msuRNcc

Found out I'm an alternate so I'm staying hopeful that some people choose other programs! How long did they give you to decide/give your deposit?

sorry, I meant which location. Royal Oak, Toledo, etc.

Congrats!! Which cohort did you get into?

I was told they are hoping to have decision letters out by Oct 16.

Did anyone interview Sept 14? The interview email said 90 minutes and the interview time slot (plus comments here) suggest it's 30 minutes. I'm just wondering which it is. Thanks!

No, I will be in NC, but I am transferring in so I won't really be with the class starting in the fall (starting clinical instead). However, I have talked to people in the FNP and they said it was very self taught but they liked it.

MikeRN84, no, that one class is a research course. Pharm has been a lot of work but pretty straightforward!

I'm currently working full time while in a DNP program. I don't have kids, but I'm supporting my husband who is in CRNA school. I haven't had a problem yet, and we start clinical at the same time so we won't see each other much, but it makes us really good at studying and time management. It all depends on your own motivation, learning methods, program and support system.

It will really depend on your program, schedule, daycare options, and time management skills. I'm currently working full time while in a DNP program, but I've always done better with a really full schedule to force me to stay on track and I learn better on my own (online program). Others I know have dropped work or switched to part time because it was too much. Plus, nursing has a lot of options so you might be able to just work PRN or part time if needed. It depends on what you can manage and will help if your work is flexible and family is supportive!

If your goal is to become a CRNA, why are you trying for FNP? it seems like a waste of time, money and a spot for someone else who actually wants to be a NP. Regardless of this, look into what different schools require. All will have a simple FAQ or admission section that tells you all requirements, plus there are many sites that summarize the requirements of multiple programs. Regardless of whether you want to do NP or CRNA, you'll need ICU experience first. Not all NP programs require it, but if you want to do FNP/ACNP then I recommend it. It will give you a better idea of the job requirements, expectations, etc., and ICU is required for CRNA. Plus a lot of people start working in critical care and then decide they no longer want to work in the hospital setting. Plus it seems that you are a little unsure of what you want, and may not have any experience yet, I would get some experience first to help you decide. Programs will vary on requirements and competitiveness based on the track you want (FNP, Primary, ACNP, etc.).

Lucillern1, The GRE site has a lot of free information regarding test content, practice questions, etc. How you learn should determine your study style, but there are many ways to prepare. I have friends who have taken those prep-classes and did awesome on the GRE, but they are also very expensive. My husband and I just borrowed every recent GRE book our public library and did all the practice questions. I think this worked well because each brand of book is a little different and has different strengths/weaknesses. If your library has a small selection you can ask them to request copies from other libraries, just make sure they are recent as the test was changed in 2010. We also bought flash cards off amazon for vocab. He did really well and just did these things for about 3 weeks prior. If you look online there are lots of different GRE prep methods, suggestions and practice tests, in addition to many study guides/prep available for purchase.

I doubt it, usually by the time you apply and go through the interviewing/acceptance process, the previous class is already a semester or more ahead and there is no way you would catch up. Plus clinicals are already starting by that point so it would be impossible to meet requirements that fast. The one exception might be if you already have the grad classes done for some reason, but I've never heard of this happening, you're still placed in the year you applied for.

You should be able to talk to a nursing advisor who can give you a general curriculum plan and time frame, they may also have information meetings. The timeframe also depends on how the CC is set up. Mine was a point system that started fresh every year, but I know others that had a wait list that was several years long. I don't know how yours is, but mine also gave points for having healthcare experience, such as CNA or phlebotomist. If possible in your area, this isn't a bad way to go, plus it helps get your foot in the door at your local hospitals and gives you a job if you don't get in your first try. My CC had a 1.5 semester phlebotomy course with an externship, I worked this job PRN all through school and now I'm also one of the best at IVs. Overall, most people I know look 3-4 years to complete their associates, but chose this route due to the cost. Once they started working they finished their BSN. I did an accelerated track since I already had a bachelors, but I know admission is similar in all tracks. My program was 1 year, my program also had the standard 2-year RN program and then an extended 3 year RN program; these only considered the RN courses, not any prerequisites.

If you ask them, they say you shouldn't work. I don't have kids in my current program (not USA), and work full time and I find that I'm busy but it is manageable. My understanding is that USA is more self-taught, as a result you'll likely need more time to focus on learning the material, which means using your days and evening off to keep up, and thats not including clinical hours. Unless you have an excellent support system you probably won't be able to be an attentive mother and student, but each person handles these things differently. I know many people that sacrifice this time with their kids to improve things in the future, but the DNP is a longer program and it is a personal choice of priorities.

As everyone else has said, it can really vary based on location, competition and if the hospital is unionized. I worked at a hospital in MI at made $27 base and this is on the lower end for the state (my PRN pay was $40/hr). I just moved to NC and took a pay-cut, now I'm making around $24 base. PRN in my area is about $28. Most people I know that moved to this area from bigger cities took a pay cut, so if you're hoping to make more look for those areas or for good sign on bonuses.