Samuel Merritt University FNP Insight

Nursing Students NP Students

Published

Hello to all SMU students or perspective students.

I just wanted to put my name out there and see if anyone had any questions about SMU and the FNP program.

I just graduated and I am willing to pass on all my inside information to anyone who is interested.

Specializes in Emergency,.
Hi SkiBumNP,

Thanks again for taking the time to answer our questions. I am just wondering roughly how many of your classmates found jobs after graduating. I am most concerned about taking all these loans out for school and not being able to repay them. I also wanted to ask if SMU provides any job support for their graduates? I've heard that they have a placement program with Kaiser.... but I've also heard they don't help much when their students finish their programs.

Everyone i know has a job, it may have taken a few months, but everyone has a job (or two). there are emails that are sent out by some of the faculty, but the school does little to help (that i have found). As for any placement with Kaiser, that is the first i have heard of anything like that. I do know that the CRNA program has a placement program like that.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Everyone i know has a job, it may have taken a few months, but everyone has a job (or two). there are emails that are sent out by some of the faculty, but the school does little to help (that i have found). As for any placement with Kaiser, that is the first i have heard of anything like that. I do know that the CRNA program has a placement program like that.

I know I am getting specific now, but how difficult would you say it is to find a job in San Francisco? Did most of your classmates stay local or did they have to travel to a different city for a job? Also, do you think being a graduate from SMU increased your chances at finding employment?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency,.
I know I am getting specific now, but how difficult would you say it is to find a job in San Francisco? Did most of your classmates stay local or did they have to travel to a different city for a job? Also, do you think being a graduate from SMU increased your chances at finding employment?

that would all depend on what you are looking to do for work, so i can't answer that any more clearly.

but i can say if you work hard at making it happen, you can dictate where and what you do.

I know some people have said that it is a good thing, though I think that SMU could do allot to further their image.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Skibum--thanks again for all the information. I have found all of your posts to be very helpful. Without getting too personal, I was hoping you could provide some info about pay ranges that we can expect when we complete the program. I realize there are tons of job options and scenarios, but I'm having a hard time figuring out a ballpark figure on what I can expect to earn when I finish the program. I'll be taking out big loans and I'm curious how easily I'll be able to pay them back later. Also, I think you mentioned that you are working in a hospital. What types of schedules are common for NPs in hospitals? I am sure that most NPs in office based settings are typical monday-friday schedules, but is that the same for hospital work? Last question for now...I have looked at some job postings for NPs that ask for BSN and MSNs. It is my understanding that you don't really get a BSN when you're in the ELMSN-FNP program but leave with an RN/MSN. Was this a problem when you were looking for jobs? Thank you so much for your help!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency,.
Skibum--thanks again for all the information. I have found all of your posts to be very helpful. Without getting too personal, I was hoping you could provide some info about pay ranges that we can expect when we complete the program. I realize there are tons of job options and scenarios, but I'm having a hard time figuring out a ballpark figure on what I can expect to earn when I finish the program. I'll be taking out big loans and I'm curious how easily I'll be able to pay them back later. Also, I think you mentioned that you are working in a hospital. What types of schedules are common for NPs in hospitals? I am sure that most NPs in office based settings are typical monday-friday schedules, but is that the same for hospital work? Last question for now...I have looked at some job postings for NPs that ask for BSN and MSNs. It is my understanding that you don't really get a BSN when you're in the ELMSN-FNP program but leave with an RN/MSN. Was this a problem when you were looking for jobs? Thank you so much for your help!

the pay varies, and in CA it isn't as good as being an experienced floor nurse. but i have seen nps getting between 40 and 60 starting and then working up to more. i would say safe expectation are earning 65-85k a year. then when you make more you'll be happy. you can get more working in a hospital (sometimes).

the schedule in a hospital varies for the service you work for. I work in emergency, so i do 3-4 12-15hour shifts, and then have a few days off.

it is true about not getting a BSN, but that doesn't matter, you have a MSN and that trumps a BSN.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you for the information:)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, Med-Surg, Psych, Geri, LTC, Tele,.

Hello, Thanks for the information about the SMU FNP. I've been taking prereqs to get into a BSN program. I have been strongly considering that fact that I want to work as an NP, rather than an RN and if so, I am going to look at program that can get my there via the most direct route.

I do not have my RN license and am looking at the ELMSN FNP Program at Sacramento's SMU campus. The website says it is 10 semesters.

Can someone please advise me on whether this means 5 years or if it includes summers and is therefore fewer years?

Also, Can you work (for pay) as an RN while taking the program after you earn the certification? Or is that impossible due to clinical hours and the class schedule?

Thank you for taking the time to answer the questions.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency,.

Well I can say that if you want to practice medicine then go to NP/PA/DO/MD school. I look at them quite different than RN school. So first I would say make a decision.

second, school goes all year. so ten semesters equals three years and one semester.

though some do work, none do it full time and most will not work, especially during the last two to three semester.

good luck!

Hello, Thanks for the information about the SMU FNP. I've been taking prereqs to get into a BSN program. I have been strongly considering that fact that I want to work as an NP, rather than an RN and if so, I am going to look at program that can get my there via the most direct route.

I do not have my RN license and am looking at the ELMSN FNP Program at Sacramento's SMU campus. The website says it is 10 semesters.

Can someone please advise me on whether this means 5 years or if it includes summers and is therefore fewer years?

Also, Can you work (for pay) as an RN while taking the program after you earn the certification? Or is that impossible due to clinical hours and the class schedule?

Thank you for taking the time to answer the questions.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, Med-Surg, Psych, Geri, LTC, Tele,.

SkiBum: Thank you for the direct advice and input. The fact that the NP's role is so different from that of an RN is the part that motivates me to want to pursue licensure as a Nurse Practitioner. Thank you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi SkiBum, I just wanted to thank-you immensely for all your help, you've been wonderful! I have a quick question, for our first semester, do you recommend renting books or even buying used instead of buying new from amazon? Are there some classes which we should actually buy the books and keep it because we might need them to reference later? Any insight would be wonderful! Thanks in advance.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency,.
Hi SkiBum, I just wanted to thank-you immensely for all your help, you've been wonderful! I have a quick question, for our first semester, do you recommend renting books or even buying used instead of buying new from amazon? Are there some classes which we should actually buy the books and keep it because we might need them to reference later? Any insight would be wonderful! Thanks in advance.

It is hard for me to remember. But, I was a book guy. I would buy used and then sell them. Get all the books first then get a feel for what you use. After a few semester you will know what works best for you. I know I ended up buying most of my books as ebooks

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Please don't mind me asking this but I'm really curious to know, why didn't you go into PA school? You seem to very much like the medical model, so why did you chose FNP? Was it for the autonomy?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment