zips2015

Thanks for posting! How's your experience been overall? I'm curious about the quality of the classes - do you feel like you're learning?

I'll be going into my senior year, too! Congrats! :) I think it's a fantastic idea to apply as early as you can. Working and going to graduate school at the same time sounds like a great combination to me, as you are gaining field experience (as an RN) while earning your graduate education (as an NP). The roles aren't the same - so, depending on the prerequisite requirements for years of experience, I don't see the point in waiting years to apply - especially if you are a dedicated and motivated student. You sound like someone who would be a "lifelong learner," so it just makes sense to me to be gaining some sort of knowledge all the time, whether in grad school, in CE classes, or otherwise. The more years of experience you have as an NP will benefit you more in that role down the road than the years of experience you have as an RN - not to say those wouldn't be valuable, however!

I am a highly motivated, soon-to-be senior nursing student next year (2015) completing my BSN, and I already can't wait to get back into the books after graduation (while working, of course). The University of South Alabama's online BSN to DNP in Advanced Emergency Nursing (Family NP / Adult-Geron Acute Care NP) is very appealing to me because I would like to work in emergency care. However, there are a few things about the program that concern me. Total tuition for the 81 credit program is approx. $37,665 - which is fantastic for a practice doctorate! What concerns me is that one might "get what they pay for." There are many MSN programs alone that are much more costly than USA's BSN to DNP. Can anyone provide any insight into this? Current or past USA students, perhaps? Current or past USA students or those of other BSN to DNP programs online - what's the good, the bad, and the ugly? Is online school a bad move? How much and what kind of clinical experience did you get in emergency care? Does any of the coursework directly address the role of the ENP? Any other advice/guidance/wisdom regarding online Nurse Practitioner programs, a career in nursing, or otherwise would be very helpful and much appreciated! Thank you! :)