AnnaCARN

You should have some kind of drug compatibility program on your computer, like Lexicomp. Everywhere I've worked has it. When in doubt I always call pharmacy.

I worked psych for a while. Adolescent and Geri-psych are the worst. I would float between 3 units. Geri-psych patients are violent and you can't medicate them like a younger patient because of their age. If you want to get bitten and kicked go work in Geri-psych...otherwise run away fast.

I have a friend who went to Capella for her MSN in Education. She can't find a job because all the schools she applied to want their educators to have a doctorate degree. I am currently attend Liberty University for my MSN in Leadership and Administration and all of my professors have their Doctorate Degree, so it makes sense.

How about mental health and non-medication compliance, the stigma connected to mental health, lack of family support for mental health patients (they get burnt out after years of dealing with it) or the lack of funds used for mental health. Mental health really is the red-headed step child of nursing.

I would be careful with Apsen University. My director told me to stay away from them. They are nationally accredited but not regionally accredited. Even though being nationally accredited sounds like it is the more important accreditation, it is really the regional accreditation that matters. Non-regionally accredited schools are usually cheaper in price. Your degree will only be valid in some parts of the country and some employers won't except a degree from a school the is not regionally accredited. Also, transferring credits from a non-regionally accredited school to another school is almost impossible if you are thinking about furthering your education.

My son is a Patient Care Technician (PCT) at a hospital and has more responsibility than a CNA. He does more technical stuff like draw blood, put in and remove IVs, EKGs, place telemetry leads on a patient, and other stuff I can't think of right now. I just know he pretty much does everything a nurse can do except for pass meds and assess a patient.