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I have been nursing for >40 years. I can say from experience and knowing/working with a lot of nurses in a lot of fields the more solid your foundation, the broader your experience the better you will be at anything you do. I always recommend starting in Med-Surg. It is hard to go back to med surg once you have done a specialty because there will be a steep learning curve to catch up. If you are a new grad now you will get / should get a great orientation, if you go back as an "experienced nurse" even if in a specialty area you will be expected to function after a short orientation. Hope that helps... have fun with whatever you decide. Nursing is such a terrific field.

Absolutely! Get your BSN. The sooner, the easier for so many reasons. Get it, you'll always have it. Some places do pay more for BSN like Federal Service and other private agencies. One day (may seem impossible now) but one day you may wan to get an advanced degree in law or management or quality or NP, so many options. I go my MSN NP when I was 62yo. Just saying you never know, even if 1 class at a time, my recommendation is get it ?

I absolutely loved the patients, co-workers, living remotely on the reservation. There are better and worse IHS locations to work and regional offices to work for so investigate thoroughly. The region I worked in did not honor the wage agreement in spite of my outstanding evaluations and so that is why I left. Some are Federal, some Tribal so know pro's/con's too. The work was so rewarding I would have worked a different IHS region in a heartbeat but there is not one near where I live. (Home base is 5 states away.) It looks like you have a little one, remote res life can be a challenge unless you are native or familiar with unique living conditions on the res. There are other locations where living will be just "normal" for what you may be used to. The work is hard, more than can be done. I was a new grad, ACOS allowed me to orient to 3 patients and within 2 months I had to see 20+/d. My co-workers were so supportive but just as busy. I liked the schedule (FP clinic and UC 10 on/10 off) and I learned a lot. Overall I prefer the VA because they honor OPM guidelines, have a better salary table, great benefits and retirement.

Hi! Just wondering if you did land in IHS? I am in AZ, I love it but not easy and pretty brutal as a new grad. Tami

Hi Emily, just wondering where you landed? I work at IHS in AZ and the hiring process is dreadfully slow. However all nursing disciplines are needed, RN's and NP's. Happy to help if needed.

I am not aware of a 2 year Nurse Practitioner program. I think the full time option is 3 years. There was no interview requirement 1 year ago. I suggest calling the Program Assistant, she was very helpful when I applied! Good luck! Tami

I am FT at UCCS Master's FNP and looked at many other programs though only applied to this one. My decision was based on the requirements of each program and my years of experience, work hours, and personal responsibilities. This school seemed to work the best for me. Without knowing what other school you are considering I can only answer in general terms. I wonder how much you will get from a 7 semester part time program? But, if you are a confident, experienced RN, know what niche you want to work in when done and have time to cram your clinical hours into your life/work schedule then the 7 semester might be good. From what I have heard from my classmates PT at UCCS will give you a lot of time in your personal life. You may want to double up on classes for a semester or two and finish in fewer semesters. Best of luck with your decision! Tami

Coconut3431... you are just fine! Nursing is full of self doubt and self congratulations. I think you are right on track and doing well at just 4 months because you took action to get X-ray and labs ordered. That's huge!! Nursing is not just about soothing and reassuring but also about taking measures to ensure "worst case scenario" is not unfolding. I have been an RN for 38 years... it takes a tough constitution to have longevity as a nurse but these circumstances are the one's that will make you great. Yes, others will blame and say "you should have"... but YOU look at what you DID and take those criticisms as input. Imagine an invisible bubble around you so the words will not be arrows but hit your bubble and you can disseminate and consider without destroying your core; that kindness deep inside that drove you to healthcare. There are always choices of what tasks to perform and how to prioritize...ALWAYS! You will not always choose correctly because people are living and their conditions will change even though you made the right decision at the time. Over time and experience you will note subtleties and know each doctor/NP/PA's idiocincricy's. Another provider may have checked that x-ray or called you back. Please stay in nursing... you are JUST what nursing needs. You are not defensive but analytical. Just keep considering what you did right, what you may have done differently. In 1-2 years you will not believe how snappy and decisive your assessments and interventions are! You will have some stellar self talks on how well you are doing! It just takes time and there are no shortcuts to gaining experience. Hang in there! It gets better and the family and patients will appreciate your being their advocate!

I will be full time. I'd love to chat offline and get your take on the first semester :) Tami

I will be FT... also working FT. I do live in Colorado.

I was accepted for Spring 2017 FNP class at UCCS!! Did you hear if you got in? For those of you that started in the Fall... would love to hear any tips from you, lessons learned, etc. Did you purchase the books? Need to sell yours? Thanks!

I'm in!!! So nervous but ready.