Iconoclast

Iconoclast has 15 years experience and specializes in SICU/MICU/NeuroICU, life flight.

Latest Activity

1. Choosing a NP focus: FNP, ANP, ACNP

   Iconoclast replied to Iconoclast's topic in NP

   I'd jump at that, it is exactly what I want. However, I'm 350 miles away and must go with one of the distance options. Based on the website, the FNP/ACNP looks like an on-campus program. Am I incorrect?

2. GRE scores, what's good?

   Iconoclast posted a topic in NP

   BSN program graduation is 15 months away, but I have to begin the app process for grad school soon to begin immediately upon graduation from my current program. I am gearing up to take the GRE, knowing I may have to attemp more than once. I had just ...

3. Choosing a NP focus: FNP, ANP, ACNP

   Iconoclast replied to Iconoclast's topic in NP

   Another thought. Is there an avenue to expand education and practice i a post masters program? For instance, if I did ANP and later decided it was too limiting, is there a way to get additional education and test for the pedi part later? Or would ...

4. Choosing a NP focus: FNP, ANP, ACNP

   Iconoclast replied to Iconoclast's topic in NP

   Thank you for your response. There are not enough words in my lexicon to describe just how much I despise caring for pedi pts (and their parents). I do it all the time, and no one knows how much I hate it, I'd never let it show. So I could do it i...

5. Choosing a NP focus: FNP, ANP, ACNP

   Iconoclast posted a topic in NP

   Can some of you speak to the career opportunities that may be unique or specific to each? I am leaning toward an ANP program, but the school also offers ACNP. Am I wrong in assuming that I could probably have a wider range of options with the ANP? ...

6. hourly rate/insurance negotiation

   Iconoclast replied to lucky1RN's topic in General Nursing

   I am in the same situation. My husband's employeer offers much better coverage at better rates, so I am under his. I tried to negotiate more money, but all they would do is offer me prn, but I'd also have to give up PDOs (all 8 of them a year, woot...

7. Should I speak up, or keep my mouth shut??

   Iconoclast replied to CareBayer's topic in General Nursing

   I agree with all the others. I would also add to keep documentation. You can't go in there 6 months from now and say "We always have too many patients, once I even had 13...." Dates, times, acuity levels. Document all of it. Good luck.

8. Family calls to the unit.

   Iconoclast replied to Jo Dirt's topic in General Nursing

   There are too many variables to say. How many patents I have, how many calls per patient and all the other things that might be going on. When it gets to be too much, I just tell them I don't have time to talk to them about it, but I did speak to s...

9. incapable, helpless, unmotivated, unteachable pts who are unable to cope with life

   Iconoclast replied to FireStarterRN's topic in General Nursing

   I work in Southern Appalachia and I see A LOT of pts like those described by the OP. They are either completely or functionally illiterate and very "backward" (no offense intended, can't think of a more PC way to say it) I frequently have patients ...

10. Where is the light at the end of the tunnel?

    Iconoclast replied to Little Panda RN's topic in General Nursing

    I'm sorry you are so down. That is a lot going on all at once, I too would be overwhelmed. I hope that one of those jobs you applied for turns out to be a really great opportunity, ripe with warm people and satisfying work! Best wishes for your do...

11. Have you encountered this? Religious conflict.

    Iconoclast replied to Iconoclast's topic in General Nursing

    Thank you all for the respectful discussion and helpful posts. I feel much reassured and possibly bolstered enough to help my patients more with their spiritual needs in the future.

12. Have you encountered this? Religious conflict.

    Iconoclast replied to Iconoclast's topic in General Nursing

    Angus, I don't disagree, which is why I have always been OK with providing a hand to hold along with respectful silence when my patients engage in prayer. However, being asked to actually do the praying threw me for a loop. I wouldn't know what to...

13. How much is your pay?

    Iconoclast replied to rainbowcak3's topic in General Nursing

    Western NC, 15 years exp. Base pay is $18.83/hour, plus 50 cents for CCRN and $1 for night diff. The top of the nsg pay scale at my hospital is $23.85 right now for more than 25 years experience, the bottom (new grad) is $16.25 (or thereabouts). W...

14. Have you encountered this? Religious conflict.

    Iconoclast replied to Iconoclast's topic in General Nursing

    Thanks. Those are good suggestions, but I am at a disadvantage in that we don't have a chaplain (only a volunteer chaplain on some weekdays) and on weekend nights. In fact, I am the only person there. No other staff of any kind. I don't know if a...

15. Have you encountered this? Religious conflict.

    Iconoclast posted a topic in General Nursing

    How do you handle it when a patient asks you to pray with them? I do not have the same belief system as my patients (I live in the Bible Belt) and when asked to participate I have always tried to skirt the issue by standing silently/respectfully/sup...