jdc6773

$19.64/hr base pay.. new grad BSN one hour south of Nashville, Tn.

Oops yea Dranger. My bad.

I've looked into both in the past. Just to address your question about if they accept BSN... Trevecca will put favor to those with ANY experience in the medical field. There are usually a few BSN nurses accepted each go around. I would agree with the others though, NP is the way to go. Time in program is usually less, price is much less. I work with both PA and NP in the ED I work. They do the same exact job. One PA was a nurse for 20 years before getting his PA. Other areas may be different but this is my experience. I just saw ICUMANs post and he is very right about the generalist/primary care comparison between the two. Also PAs get much more clinical hours.

The GRE score is around 307 when I talked to them earlier this year

That is the way I understood it. Maybe it was a guarantee that your packet will be looked at. It has been a while since I talked with them.

If you make the deadline then you are guaranteed an interview.

That makes perfect sense. Thank you for the feedback.. It is helpful.

GPA average is around 3.5. GRE is a around 307 4.5 writing is what they told me a few months ago

Ghillbert, Just curious.. Do you regret not going for your FNP and instead getting your ACNP? The reason I ask is because as a FNP you would have the "generalist path" where you could treat all ages. It seems you desire that instead, but do not want to go back for FNP post masters. In the near future I have to choose between the two paths and I have wondered about job availability. It would seem the FNP would have greater opportunities based on the lifespan they can treat.

I have been to their open house. Very informative and helpful. If you are applying for August 2016 then they want the application as early as possible. They told me if I can have it complete and turned in Sept 1 this year, then my chances of being accepted are much higher than if I wait to submit my application later on. That gives me a month and a half to study and take the GRE. A mid August test score would be sent to the school by Sept 1.

I may be applying for Vanderbilt's FNP program. I am for sure applying for UAHs program. I still have to take the GRE for Vandy so that is why I am unsure about them. Good Luck!

I was not hired as a nurse extern (student tech)... just a PCT/US. I do know that it is outside of my scope of practice and I was uncomfortable at first accepting their helpful guidance. They insisted and it is no different mentally than what I go through in clinical. I have not done foleys and IVs in a few weeks because I am pending a Nurse Extern title change whenever management comes up with what I can legally do and puts it in writing. As for what is in my scope, I still currently do almost all EKGs on those that need it and blood draws when I have time (strait stick). I am looking forward to the title change because it comes with more scope of practice and a pay increase.

I will be done with my 2nd degree BSN in 11 months. I have been working as a PCT/US in the Emergency Department of a semi-rural hospital since September of 2014. I have to say that as someone that worked in factory work for 10 years, the skills, knowledge, and experience I am gaining is priceless They let me do blood draws, EKGs, and vital signs regularly. Also, they let me do IVs and foleys depending on the nurse I am assisting at the moment. Just being in the environment of an ED with the entire lifespan and an array of medical complications from rushing an OB patient upstairs to have birth to doing compressions on a patient that has coded, is more experience than I could have ever asked for. Sometimes I get a pulse back.. sometimes I don't. What I do get is to see the teamwork between the providers, paramedics, RNs, techs, respiratory, CRNA, etc.. all crowded around one individual trying to save a life. It is bittersweet and what we all go to school for in the first place. Right? Not only do I get to participate in this, but I constantly get to see what medications, doses, etc are being used from the common cold to pushing Atropine through an IV with a 3 month old pediatric patient with an irregular heart rate of 220+. The point of my contribution to this post is to show & express the value of working as a PCT during nursing school. Not only am I gaining priceless experience but I am also guaranteed a job in the ED upon graduation. I am for it. But hey, I am biased as I am currently in the position.

My wife works Saturday and Sunday's from 1pm-1am. She picks up extra shifts when the class load is low.

To keep your skills sharp throughout the entire lifespan... I suggest working ED. My wife is in her second year FNP program while also working in the ED. She loves it. Just my two cents.