UAB MSN Psych NP Program

melrnbcAL · Sep 25, 2011

I have just finished applying for that track for Spring 12 admission, hopefully. I have several friends that are in the program, what would you like to know about i?

resilientnurse · Sep 25, 2011

Anything that you can share. I know nothing except what's on the website. Thanks.

Erikadawn RN · Sep 27, 2011

Please post if youm receive any info, I am looking for a Psych NP program

melrnbcAL · Sep 27, 2011

Adv I, II, and residency only begin the the spring, this throws me off of my timeline somewhat. I was hoping they would offer in the Sum/Fall Adv I so I could get started next year. I have completed all the 12 as a non-degree seeking student and cannot take anymore at this time. I can, but will not count and have to retake... :crying2:

Adv Asses and diag you have a 2 day onsite for a head to toe assessment and video (must make a 75 to pass or fail the entire course) you must also critique yourself and give a grade. they hire models to come in, you pick a card for cc and complete a focus exam also. This is also the time you meet/greet your track instructors and get to know them.

Adv Patho is the "beast" better have reg patho under you belt before. questions are very detailed. You can look them up and they are findable, but you have about 90 sec per question. 1 minute to understand what they want and 30 to find. I cut the index out, put in a 3 prong folder, was a great help and time saver. There are discussion questions also to be submitted in apa format + references and attached as a word doc. BB learn is diff to get into apa format..and they grade these.

They have added a new core class called psych-pharm, that is required, my friends did not have to take. I am not sure what it is all about as of yet, but do know the instructor (husband worked with him) is very deep and detailed, loves pharm...

There is also a comprehensive exam during the residency, you must pass to receive credit and sit for the ANCC exam

Research requires a group effort project to put together a paper. You have to have 10 ref and all must be submitted as a pdf with the paper...Roles is the same, only with a group project as a teaching one. You also have a paper to submit. Issues is the same way, paper...and discussion questions in both

All the instructors are very knowledgeable, have published umpteen articles and textbooks. You will know psych when you are finished. m. Just my :twocents: worth. Feel free to ask some specifics, I will try and find out for you.

resilientnurse · Sep 27, 2011

Thanks melrnbcAL for your insight.

I would like to know if the online courses have set times that you have to be online or can you access the BB classes at your convenience, be it 2:00 am, as long as you keep up pace and test on time. Also, is it still $200 per online credit? Thanks.

melrnbcAL · Oct 4, 2011

No set times, but test, discussions, papers, and other what not do. Say I have an exam that is due to open up Friday at 8 AM and closes on Sun at 5 pm sort of thing. You can take at anytime in that allotted frame. Others you can work way ahead, like roles, submit and get it all done (that is the only one I have come in contact with) but you must meet the mean # of replies to others discussion questions to get full credit (can be like I agree or well said) has to have some meat n taters to it.

Yes that is about correct on the $ per hour amount, plus you have building fees, online course fee and add the student health fee and dental (you can get waived for those if you have full coverage).

I have officially applied for the Psych track, but during a meeting Friday, found out that they have had a 20% increase in applications in all areas, but are thinking about taking less, they do not want to flood the local market with NP's of any type. This was from all the Deans (everyone of them).

resilientnurse · Oct 5, 2011

Hi melrnbcAL,

Thanks for the information--a 20% increase, huh? Wow! Did they mention anything about those of us who are not in the Birmingham local area? We cannot possibly contribute to flooding the market. Plus, there is a overall nationwide shortage of Psychiatric Mental Health NPs anyway. I definitely hope that I am admitted though. My application has been complete since June. I am really banking on it this. I cannot afford the tuition rates elsewhere. How long does it take for decisions to come down? Also, do you know by how much starting in Spring throws you off?

melrnbcAL · Oct 5, 2011

No, no mention about out of state apps. As for throwing you off, the adv I, II and residency does not start till spring. If you are not in the program and have a preceptor chosen (date to have done was 9/15) you will not start the clinical practicum until 2013. This is due to the amount of staff they have to run the program. I wish they would start earlier, I would love to finish up in May 13, but this puts me at Dec 13 going part-time...guess I will add some "nurse educator classes to keep up the loan I have at this time. I receive 18 hours for free each year due to working at UAB, but pushed so hard, had to pay for a few hours myself. I do know the books for adv I, II, and residency are quiet expensive..

resilientnurse · Oct 5, 2011

So, starting in the Spring will take the average student two years (or how many semesters) to complete the program? Also, how do you know about the application increase? You were in the meeting? Was anything else discussed as far as Spring's applications? Do you know how long it takes for decisions to come down? Lastly, do you think the increase has to do with the economy?

melrnbcAL · Oct 5, 2011

part time = 6 semesters or so. Have you looked at the fact sheet? they have the program of study laid out for you to follow. Mine will be different due to having completed adv patho, roles, and adv assessment and diag already. I will only have to do research, issues, pharm and psychpharm before the clinical practicum part.

Yes, I was in the meeting with my preceptor, who is the director for magnate and clinical nursing excellence. We have a link program with the SON and plans were being discussed about changes that were taking place. Everyone in that meeting had completed a PHD or DNP but me. They will start very soon looking at apps, and will not be given out until after 10/23. We have fall break on 13-14 so nothing will happen then .

Increase due to economy? not for grad school, I think it is the DNP change over recommendations for 2015 driving the increase in apps. My goal is to eventually instruct/teach psych at my local CC. Their program is wonderful. They also have a new pref for all NS to take the sciences and math from UAB, they stated research shows passage of boards is better/easier than coming from a CC like I did, but I have passed boards, even currently BC with the ANCC in psych. I am the charge nurse in the adult acute unit since 2002, and have worked with all the instructors for the undergrad clinical and a few accelerated program instructors. I can tell you to relax, they are trying to build up that track, per my adviser...but that does not mean we are a guaranteed acceptance.

melrnbcAL · Oct 5, 2011

I have just looked at the spring 2012 semester for NPN courses and they have 24 slots available to register for the ADV I course and 4 sections of practicum with 7 slots in each. It also looks like the plan a residency class with 8 slots available. I am hoping this means they will be offering more of the practicums during other semesters and not just starting in spring and finishing up in fall scenario. This will let me, hopefully get out a semester early.