husband and say that any of those things will allow me to make more money to help support the growing needs of a family with 4 kids! Will I, personally, feel more fulfilled in my career? I have very little doubt. But at what cost to my family-life? Sooo... I am entertaining the thought that the increase in salary as a NP, should I go that route, would help pay of loans better than any teaching job might, and thus EVENTUALLY (because, I realize I'm talking a very long term plan here) help finance returning to school for a degree with an education concentration. Talk about having a first-world-educated-women-with-too-many-options problems, am I right?

I have been and L&D and SCN RN for the almost 8 yrs now. I got my BSN because I became a RN with the goal of becoming a midwife. Now, don't get me wrong, I LOVE all aspects maternal-neonatal nursing. I also know in my heart, and with my experience, that the schedule of a CNM is not for me and my family. Since my APRN dreams have shifted away from midwifery, I am trying to decide if FNP is right for me. I really don't know if I have a "passion" for outpatient NP work, like I do for L&D now. Also, more than clinical practice, I would love to be an educator. Should I "suck it up" and complete a FNP program, get practical experience and go back to get postMasters cert in education? Is there any way to complete a practitioner and educator program concurrently? And do I even WANT to put myself through that? (I'd like to add that I'm 29 and have four kids under the age of 7, and financially MUST work at least 24hrs/week while doing any kind of school work.) I find myself in a position where I feel like I've become so comfortable in my current work life, that I'm really scared to make the "wrong" investment in my career, and then wishing I had never left my "nest"- unfortunately, it isn't unusual where I work to hear APRNs claim that they wish they had never gone back to school I would appreciate hearing from NPs and educators, as well as current MSN students in either track. What does your work life balance look like? What do you wish you had known about your chosen path before you started? Pleaseandthankyou! Paula