UAB AMNP 2017

Guest955997 · Apr 14, 2016

Same boat but OOS! Graduated in December and currently squeezing in some volunteering while working fulltime. I am super excited about this program, was premed and decided I would rather be a NP ultimately after lots of research comparing the two. I find that nursing/NP would be a more rewarding and fulfilling role personally for me and so glad I made the decision to switch!

samwell2016 · Apr 14, 2016

I am, too! I've met a few people around campus who are currently in the program right now and they love it. I have plenty of volunteer hours from being pre-PT my first three years but since I switched so late, I now have a lot of catching up to do in the shadowing department. Although it's not a requirement, I've heard that they want to accept students who are 100% certain what NPs actually do. And I know that the undergraduate nursing program requires at least 60 hours so I'm setting that as my goal. :nurse:

Guest955997 · Apr 14, 2016

Wow really? I am shadowing a primary care physician next week and struggled enough as it is finding that in my area. Hopefully it won't be near as hard finding a few NPs to shadow or I am screwed!

Emilyn14 · Apr 16, 2016

I'm also applying to the program! I don't have as much shadowing experience, but I work as a PCT, so hopefully that will help me out some. :) I currently go to UAB as well. I'm super nervous, but excited!

vgjj · Apr 17, 2016

I will also be applying for Spring 2017, and I am really excited for the process to begin! I'm most worried about not having much "medical" experience. I've been wondering if they hold that to as high a standard as PA schools. I'm working as an ER scribe now; good experience?

Columnist · Apr 17, 2016

Your thread has been moved to the Nursing Schools / Colleges forum where the other school specific discussions are. We hope you will receive additional responses in this new location.

Emilyn14 · Apr 18, 2016

I think that ER scribing is good experience! I say this because you get to learn medical terminology, as well as see up close and personal what different providers do. PA schools mostly require "hands- on patient contact, but AMNP does not. While it may look good to have that, I think you're just fine!

On a side note, I'm really nervous about my stats and getting in! How do y'all feel about it?

Also, are you guys using the NursingCAS app?

samwell2016 · Apr 18, 2016

Yes, I'm pretty certain that you have to use NursingCas this year for UAB. Unfortunately, I've only seen about 3 schools on NursingCas that have direct entry MSN, so for those of us who are thinking of applying to back up schools... this means multiple applications *sigh*

I'm stressing about my stats as well. My gpa is well above the 3.2 but it's not super impressive. But I have read from past amnp threads (from current amnp students) that they don't look at gpa and gre too strongly since it's not the most accurate predictor of nursing school success. In turn they factor in your extracurriculars and medical related experiences.

All of you guys seem like you're on the right track! Currently, I'm a pharmacy technician. I'm considering getting a second job more nursing related. I bet PCT and medical scribe will help y'all's application out a lot!

Guest955997 · Apr 18, 2016

Yeah, well I volunteer as a Dental Assistant, different in many ways but also similar in many ways, and I get some fantastic patient interactions that is really hard to beat. It is really hard for me to gather alot of hours of shadowing as I work fulltime Mon-Fri hourly, so everyday that I have to miss takes a bite out of my paycheck. I just got back from shadowing A family physician and nurses at the place I volunteer it, and it was INCREDIBLE! Everything I dreamed of and more... My graduating GPA was pretty good, but I am not sure how it will turn out when all my grades are calculated together (I went to multiple schools, and my graduating one does replace grades so it won't be the same). However, I have some really good ECs as far as clubs and volunteering for my school, so I hope that can allow my app to outshine some of the minuses.

Sam is right, UAB requires you to go through NursingCAS. I have almost all my information filled out and will be applying soon so that I know if I can exempt the GRE or not. Also keep in mind, there are quite a few schools out there that aren't using the NursingCAS that does have the MSN Direct Entry. If I have to take the GRE, I will probably expand my list to include Vanderbilt, but UAB is at the top of my list because they offer the specialities I am really interested in (Oncology and Psychiatry), which I plan to pick one, finish the program, and then get a FNP while I work because I think either of these options (FNP Onc or FNP Psych) would pair really well together and allow me to provide the best care to my patients.

Best of luck to everyone!

vgjj · Apr 18, 2016

I also graduated with a GPA above the 3.2 GPA; however, I took the GRE just to have it if I decided to apply to additional graduate programs that may require it. PCT is a lot more hands-on than medical scribe, so I would definitely look for that type of position if you want more related experience, but I have learned A LOT of medical terminology as a scribe.

Shadowing is awesome! I haven't done it since my freshman year (2011) so I need to get some recent shadowing hours just to be safe.

Emilyn14 · Apr 19, 2016

I attended the AMNP interest meeting a month ago, and the advisor said that there was an alternative application that is not available yet. She said it was slightly cheaper, but assured me that neither application was "better". She also said that they have already gotten tons of applications already. It terrifies me! I don't have to take the GRE, but I might also apply to UAB's second degree BSN program.

Do y'all know if we can submit the NursingCAS application while we are still waiting on our references to send in their letters?

Good luck to everyone. â˜ºï¸