serpico79000

Hi All- I am beginning a Entry-level MSN-FNP program soon and I was looking into the program through the Dept. of Health and Human Services where you work in a underserved community for 2 years and they pay up to $50K in student loans. Does anyone have experience or advice regarding this? I have looked on the website and there seems to be lots of jobs but do they pay well? I have done a search and read other posts on this but I am looking for more input. Thanks in advance.

I saw that there was a question in a thread about a week ago regarding the experiences of male NP's and no one responded to it. As a man in the process of applying to a RN-MSN-FNP program I would love to get some feedback from male NP's. Any advice, experiences, or problems would be helpful. Any regrets or things you would do differently? Also, any female NP's who work alongside male NP's could contribute to the discussion as well. Thanks in advance, Serpico

thanks for the responses!!!

Hi all- I was wondering if your grades earned during your MSN/NP program matter when looking for a job. Will employers take someone with a 3.9 over someone with a 3.0? Also, does the school you graduated from matter? Are all accredited programs treated equally? Thanks in advance, Serpico

First off, thanks for the input. In the program I am doing you become an RN after the first year and a half and then continue on to earn your MSN and become an FNP. My plan (and I hope it works) is to work full-time (three 12 hour night shifts a week) and go to school for my Master's during the day. It sounds crazy I know but it's the only way I can get the experience I need and finish this program in a timely manner. Has anyone out there done something similar, is it even possible or am I crazy? thanks, Serpico

Thanks for your input. You mentioned that you wanted to get some experience as a RN before going into the NP portion of your program. Can't you work as an RN while you finish your program. That way you can gain experience as an RN while becoming an NP. Maybe it sounds crazy but I am planning (if I get in) to work full-time (probably 3 graveyards a week) after I become an RN in the program and while I work on my MSN. I am not looking to take a break in the program. I want to finish and be on my way ASAP. So, can anyone out there tell me if I am going to be at a disadvantage as an NP without a BSN (in terms of pay, jobs, knowledge, skill, etc.)

I was reading John's Hopkin's school of Nursing website and they listed the following as reasons for obtaining a BSN before becoming an NP. Could some NP's out there tell me how valid these following points are: -Many nurse managers prefer their employees to have earned a baccalaureate degree in nursing in addition to a master's degree. Nurse managers and administrators recognize the importance of the baccalaureate degree and the strong foundation that it provides, particularly with its focus in critical thinking. -Employment in many government and military organizations require nurses to have a baccalaureate degree in nursing in addition to a master's degree in nursing. -Graduates of the Hopkins Direct Entry to Combined BS to MSN option receive both the baccalaureate and master's degree in nursing in approximately the same amount of time, if not less, than receiving only a master's degree in a generic direct entry master's program. -Admissions at Hopkins School of Nursing is flexible in that it allows students to elect to be 'Undecided' for the master's portion of the BS to MSN at the time of application. The baccalaureate program allows for exploration and experience of many clinical areas and career mentorship prior to declaring a master's focus. A Hopkins student may declare their focus at any time prior to enrolling in the master's program. -Students may change their master's focus while enrolled in the baccalaureate program. They may also choose to take a semester or a year break prior to enrolling in the master's program or they may choose to end the program upon completion of the baccalaureate program. Thanks for your help.

Hi all- Could any NP's out there (especially FNP's) comment on how useful a BSN is when you are an NP. I have a BS in a non-nursing science and I am applying to a entry-level MSN-FNP program in which you become an RN in the first year and a half and then work as an RN while finishing the MSN and becoming a FNP. Am I better off going into an accelerated BSN program and then appplying to a MSN-FNP program as a RN with a BSN? -OR- Should I stick with my original plan and just go into the MSN-FNP program straight away and not worry about my BSN? Hope this makes sense. Regards.