TX_ICU_RN

TX_ICU_RN has 7 years experience and specializes in ICU, Pedi, Education.

Latest Activity

1. Complete 1 yr ICU req. in the first year of CRNA Schoo?l

   TX_ICU_RN replied to FutureNurseSaga's topic in SRNA

   I am a nurse who recently changed from being a Pedi NP to working in an adult ICU as a RN. I have been there for 4 months and can't imagine going to CRNA school with only 1 year of ICU experience as your only nursing experience. The learning curve is...

2. Do you feel resentment when a pt. refuses to be seen by you?

   TX_ICU_RN replied to Jo Dirt's topic in NP

   I did when I first started practicing, but the first time I had to see a patient that REALLY did not want to see a NP changed my mind. The doc had to leave to go to the hospital for an emergency and the mom decided she would "settle". The tension was...

3. I scheduled my ACNP exam!!!!!!!!!!!!

   TX_ICU_RN replied to christvs's topic in NP

   Good Luck!! I can't wait until I can say the same. I am actually going to orientation on July 31st for my post master's ACNP program. I am already a PNP, but have switched to the adult arena.

4. Which Degree is preferred?

   TX_ICU_RN replied to CRNAspire's topic in NP

   My husband has worked as a NP in the ER for years. His speciality is FNP, which has served well up until lately. The FNP is GREAT if you are doing urgent care/fast track. However, if you want to get into more complex cases and procedures, having both...

5. PTSD- Am I alone??

   TX_ICU_RN replied to strugglingnurse's topic in Disabilities

   I am so sorry you had such a bad experience. I just recently found a really good trauma therapist, but I have to pay out-of-pocket. Until last summer, I NEVER would have paid out of pocket for a therapist. However, I was having life-threatening issue...

6. Arlington Question

   TX_ICU_RN replied to Conqueror+'s topic in Texas

   I agree with the others...south of I-20. With the Rangers, Cowboys, UTA, Six Flags and Hurricane Harbor in central Arlington, it can be a nightmare.

7. Say It Isn't So

   TX_ICU_RN replied to travelingpants's topic in Texas

   I live in DFW and 5 years of experience should get you $27-30/hour MAX base at most facilities. The cost of living here is significantly less than many other places across the nation. If you have not lived in Texas before, I would visit Houston and o...

8. Roll Call - Introduce Yourselves, Texans!

   TX_ICU_RN replied to TheCommuter's topic in Texas

   Hey! I have lived in DFW since I was 7 and love it here. My husband and I met in nursing school and have been married for 12 years. We have three kids, 16 (his daughter from a previous marriage), 11 year old son, and 9 year old daughter. We both got ...

9. The dreadful money question

   TX_ICU_RN replied to johnson0424's topic in NP

   I learned this the REALLY HARD WAY!!! I just went back to work two months ago after taking 4 years off to stay at home with my kids and also to recharge myself. I got Rheumatic Fever in Dec 2003 that resulted in multiple hospitalizations and then end...

10. No one dies in OR

    TX_ICU_RN replied to shock-me-sane's topic in General Nursing

    I work in the ICU and this frustrates me as well. However, OR deaths are a HUGE issue as far as reporting and I am 99.9% sure that an autopsy is required of anyone who dies in the OR. An autopsy will be done if the patient needs it, but there are man...

11. The dreadful money question

    TX_ICU_RN replied to johnson0424's topic in NP

    It all depends on the position you are taking. Here are a few tips my husband and I have learned along the way: 1) Productivity bonus - This should be based on any money you bring in after you have "made" your salary for the year. For example: Base S...

12. NP's calling themselves MD's

    TX_ICU_RN replied to shelly304's topic in General Nursing

    I am about to start my Post-Master's Certification for my Acute Care NP. I spent several years working as a PNP and then took some time off to raise a family. During this time, I spent a lot of time soul-searching on where I wanted my career to go wh...

13. CCRN... Best Review?

    TX_ICU_RN replied to Ryan RN's topic in General Nursing

    Laura Gasparis CD review course! I just started studying for the exam and am finally going to break down and buy them. You can put them in your car and on your ipod and listen to them anytime you want.

14. Do you work 36 or 40 hours a week?

    TX_ICU_RN replied to 2bTraumaRN2008's topic in General Nursing

    What length are the shifts you work? I know some hospitals do 3 12 hour shifts one week and then 4 the next. Some hospitals do 5 8's a week and some do 3 12's one week and then 3 12's and 1 8 the next week. I would start by trying to get the topic on...

15. Starting ACNP Post-Master's Certificate in Fall 08

    TX_ICU_RN posted a topic in Post Graduate

    I am SO excited!!! I used to work as a Pedi NP and then took four years off to raise my kids. In March, I started working in an Adult ICU (I wanted to try something different) and I love it. I have always wanted to do critical care, but I get too att...