kathrn

I would like to thank everyone for your advice. I did take the job, but managed to remain PRN at my current job. I am not a good negotiator at all!! I asked them to at least go from $77,500 to $80,000 and they came back with $78,500. But, I just took it knowing God will provide and I had only been there a short time and had not really gotten used to a 6 figure salary yet. My child always comes first as many of you have also pointed out. I will be home by 5 which will be great for my son and can work the hospital on some weekends. So it all should work out great.

Thank you everyone. I have an interview next week. This will only be my second interview as a NP. The first one they knew my from being with them as a student so they didn't ask a lot. Can anyone tell me what kind of questions to expect? Will they give scenarios that I have to tell them how I would treat it? I appreciate all your responses!

I live in Mississippi. I was a dialysis nurse for 15 years prior to becoming an APRN. I loved my patients and miss them. I'm not good at negotiating. The NP's usually don't take call here. They round in the dialysis units and see clinic patients. The going rate for the town I live in is $80,000 - $90,000/yr. I currently drive an hour to work and my salary is $100,00/yr. I know there is no way I would get that. But, I have only been there for about 4 months. I was with this group for 2 semesters in school and they hired me. I feel as though I will be doing wrong by them if I quit but on the other hand my son is doing poorly in school on his tests the week that I am working. He makes better the weeks that I am home. I'm doing a lot of soul searching right now. But, the nephrology group hasn't gotten back with me on an interview time yet either. I know they have two of us to apply but they called me. I did not apply or anything. They just called me out of the blue since I had worked so many years with them as a dialysis nurse and most of those years were as the charge nurse of a chronic unit.

I am a very new NP working for a hospitalist group. I love what I do, I just don't love the long hours. I was a dialysis nurse prior to becoming a NP. I received a call without applying for a job from the nephrologists office manager. She was asking if I would be interested in a job with them. Originally that is what I went back to school for. I always wanted to be a NP, but I loved my dialysis patients. With my current job I work 12 hour shifts for seven days straight. I don't get home until it is time for my son to go to bed. I love having a week off but feel like I'm a terrible mom the week that I work. I know I won't make as much with the nephrologist office but will be home in time to help my struggling child study. Plus, I admitted a patient yesterday that had a new fistula for dialysis in preparation to start treatment. I felt myself getting excited about being able to answer some questions for her about dialysis. I see some of my old patients out shopping or somewhere and I just get a warm, fuzzy feeling. I know it will be a HUGE pay cut. But, I have the need to be a mom. Has anyone worked for nephrology before? Thanks

Hello, I am a new graduate since May. My first job as an NP is at a fairly large community hospital as a hospitalist NP. I was there my last two semesters of school so, therefore knew what to expect but it is really hard getting a job right out of school. The use of NP's is new for this group and they are still trying to figure out the best way to "use" us. Currently we do the admissions all day long. Then the next day if there is time, we round on the ones we admitted. There's usually very little time for that, especially since it takes me 2-3 hours to do an admission. I just don't want to miss anything important. I feel as though I slow them down by being so slow. But, I still have to ask a lot of questions on how to put orders in the computer. I didn't do anything as a student but write the H&P minus the assessment and plan. I didn't even discuss with the MD after seeing the patient. We are expected to call the doctors after every encounter with a patient. They give us the assessment and plan along with orders to enter. There's not much autonomy there. What do the NP's do at most hospitalist positions?

I went to UAB also. I didn't get much from the review during the semester because I was trying to work 3 days a week, take care of the family responsibilities along with 360 clinical hours. But, to answer your question I just did the one that was required for class. When do you graduate?

Yes, NRSKarenRN I was really freaking out when I posted this. I studied for a good six weeks prior to the test, getting up early and going to bed late every day. I totally ignored my family, worked as few hours as totally possible, and it did help. That was one test, after taking it that I really don't know how to advise anyone who is taking it. Sha-Sha RN, it was truly different than any test I have ever taken. There were several questions that I wasn't sure if they were test me on my knowledge of the disease or how to handle the situation. But, I think it was a little of both. Be sure to know trauma for xrays, lots of questions asking how to promote APRN's with government, physicians, etc. Barkley helped a lot. I would recommend his review to anyone. But, I ordered their review books at the last minute and was glad I did. I took my time, read and reread each question, went back on several I marked, and really was surprised I passed. I even collected my stuff and told the lady not to give me grade until I was about to walk out the door. I knew if I failed I would just want to walked straight out the door and cry. But, I asked her if I wanted to really know my grade and she said I did. I paused to pray before several questions and my mom said she was praying the entire time I was taking it as well. God is good!!

So glad I came across your post. I am taking my ANCC AGACNP exam in 4 days and really nervous!! I heard about the pictures but didn't know what to study in order to prepare for them. Thank you.

Advice on the ANCC exam please! I am scheduled to take this exam Monday, June 9th. My friend took it and said it has a bunch of pictures and government-type questions. If you have recently taken the exam, do you have any advice on how to study this?

Thanks everyone!! I just got an email stating that I will receive another email in a day or two with instructions to schedule my test through ANCC. I'm very nervous. I have a job lined up and need to pass!!

I just applied for certification from ANCC and need advice on how to prepare. Our school had us to take the Barkley online review with the modules, quizzes, CD's, and manual. I took the Comprehensive exam and failed it the first time. The second time I passed, but still feel as though I didn't know enough to pass boards. THis past semester was very demanding, especially since I was trying to continue working and fulfilling my family duties. I didn't prepare as well as I would have liked due to lack of time. I am asking for advice on preparation for the exam. I already have a job waiting for me so passing the first time is crucial. I plan to continue studying the Barkley material, but also am considering the Fitzgerald on-line review. It seems as though it is too late to register for a live review. Any advice? Thanks

I work in North MS. The Baptist here starts out at $18 or 19/hr.

What is the book and study guide for the exam? Where can I find it? I work for Fresenius, but they recently bought us. If I take it before the end of the year, I will get extra pay.