JackChase1212

This has not been my experience at all. I graduated from Walden in August as a PMHNP, passed my board exam with no problem, and was inundated with job opportunities. I turned down 3 before I found a good fit. I will be starting the job of me dreams in a week so I have no regrets in attending Walden.

SM75, I can understand you feeling discouraged and confused by the conflicting information regarding Walden. I graduated in August, and felt the same as you when I found this site. I decided not to log on while in the program because it was very deflating to read all the negativity. As a recent graduate, I can tell you that the program is very demanding. I was prepared for my clinicals, performed well, and received excellent evaluations from the psychiatrists and NPs I worked with. I live in Florida and can confirm that being a Walden graduate is not impeding job prospects. I have had several offers already and have not even taken my board exam yet. As with any program, you get out of it what you put in. I think that going through my last two clinicals during Covid added an extra twist to an already demanding curriculum. Walden absolutely does not help you find clinical sites or preceptors. I knew that going into the program and started my search months in advance to head off any issues. Unfortunately, I had two preceptors leave their jobs just weeks before the clinical start dates and the school did not help me other than to say that I could sit out the clinical and try again next time. I managed to find alternatives in both circumstances, but it was through my effort and determination alone. You can do this. It is all worth it in the end, and if I can help you in any way please let me know. I would be happy to. Best, J

You answered your own question.

Congratulations on passing the NCLEX and new job! I sympathize with your situation as I’ve been a single mom for 13 years, and worked 3 12 hour shifts plus call the entire time. A large portion of my salary has gone to child care, and I budget for it as a necessity. Relying on someone to take my son to school has always been stressful, but at least I took him 2 days a week. There are no easy answers. When he was a baby I commuted an hour to a hospital that had onsite daycare, but that was hard to find. Best of luck!

Excellent point. Thank you for clarifying.

This is an interesting topic. I work with a PA who does generate considerable revenue for her practice, however also does assigned tasks that the docs don’t want to do including injections, H&Ps, post surgical rounds, ER consults, and closing at the end of a case while the doc heads out to the golf course. Maybe there is a reason the surgical groups don’t hire NPs? The PAs I work with definitely do “whatever” is asked of them. It is expected.

Excellent advice for us all. Thank you for your insight.

K8e I sympathize with your trauma regarding animal abuse, and you raise an interesting question about reporting. This will be an interesting thread when people start weighing in. I think the bottom line though is that animals do not hold the same rights as humans. As horrible as that sounds in the instance of abuse. I agree with you that it should be reportable to authorities.

NPs are rarely found in the OR. In 16 years as a surgical nurse I have never worked with one, and I have worked in three states. Perhaps is differs in some parts of the country but I am just sharing my experience. Surgery is dominated by PAs. I’ve asked several surgeons why they have that preference of hiring only PAs, and haven’t gotten a concrete answer.

Agreed. There are some on this site that I sense have a personal issue with Walden and aggressively bash it every chance they get. That aside, you get out of online programs what you put in. Same with any school format you choose. I am halfway through the PMHNP program at Walden. It has been very challenging. I hold two degrees from brick and mortar schools, and I do not feel that Walden is inferior to my previous experiences. The online format is simply a different approach. My cousin graduated from Walden’s FNP program a year ago, and had a job lined up prior to taking her boards. She is doing well and is happy she chose the program.

I would jump at the chance to do an additional 100 practicum hours. I’m sure you want to get going, but that experience is valuable.

The program accepted my experience and I am doing well. I’ve held a consistent 4.0, however I do feel at a significant disadvantage due to my are of experience, particularly in pharmacology. The exposure to meds in surgery is very different than ICU, and I have gaps in knowledge that I am trying hard to overcome.

MgoBlue I sympathize with your back issues. Many nurses have them after years of lifting patients and heavy equipment. However, to start your career off with what appears to be life-altering level pain is perplexing to me. Indeed taking a position in an ER was setting yourself up for increased pain. I am writing to share with you that the OR is not a safe haven for someone with a back injury. I have been a circulator for over 15 years, in many settings from large trauma centers to small surgery centers and no matter where you go the work is very physically demanding. It is a setting that requires stamina and strength. You would be required to position, lift and turn patients who are dead weight under anesthesia. It is not something you would delegate because if the patient falls, it is your responsibility and license on the line. Each case requires the opening of heavy instrument trays. I currently work in orthopedics and open anywhere from 2 to 20 metal instrument trays, depending on the type of case. This repetitive action is a major issue for anyone with back pain. There is very little sitting involved, and a circulator who is sitting in the corner, tied to their computer is not watching the field appropriately or anticipating the needs of the surgical team. Some may suggest working in a surgery center because there is less lifting and cases are shorter, however, the pace is typically faster and there may be less support staff to assist. Some cases require fluoroscopy, which means you would be wearing a lead apron for the duration of the case which compresses your spine. At the end of some days, I cannot bend down to put my shoes on when I leave. I ruptured two discs several years ago, and have endured daily pain ever since. It has been life-altering. If I continue to work in the OR, I will continue to complicate my injury. There is simply no light duty in surgery. My solution is to further my education, and I am halfway through a masters program. I do not agree with the sentiment of the responder who commented that she paid her dues, and so should you. That is old school thinking. There is a place for you that will fit your health needs. Good nurses are needed, and you clearly are a smart person. I can say with certainty that PACU is a setting where the nurses sit the majority of the time. I have observed them with envy for years. ? They are closely monitoring their one patient, and have a lot of support around. It is a sought after unit that a lot of ICU nurses go to after they have "paid their dues". However, things are changing and new nurses now have the opportunity to train in PACU. My PACU has several young nurses on staff and they provide excellent care. I wish you well, and hope you find your niche.

Well aren’t you blessed to live a life of such perfection lol

I’m sorry you’re experiencing this. I have encountered some very difficult scrub techs in my career also, and when they have the ear of management it can be hard to deal with. I am a circulator. I would address the issues with management regardless, and document every incident to keep privately in case the issue gets worse. Documentation will increase your credibility. I have in the past asked management to mediate (so they can witness) discussions with the tech to address specific issue directly. That helped in one circumstance. Good luck.

Bumex, you make an excellent point. It truly depends on your background and ability to cope with stress. My previous experience is in high-stress positions in trauma and surgery. I became numb to the level of stress I performed under both physically and emotionally. My environment decreased staffing and increased the responsibility of my role systematically over the years to the point of complete overload and compromised safety. My goal in advancing my career to NP is to decrease that level for my health and family. I know that is attainable.

I could not agree more. I used to think that nurses brought themselves down with internal arguing, however, I can see here that this childish bickering and negativity extends beyond nursing and higher education levels do not eliminate the need in some to try to bring others down. I'll put this thread aside, and continue to focus on my personal growth while some continue their superiority argument.

JustKeepDriving, I have also worked in surgery for over 15 years and encountered a fair amount of mental illness in coworkers. Many openly talked about how they could only work in the OR because they knew they couldn't function socially. One coworker, in particular, talked about her psych meds, and became explosive if she was under additional stress. She even had the nickname of "crazy Crystal" which she referred to herself with. Another one would repetitively talk to herself, and sing. She also had a bit of a mean streak, but she always showed up for work and was reliable so she stayed on staff for many years. This behavior could only be tolerated in a closed unit with patients under anesthesia however, I always made sure to take any pediatric cases that came through so they would not be exposed to these individuals. Imagine how frightening it must be to be at your most vulnerable, and sense that your nurse's behavior is off. Now, I am transitioning to a psych NP and have felt a huge stigma from friends and family for my choice. I started out in an FNP track and moved into the PMHNP program. I felt an immediate shift in enthusiasm and distancing by certain individuals in my life. I realize this is a fear-based stigma, however, these are educated medical professionals so I expected more. I have many nurses and a surgeon in my immediate family, and I can sense that they value my choice of FNP more than PMHNP. I am confident in my decision and am used to defending my position so it makes little difference to me. However, the stigma is real.

What state do you practice in?

My program requires all preceptors to have a maximum of 2 students at any time, and I'm thankful for that stipulation. I am currently trying to secure a preceptor for my first practicum in the fall, and am having a very hard time as well. So many students and organizations don't respond half the time. I get zero help from my school.

Good luck to you! I did an accelerated BSN program, and I could not have worked even one day during that. I was sneaking naps in my car in the school parking lot between clinicals and lectures ?. It was very demanding, but that's my experience, not yours. It seems that you have a very flexible employer, so you can adjust to your needs and that is great. I wish you the best in your journey. You are indeed not alone. ?

I did my BSN in an accelerated program so I can’t speak to a regular paced program. I went straight through, no breaks, clinicals all over... I remember falling asleep in my car in between a clinical and class on more than one occasion. The sheer pressure of it over time was very difficult for everyone in my program. It’s all in how you approach it though I think. If you’re not organized it will become harder than if you stay on top of things. There were definitely some students who were clearly more intelligent than others, however, other factors play a part in one’s success. Ability to navigate clinical environments came naturally to me, whereas some of the top student struggled there. Everyone is different, but there’s more than one way to get to the end of the tunnel. I was successful in my program...top of the class, but no doubt about it, I worked my tail off for it. ?

If you have truly lost he desire to care for people then move out of direct patient care.

Depending on the type of agent used you may smell it if your are standing at the head during induction, which is where I always am. If I smell it strongly I may seal off the mask with hand pressure if the CRNA is comfortable with my assistance. Some are not. After intubation, the smell should be gone. Tube in....no smell. I would have an issue if it persisted. I’ve had my lips tingle and developed a headache from gas before. Nothing to make light of.

First, I’m so sorry that you experienced this behavior. It is definitely still an issue...in 2019. Second, hold your head up high as you leave and say very little. You owe them nothing. Sad situation, but unfortunately not uncommon. Good luck to you ?