darynash

You can join SGNA, the professional organization for GI nurses.

Here is Texas, the Board of Nursing no longer recognizes Clinical Nurse Specialists. The only way to work in that position would be to complete a Master's program in Education or NNP. With the Master's degree and your neonatal experience, you would be able to work in this role.

We do not use armboards or cover IV sites. We have had no problems with babies scratching themselves.

Where in Florida do you live? I went to Edison College in Fort Myers for my Associate's Degree and they have a great program. Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers is also a good program. If I lived near Tampa or Gainesville, I would recommend University of South Florida in Tampa or University of Florida in Gainesville.

One of the reasons for staffing extra shifts with a RN than a PCT is that, when the poop hits the fan, a RN can take an assignment and a PCT can't.

If you are able to do the BSN program (finances, time, etc.), do the BSN. Some hospitals will only hire BSN prepared nurses for critical care areas. Not saying it is right, just the way it is.

My program at Texas Tech was about the same and was complete in 2 semesters. The program was awesome and I highly recommend it. The only negative is that you have to go to Lubbock for orientation. Really, it wasn't a negative because I met the people who were in my class and was able to put a face with a name during online chats. I also met my now very good friend. I do not recommend the program at Arlington. I checked into it and choose to go to Tech. I have not met one person who completed the program and would recommend it.

Unfortunately, negativity and drama can happen anywhere. If you are really interested in finding your "niche", by all means, start looking. You don't have to leave your current job until you find something that you think you would really like.

And Texas Tech has a RN-MSN program as well as a RN-DNP program.

My biggest regret in nursing is not getting my bachelor's as soon as I finished my ADN program. Every year after, I kept saying "next year I'll do it." Fourteen years later, I finally did it and I am so glad I did though it was much harder after being out of school for so long. If a master's is your ultimate goal, DO IT now while you are still in study and school-mode. Work part-time if you have to. I worked fulltime and did my RN-BSN program as a single mother. You can do it. I don't know where you live but I loved Texas Tech's program. Guns up, Red Raiders.

Actually, PBDS is to assess your knowledge prior to the start of a new position and where educational opportunities exist. It is not punitive and gives your manager and preceptor guidance in planning your orientation. Many hospitals will reassess you with PBDS 6 months to a year after orientation is over to assess the progression of your critical thinking skills. PBDS is not just for travelers, it is a tool for educators to see where you are starting from. You don't need to prepare or stress about it. Just watch the scenarios and use your critical thinking skills about what to do next. Try not to read too much into them. Just evaluate the situation you are given with the physical findings, try not to overdiagnose.

We do not use TcBs in our unit. Our kids usually are getting daily labs anyway so we order a serum bili. Also, the TcBs are not recommended for babies, I believe less than 35 weeks. Check the operator's manual for the TcB. Our hospital does use the meters in the general nursery.

Baby ER by Edward Humas is very good though a little outdated since neonatal nursing is evolving so quickly. The stories are very good.

My hospital, Harris Methodist Fort Worth and our sister hospital, Presbyterian Dallas have one. Ours at Harris is a shared daycare with the Cook Children's in Fort Worth. My children have always gone to our onsite daycare and I loved it. Knowing that they were a block away from where I work is very comforting. The hours are 0600-1930, Monday thru Friday. Way back in the day (about 20 years ago), the were open 24-7 and very few people took advantage of it so they went to the current schedule. I believe I remember seeing that another sister hospital of ours, Arlington Memorial, also has a daycare.

Towaco in Morris County near Montville and Lincoln Park