localgirl85

No need to be ashamed! I suffer from depression and anxiety - more so anxiety as of late! And for me it never got in the way of me being a nurse until lately. I made a big geographical move and had a lot of stress going on when I started a new job. It was an OR setting and found that that setting gave me panic attacks...I then tried a regular ER, which I loved but seeing some of the stuff I saw gave me panic attacks/anxiety as well. I also have some health issues so I've decided to become an NP so I can do primary care - better for my body and better for my anxiety (I hope). I won't be seeing life/death stuff everyday. I know a lot of great nurses who do suffer from both anxiety and depression and they are still able to do the job. I used to, just some stuff happened which made it harder on me, but it's definitely done - you just might have to navigate which areas would be better for you...and a primary care or clinic setting usually doesn't hire an RN; more so medical assistants - but that's why I'm becoming an FNP cuz that's the type of setting I want!! :) So if you know you want primary care you could do a bridge nursing program that gets you an RN and MSN with a NP specialty....I think they offer some of these? I'm going to be taking a BSN-MSN/FNP online program :) Also - therapy and meds can help! Don't be shy or ashamed to get some help!! If you had a heart problem or diabetes you'd take meds! right? It's the same thing, just with a lame stigma attached to it. Good luck - you could be a great nurse because you would be able to relate to patients with similar issues :)

I'm not sure about the RN-BSN part of your questions - but maybe check US News - I think they have rankings, or google it. I'm currently applying for FNP school and want to do it online. If you're thinking of that some programs allow you to do RN-MSN, so make sure you check that out - it would save you time in the end!! But all that I have found require clinicals, even the online programs. But how can you be an NP without clinical?? I think that would be very tough and in the end unsafe for your license and your patients... the online programs have you do clinicals in your hometown - a lot make you find your preceptors and clinical sites; some have specialists who help you find them though. Good luck!! :)

Don't let someone tell you you can't be a nurse! If that's what you want to be I think you can do it! I had a Chemistry teacher in HS tell me I couldn't be a nurse unless I got an A in his class....and guess what!? I'm a nurse! (and I didn't get an A in his class ) But to answer your question - nursing school is difficult and so is being a nurse. Passing the nclex is hard, but it's doable. Think of all the nurses out there that have passed! You just study your butt off! You also learn a ton on the job. Your first job is usually the hardest because you are so nervous and don't know really how things work...but it gets easier the more experience you have. You will never know everything, luckily you can look things up. You can always ask questions to co-workers and doctors too. It's the type of job with never ending learning! But it's wonderful. It's hard work physically and emotionally, but worth it. You can make a difference in people's lives; it's so rewarding. And, it can be fun sometimes - especially once you find your niche/specialty :) Good luck in your decision - just make sure you don't let other's opinions get in the way! "If you think you can you're right; if you think you can't your right." :) Good luck!

Thank you Simplistic ! Yes, I know USC has a great reputation, so I'm sure their FNP program will get accredited - it's just a bit scary to take that gamble!! This is an odd question, but does reputation matter when trying to get a job as an FNP? Would it look better to have attended USC vs one of the other random online programs?? I would think it would but it's so much money. Thank you again for your response!!

Thank you Palliative Care, DNP ! I've looked into Loyola and it was on my list. I've decided to not to the DNP route and instead just MSN/FNP as I feel it is more what I want to do with my career. I missed Loyola's MSN deadline for this year but good to know in case I don't accept any schools (I got in to USC but it's very expensive - 84k yikes). Thank you for your response!

Thank you angiebfnp18, ADN, BSN, RN ! Yes, I've checked with the schools and asked about clinical and if they have specialists who help find preceptors and sites - some do, others don't. I just hope I can find preceptors that will take me - I'll have to ask around and reach out to my contacts! Any thought on the fact that USC's FNP program isn't accredited yet?? They said their faculty and curriculum is, but the program has to be established for an entire year, which it will be in September before they can be fully accredited. They said they just have to prove that the students are moving through the program and they anticipate getting accredited. I'm sure a school with a reputation like them will be accredited, it's just a bit scary and a gamble - any thoughts on that?

I've been applying to MSN/FNP online schools and just got accepted to USC's program!! woohoo!I would have to take the bridge course because I've been out of school 5+ years (this course is a combo of all the major sciences, yuck! micro, o-chem, anatomy, and physiology) - do other schools require this type of course if you've been out of school a while or if you didn't do the best in the sciences for undergrad (I got A's and B's but got a D in micro and had to retake it)?? I would have to take the bridge course before actually starting the FNP portion. I have a few other schools in the works and was wondering what everyone thought of these schools and if anyone had insight on their FNP programs - most are online... 1. USC - University of Southern California (I know their reputation is great - but the cost is 84k for the 2year program! - one of the higher tuitions I've found. Also - their FNP program isn't accredited quite yet. It's supposed to be by September, but it's still a gamble. Any thoughts on this??) 2. Simmons College (It's 60k for the program, all online, and based out of Boston) I haven't been accepted yet, but am hoping to be! It might be my top choice, but that could just be because I've talked to them the most and it seems like a good program. Any thoughts on their FNP program? 3. Bradley University - again, it's 60k and all online. Thoughts about this program?? 4. Maryville University - also 60k I think and all online. Thoughts on this program? 5. Azusa Pacific - it's 37k for their program, and on campus. Any thoughts or info about this school/program? 6. South University - 37k online. I have a co-worker who did their online program and didn't seem too enthusiast about it, but she said she was going through some things which took away from her studies. Any thoughts on this program? 7. Frontier - 30k online. I've heard mixed reviews about their FNP program - any thoughts? 8. University of Cincinnati - 67k online. This school/program got #5 on US News for top best online nursing programs/NP programs I think, which sounds pretty good - when others on my list are #50, 60 and in the 90s...any thoughts on this school and FNP program? Thanks so much - all the advice and input is appreciated!! It's so hard to know which schools are good - and I've missed a lot of deadlines because I chose this path a little late, and I'd really prefer to not wait another year to attend other/cheaper schools. I just want a good education, want a school that will prepare me for the NP boards/job, but one that doesn't cost a total fortune... Thanks all for your input! :)

Hi TashaLPN2006RN2012 - I'm reading this thread and see that you graduated from Simmons College FNP program. I am in the application process. Is there anything you can tell me about the program? Did you like it? Was it good? Did you do online or on campus? Would you recommend it to someone else? I am interested in the online program because I live in CA. Any insight would be greatly appreciated :) thank you!

Thank you adventure_rn, BSN for your response! I have heard as well that it can be harder to get a job with a PNP, but I haven't heard some would prefer a FNP! I hope you're right :) I think I've decided on the FNP so I don't limit myself and so I can still work with kids!! Thank you for responding even though you aren't either one - I really appreciate it!

Thank you lhflanurseNP! You're right, a degree is a degree--I never thought about it that way really. I've just heard so much about the push for the DNP degree to practice, but it's not required yet so I'd be "grandfathered in" supposedly!! And yes - why pay for more school to not get paid more?! And to just do more research. No thanks! Thanks for your response.

Thank you audreysmagic for your response! It's good to know a peds office would hire either because that's the type of place I want to work but I don't want to limit myself and just have the PNP. Yes I'm hoping the FNP offers more flexibility after graduating. And good to remember urgent cares would appreciate a FNP that is comfortable with kids - you're right! Thank you.

Thank you SCRN060584!! I'm thinking it's the smarter choice too...and quicker - instead of getting an MSN and possibly having to go back afterward. Thank you!

Thank you RedNP!! I will check their program out!!

Simplistic - I've heard from multiple people that DNP is the way to go if you get your FNP; especially a bridge program. If I did a bridge program it would take 3-4 years instead of having to go back after getting a MSN degree. I primarily want to work as an FNP in a peds clinic or urgent care but don't want to limit myself by getting a PNP (pediatric NP). Any tips for any programs or schools you've heard of or attended??

Thank you rnkaytee for you response! Good to know you can still work in a peds clinic as an FNP as your friend is going to do! Thanks so much!!