traumanightsRN NP

traumanightsRN has 16 years experience as a NP.

Latest Activity

1. Comparing ICUs

   traumanightsRN replied to tarheel22's topic in Critical

   I think SICU is a great choice. I spent my entire bedside career in a STICU and loved it! You get a lot of different type of surgical patients so it's not the same thing over and over again. You will get experience with a lot of drips and different v...

2. NP in clinic based surgical specialties

   traumanightsRN replied to treeye's topic in Advanced

   It's a tough job. The learning curve is really steep. I worked in primary care for 4 years before going to ortho and definitely was not prepared for the amount of anatomy I did not know. I learn something new every day. I don't hate it but I don't lo...

3. NP in clinic based surgical specialties

   traumanightsRN replied to treeye's topic in Advanced

   I work in an outpatient orthopedic surgery clinic. I do not work for any of the surgeons, I do general orthopedics. I see my own patients but also do pre-ops and postop visits. I have zero OR experience and am not an RNFA. It's basically the same as ...

4. Clinic NPs, how many admin hours do you have?

   traumanightsRN replied to treeye's topic in NP

   First NP job I had zero admin hours for 2 years then only got 4 hours a month. I was taking weeks to finish notes. It sucked. Current job I get 8 hours a week split as 4 hours on two separate days a week (Tues and Fri). Admin time is the greatest for...

5. Regretting My Decision To Be An NP

   traumanightsRN replied to Rbew's topic in NP

   First, it’s not you it’s them. It doesn’t seem like being an NP itself is bad, you’ve just worked with some bad actors. Do you live in a state with a lot of NP restrictions? Like others said, try to work for a health system or move to a different are...

6. New Grad in ICU - Having Difficulty

   traumanightsRN replied to RN_Lovee's topic in Critical

   First , take a deep breath. You just came off orientation. You’re not going to have critical thinking skills yet. That comes with time and experience. I started as a new grad in an ICU many years ago. It’s def intimidating, but that’s why they give y...

7. Time management

   traumanightsRN replied to Cmailes's topic in Critical

   I agree with the above poster. I always put my assessments in first thing and hoped to have both in by 2000-2030. Then chart in real time. I planned my baths and wound care always for 2200. That way if crap hit the fan I had the important stuff in an...

8. switching from outpatient clinic to UC?

   traumanightsRN replied to rn3052's topic in Advanced

   Don’t want to discourage you but I have found most UCs want PAs and not NPs. I have 5 years primary care experience as an NP and 9 years in trauma ICU as an RN. I have applied for multiple UC jobs and have never heard a word back. Even to job postin...

9. Can an FNP work as First Assist?

   traumanightsRN replied to Hefziba's topic in NP

   It really depends on the rules/laws for nurses governing your state. I practice in Virginia and you do not have to take any courses to be an RNFA there. You can get on the job training and that is enough.

10. Break into CC

    traumanightsRN replied to Guest1030824's topic in Critical

    I have had multiple interview experiences from them asking typical HR type questions to just having a chat with the unit manager. Honestly there is no reason to be nervous. Just tell them you always wanted to work on critical care but couldn’t get a ...

11. Break into CC

    traumanightsRN replied to Guest1030824's topic in Critical

    Honestly just apply for any and all ICU positions at hospitals in your area. Over the years I’ve noticed many new ICU nurses are new grads but there are plenty of nurses coming from the floor or stepdown unit as well. Just go for it! You can do this!

12. Resources for Ordering Imaging/Tests

    traumanightsRN replied to OncRN2015's topic in NP

    It’s not that I don’t know what type of test per se but I want to make sure I’m choosing what’s going to get covered by insurance. Also, some things I think I can do a CT for and actually an MRI is recommended and vice versa. It’s a great resource fo...

13. Resources for Ordering Imaging/Tests

    traumanightsRN replied to OncRN2015's topic in NP

    Here is the website for the ACR Appropriateness Criteria https://acsearch.acr.org/list?_ga=2.5309428.676607075.1601468260-1215318203.1601468260. I use it all the time in primary care. You can go down the list by body part/area you want to image and c...

14. Which review course is the best????

    traumanightsRN replied to buster4's topic in NP Students

    I did the online Fitzgerald FNP Review course and although I learned a lot, when it came to taking boards I do not feel it helped me at all. I did pass boards on my first try but barely. I felt completely prepared after doing the Fitz review and when...

15. UVA FNP hopeful

    traumanightsRN replied to ABC-123's topic in NP Students

    I sent you a PM.