UMSON Spring 2015

[littlemango]

Hello everyone! I may be a little early with this, but here's a new post for all of you hoping to apply this September 2nd for the Spring 2015 semester at UMSON. You can post questions you have, helpful advice you would like to give (if you're already in the program), etc.

I specifically have a question for those who have already applied to the Spring 2014 semester and got in. When you applied last September, when in November did you get your acceptance letter in the mail? Was it the beginning, middle, or toward the end of November? I'm asking this because the other nursing school I am applying to only gives a 3-week time period after the end of October (when they let you know if you made it in or not) to accept or decline enrollment. So, if I don't make it into UMSON, I'd want to be able to give this other nursing school an answer before the 3-week time period runs out.

[bcandygurl]

It was cost and also most PAs don't specialize. Although as of lately, I have seen a few programs specific for Neonatal medicine. However, I liked the autonomy that working as a NP provided.

[littlemango]

Ah I see! Yeah I can understand that, it would be a hard transition. And yes, it'd be the four years plus all of the years getting the prereqs. Add that up, it could be a minimum of six years!

That's why I'm just going for my regular BSN, and then going for a certified specialty to add on to it. I've considered a Master's but I don't think I can stand more years of school! (Though I bet in ten years time I'll take that back haha!)

And bcandygurl, that's understandable as well. Will you be working part-time while doing the RN-BSN program at UMSON?

[bcandygurl]

I would think not since you applied specifically for the spring term. I'm not sure if you can do coursework only. I would call and ask admissions though. You can take a look at the class schedule here: https://www.simsweb.umaryland.edu/pls/SIMS/bwckctlg.p_display_courses. That may give you an idea.

Does anyone know about summer/winter classes? I'd like to take a few to lighten the load up a bit. I have to work to pay for school and I don't want it to be too much.

Would we be able to take winter classes for this coming january? I don't know because we wouldn't go to orientation yet...Or if there is one that we could take.

[bcandygurl]

I will be working full-time and going to school part-time. I'm hoping to finish around the same time you all will. December 2016.

[littlemango]

Yes that is true about PAs, you would definitely have a specialization through NP.

kirstens there are some winter/summer classes, though I don't think they'd let you take one this January. From what I've been told, they're usually elective classes. Though, even though it might lighten the load, I feel as though it might throw your schedule out of whack. There's a certain way they like to schedule things, I think.

[littlemango]

bcandygurl, what a heavy schedule that will be! I don't doubt that you'll be fine, though. You've gone through nursing school already, so your ability to utilize time is probably better than us prospectives.

I wonder if all graduations for all programs are at the same ceremony. If so, we may be able to see you there! :) Looking forward to it!

[bcandygurl]

That is very true, esp your first year of the BSN program. Most classes are prereqs for another.

[bcandygurl]

Thanks littlemango. For those students going to UMB, I may see them on campus if I can get a night job. I really don't want to take all online classes as I do better face to face.

[usedtobecool84]

I'm a little late to the discussion, but add me to the list of folks hoping they can still find a masters program for NP school by the time we're ready for that. If I wanted a doctorate, I'd get a Ph.D. or try to go to medical school...though schools make more money if everyone goes DNP, so I'm not holding my breath too hard. As for me, I'm currently hoping to so some sort of women's health work, perhaps becoming a CNM or WHNP down the road, but we'll see...I don't want to limit myself before I even do any clinicals!

[afowler77]

Congratulations, vigor-145!

I feel ya on the always being in school. I went for 2 years before I had kids, and I've been in school part-time since 2007. (!!!) I'm so over it! I know someone who is a psychiatric nurse practitioner and he loves it. He has a consulting physician, but he is able to practice independently most of the time. He enjoys what he does, and said it just so happens to pay REALLY well. Good luck in your journey.

I'm planning on going for my Masters. For many years now, I've wanted to be a CNM (certified nurse midwife.) Maryland does not permit the practice of direct-entry midwifery or lay midwifery, so here I am, working my way through nursing school. But another part of me, a very large part, wants to be an NP and work in infectious disease. Yes, I mean one of those MSF NP's who goes places like Liberia and treats Ebola. There is also a need for nurses in Haiti, as those displaced by the earthquake in 2010 and cholera is still a serious problem in the dp camps. I hope to be able to combine my love of infectious disease with a desire to care for those in the developing world.

[amandac21]

That's awesome @aflower! What I love about nursing is that we are able to combine different specialties and really be able to practice exactly what we want! As for me, I would like to eventually be a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. I am however very willing to change that if I find I like a different field better. And I thought I had read some where that starting in 2015 all NPs need to have a doctorate degree.. I would have to double check that source. Also as far as getting good grades in nursing school.. I have watched so many videos on youtube by current nursing school students and most have said that studying along with the NCLEX book did help them get better grades on exams.

[littlemango]

amandc21, regarding the change to the doctorate degree, I believe that's the same as what I heard in the July open house at Shady Grove, but again, I'm not entirely sure. I'd like to get a good answer for bcandygurl and usedtobecool84 though... Also, do you know what books they used?

Also, yes it is amazing how many types of nursing specialties there are! I once asked my coworker his opinion on whether I should really get into nursing or should settle with a radiology degree, and he insisted I get into nursing because there is such a wide array of things we can do as nurses. Research, home health, surgery, doctor's office, emergency room... the list goes on and on! (And for those who are not yet sure or are open to new ideas, here's a good website to check out!)

NP's sure do make alot of money, though! afowler77, you'd be an excellent NP by the way! When you come back from all of those trips, do share photos and tell us all about it.