http://allnurses.com en Sat, 21 Nov 2009 18:37:06 GMT vBulletin 60 http://img.an-file.info/misc/rss.jpg http://allnurses.com http://allnurses.com/nurse-practitioners-np/adult-gnp-vs-439981-new.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:38:32 GMT I'd like to advance my nursing career and get my masters. After doing a lot of research as well as reading a lot on this website I have come to the conclusion that I either want to be an Adult/Gerontological NP or a FNP. I live in MI where the economy is not that good. I think that as a FNP one would have more job security over a GNP.

I would really appreciate any feedback you might have for me on this subject. ]]> Nurse Practitioners (NP) Seagate http://allnurses.com/nurse-practitioners-np/adult-gnp-vs-439981.html http://allnurses.com/nurse-practitioners-np/arizona-state-university-439938-new.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 04:57:59 GMT What are the positives and negatives to attending either Arizona State University or Grand Canyon... What are the positives and negatives to attending either Arizona State University or Grand Canyon University for family nurse practitioner program?

I realize ASU is a DNP program and takes 3 years while GCU only takes 2 years for an MS. However, is there a difference in level of training? Potential job exposure through clinicals? Ability to work during the program? Or any other significant differences that people have found?

Thanks! ]]> Nurse Practitioners (NP) AnesthesiaInsomniac http://allnurses.com/nurse-practitioners-np/arizona-state-university-439938.html http://allnurses.com/nurse-practitioners-np/lab-coat-question-439920-new.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 03:03:01 GMT Okay - I work for a nephrology practice and the mid-levels (NPs, PAs, CNSs) wear the long blue... Okay - I work for a nephrology practice and the mid-levels (NPs, PAs, CNSs) wear the long blue pin-striped lab coats with our practice logo on one side and our name on the other. I am credentialled at 5 hospitals in a 70 mile radius. At some of the hospitals, the physicians have made comments that the long, blue pin-striped lab coats are for Physicians ONLY and the mid-levels either wear scrubs or have short, white lab coats. My question is: if you wear a lab coat is it the long one (either white, blue pin-striped or something else) or do you wear a short lab coat (white?) or do you not wear any lab coat? Just curious as I had no clue that the length of the lab coat was a bone of contention - lol.

Thanks. ]]> Nurse Practitioners (NP) traumaRUs http://allnurses.com/nurse-practitioners-np/lab-coat-question-439920.html http://allnurses.com/nurse-practitioners-np/need-advice-nps-439900-new.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 01:44:30 GMT Hello everyone! I would really appreciate any suggestions for my situation. First sorry for any... Hello everyone! I would really appreciate any suggestions for my situation. First sorry for any typos/grammatical errors but I have very young kids and I am sleepy...

I have several issues to decide on. I am transitioning into nursing as a second career bcse my previous career was not family friendly and I truly cannot imagine doing work that I am not excited about. I have graduate level education. So I want to pursue nursing to eventually become a pediatric or family nurse practioner in a primary care setting. That is specific, I really don't want to work in a hospital, unless it's an urgent care clinic or a hospital affiliated clinic. However, I really am more focused on preventative care which is why I would like the primary care setting.

First, should I pursue a CNA or CMA. The CNA will allow me to get "bedside" experience and possibly tuition reimbursement from the hospital--if I am hired. It takes about 3 weeks of training and is about $700 or free if I"m one of the lucky chosen few from the nursing homes. The CMA (medical assistant) will allow me to work in a doctor's office and gain primary care skills. It takes 15 weeks for courses & clinicals and is $2500. Personally, I am leaning towards CMA bcse I want to enjoy going to work. I don't want to dread going to work. I think I can handle CNA duties as rough as they are, but probably won't be chipper going in everyday. (LPN is full-time 1 year so not an option, I want to start working and make sure this is the career path for me).

Second, and the biggie is which way for school:
Option 1: Local community college, 2 years, only $6,000 but it will be paid through a local grant. Begins Fall 2010, but am not sure if I will be accepted this year. They have a blind acceptance policy, strictly highest combination of scores, and since I don't have all the sciences yet (they are NOT pre-reqs, but they help boost your overall score) I'm not sure if I will get in. Based on their last class, I would have made it in probably by a hair, so I guess 50% chance of getting in this year. Otherwise, I could wait for the Fall 2011 class and would have the sciences under my belt by then. It's 1 day of classes, 2 days of clinicals, so very easy schedule for me, possibly can work part-time. Afterwards I would probably do an online FNP program (RN to MSN so I do NOT need a BSN)--about $16,000, but I need 1 year experience before applying.

Option 2: Big name research university that I previously attended. They have a direct entry MSN program. 16 months for the BSN, 2 years for FNP. Expensive, but most likely (I'm pretty sure) all would be covered under a grant. If not, then I would pay about $15,000 for the BSN. THe MSN would be covered by local hospital for employment--they may consider it for the BSN too. I can do a pediatrics DNP completion with the university afterwards if I want. Problem: I would have to move my family to another state, hubby will have to get a job there. But we absolutely loved living there before and have close friends there, we'd go back in a flash. I would start Fall 2011. I have a very good chance of being accepted for that class. BSN is an accelerated program so it will be intense. I can start MSN coursework while working as aRN to gain experience before FNP clinicals.

So what is your advice on both issues? ALso, what is the best job for me once I get the RN to prepare for primary care? What does a RN do in primary care--I only ever see NPs, LPNs, and CMAs there. I really appreciate any help, thanks ]]> Nurse Practitioners (NP) lovin_life http://allnurses.com/nurse-practitioners-np/need-advice-nps-439900.html http://allnurses.com/nurse-practitioners-np/i-had-worst-439861-new.html Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:28:39 GMT So I have an interview today for a company that does wound care visits in the field at various... So I have an interview today for a company that does wound care visits in the field at various locations. After telling the ARNP who was interviewing me that new grads (my classmates) were starting off in the $80-$90k/yr range with benefits she offers me $40 per visit, no gas reimbursement, no ceu, no benefits and I could see 5 pts a day over 4 days. That would be a salary of $40,000. Plus, the interviewer told me that managed care visits only pay a flat fee regardless of if an LPN or an MD does the visit, so they just get a flat fee. ((So why then not employ only LPNs? Why did the ad say NPs or PAs?)). Now this same company advertises in other parts of the country and their ads there say they provide gas reimbursement, but not for me!

The other issue is my contact for providing wound care is not another NP or MD it's an RN. I basically call in and the RN tells me what to do. Yeah, I don't think so. Nothing against RNs but that's a huge liability for me there.

I am so disgusted by this offer, and would be less upset if it were to come from someone who knew nothing about NPs, but to come from one of our own is appalling. Plus this woman won nurse of the year in one of my professional organizations--what a sham! If anyone is in south Florida and wants to get the name of this company feel free to PM me.

This company's competition offers the same job with a salary of $100-$120k as 1099 and paid training, etc.

I am so disgusted!!:angryfire:angryfire ]]> Nurse Practitioners (NP) BChapp3182 http://allnurses.com/nurse-practitioners-np/i-had-worst-439861.html http://allnurses.com/nurse-practitioners-np/newbie-some-questions-439809-new.html Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:14:51 GMT Hello! I am Christy and I am new. I just recently applied to 2 different acclerated bsn programs.... Hello! I am Christy and I am new. I just recently applied to 2 different acclerated bsn programs. We don't have any direct entry programs locally. UIC has one, but you have to go up to Chicago to do the GEP program and I can't do that. So I am going to get my BSN and then apply to get an MSN. I want to get do both a WHNP and CNM. The UIC program will let me do that I believe. I am 37 years old and originally wanted to go to medical school way back when, but at my age and with my kids being so young I am thinking this route will be better. Anyone know anything about the University of Chicago program? Will I have a problem getting in if I don't have any nursing experience. I was originally planning on trying to get into an MSN program right out of school, but now I don't know. I am starting my pre-reqs in January. I have my bachelors in mathematics. I am hoping that most of my stuff will transfer, but I just don't know. The waiting is killing me because depeding on what they will take and what they won't will make a difference in what classes I have to take. You have to apply so early for these programs. Any practical advice would be greatly appreciated. ]]> Nurse Practitioners (NP) Christy72 http://allnurses.com/nurse-practitioners-np/newbie-some-questions-439809.html http://allnurses.com/nurse-practitioners-np/i-should-have-439682-new.html Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:58:41 GMT Have you ever felt like this? I am having one of those weeks right now, lol. Sometimes I feel... Have you ever felt like this? I am having one of those weeks right now, lol. Sometimes I feel that I missed the mark by going the nursing route. I feel that as an NP I don't have the autonomy and respect that I really want. Not only do the docs not take me seriously or trust my judgement, but the nurses don't either. A part of me wants to go ahead and apply to med-school, but I don't want to borrow more money! It will also take a long time to finish, and I wouldn't be practicing as an MD until I'm over 40! :cry: ]]> Nurse Practitioners (NP) BmoreCRNP http://allnurses.com/nurse-practitioners-np/i-should-have-439682.html http://allnurses.com/nurse-practitioners-np/taking-ancc-fnp-439681-new.html Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:54:01 GMT Hi all! I just passed the ANCC FNP exam today and wanted to share some info that I hope will... Hi all!

I just passed the ANCC FNP exam today and wanted to share some info that I hope will help others. I have read through threads like this when I was preparing for the exam and they helped me - so hopefully I can do the same for others.

- I did not take a review course nor did I use review CDs (too expensive for me and I felt that my school prepared me well).

- I did use Fitzgerald's Review book and Leik's Review book. I read through both to refresh my mind on various conditions and physical exam procedures and findings and did do the practice questions after my review. I found both books to be very helpful for review but one word of caution - I did note a few discrepencies in the answer key and even in some of the info in the Leik book. Double-check answers with another source if possible, because some of the answers in the key are wrong.

Overall, I thought the exam was very well-rounded, and without tricky wording. If I really think about it, it probably did follow the exam content breakdown to a "T" that is provided on the ANCC Web site.

Good luck and I hope this helps others who are preparing to sit for the exam! :) ]]> Nurse Practitioners (NP) Softballmama http://allnurses.com/nurse-practitioners-np/taking-ancc-fnp-439681.html http://allnurses.com/nurse-practitioners-np/acute-critical-care-439678-new.html Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:30:14 GMT I am currently a pediatric ICU RN. My passion is cardiothoracic critical care. I want to get my NP... I am currently a pediatric ICU RN. My passion is cardiothoracic critical care. I want to get my NP and become a part of the intensivist team. Because my goal is so focused, I am debating whether to do pediatrics or adults. Ideally I would do both, but for my masters track, I have to pick either acute care adult, or peds NP. Does anyonne have any advice? I am at a loss.. and am figuring out whether to apply for the 2010 class or not.

thanks!! ]]> Nurse Practitioners (NP) CANewRN http://allnurses.com/nurse-practitioners-np/acute-critical-care-439678.html http://allnurses.com/nurse-practitioners-np/hourly-rate-salary-439616-new.html Tue, 17 Nov 2009 19:46:40 GMT Hello everyone... I will be applying for FNP jobs (probably in Maryland) before I know it. I am... Hello everyone...

I will be applying for FNP jobs (probably in Maryland) before I know it. I am starting to really research what a "good" contract, pay, benefits, ect... would be.

Can anyone who is working as an FNP (or CRNP of another specialty) lend some advice?

What is your place of employment, specialty, and what do you get paid... benefits?

thanks for your help..

-KJ ]]> Nurse Practitioners (NP) NurseKJ http://allnurses.com/nurse-practitioners-np/hourly-rate-salary-439616.html http://allnurses.com/nurse-practitioners-np/i-d-mrsa-439479-new.html Tue, 17 Nov 2009 01:27:34 GMT I get to take care of a fairly large amount of MRSA and I&D's. The nurses prefer to have me do the I&Ds and such with them over the doctors; thus I do have a substantial amount of antibiotic orders. Well today I had a little chat with one of the doctors who wants me to cut down on the antibiotics. A large chunk of these I&Ds require packing afterward (yep even after years of teaching lots of folks still let it get that bad). This is from the same doctor that wants to do nasal PCR testing on all patients that have I&Ds and if positive do bactroban to the nares once weekly for a year…..

Anyway those of you that get to do simple surgical procedures and such: What are your follow-up and treatment procedures? ]]> Nurse Practitioners (NP) JDCitizen http://allnurses.com/nurse-practitioners-np/i-d-mrsa-439479.html http://allnurses.com/nurse-practitioners-np/feedback-contemporary-challenges-439449-new.html Mon, 16 Nov 2009 22:24:30 GMT Hi,

I'm new to this and I need some help; I'm applying to graduate school to be a family nurse practitioner and I've been asked to write about contemporary problems facing family nurse practitioners and discuss a potential solution to the problem. I don't want my "homework" to be done for me, I just need help brainstorming...on this or other topics

During a volunteering stint with some FNPs, one problem that they had was getting HIV patients to adhere to their treatment regimens for their own sakes, I decided to write on it...

Here's what I have so far...(which I don't think is too great):
An issue that has been plaguing family practice advance practice nurses is their HIV positive clients’ non-compliance or failure to adhere to their treatment regimens despite the fact that they have knowledge of the consequences of their actions. Increasing numbers of HIV positive clients are failing to comply with their treatment regimen for many different reasons including side effects and the fact that the clients have to take many different pills many different times a day (high pill burden). Alarms on medication bottles are a nuisance and are ignored by the patients. With the cooperation of the pharmaceutical companies the pill burden has and continues to decease; for example, one antiretroviral medication, Atripla®, is an anti-retroviral drug taken once a day at bedtime. However, given these facts, some patients still refuse to take their medications and it is becoming increasingly difficult of health care providers to manage these clients given this fact. A few ways that advance practice nurses can ensure that these clients continue to take their medications may include directly observing the clients take their medications, collaborating with pharmacies to conduct weekly pill counts, instituting reward systems for clients (behavior modification) who adhere to their treatment plans, and working with social workers who will go to appointments with clients and help reinforce patient education about the consequences of failure to adhere to the treatment regimen.


Your ideas and suggestions will be greatly appreciated...


]]> Nurse Practitioners (NP) finkydj http://allnurses.com/nurse-practitioners-np/feedback-contemporary-challenges-439449.html http://allnurses.com/nurse-practitioners-np/start-np-school-439431-new.html Mon, 16 Nov 2009 20:35:00 GMT I wanted to see what some of you people think. Im a 35.5 year old male that graduated an... I wanted to see what some of you people think. Im a 35.5 year old male that graduated an accelerated BSN program with a 3.35. My undergrad was about the same and my nurse school pre-reqs were 4.0. So I think If I put time in to GRE I could get an above average score and most likely qualify for CRNA school.

BUT! I am 35 years old and not sure I want to sit in a OR the rest of my life and actually think the job of the NPs I see in my hospital looks pretty cool. I just have medsurg/tele experience and would need to go to ICU which couldnt happen till Aug 2010 at earliest than I would need a year or two of ICU experience before I could even apply to CRNA school so that is definetly the longer route. To be honest I think I would be happier as a NP but its the salary difference that keeps me up thinking I should take the longer route and go for the CRNA but as an older guy the working years are limited. Also, for me, money is happiness!

I could start spring in NP school and be done in 7 semesters or wait for ICU and CRNA school. I think NPs make pretty good money and certainly nothing to cry about, at 80k. Thats of course assuming the job market holds up for NPs cause ive heard many complaining here in S. Florida. I realize even CRNAs are starting to sweat the job market so Im not sure who Id give the job stability/ease of obtaining position factor to?

Just curious what peoples votes are and if they wished they held out for CRNA even though its the more difficult route or if they love NP and never look back. LAter ]]> Nurse Practitioners (NP) jerrylundergard http://allnurses.com/nurse-practitioners-np/start-np-school-439431.html http://allnurses.com/nurse-practitioners-np/free-cme-ceu-439253-new.html Sun, 15 Nov 2009 20:39:51 GMT Anybody know of any good sites for free CEU/CME?
I'd also be interested in paid sites if it offered such things as lecture/videos to view online and then get credit, with good topics.
I do locums and don't get any money for CME and REALLY need to get working on obtaining more. I have a few sites that I use, such as primed, which are good, it just seems like it takes forever to build up the credits, read a long article, take a test and then get .25 of a credit! Takes awhile to add up and we need 150 in 5 years for ANCC re-cert! I need 25 by April for my TX license and only have about 7 so far...

Also any low cost conference recommendations would be helpful, I keep trying to sign up for pri-med but they are always full.
(I'm in Texas now and plan to stay in West/midwest region for locations)

Thanks
Neelia ]]> Nurse Practitioners (NP) emtneel http://allnurses.com/nurse-practitioners-np/free-cme-ceu-439253.html http://allnurses.com/nurse-practitioners-np/regis-college-ma-439225-new.html Sun, 15 Nov 2009 18:31:58 GMT Hi everyone, I applied into just one direct entry NP program - Boston College, mainly because it... Hi everyone,

I applied into just one direct entry NP program - Boston College, mainly because it is only 2 years long, but also because I love BC and the school had a great reputation. However, my Math GRE score was terrible (I did not prepare), and I am sure I won't get accepted. Now I'm thinking about applying to Regis, and would love to hear from other applicants or current/past students about your experiences.

I am also having some difficulty finding certain info in their website - does anyone know what is considered a competitive GRE score and GPA? How competitive is admission? How are job prospects/salary upon graduation?

I appreciate any information! ]]> Nurse Practitioners (NP) luckylady5 http://allnurses.com/nurse-practitioners-np/regis-college-ma-439225.html