Hi guys. Wanted to start a topic/thread for those applying into the May 2016 cohort, now that the application has opened. Has anyone else noticed on the application that the 2 recommendations are no longer required? Thought this was interesting.
As for me, I'm getting ready to take the TEAS V (Aug 1st) and finishing my CNA course next week with the state exam in August. I have a few months of CNA experience in a long term adult care facility and just got a job as a CNA at a local pediatric long term care facility, which I'm looking forward to since this is the area of nursing I hope to focus on after graduating (peds.) I graduated from the Univ of Pittsburgh back in 2001 with a dual BS in Psych and Business and did most of my post bach work in clinical psych (inpatient, outpatient, step down, peds again..) Applied and was accepted to PA school back in 2002 but decided that being a PA wasn't exactly what I wanted to do so waited, got married, had kids yada yada. Here I am, mid 30s, 2 young boys, applying into UWOSH. How about you? Say hi and introduce yourself so we can get to know one another during this ride. :) :)
I agree, snwbal41786! Those questions were pretty tedious I thought. Thankfully that part is over. I first wanted to do nursing before I went to undergrad, but the college I went to didn't have nursing so I figured I would do PA after instead. I changed my mind about senior year, and decided I wanted to do nursing again. I'm ready to be enrolled somewhere but I'm thankful to have a bachelors under my belt already!
I think it's safe to say they are definitely looking for people who have thought long and hard about what this program is!
Marheitz, I was almost a PA student. I was accepted at a local medical school back in 2002 but I always had that lingering feeling that I was meant to be a nurse. :) Do you think you'll continue your nursing education for MSN/NP if you were previously interested in a more diagnostic role? And others... what type of nursing do you hope/plan on doing after your BSN?
I hoping to eventually become a Family Nurse Practitioner. I've always been interested in being a general practitioner of sorts at a medical office. I'd also love to get into hospice again at some point, which is why I chose nursing instead of PA. NPs can complete face-to-face evaluations required for hospice whereas PAs can't. Since I have experience in MH as well as a social worker I might be interested in exploring that too. There's so much I'm interested in it's really hard to choose just one direction! Unless I'm able to immediately transition into a MSN program following graduation, I'd like to work in the ICU. That will give me some critical care experience and who knows, maybe I'll decide to become a Nurse Anesthetist instead. In general I figure FNP provides me the flexibility to explore various specialties and then I can complete post-graduate certification for other areas of interest, such as geriatrics for hospice. In the ned it just depends on how the cards fall though.
That's great snwbal... and being open-minded with where the cards fall will only leave you able to see all the great possibilities that will come your way. I didn't know PA's couldn't evaluate hospice patients. Is that because of the insurance umbrella?
After my BSN I plan to spend a few years gaining more clinical peds RN experience, either in the post-acute facility I'm currently at or in one of the local pediatric hospitals (we are lucky to have a few good ones here in the Philadelphia area.) I'm hoping to spend that time in the PICU or possibly NICU. After that I'm interested in doing an online MSN/NP program for PACNP-BC or PPCNP-BC specialty. Along the way I'd like to get my IBCLC, especially if I see myself in the NICU. I've always known pediatrics, but like you, I'm open to see where my path leads me. :)
That's great snwbal... and being open-minded with where the cards fall will only leave you able to see all the great possibilities that will come your way. I didn't know PA's couldn't evaluate hospice patients. Is that because of the insurance umbrella?
After my BSN I plan to spend a few years gaining more clinical peds RN experience, either in the post-acute facility I'm currently at or in one of the local pediatric hospitals (we are lucky to have a few good ones here in the Philadelphia area.) I'm hoping to spend that time in the PICU or possibly NICU. After that I'm interested in doing an online MSN/NP program for PACNP-BC or PPCNP-BC specialty. Along the way I'd like to get my IBCLC, especially if I see myself in the NICU. I've always known pediatrics, but like you, I'm open to see where my path leads me. :)
I know it's because of Medicare but I don't know the rationale of using NPs instead of PAs.
What's the difference between PACNP-BC and PPCNP-BC, and what's IBCLC?
What's the difference between PACNP-BC and PPCNP-BC, and what's IBCLC?
Acute Care Peds versus Primary Care. I'm going to see how much I like PICU/NICU post BSN. IBCLC is a lactation consultant. It's pretty a straightforward process, especially for RN's since most of your coursework is already completed during your nursing education. You will just need observing hours. Figured it would be a good compliment if I'm working in peds and I've always been interested in it. But again, like you said, we'll see how the cards fall. One step at a time.... :)
Hope everyone is having a good weekend. I'm off to work.. the day shift is harder to wake for now that it's SO dark in the mornings. YAWN.
What's the difference between PACNP-BC and PPCNP-BC, and what's IBCLC?
Acute Care Peds versus Primary Care. I'm going to see how much I like PICU/NICU post BSN. IBCLC is a lactation consultant. It's pretty a straightforward process, especially for RN's since most of your coursework is already completed during your nursing education. You will just need observing hours. Figured it would be a good compliment if I'm working in peds and I've always been interested in it. But again, like you said, we'll see how the cards fall. One step at a time.... :)
Hope everyone is having a good weekend. I'm off to work.. the day shift is harder to wake for now that it's SO dark in the mornings. YAWN.
You mentioned observation hours. What are your requirements?
I see! I thought the observations hours were for the nursing component, not the lactation specialist. That makes more sense now. :) Have you thought of becoming a doula?
Grenledgal, I am planning to sit for the IBCLC exam in April. I have been a La Leche League Leader for 6 years and that counts as all your hours for working with mamas and babies. However, you still have to have the 90 hours of lactation education. That is the expensive part! I also do birth assisting for a home birth midwife. My plan is to become a CNM and FNP after getting my BSN.
Nice to meet you marheitz! Glad to have another person on here!
So I wonder when we will hear more from them?
I forgot to add my sister has been a NICU nurse in San Diego for 17 years. Moms and babies are a passion in my family!
Grenledgal, I am planning to sit for the IBCLC exam in April. I have been a La Leche League Leader for 6 years and that counts as all your hours for working with mamas and babies. However, you still have to have the 90 hours of lactation education. That is the expensive part! I also do birth assisting for a home birth midwife. My plan is to become a CNM and FNP after getting my BSN.
Nice to meet you marheitz! Glad to have another person on here!
So I wonder when we will hear more from them?
I forgot to add my sister has been a NICU nurse in San Diego for 17 years. Moms and babies are a passion in my family!
Aje---we have very similar interests then! Are you from SD? (And forgive me if we've already talked about this.) We moved from SD in February, to PA in order to be closer to our family, and to create a stronger support network while I was in the program. We have 2 young boys so help will be needed. We might move back after but I'm not sure. We have some amazing Children's Hospitals in this area (CHOP, St Christophers and even TJU and Penn.) Is your sister at Mary Birch or Scripps? What part of SD is she in?
I'll be curious to hear what you think about the exam in April. You have great experience! Hopefully we'll get to chat more in person in Oshkosh in the spring! :)
Yes definitely similar interests and I love that about nursing! There are so many different ways to go and it is fun to hear about them all and find "your people" too!
I actually live in Cheyenne, Wyoming and plan to stay and practice in this area. My family is mostly from here although we were a career military family growing up so we moved a lot.
My sister currently lives in Carlsbad, but has also lived in Encinitas (very close to each other). Her home hospital is Scripps Encinitas, but she floats pretty regularly to Rady Children's to keep up her micropremie skills. She also sometimes floats to PICU. She was awarded NICU nurse of the year about 8 or 9 years ago. My brother in law (her husband) is a psychiatric Nurse Practitioner for the VA in LA Jolla. I have another sister and brother in law who are nurses in Dayton, OH and my brother is in nursing school in Dallas , TX area....we are a family of nurses....well I hope to be!
You also have great experience working in the peds long term facility.
marheitz
2 Posts
I agree, snwbal41786! Those questions were pretty tedious I thought. Thankfully that part is over. I first wanted to do nursing before I went to undergrad, but the college I went to didn't have nursing so I figured I would do PA after instead. I changed my mind about senior year, and decided I wanted to do nursing again. I'm ready to be enrolled somewhere but I'm thankful to have a bachelors under my belt already!