Go-GetterRN

There are many DNP and DNAP programs that do not sacrifice clinical experience for 'research' or other fluff. Sudents in these programs tend to get more clinical time before graduating (24 months vs 16-18) with minimal distraction from classes since most classes are completed in the first year when students are not in clinical. I personally have applied to Doctorate programs as well as a Masters program. I like the thought of having a DNP/DNAP after 3 years and being DONE with school. But on the other hand, completing a program in 24 months and being able to work and get back to a normal life a full year sooner sounds amazing.

Haven't heard a word from TWU, even regarding an interview. They are kind of behind the ball compared to other programs I applied to, but they also take 100 more students than the other places.

What did you decide happyoxide??

Get an easier job. M-F at urgent care or a doctor's office. Surgery, PACU, Home Health, school nurse, etc. There are a million things you can do as a nurse, so theres no sense in being somewhere you hate.

Congrats! Sounds like both programs have a lot to offer. Is either closer to your home or family/friends? Would you rather have more experience with central lines or regional blocks when you graduate? Also, did the program faculty seem nicer and/or more organized at one place or the other? You are going to have to deal with them for 3 years lol.

Yes, and the dates you interview vary depending on your clinical site. The school has to communicate with the clinical affiliates to come up with a date and time, so it will be different depending on where all you applied. I'm pretty sure they interview ALL applicants who meet the requirements. Technically, there is no reason to worry until after your interview.

Thanks for the input, you make good points. I will definitely take all of your suggestions into consideration!

The program's graduates have had good pass rates on the certification exam, and they have had low attrition rates. I don't really know what else to look at as far as getting re-accredited is concerned. My main question is, would the program continue if they did NOT get re-accredited? And, would students be eligible to take the certification test after graduating?

One of the CRNA progams I applied to is up for re-accreditation on the first year I would be in the program. I need some advice. Is it risky to attend a program that is due for re-accreditation? If I get in, and they do not get re-accredited, would I be out of luck until I can apply somewhere else in a year? Or would they carry on with classes while they work on getting accredited again? I would hate to choose to attend this program over other ones I applied to, then it not get re-accredited. Any CRNAs or SRNAs please feel free to let me know what you would do.

Most programs want you to have a bachelors in nursing to apply. Others would let you apply with your current bachelors degree as long as you meet all the other requirements. Look where you want to apply and get what they want. Either way, you're looking at 2-4 years before you can apply since you need to get a nursing degree and work in ICU for a year.

Hmm, still haven't heard anything from them. I got in somewhere else a few weeks ago so it might be their loss for waiting lol. What clinical site are you interviewing for EVOXRN?

I cant imagine they would care where you complete your BSN. Science classes, pharmacology, etc are the classes they really care about. I agree that if it was between you and another candidate that were totally equal, then they MIGHT compare where you got your BSN at. I bet they would more likely compare your science grades and where you took those at first though. Save money and look into other ways to make your application look better.

Congrats! People who interviewed last year said there wasn't a test. Which site are you interviewing at/for?

Why not get your previous supervisor from the NICU to be a reference if it was only a few months ago?

If you are ashamed to have the word "nurse" in your title, please do something else.

Nothing yet..hopefully waiting for an interview invitation letter or something. What about you? Good luck!

I will most likely apply here too..what clinical sites are all of you going for? Let us know if anyone gets an interview!

Im in a similar situation. How are you going to get off work if you are scheduled on the day they interview? That seems like it will be the biggest problem for me. I have thought about trying to call and ask what day they hold interviews so I can plan ahead.

Search for programs that consider applicants with low GPAs. I have heard there are a few. It still isn't likely you will get accepted there because most other applicants will have a solid GPA. Also, keeping calling around other programs to see if they are willing to budge from their set GPA requirement. Lastly, some programs look at your last 60 hours when calculating GPA. Find these programs and get good grades before applying. I think you could get in somewhere, but will have to work hard to compensate for your past academic shortcomings. Might take a few years of taking classes and working in an ICU while doing every little extra thing you can at work to show your worth it. Have you considered trying for a Nurse Practitioner program instead?

Can any recent students or graduates inform us how this program is now? More specifically dealing with clinicals...does KU prepare students to be independent providers upon graduation? I applied for the Fall 2016 start.

Thanks Powertrip, congrats to you for making it through the long journey! I hope to be in similar shoes as you in the near future.

Kemminsc, look to see if there are any accelerated nursing programs for students who already hold a bachelors degree in your area. If not, I would say go ahead and switch to a nursing degree now. I switched from pre-pharmacy to nursing at the end of my freshman year and I believe it will only help me in my crna application process. In addition to all the basic classes required for nursing, I have gen chem I, gen chem II, O Chem, Calculus, and a few other classes that will help me stand out above other applicants. I'm sure as a sophomore Biochem major, you have plenty of advanced science classes under your belt. Here I am four years later, currently a nurse in the ICU, and sending my school applications in. Nursing is a great profession with lots of opportunities. Make sure and job shadow CRNAs, NPs, and RNs before you make the plunge as it is not for everyone.

I'd go Minneapolis if I were you. Both schools have a good clinical component and are pretty equal other than tuition and board pass rates. If they can be that laid back AND produce students that pass boards at such a high rate, it sounds like a win win. Of course, they may not be so laid back when class starts. If there are other reasons you would like to move to Tennessee, then by all means do so. The numbers all point to Minneapolis, but there are things that can't be put into numbers to consider as well. You ultimately have to be happy with where you are for the next few years.

I'm afraid things like this are going to make NPs the laughingstock of all medical providers. Once enough of these students cheat their way through online schooling and start harming patients, it will diminish everyones opinions of nurse practitioners, and probably lead to more limitations on scope of practice. Cheating probably occurs in just about every program out there, but do you think med students or PA students would get away with shenanigans like this? Doubtful. Scary thing is, NPs have just as much responsibility and similair amounts of autonomy as these other two groups. Online NP programs have always scared me, and this is one of the reasons why. I thought students were required to take online tests with a webcam or in a supervised environment? Since you posted the specific program this occurred at, my advice would be to talk to somebody about it. It probably won't be long until they find out, IMO.

You can become a CRNA with either a masters or doctorate degree right now. In the year 2025 (supposedly) the only way to become a crna will be with a doctorate. Everyone who has a masters by that time will be grandfathered in and won't need to go back and get a doctorate unless they want to. FYI, most people say the doctorate degree is just extra theory and research classes, not science.