So at the ripe age of 44, after 20 years with my BSN, I am finally done with FNP school. One dream that I always had as a young girl was to go to the military and serve. I had a chance to play an instrument with the Air Force band and even tossed aro...
So I'm literally in the final 2 weeks of school. What a journey. I already have a great gig lined up in a specialty that I'm very familiar and comfortable. At 44, I feel fortunate that I had a great nursing career, and now have the opportunity to hav...
BirkieGirl replied to britt_possible's topic in Advanced
I would agree that Epidemiology might be a nice segue into another direction, and Public Health nursing/policy through a local county health department or state level health division. If you haven't already, you might also think about taking a class ...
BirkieGirl replied to nurselambda's topic in NP Students
Entered MSN as a practicing RN (did my BSN right out of high school) after 20 years in practice. Definitely a little older than the typical student (late 30s/early 40s) took anywhere from 6-9 credits per semester, worked full time, 2 very busy kiddos...
NP students- some days at clinical I will be wearing scrubs due to the nature of the practice, some days I'll be wearing super casual due to that practice, but there is one practice that wear a very mixed bag of attire. Do any of you feel like LuLaRo...
Hi all- as a PMHNP, what are your favorite go-to academic books or journals for learning? I'm asking the practicing NPs in psych because you have experience and may have some perennial favorites. thanks!
I was in medical device sales, went back to direct care because I had decided I wanted to further my career and wanted to make sure I 'could' actually do it! turns out I could, I was pretty good at it and now am in a NP program
BirkieGirl replied to Naturally Brilliant's topic in Psychiatric
while working in the content area will always be helpful, there are plenty of NPs in Wound Care, Cardiology, Surgery, Palliative care/Hospice, GI and other content areas that never actually worked in that content area as a RN. If your schedule doesn'...
BirkieGirl replied to outsidegirl's topic in Psychiatric
NO to pretty much all of it except for the occasional skin tear (wound) or help to the bathroom if they are unsteady. Admits to the unit must be pretty much self-care capable (geri psych unit is separate).
BirkieGirl replied to Dpi8310's topic in Psychiatric
No I wouldn't either. Don't share your personal medical information in an interview. Instead, I would take the approach of "what I think is the most important to the patients or what is a vital skill to caring for this population" type thing.
I agree with all the above. Buy a 'refresher' book from Amazon and review those things that have gotten a bit dusty: IVs, foleys, wet-to-dry dressings, chest tubes, etc. All the procedural stuff. Also, most hospitals have Staff Development department...
A close family member is graduating ahead of me with her FNP and I would like to give her a meaningful gift to recognize her very hard work. Any ideas for something that is both useful and could possibly be displayed in her new office?
BirkieGirl replied to vmm1995's topic in NP Students
Once again I second JulesA response, I agree to take some time. Get to know nursing. Get to know several areas. As a 20+ year vet, I can attest to the fact that there are SO many areas of nursing to learn about and become proficient in. In the end, i...
BirkieGirl replied to Infofreak411's topic in Psychiatric
In my facility the psych techs actually are required to have a BA in Psychology or Social Work. They don't function as nursing assistants in any way (no vitals, no chem-strips, no toileting, etc).
BirkieGirl replied to bryanleo9's topic in NP Students
If you're in a FAMILY program, it's likely your sites are in the office. If you are attending an acute care program, your sites will be in-hospital. It is very competitive, the competition has gotten seriously fierce everywhere in the past few years,...