mjgernurse

This is what I know so far. I don't start clinicals until next Spring but the information we've been given says Gardner-Webb assists in helping us find clinical sites and preceptors. They do this through a list of preceptors and sites previously used by past students. I am only the 4th class to matriculate so that list may be somewhat limited. I was able to see a quick glance at it and there were many sites and preceptors in the Charlotte, NC region and Greenville, SC region. The clinical coordinator stepped into my face to face class the other day and introduced herself. She states that if we have trouble finding sites or preceptors that she's the one who will help us. I spoke to a student in the class ahead of me and he said that the onus has been on him to find preceptors. However, I think his struggle has been that the program prefers us to use primary care sites and practitioners, and like myself, he's a life long ER nurse. There does seem to be some extra research/statistics classes we have to do vs. programs other colleagues are in. Overall, the program takes 9 semesters, year round to complete. We take 2 classes per semester. This is longer than some other programs, but, the workload is less. I don't know about you, but I have a wife, a 2 year old and adult bills to continue paying so it works for me. I have friends going to Duke who have little time for anything, plus they are going to spend more than 100k while I will spend roughly 30k for this degree. As far as pass rates on boards, our dean spoke to our class at the beginning of the semester and the last class had a 97% pass rate with more than 90% already employed. That sounds good to me.

I am currently going to GWU to get my FNP. What do you want to know? I am in my second semester. So far, I am thoroughly impressed by our faculty members. They truly care and make themselves available to us for whatever questions arise. I chose GWU because they have a hybrid/online classroom model. For our run of the mill nursing theory class and advanced nursing research class, we complete those all online. For advanced patho we attend 4 face to face classes on campus per semester. This will also be the same for our advanced health assessment class, pharmacology and statistics classes in the future. Let me know what questions you have. I'd be glad to answer whatever I can.

I am currently working on my FNP. I have been an ER nurse from the beginning of my nursing career. It's all I know. I hate to ask people what they make, but I have to ask because I am seeing a wide range of numbers online during Google searches, plus, I don't know if the sources are legitimate. I have heard people make references to 120k+ per year, but those remarks have come from other RNs, not NPs. Can anyone shed some light on this topic for me? I am in the Charlotte, NC area. Where can I get reliable information? I appreciate the input that anyone can provide.

I have always been in the ED as a nurse. My biggest advice to a new nurse is to lay your eyes on the patient before making any assumptions. I say this because sometimes EMS can give a report that paints one picture, when actually a totally different situation is occurring. For example, I received a report from an EMS driver who transported an 84 year old woman for "back pain". He made it sound run of the mill and lackadaisical about the situation. At this same time I was receiving another patient from the lobby sent by their PCP for admission due to cellulitis. Since I knew I had an admission on one patient, I went to them to line and lab them. 30 minutes later I made it to the older lady brought in for "back pain" who was triaged by the charge nurse. She was really hypertensive, writhing in pain and stated the pain was between her shoulder blades with sudden onset. She was not on the monitor, nor had labs been drawn by the charge nurse. After laying my eyes on her, I went straight to the doc and initiated the cardiac workup protocol. In the end, she had an aortic hematoma. She could have ruptured her aorta while I was in the other room. In the end, you are responsible for your own patients, and your own license. Don't forget that and always look at the patient yourself because even veteran nurses can get caught up in the hustle and bustle of triage and incorrectly evaluate a patient at first glance.

Thanks Carlyjo. Your info is very appreciated.

Thanks. I agree about the reputation of the program. I am not going to go to a degree mill that prints $50,000 pieces of paper that are no good. I am in Charlotte, I have a wife, house and infant so the online part is for convenience. I finished my BSN at UNC-Charlotte and only had to appear in person a handful of times. It was really convenient. I would be limited on schools because I am "tied" to this area.

I am currently an ER nurse. I am considering a couple of different options as far as Nurse Practitioner. One area that I am interested in is the mental health side of nurse practitioner, the PMHNP degree. I can't find much information out there. I am in NC and the only program I found is at UNC-Chapel Hill, but it sounds like the program is a certificate that is in addition to a FNP. My questions are: 1. Is there a mental health nurse practitioner degree in NC, or elsewhere online, that is a direct degree? Do I have to get an FNP first? 2. I am also considering other options, so part of my decision is going to encompass salary expectations. What does a new grad PMHNP make, or expect to make? What is the expectation 5 years out, etc...?