Seattle University -- APNI 2011

MSW530 · Jan 27, 2011

For me, the desire to go into nursing is more to expand what I currently do. I work in community mental health with very at-risk people who have a range of psychiatric and medical issues. It was always my plan to seek a degree in nursing to become a nurse practitioner (even before I got my MSW), but then I thought I wanted to only focus on psychiatric/mental health. However, after being in my career for three years, I found that my biggest interest was in helping people both with their mental health needs and medical needs. I spend a lot of time in my job helping people go to see their PCP and helping them follow the treatment recommendations once they are back in the community. So, my hope is to gain a strong background in nursing and preventative health care and focus my practice on people who are at risk, have multiple health and mental health diagnoses, and partner with their mental health providers for more cohesive care.
Eventually, if this plan works out, I'd be interested in futhering my education by going through a DNP program -- possibly in psychiatric/mental-health. I'd love to be able to do both health and mental health care for people who are at the highest risk and often have barriers to receiving care.
What about you? What has helped you make the decision to seek out a nursing education?

Your reasons for deciding to get a nursing education sounds so identical to my own! It is amazing and encouraging to know that there is someone out there that has the same professional desires. :)

Like you, my decision to undertake a nursing education is also to expand my role as a provider. During my undergraduate degree, I knew I wanted to become a Nurse Practitioner. However, I also had a passion for working with the vulnerable and oppressed populations, especially refugees with both mental and medical issues. Being cognizant of the fact that I would be able to do a direct-entry program, I decided to do my MSW to gain the knowledge of the mental diagnoses across the lifespan. While working as a behavioral health intern at a community clinic, I became even more motivated to get into nursing when I realized that many of my clients were not receiving appropriate care for their mental illnesses. Many of the PCP's that I have worked with lacked the necessary skills and/or education to recognized and treat mental illnesses. Furthermore, many PCP believed that mental health are separate from physical health. Unfortunately, this practice resulted in many of my clients being misdiagnosed or services being refused! To cut it short, what I hope to do is to bring a holistic approach to health, encompassing the physical, mental, and spiritual aspects to patient care. If my dreams of becoming a FNP is realized, I would love to work in a federally-qualified health center as a PCP, advocating for the integrated and continuity of care for vulnerable populations as well as participating in health promotion and prevention education within the Southeast Asian refugee communities; who are among the vulnerable populations that has a high access barrier to health services.

flaneur · Jan 27, 2011

Your reasons for applying to the APNI program, MSW530, are truly like mine! We'll have to talk more about this, especially if we become classmates this summer. I could go on and on, but I guess we should continue the conversation elsewhere so the thread doesn't get too off topic. Needless to say, very inspiring to find someone else with such similar reasons for going into nursing. I started another thread where we could talk more about this, if you're interested.

flaneur · Jan 27, 2011

I just received an invitation to interview for the AGNP specialization. I'm very excited, of course, and hope everyone hears back with offers for interviews very soon! Keep us updated. :)

SARAHM2883 · Jan 28, 2011

Hi!

Congratulations on your interview! Did you receive your invitation to interview in the mail?

flaneur · Jan 28, 2011

Hi!
Congratulations on your interview! Did you receive your invitation to interview in the mail?

No, I received it in an email. Which specialization did you apply to?

SARAHM2883 · Jan 28, 2011

I applied to the AGNP. My application status was updated today to "admission decision has been mailed." I am not sure what that means exactly and I am really nervous...

MSW530 · Jan 28, 2011

I also received an invitation to interview today. I am excited, yet very nervous! Good luck to everyone!!!

sawsaw79 · Jan 28, 2011

Hi all! Congrats on your interviews! Has anyone received an email about the FNP program interview? Or received a mailing about getting an FNP interview? Just curious. Thanks everyone and congrats and good luck!

~S

quadruple-double · Jan 28, 2011

Hey all. I applied to the FNP track. I checked the admission status thing and it says my admission decision has been mailed. I'm hoping for the best, but I don't expect good news. Has anybody received a letter in the mail yet? For those that have been offered interviews, what does your admission status state? Thanks.

hlu5 · Jan 28, 2011

Hey all. I applied to the FNP track. I checked the admission status thing and it says my admission decision has been mailed. I'm hoping for the best, but I don't expect good news. Has anybody received a letter in the mail yet? For those that have been offered interviews, what does your admission status state? Thanks.

Mine says that too but I haven't received anything from them! I'm so anxious!

MSW530 · Jan 29, 2011

Hey all. I applied to the FNP track. I checked the admission status thing and it says my admission decision has been mailed. I'm hoping for the best, but I don't expect good news. Has anybody received a letter in the mail yet? For those that have been offered interviews, what does your admission status state? Thanks.

My interview request was via email for the FNP track. The last time I checked my admission status, which was three days ago, it stated that my "application is complete and now ready for the department to review." I hope you guys will hear good news soon!

sawsaw79 · Jan 29, 2011

HI MSW530! I'm just curious what your status says now if you happen to know... Does it still say the same "review status" or does it say an "interview has been set-up, etc"? CONGRATS & GOOD LUCK to you! :)

~S