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I'm more interested in being an NP than a RN, I actually have most of the prereqs to apply for the RN at the CC, but the problem is that there is a WAITLIST that's one year It's too bad that my GPA sucks (3.0) or I would just apply to a MSN-entry program. I think I would rather do a 2 year to MSN than a 1 year BSN. Was it hard finding a job with just the AA?
Ahh okay I gotcha.
Just to point out master programs for NP's are different than an MSN (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Master_of_Science_in_Nursing). When you look at these accelerated programs if it just says accelerated MSN program, unless specified as a nurse practicioner program, it is likely for an MSN which is relevant to what I had mentioned before.
You have Family Nurse Practicioner programs, Neonatal NP programs, Acute Care etc the list goes on to geriatric and such.
Also after 2015 the mandate is that all nurse practicioner programs will be doctoral level (DNP), could be relevant depending on if you are at all considering PA school or DO.
This is not a mandate but a recommendation. No state nursing entities are changing the licensing requirements for NPs to have DNPs by 2015. There are plenty of MSN programs still in existence. I am in one and I am slated to graduate in 2015.
I wouldn't mind having a doctorate So how hard was the NCLEX? Did you guys pass the first time?
Hello, I'm currently in Opt school and thinking of dropping out because I realized that I wanted to work in a hospital setting and Opt school is making me pretty miserable. What do you guys think of getting an RN degree at my local CC? It would mean I would have zero debt so I'm not TOO worried about starting salaries, but I would live in the SF, CA, which I hear pays very well for new nurses. I've also seen online RN to MSN degrees? Is there actual merit to those if I decide to complete one after while working?
Hello, I'm currently in Opt school and thinking of dropping out because I realized that I wanted to work in a hospital setting and Opt school is making me pretty miserable. What do you guys think of getting an RN degree at my local CC? It would mean I would have zero debt so I'm not TOO worried about starting salaries, but I would live in the SF, CA, which I hear pays very well for new nurses. I've also seen online RN to MSN degrees? Is there actual merit to those if I decide to complete one after while working?
Do you know if NPs have good job opportunities in the bay area? How much is the tuition for NP school? Opt school is 35k a year
Right what I understood even if you gained entry to a masters NP program in 2014 you would not be required to attain further education to practice as an NP.
An also from looking at different websites for universities offering NP programs, they are phasing out masters programs.
Nurses will have always work. There may be an overflow at times and a need to travel (somewhat), but there are so many avenues one can go with a BSN, so, so many. They're all lucrative too.
If you're sure about the Opt decision then the nursing decision is a healthy choice. You'll find work and have plenty of growth potential should you desire so.
even with a masters? My friend is a recent grad in nursing and got a job right away and she only had a bachelors...I think nursing seems more stable than other careers, but I really haven't researched it too much. I hear PA school is super intense, I think it might be too hard for me :/
Also, I was looking at "West Coast University" because it had no waitlist and seemed to accept everyone...are schools like this total bull**** and just out for your money?
Hello, I'm currently in Opt school and thinking of dropping out because I realized that I wanted to work in a hospital setting and Opt school is making me pretty miserable. What do you guys think of getting an RN degree at my local CC? It would mean I would have zero debt so I'm not TOO worried about starting salaries, but I would live in the SF, CA, which I hear pays very well for new nurses. I've also seen online RN to MSN degrees? Is there actual merit to those if I decide to complete one after while working?
Also after 2015 the mandate is that all nurse practicioner programs will be doctoral level (DNP), could be relevant depending on if you are at all considering PA school or DO.
Mike, you have been misinformed. No one is requiring a DNP for NP practice anywhere. Not one single state BON is advocating this as a requirement for licensing, no certifying body is advocating it as a requirement for certification. CRNAs are requiring the DNP by 2025, I believe. Perhaps that is what you are thinking of. There are plenty of masters level NP programs staying around, including the #1 program in the country, Penn. Penn, and it's Dean, are together the biggest and loudest opponents of the DNP on record, lol. They, and many others, will maintain MSN programs indefinitely. The DNP as a requirement for entry to practice is not going to materialize anytime soon.
Just like to clarify that misunderstanding when I see it crop up. Carry on.
even with a masters? My friend is a recent grad in nursing and got a job right away and she only had a bachelors...I think nursing seems more stable than other careers, but I really haven't researched it too much. I hear PA school is super intense, I think it might be too hard for me :/
Also, I was looking at "West Coast University" because it had no waitlist and seemed to accept everyone...are schools like this total bull**** and just out for your money?
Also, I was looking at "West Coast University" because it had no waitlist and seemed to accept everyone...are schools like this total bull**** and just out for your money?
But West Coast still gives you a BSN and it's accredited...what's the catch? It's actually A LOT less $ than Opt school.
But West Coast still gives you a BSN and it's accredited...what's the catch? It's actually A LOT less $ than Opt school.
I looked into it and West Coast is WASC accredited...which i believe means that the units transfer. They also have a one year masters program that I could do afterward...3 years to be a NP sounds pretty good...
Also most new grad Optometrists are making 60k, whereas new grad NPs are making around 90k from my research...
I looked into it and West Coast is WASC accredited...which i believe means that the units transfer. They also have a one year masters program that I could do afterward...3 years to be a NP sounds pretty good...
Also most new grad Optometrists are making 60k, whereas new grad NPs are making around 90k from my research...
I don't think 100k is a lot for nursing when you consider the job market is better than most careers for the same amount of $. I'm mostly interested in the CA state schools and I hear they accept WCU.
I don't really have a choice because the CA state schools don't allow you to get a BSN from them if you already have a BA/BS And my GPA is too low to get into a Masters-entry program (I've heard you need a 4.0)
I've only done a semester of Opt school so it wouldn't be too big of a mistake if I quit now. I might take a year between the BSN and MSN to gain some experience.
I guess I feel like the country always needs nurses, even in bad economic times, whereas with Optometry, I think that most people will just order glasses online (you don't even need a valid prescription!).
I don't really have a choice because the CA state schools don't allow you to get a BSN from them if you already have a BA/BS And my GPA is too low to get into a Masters-entry program (I've heard you need a 4.0)
I've only done a semester of Opt school so it wouldn't be too big of a mistake if I quit now. I might take a year between the BSN and MSN to gain some experience.
I guess I feel like the country always needs nurses, even in bad economic times, whereas with Optometry, I think that most people will just order glasses online (you don't even need a valid prescription!).
Yes, but you'll be taking out 100k in loans just for the RN part, not even the NP part, if you go to that program. You should call the graduate schools you're interested in for pursuing the NP and see if they accept West Coast University. Mine does not, although I am at a top institution.
You can make 90k easily with a BSN in Cali.
True. Numerous people I finished nursing school with have yet to find a job despite applying to multiple places, going to job fairs, etc. Thats if you want to work in a hospital. I know you might have better luck at nursing homes, from what I see and hear. The job market in Ca is not pretty
Sometimes it's best to just let people learn the hard way. Many, many people have advised caution regarding this course of action, but the OP seems intent on pursuing it nonetheless.
I wonder why it is people ask for feedback if they are going to argue with things they don't want to hear.
The economy is bad..regardless of what you do, the health field is starting to feel the effects of the 4+ year recession. Nursing is still a solid/career job compared to most other degrees. I'd rather be unemployed with a BSN, then with a doctorate in Optometry. With nursing it's cyclical, eventually the market will improve in a few years.
I am aware of the posts on allnurses.com. I don't think you understand that Optometry school costs twice as much as nursing and there are FEWER jobs in the job market right now. Nursing school is also half the time of Optometry school.
Agreed. She seems to have done little research on the fields she has chosen. It would behoove her to go to allnurses as you advise, try to spend sometime volunteer in a hospital and get close to the nurses as she can. and crunch the numbers. Seems like she is forgetting that the 100k will be more than 100k with interests, time finding a job, and making more than the min. payments.......also her limiting herself to california also seems to be a very poor decision as well. I see no reason(unless her parents are sick/older or she has a family) that someone that is younger can't venture out of their comfort zone.
Hell I went to PA school 11hrs from home, Medical school 11hrs away from home and worked all the way in california when I was a new graduate PA. So I am wondering why the OP can't move away from home only for a little while to reach her goals if she is so hellbent on going the RN/NP route..
Also I do know of one person that has 120k in debt as a RN that is struggling to stay afloat........and that is with a job..........
Also being a RN/NP/PA is not all fun, if you don't have thick skin and can't take Physicians hollering at you for a slight mistake(seen this before which is disgusting to me), have a chart thrown at you because they have something going on at home or just in a general mood(one of my good friends told me about a Physician spitting on a nurse where she worked I know this is an extremely(very extreme) uncommon but this type of stuff can happen), and many other things you need to reconsider going the nursing route....