TheMurseChronicles

I think so. Specialty certification shows your dedication to the profession and by studying for the exam, you will learn a thing or two (or 200 LOL) that could really elevate the level of care you provide your patients. It’s highly recommended to have a couple years of experience in the ED before taking it. I took it as a new grad (which many frown upon) and passed, but I pulled a lot from my EMS and ED Tech experience. It’s been a long term goal of mine, and I figured why not use the time between graduation and starting residency to be productive? It’s definitely not easy. I am aiming for flight nursing, so I knew I’d need it at some point anyway. I’m not sure what your experience level is, but either way, it’s just another test. Don’t let someone else dictate when you are ready for it, only you can know that!

As far as resources, I mostly just watched the hospitals’ career postings and indeed.com. In my area new grads tend to apply 2-4 months before graduation when residency apps open and start in June or July (Spring graduates). ED, L&D, and ICU spots always fill up quick, so it’s best to apply as soon as the residency application opens. Our smaller community hospitals hire year-round.

Thank you! All of those cert classes would be great. I will be working in northern North Carolina, so competition is not as fierce like it is on the west coast. I have known all of the trauma centers in Southern VA and Northern NC to hire ADNs into the ED, with an agreement to get your BSN within 3-5 years, but preference is given to BSNs since they have to maintain certain ratios of BSN nurses for Magnet status. Those aforementioned classes will definitely help set you apart from other candidates! One of my friends got hired at Carilion Clinic (a level I ED) with her ADN, it’s doable!

Hello! So I just graduated in May, and I start as a new grad ED RN at a level II tomorrow. Getting into the ED as a new grad isn’t as hard as it used to be due to residencies being commonplace. I did have 7 years of prehospital EMS experience though. Join the Emergency Nurses’ Association to show your dedication to the specialty. If you find it hard to stand out from fellow applicants, go on and take ACLS and PALS (even though you would get it as a part of residency later). Having both of these on my resume really helped in my job search. Go on job search websites like Indeed, take note of key characteristics hiring managers are looking for, include those terms in your resume/LinkedIn account. In interviews emphasize your ability to be flexible and multitask. Don’t act like you know everything, if you are asked a clinical question in an interview. Be honest if you don’t know the answer. Explain how you would use your resources to obtain the needed information. As new grads, we aren’t going to be experts, but we need to be able to recognize when we need help. Patient safety is ALWAYS the most important aspect to consider. Apply to multiple places! Use every interview as a learning experience. Follow up with thank you notes and dress for success each time. Don’t give up, if you want it bad enough, you will make it happen. Good luck!

Thank you for this advice, I took it and ran with it. I keyed in on Pam’s study guide, and passed today!

Hello, I am currently prepping for the CEN exam and wanted input from those who’ve taken the exam. I am using both Jeff Solheim’s and Pam Bartley’s/PDB Nurse Education’s reviews. I have found with Pam’s review questions I am doing well on the practice tests, but struggling more with Solheim’s challenge questions and tests. Where does the actual CEN exam rigor fall in comparison to these prep courses’ rigor? Thank you for your time!

Hello, congratulations on your acceptance! I am a senior nursing student, so I’ve been in your shoes. Clinicals are the best part of the program because it allows you to apply the theory, patho, skills, and pharmacology that you are learning in class. That being said, I can understand being anxious if you have no prior experience with patient interaction. My advice is to reach out to your professors, they are your best resource. The whole nurses eat their young thing is, unfortunately, rather true. You just have to remind yourself that you are LEARNING. You will not know everything and nor will your professor expect you to. You will only be responsible for the skills you have been checked off on. Therefore your first semester is probably going to be mostly obtaining vital signs and personal/hygiene care. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. If your assigned nurse for the day is treating you rude, remind them that you are a student and doing to the best of your ability. They were there one day before. If you are mostly worried about social interaction, try reaching out to your local nursing home or hospital. Many will allow you to shadow a nurse or volunteer. Nursing is a lot of hard work, but the rewards of helping someone in their darkest time is priceless. Study hard, practice frequently, and remember to take a deep breath. You can do this! ?

Hi! I'm not a NP, but I have thoroughly researched this topic. The use of mid-level providers is still a relatively new thing in EMS. LAFD has an awesome nurse practitioner unit staffed with a paramedic and NP. Most NPs in EMS are FNPs (trending towards ENPs), with previous ER or critical care transport experience. This is mainly because with acute care NP programs you are certified for either the pediatric or adult population, so it limits the population you can treat legally. They are being adapted into many community paramedicine programs to help reduce the abuse from "frequent fliers". For example, they may treat an asthma exacerbation on scene and prescribe medication to prevent getting a call back later that week. They can suture minor lacerations, treat infections, and other general "urgent care" concerns from the comfort of the patient's home. These are the things I hear of them doing for the most part, I too look forward to replies from EMS NPs. It is a really interesting field, evolving the methodology in which we manage acute and chronic conditions in the prehospital setting.

Hello, I am a nursing student. From my experiences, having your CNA will not really make a noticeable difference in prospective acceptance or performance in nursing school, unless the school explicitly requires you to have it (most don't anymore). While their roles are important, the work is repetive and physically straining. The experience gives you an edge for the first couple of weeks of nursing school, when you are learning the basics of personal care, vitals signs, etc., but that's about it. The basic skills are easy to learn. I had prior medical experience going into nursing school with my EMT, and I can honesty say the only major pro was that I already knew how to communicate with patients. It helps during clinicals. At the end of your first clinical semester in nursing school, you will be able to apply for PNA (Professional Nursing Assistant) jobs at hospitals and long term care facilities. So you will have plenty of opportunities to get experience during nursing school if that is what you want. If you just want to see if nursing is right for you, ask to shadow a nurse and spend a day in their shoes observing. The pay for entry-level CNAs is a little above minimum wage around my area ($8-10). This all being said, if this is something that you really want go for it. If your desire to become a CNA seems to personally outweigh the cons, then don't hold back. I wish you the best of luck in your endeavors! :)

Hello, I personally thought the TEAS was a breeze! It's basically an SAT with biology, basic chemistry, and anatomy. If you have utilized review sources or websites, you will rock it! If you are still in doubt, I suggest looking up mometrix TEAS review on YouTube. The videos are lengthy, but they will prepare you well. Just remember to breathe and trust your instincts! Good luck!

I think it depends on what you are looking for career-wise. Most nursing schools are not really going to give you an advantage for picking between job 1 or 2. It's more about just obtaining patient contact hours. I personally think Job 1 will prepare you better for the medical provider role, while job 2 is more of a caregiver role. Job 1 is definitely harder to come by, and it's one of the few areas where you will get experience in critical care without liscensure. It depends on what suites your personality, desires, and expectations. Good luck!

Thank you for your advice!

Hello, I am a high school senior with ambitions of becoming an Emergency Nurse Practitioner. I have been accepted to Lynchburg College and Averett University. I am also applying to JMU. Has anyone attended these schools for their BSN programs? What was your experience like? Does it matter where you get your R.N. as long as the program is accredited? Did your program make you a competitive applicant for grad school? I (hopefully) have the grades to get into a good program (4.7 GPA, 88% on the TEAS, and graduating with an associate's degree through a dual enrollment program), but I am trying to stay local (Southside area). Lynchburg and Averett seem the cheapest after scholarships, but JMU's program is more prestigious. The private schools are also smaller and less intimidating, but I feel the clinicals wouldn't be as enriching. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time.