Who was in NP school forever?

[Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN]

I am wondering if there are any NPs who took a long time to get their advanced degree. I ask because I am planning on taking my NP classes one or maybe two at a time, online, and it is going to take me several years to finish at that rate. I am a little concerned that I might forget some of the important things from the first few classes, but on the other hand I assume the knowledge all builds on itself, like in nursing school.

I want to go the slow and steady rate because 1) money, I am going to pay out of pocket and 2) I want to continue to work FT and gain as much experience as possible before being an NP. I have more than the required minimum years experience as an RN under my belt but it never quite feels like enough!

If you took your classes one or two at a time, did it cause any problems for you? Would you recommend doing it that way or not?

[carachel2]

:::Waving hands in the air:::::: ME ME ME ME ! I took 2 classes my first semester and then one class per semester thereafter. It took me four years altogether. Did I forget some stuff? Oh yeah! Was I *that* much more anal about going back and reviewing my pharm and patho and all that jazz? YEP!

I found that I didn't forget things any more than the students who blew through program going full-time (and some were working almost FT as well). They forgot things because of the rushed way they learned and I forgot things b/c there was sometimes a gap between learning and application.

I don't regret it at all. I have a daughter who still knows my name and I didn't miss out on too many minutes of being a Mom....and that was the highest priority for me. We were fortunate to be in a position where I wasn't in a rush to make $$ and therefore didn't have to cruise through the program.

[Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN]

Thanks, that makes me feel better! I still see myself very much as a novice nurse, and there is no way I want to make the leap to advance practice without a few more years under my belt. I figure if I start the process now, the learning will help my current practice, and in another 4-5 years I will have more experience and the advanced degree. I will just have to review, review, review!

I am actually in the process of review right now because I have been in school nursing for a while, and while it has it's challenges, I do not regularly use all my nursing knowledge, especially pharm. and med/surg stuff, so it has been back to the books for me! That will get me in good practice for continuing the reviewing throughout my NP education.

[carachel2]

Just curious...with your username being "purple scrubs" are you perhaps a TCU grad in Texas? Those are the only ones I know of who wear purple scrubs!

[Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN]

LOL, I am a TCU grad, but purple is also my favorite color, so it has dual purpose!

[carachel2]

LOL, I am a TCU grad, but purple is also my favorite color, so it has dual purpose!

Which program are you considering for your NP?

[Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN]

I looked at TWU and UTA, but I really prefer an online program. I have looked at a ton of those and actually have no idea which one I will go with! Maybe Ball State or USA? I eventually want to get a DNP, we are talking years from now, and I would love to go back to TCU for that!

[carachel2]

You can do your first 4 or so core classes on line at UTA, in fact I would recommend you do it that way for those classes. The rest of the classes have a very doable schedule for those work. Most of the clinical classes meet one day every other week (a lot of these classes are on Saturdays with just a few being during the week). I really can't fathom taking Advanced Assessment online..the hands on lab training is just so needed IMHO. I have found UTA to be very accommodating to a part-time schedule. As your clinical hour requirements increase, you may find the 8-3 school nursing is very hard to do along with the clinical hours but I'm thinking it could be done if you took one day off a week. There is no way you could work 8-3 and do your practicum though.

Feel free to PM me if you want more info on the program.

I know TCU has a great program, but oh my word...the $$$ for the program is just insane. Same education, same degree at a 1/3 of the cost @ UTA or TWU. Unless Daddy is paying for it ...then go right ahead, LOL!

[Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN]

Tell me about it, the stu loans are killing me. Mom & Pop paid for my 1st degree, this one was all on me! The deciding factor for me was that the others did not have an established accelerated program at the time I applied (of course now they all do), and they also required a few more pre-reqs. Once I factored the extra time I would be in school (i.e. not working yet), it was about the same as paying the higher tuition at TCU. I don't regret it, it was a great experience and the 20 of us in my class were very close and many of us still are!

I will reconsider UTA, I am a little concerned about the quality of education with the online programs. Do you know how TWU compares to UTA? I live about the same distance from both but with TWU I would not be fighting traffic as much...I live west of Fort Worth so it is a haul for me either way!

I was thinking the practicums would be problematic with my schedule, but I may be getting into something a little different or else sub for a year or so, then I can pick my schedule. Pay cut would suck, though! After this year I might try to get on with an urgent care clinic near my home, which I thought would be good pre-NP experience.

Thanks for the info on UTA, you've got me thinking again!!! How did you find their program prepared you for practice? My greatest fear is being not competent, or that I will be perceived as not competent.