kep308

I applied to Duke's online part-time FNP program for fall 2016. I haven't applied anywhere else since most require a year's experience and I don't graduate with my BSN until May. I really don't want to have to wait to do what I know I'm going to do eventually anyway, what's the point? I've worked as an CNA for 3 years so I have a clue what the job entails. I would like some idea when we will find out something! Thanks for the info above.

Thanks so much for the info! Yes, I started out on the PA path (which is the only reason I'm also a CNA...and thank god I am....what a HUGE advantage and one that I wouldn't have had had I planned to be a nurse originally) well I managed to get on the wait list for Elon but reality made me seriously happy to have Plan B which was nursing and NP seems like a GREAT option! Yeah, maybe just go for MSN and go from there. I really appreciate your input!

Hi! Thanks for your reply. I read some of your posts and I see you are looking to do the same thing as I am...become an NP. What is your experience so far? I worry because my GPA is 3.4 (I see yours is 3.9...congrats!) and I'm attending NCCU. I got into Duke but who has that kind of money even when they give you half? UNC said I didn't upload my essay. Well I sure thought I did! But it was ok because I seriously didn't want to take another pre-req on top of the NCCU bridge courses I was taking at the time. Anyway....what does one do? How hard IS it to get into an NP program? Is an MSN even worth it anymore? I am just not going to be satisfied quitting at RN. Also, when it says "Salisbury, NC" does that mean only Salisbury accepts those degrees? [TABLE=class: views-table cols-7, width: 631] [TR=class: odd views-row-last, bgcolor: #EEEEEE] [/TR] [TR=class: even, bgcolor: #EEEEEE] [TD]Frontier Nursing University [/TD] [TD]Online, Clinicals in N.C. [/TD] [TD]Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) [/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD]Doctorate [/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD=class: views-field views-field-edit-node, align: right][/TD] [/TR] [TR=class: odd, bgcolor: #EEEEEE] [TD]Northeastern University [/TD] [TD]Salisbury, N.C. [/TD] [TD]Doctor of Education [/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD]Doctorate [/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD=class: views-field views-field-edit-node, align: right][/TD] [/TR] [TR=class: even, bgcolor: #EEEEEE] [TD]Northeastern University [/TD] [TD]Salisbury, N.C. [/TD] [TD]Doctor of Nursing Practice [/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD]Doctorate [/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD=class: views-field views-field-edit-node, align: right][/TD] [/TR] [TR=class: odd views-row-last, bgcolor: #EEEEEE] [TD]Northeastern University [/TD] [TD]Salisbury, N.C. [/TD] [TD]Doctorate in Physical Therapy (Transitional) [/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD]Doctorate [/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE]

Right now my BSN GPA is 3.4 with 10 months to go. I'm hoping to maintain/improve that but with a 7-point scale I'm a little nervous. Add to that a VERY intense summer session. Anyway, how hard is it to get into those programs? And are distant online programs an option? I'm in NC and there don't seem to be a whole lot of schools offering that program.

I lived in Mexico for 3 years and am close to being fluent in Spanish. I want to become 100% fluent and to be a medical interpreter along with being a nurse.

How does one find out about any potential paying nursing jobs in Latin America?

Thanks for this because I got into Duke but couldn't afford to take out the $60K plus in private student loans, but it was painful to give up that spot. I go to NC Central and, needless to say, it's WAY cheaper being a public university. However, I still struggle knowing I got into such a brand name school but couldn't go because of money but reading these replies really helps!!! Yes, a BSN is a BSN, regardless of where you go and you won't get a dime more per hour by taking on all of that debt. Does it make it easier to get a job? Maybe at Duke Hospital, but who knows. Still probably not worth it, you'll still get a job.

Can I just say organic chemistry is from hell? I got a B but just barely!!! It's nothing like anything you've done before...but yes, you do need a SOLID general chemistry background. I doubt you'd be able to find a class that doesn't require the 2 semesters. Sorry. And sorry you got that one ahead of you! Not to scare you but....don't be surprised!

I've heard this from a couple of different sources. Is this true?

Yikes. Now I'm nervous for sure. Glad I didn't start until now though!

I'm currently attending NC Central's ABSN program, which is one semester longer than UNC so I would finish May 2016 either way. I got into Duke but couldn't/wasn't willing to take out $50K+ in private student loans just to say I went to Duke (it was a painful experience though, having to give up that spot). I still have to be accepted to NCCU's upper division though but with my current grades it SHOULDN'T be a problem but it still makes me VERY nervous. At this point I don't care THAT much whether or not I get into UNC although I would like a higher caliber of student body (over half are flunking out at NCCU at the moment... which is a 77 or below). What I want to know more than anything is if I'm going to have to start my world religions online class come next Monday to satisfy my 'social diversity' prerequisite...and pay for it, too. Since it will be a financial hardship not to mention I'm not too excited about adding another class to my life right now I will have reasons to be happy either way. Almost the worst thing that could happen is to be put on the wait list where I'll have to take the class anyway and still might not be able to attend. So, that is what makes me most anxious at the moment. I'm ready to know!!! Oh...and if I DO get in I'll still have to finish out the semester at NCCU and do it well or otherwise my GPA is permanently ruined! Oh well, at least I will have learned a LOT going in. Bottom line, I just want the BSN already!!! Then on to the masters.....

I attended Duke Days last Friday the 25th. I hope to attend but anxiously awaiting my financial aid package because without a full ride in one way or the other I will not be able to attend. The tuition deposit is due August 10th.

Hi! I just found out I was accepted, too! However, I thought they interviewed you at Duke Days as a final step in the process but I guess not. And, BTW, I took BIO169 A&P II at Vance-Granville, too, and it was not easy by any stretch. And, for Ladeebugchick I have a master's in music so I'm from a very non-medical background, as well. I am a CNA though and worked in a nursing home for a year and a half and at UNC hospital for awhile. I did that because my original goal was to be a PA and you need patient contact hours. I don't regret it though, glad I'm going in eyes wide open. So anyway, I really want to go to Duke and hoping their pledge to find you the money is correct because I'm almost maxed out on the student loans. I was going to start at NCCU this August and wasn't really counting on getting in here at Duke. Haven't applied to UNC and wondering if I should. Anyway, glad to find this forum! Congratulations to all!

Congrats and keep us posted! I'm also coming from a very different career...I'm a professional oboist! I do get weary of the question, "How does one go from music to medicine?" Well I guess a lot of people don't know that musicians tend to be good at math and science and that people can have more than one interest in life...I've always been interested in medicine. I want to be a PA and got wait-listed at one school, I'm now applying for a 2nd time but when schools are sometimes getting 1800 applications for 38 spots having a Plan B is certainly called for. That was the school I got wait-listed for so that speaks to my strength as an applicant BUT still with those kind of statistics it's somewhat a crap shoot to get in. SO....I am also applying to nursing school, with hopes of being an NP at some point after...ABSN programs only...don't know if that's the best idea or not but I just can't go to nursing school for 2 years...and hoping and hoping and hoping I get in because after 4 years of prerequisites and working as a CNA with 2 little kids as a single mom to say I'm tired and feel at the end of my rope sometimes would be an understatement. Anyway, congratulations and don't let anyone discourage you! But, even if the job market isn't perfect it's still better than for just about any other profession. And, about your wife, well that doesn't sound like the healthiest marriage of all time, no offense.