Masters in Nursing in NYC area

Any dreamers out there that have successfully matriculated into a masters in nursing program in the NYC area? I'm currently looking into 3 FNP programs that may possibly be within reach financially if I take this year to save up. I seem to meet the requirements, but not sure if status will become an issue. If anyone has been successful, or tried and failed, I'd gladly welcome any advice. Or PM me if you prefer. Thanks!

I think Columbia has one, and you don't need RN experience, but it's private and costly.

I'm an RN and I've been working on a med-surg/cardiac telemetry floor for 6 months. I would be very leery of a nurse who went into an FNP program with no actual RN experience.

I've heard of those "direct entry" programs and according to what I know, it is extremely difficult finding a job with an MSN and no experience. You're overqualified for bedside nursing and vastly underexperienced for FNP practice.

How did you get your job at the hospital as an RN?

Obviously this isn't an ideal situation for anyone in our situation. I would love to be able to get real nursing experience. Do you have any suggestions as to how I may be able to go about getting that? I'm not sure how you are able to work in a hospital setting. Are you also undocumented?

For a lot of us with our nursing license, we have no idea what our next step should be. What's the best way to maintain our nursing skills? Other than working privately, and volunteering, which I'm currently doing, returning for a masters seems to be the only way to maintain my nursing knowledge.

Any suggestions are welcomed.

Private duty nursing is also an option for a licensed RN who is undocumented.

I got my job through a temp/travel agency.

That's pretty interesting. I've thought about contacting some agencies, but wasn't sure what the process was like. I assumed you would have to show some type of legal documents prior to getting hired. Can you give us a bit more info about that process, if you don't mind?

Is it legit, or do you have to have some type of "connection"? Are there requests for SSN/background checks prior to getting hired, etc?

Also, did they hire you as a new nurse? I know, oftentimes, temporary/travel agencies require some prior working experience.

Any info you can provide would be helpful. Thanks