JaneBSN

I agree, OP definitely needs treatment for the psychological trauma of the attack, and for her burnout! Maybe even taking a leave or cutting hours would help. I may finish my RN, if I were her, especially if close to finishing. I was a burnt out nurse as well. More like, getting older, and less willing to put up with the B.S. The expectations thrust upon nurses, care being run by the Press Ganeys, as they are tied to re-imbursement, the ACO's cutting staffing to make budget, and watching the upper echelon get their big bonus checks and party on our backs got a little old. I was blackballed, and unable to advance (our town is a one horse show: only one hospital). So, I pursued my NP. I am now employed, and I absolutely love it! I chose psych nursing. I L-O-V-E having time to spend with my patients, being able to advocate for them, and saying no to care that doesn't make sense. No nights or weekends. Having control of my hours. Having colleagues to confer with. The list goes on! My point is, maybe obtaining her RN will open new doors for OP. At the very least, if OP does decide to leave nursing, she will have the RN to fall back upon, if she finds herself in need of a job. Good luck, and God bless you.

1. ANCC 4th edition. I outlined key chapters on index cards. 2. Question bank of ANCC questions that you can buy, and the questions at the back of the 4th edition. 3. Fitzgerald review book, and online material put out by Fitzgerald after purchasing their course. 4. Go to ANCC site and down load the outline of the exam and go over it point by point. They are giving you a study guide! 5. no cramming the night before, as you will be in overload. You need to be fresh for the 200 questions coming at you! Good luck! P.S. I think the Mometrix may be helpful, but I would start those flash cards a couple of months before the exam. So many of them!!

Would not want to be on the stand being questioned, as to your training in psychiatric nursing.

There is a PMHNP in our area that successfully completed the program and found gainful employment. So, it must be legit. all I know..... Good luck!

Great thought!

it sounds like she is just trying to understand it all herself! No. Shame in that.

I think the terminology of the NP application is Unencumbered license, or unrestricted license. Maybe you should ask somebody at the BON that question? Good luck!

Amen to that! "Alphabet soup", seems a little mean-spirited! See it in my own life. Graduating next month with my PMHNP. Not all my coworkers are happy for me. Many are very supportive, though. At a family party this weekend, not only did my own sister not speak to me, she turned her head when I came near. Lol! We always had difficulties, but really? She always talked about me, behind my back as the person who never finished anything. Well, 4 degrees, and 3 sets of letters later, she can eat my alphabet soup...... good luck, OP! How about teaching, outright? I apologize for the thread drift, your thread provoked some strong feelings. I am so proud of you for earning all those letters! Please update us with what happens!

Chris, if you don't get in, which I highly doubt, you will get in next semester. The cut off for my school was 3.5. You r well above that! You are a solid candidate! Be proud of all your accomplishments!

I really liked the looks of the EKU program, but could not do that program an clinical in the state of Massachusetts. how is it going? You must be pretty far along. I graduate in May from Regis.

Lila, yes, you can do it! I'm graduating this year, God willing, at the age of 53, with my PMHNP. It took me 3 years. funny, my first husband was also BP1. Yep, you learn a lot going through that. my preceptor graduated at 56, and has a wonderful position, about 6-7 hours a day, gets to spend time with her patients, six figures. Start to research some programs, maybe take a graduate course and see how you like it. Many ways you could go with this degree. Good luck! Jane

Anyone planning to venture onward towards the DNP? Entering my last year of FMHNP program, and think I may just keep on going! I'm just putting the feelers out right now. Yale would be my dream program! But there are so many others to consider. My GPA is currently a 3.9, as was my BSN. But I wonder what else will be considered? Looking at the current class going through (Yale), it seems like a very diverse and vibrant group. I think community service will be key. What are some of your experiences? Recommendations? Thoughts? TYVM

No, there was a payout on each individual party, and an entry made in the National Data base. It states "alleged" on the paperwork in NDB. No convictions of charges, or anything.

Wondering if anybody can help with this question. Say a registered nurse was sued over a hospital case she was involved in, briefly, hours after said negligence occurred, but named along with everybody else. Then the hospital settled for all parties, without even getting a chance to defend herself, or give a deposition. now, said nurse is in a NP program, and is just finding out that she needs liability insurance to do clinicals! will insurance companies decline the nurse? said incident occurred nine years ago. any info, or direction appreciated!

Barnstormin', that is interesting about New York! I did not know that. It is too bad, as that can be very limiting. The reason given is that they want to control the quality of the programs, but I think it is more about $$$! :) What school did you pick? I was looking at Stoneybrook. I have seen the Stahl books referred to, a few times on this site. I'm going to order today, as I start Pharm I later this month. TY. Good to know about the prescribing guide! Sarah, that sounds like a great plan! I did not have to take the MAT, another reason I chose my school. How long will Rivier take to get through the program? Do you live in NH, or is that an easy commute? Online?

I have not seen it be an issue here. Only know a few who have done it straight through, though. Others I have seen, who have switched focus, for instance, critical care nurse becoming pediatric NP, it was not an issue either. Much more responsibility is being placed on nurses, IMO, and it is very stressful. As an NP, you will be experiencing a different kind of stress. Why subject yourself to this, if it is not the area you plan to gain expertise in? Also, it sounds like now, you have the time and the funds to move forward. If you worked as an RN, and life became more complicated/busy for you, ie, family commitments, you would be committed to the RN role and probably stressing through a graduate program, part time. If I were you, I would just keep going!

Hey, Sarah! I am going to Regis in Weston. I spread it out over 3 years, so I haven't done my clinical yet. The professors are awesome, though. Very accommodating to students and facilitate learning. If you choose this school, the one thing to keep in mind about FMHNP program is that it has a pharmacology course, and advanced pharmacology course, and also a psychopharmacology course. This is different than most programs, which just have a one pharmacology course, followed by psychopharm. If you choose this school, make sure you take Pharm I in the first summer, or the first fall you attend there. Otherwise, you are thrown out of rotation: it will take longer! The good thing about this program is we have pre-arranged clinicals, from what I can gather. Not so for the FNP or PNP programs as far as I can tell. The only other similar program for FMHNP was at Boston College. Regis was less hassle to get into, so I only applied there. Just be aware, in Massachusetts, the Board of Higher Education does not permit Mass residents who are doing an out of state, online program to do clinical in Mass. You would have to obtain a license in another state, and do clinical there. The closest is Connecticut, I think. So, it is difficult to do an online program from another state, in Massachusetts. Good luck to you!

Hi barnstormin' and mzaur, I'm doing my psych NP now, in Boston. Also brick and mortar. I have completed my first year, and am getting ready for summer classes. Having finished my BSN online, and enjoying that, I have to say, taking classes F2F, and interacting with other students, I'm enjoying that even more! What program are you attending, barnstormin'? Mzaur, I would love to hear your experiences with Vanderbilt! That program looked wonderful. How exciting, to make a big move like that.

As an RN with 20 years experience, I would say..... Go right on with your NP! I believe it is a different skill set and mindset. When you think about it, MD's go right into practice, albeit after residency. But that is comparable to our clinicals! I am currently in a psych NP program, and see many students go from BSN to the NP. It does not seem to be an issue. many BSN students I speak to want to work as RN's first, because they are passionate about certain types of nursing. However, if your passion is to be an NP, I would keep pursuing your education. just my two cents.....

I agree, Advanced Pathophys is a weed out course! I never studied so hard in my life. But it was worth it. Our info was from book and class power points. I reread the info, and transferred it all onto index cards, which I studied from. Towards the end of the semester, I started to tape lecture, and listen while driving. We had 4 exams, with an optional 5th to bring up your grade-- which was comprehensive! I made it out in 4 tests, with an A. The passing grade at our school was an 83. And it's true, what a previous poster said, you do not retain it all. I spoke with an MD at work who told me that was normal, it just gave you a better understanding of topics you hear discussed.

Hi David, I was a Texas RN, originally licensed in Massachusetts. I applied for reciprocity in Texas. I thought I needed to keep my MA license current, while under reciprocity. But this was 10-20 years ago! I miss nursing in Texas! Am back in Mass, working at a community hospital As a staff RN. Boy, there was a lot more opportunity for me in Texas to advance. I was in the Dallas metroplex area. I advanced to supervisory in Texas. I also enjoyed being able to work agency/per diem at other hospitals in the DFW area. I am in a hospital right now, that is union, and I don't like the adversarial nature between management and staff. I returned to MA to be closer to family, and am now married to someone who is bound to this state for employment. Otherwise, I would be looking to leave here, tomorrow! I am currently pursuing an NP here, though, taking advantage of the educational system here in MA, and seeking a more enjoyable and rewarding position. I would think twice before coming back to Mass. That's just one girl's opinion! i would be interested to know your experience in Texas now, as a nurse.... Where are you, and what's it like? thanks, Jane