[mark2climb]

For those of you who have either just graduated or have practiced for a few years, what were your thoughts on your training since your graduation. Hindsight is always 20/20, so I'm curious to hear what your think of your programs now that you are out and practicing.

Do you feel that the training was enough? If not, what more would you add? What would you take out? I'll just go ahead and add that I'm already dreading the every present theory courses but that's another thread...

There is lots of talk about DNP or DNAP degrees but lots of them with more theory and research added. If you were to design your own DNP program, what would you include, provided that you think you need more training?

Thanks.

[Qwiigley]

My program had us move to a new site every month. So for two weeks into the new site, you had to learn the system of the unit, gain the trust of the team and find the bathroom, only to leave 2 weeks later. I wish all of my sites were at least 3 months. That being said, I had a GREAT variety of education. Many different things learned. I had trauma rotations, children only rotations, regional rotation, heart and neuro only rotations. I spent time at the Navy in Balboa and a month in Hawaii.
If I were to have to get a PhD, God help me, but I would want to work only with my school and not the university and have to do their tedious papers and such. NO MORE NURSING THEORY! Its just that, theory and no one uses it in real life. Its great for undergrads as they are using it with patient care, but CRNAs have learned what they can get out of the theories and are using it to whatever is possible. But please, tell me even ONE CRNA that makes out a formal care plan!!!

[mark2climb]

I'm not convinced that nursing theory is even necessary for undergrad RN education. Is it not possible to educate a RN properly to be a nurse without nursing theory? Do physicians have to suffer through medical theory to distinguish themselves from nurses?

[KsMICT]

We can take this discussion to a more appropriate forum on this site but let me just say that as a paramedic-turned-current-nursing student the theory !%@# makes me want to puke! I believe it is in the curriculum to keep a few too-posh-to-wash Ph.Ds employed, and nothing else.