SmithRNclassof97

SmithRNclassof97 has 17 years experience and specializes in Psychiatric Mental Health.

Latest Activity

1. 

   LPN with PTSD....afraid to go back to work

   SmithRNclassof97 replied to nicole314's topic in LPN/LVN

   Have you thought of pediatric private duty nursing? There are children and families across the country who need help. Often you can do short hours and make your own schedule. I loved working with the elderly but after 2020 with COVID and the death ...
2. 

   Psychiatric Nursing Certification

   SmithRNclassof97 replied to Betsy Keller's topic in Psychiatric

   I took the exam 2 years ago. I did loads of practice questions from different sources including NCLEX preps and I read rationales even if I got the questions right. I think that helped to solidify the information in my head and got me thinking like ...
3. 

   Getting started..help!

   SmithRNclassof97 replied to lseas26's topic in Psychiatric

   I went straight into a BSN program from high school. Costs were not what they are today. If I were to start all over I would take prerequisites at a community college then apply for a BSN program. You just have to make sure your classes are tra...
4. 

   Terminated After Two Months!!

   SmithRNclassof97 replied to Nurse Beth's topic in Nurse Beth

   I never worked in med-surg and that has never stopped me from getting a job I want in my 19 years of nursing. I may never have the skills to work in med surg, but I never needed (or wanted) to and I am confident in the skills that I have treating peo...
5. 

   The "How was your day" question

   SmithRNclassof97 replied to dma13's topic in General Nursing

   This is what I love about being a nurse and being married to a nurse. No one can understand the harsh realities of nursing better than another nurse! Anyone else asking about my day is just being polite and I politely answer "Just fine how was your...
6. 

   Should I go for my MSN?

   SmithRNclassof97 replied to kejRN's topic in General Students

   If you don't go for it you may regret it. I started my master's degree program in 1999. I went full time for a year but withdrew after earning 28 credits despite my GPA of 3.8. I spent the last 17 years regretting my decision to leave. Since its ...
7. 

   your niche in nursing

   SmithRNclassof97 replied to Nurse3242's topic in General Nursing

   I knew right away I wanted to be a psych nurse. I had no interest in med surg nursing at all. I took my first job on a dementia unit in a LTC facility and later worked inpatient psych. My first dream job, my niche, was in home care, doing behavior...
8. 

   How do you leave it at work?

   SmithRNclassof97 replied to Newbie_RN17's topic in Relations

   I would be happy to have Danger as my nurse. To be able to separate this job from home life is not easy. Nurses with more experience tend to do a better job of it. Emotions are less likely to cloud good judgment. Would you rather be cared for by s...
9. 

   How has Obamacare affected you and your employer?

   SmithRNclassof97 replied to ProgressiveThinking's topic in Activism

   What you describe is very similar to what I see with the mentally ill out in the community. I had high hopes that the ACA would improve access to mental health services but it hasn't. The situation has become worse and I know that it is not because...
10. 

    How has Obamacare affected you and your employer?

    SmithRNclassof97 replied to ProgressiveThinking's topic in Activism

    The major health concerns of the family I support come after food and shelter. My personal health unfortunately has become last. That is my choice. We are fortunate to hsve a roof over our heads and warm water to shower with. We do not have to endu...
11. 

    How has Obamacare affected you and your employer?

    SmithRNclassof97 replied to ProgressiveThinking's topic in Activism

    To answer the first question there was an increase from 267 dollars per week to 298 dollars per week between 2010 and 2012. Maybe in anticipation of the ACA? I'm speculating. But you are correct I should have known to check the formulary. I need to...
12. 

    How has Obamacare affected you and your employer?

    SmithRNclassof97 replied to ProgressiveThinking's topic in Activism

    So to clarify. I took brand name tricor in 2010 with a 35 dollar copay. In 2013 fenofibrate cost me a 75 dollar copay and in 2014 it wasn't covered. My first hospital based sleep study was approved in 2005 so that doesn't count. The second hospital b...
13. 

    How has Obamacare affected you and your employer?

    SmithRNclassof97 replied to ProgressiveThinking's topic in Activism

    My error: post 2012.
14. 

    How has Obamacare affected you and your employer?

    SmithRNclassof97 replied to ProgressiveThinking's topic in Activism

    Also my employer and my enrollment in my plan has not changed since early 2009. The examples I referred to were post 2009 and the changes in my coverage were post 201
15. 

    How has Obamacare affected you and your employer?

    SmithRNclassof97 replied to ProgressiveThinking's topic in Activism

    I'm not exactly sure why the copay for a brand name medicine was later more than double the copay for the generic version, and when the effectiveness of the medication was demonstrated, that medication was no longer even covered. I speculate it was r...