Healsalot

I did get an acceptance email this afternoon! Congrats to you on MN State!!

That would be awesome!!

I too interviewed for the FNP program back in December. Was told next communication would be mid-February. I'm still waiting to hear back either way. I'm so impatient, I check my e-mail constantly! Hope we'll hear something soon!

Hello! I emailed admissions a couple of weeks back and asked if they were still in the process of reviewing applications, and whether or not applicants would be notified if they were no longer being considered. At that time I was told that they were in fact still going through the process, and that applications were still under review. I was told that all future contacts would be made through email, however I didn't get a firm sense of whether or not those no longer being considered would be notified, or just left hanging. I've got to be honest, I'm not impressed with their overall process. I feel that we've worked hard to get ourselves to a spot where we are ready to take on the challenge of a doctoral program, have put a lot of time and effort into our applications, and the lack of response to many just feels very disrespectful. At this point I'd just rather be told "thanks, but not thanks" than to be left with no idea what is going on. I don't feel that is asking too much. I've heard from folks who have applied to other programs that the application process and interview timeline was laid out and understood. I'm more than a little frustrated at this point.

Has anyone heard how they handle rejections? Do you get a "thanks, but not thanks" email? If I'm not being considered it'd be nice to know that, rather than this radio silence.

Nope. Still waiting to hear either way.

Nothing here as well. It's a bit frustrating. Even an update that applications are still being reviewed would be nice. This complete radio silence is tough. But like you said, at least we know we're not alone in this process!

The waiting is painful!

I applied to the FNP track as well. Haven't heard anything since the initial "we received your application" e-mail. I'm anxiously awaiting any information! Hopefully we start hearing back soon!

So nice to see another FNP applicant! I too saw that the interview invites started coming out in early December last year, so now that we're here I'm checking my email several times a day! 2020 has definitely turned things upside-down, so I'm trying to stay patient. Good luck to you!

I too have applied to the DNP program for 2021, FNP track. I'm getting anxious to hear something! The last communication I received was the email stating that my application was received by the priority deadline, and that feels like eons ago! Hope to hear from others applying as well. Good luck to you!

Wow, I believe I am. I'm so glad that I came across your post!! This is something I want to know more about. I feel like a light came on when I was taking that test . It makes so much sense to me, and I think it may explain why after 5 years as a nurse I still don't really feel like I am "cut out for it". I'm currently in the ICU, but I've thought of working in a plasma/blood donation center, or maybe education. Home health might be another option for a more "one-on-one" kind of exerience. I believe that there has to be room for HSP's in healthcare, so if what you really want is to be a nurse I wouldn't let that deter you. There are many options beyond the overstimulating work of floor nursing. That being said, I may have to heed my own advice and look more seriously at some of these other options! Thank you for the thought provking post, and good luck to you in finding your place in healthcare as a nurse if you so choose to continue down that path

Wow, really enjoyed this thread! Great discussion!! Keep em coming =)

I was on a unit about 2 years ago that tried that same thing. I felt it was condesending, and I never once signed the sheet. Just continued on with my work. Nobody ever said anything to me, and they mysteriously disappeared without a word or a trace not long after their introduction. It's stuff like this that contributes to my love/hate relationship with this profession.

Staffing is and will continue to be a horrendous issue for some time I predict. We are expected to do way to much in the amount of time allotted be it 8 hours or 12. Nurse=machine. Its ridiculous. There is way too much on the plate, and when things go wrong it all comes back down on who? Oh, the nurses!! I feel your frustration. I'm sorry you had such a rotten day. You obviously have great intentions for caring for your residents they way they deserve and should be cared for. Unfortunately systems in place make that almost impossible at times. Its disgusting to me how business driven everything is with only lip service given to "patient centered care". I love what I do, but the politics of staffing, or lack there of, and the idea that nurses can do it all is almost enough to make me not want to try anymore at times. Who needs to pee, consume food, or actually have the time to CARE FOR THE PATIENT!?! Sorry, a bit passionate about this. Again, I feel for you, and I'm sorry you aren't given the tools and support to be the kind of nurse your residents need. I hope that you are able to find a job that doesn't leave you feeling like this at the end of your shift. :hug:

It sounds to me as well that it's more an issue of not being in the right area as opposed to "burn out". I currently work in the ICU. I too have always wanted to work ED (and L&D:p). I've often seen ED postings requiring/prefering ICU experience so I figured it wouldn't hurt to get said ICU experience. I thought it was something I was really interested in at the time as well. I'm really not enjoying it much either... ICU and ED are two very different styles of nursing I'm told. I would definitely give the ED a try before stepping out and attempting any non-bedside positions!! If no positions are currently available the experience you gain in the ICU can only help you develop/strenghten valuable skills to secure an ED position in the future. But as we all know, there are SO MANY avenues one can take in Nursing!! So if ED doesn't end up doing it for you (although there's a good chance it will ) there are still many roads you can travel down. I do hope you get your shot in the ED here soon! Take care.

Unfortunately I'm in agreement with a lot of what has already been said. I'm currently on a 12 hour straight nights schedule (currently next in line on the waiting list for a day position) with an 8 month old at home, and its incredibly difficult. I get tons of help from my husband, yet I'm still exhausted a lot of the time. I don't feel like I can give my son the attention he needs on the days I'm home to tend to him alone after my stretch of shifts. I too left a straight day position for my current ICU position. Rotating day/night is just mean IMO. That's whats so difficult about changing jobs in the hospital setting. You almost always start out back on the bottom of the totem pole with regards to shifts. Makes it hard to want to change. Would the rotating be temporary with the possibility of a straight day or evening position? It may work if as someone else stated if you have daycare so that you are able to sleep after those night shifts and transition. I feel for you. My ultimate dream is to work L&D, and I KNOW I wont be able to pull that one off without doing the night gig again, and I once I get back on days here I don't know that I'll ever be willing to do that again. If you can work out the daycare details, and will be willing to deal with the toll of a rotating shift I'd say go for it if its really a position that you want. It wont be easy though.

That's absolutely disgusting, and I hope more is done to those involved than some half-assed slap on the wrist.

Wow, that is so horribly tacky...

I too think it sounds like you handled things well, and you sound like you know your stuff. I can't comment on the patient load because I don't have any L&D experience, but my advice would be to ask for help when you need it, and to stand up for yourself which includes saying no to assignments that compromise patient care/safety. Easily said, not always easily done. I still struggle with that at times. Talk with your charge nurse, and if that isn't working talk with your nurse manager. I'm sure with some more time in you'll feel more comfortable all around, but you shouldn't be dumped on simple because you are new.

So absolutely normal to feel this way, and it does take a while! Nursing is not your run of the mill job where after a few weeks of repitition you've got it down. Its very challenging, but that's part of the beauty of it! You WILL get better and begin to feel more comfortable with time and experience. Seek out mentors. They don't necessarily have to be your assigned preceptor. Never stop asking questions! No matter the number of years experience under your belt you will never know it all. And you're never alone! There were days when I would confide into nurses that had been in the field longer than me saying "Sometimes I really feel like I don't know what I'm doing..." and they'd say "Oh, I feel that way all the time!". Give yourself some time and credit. You've got this

Venting is a must! However, there's quite a difference between venting and talking behind someones back. Not having the guts and/or decency to talk with someone face to face, and instead turning around and badmouthing that person behind their back is not venting and shouldn't be disguised as such. At that point its petty and rude.

I would talk with your nurse manager, or whoever does the scheduling for your particular unit. Where I work 3 12's in a row is all they are allowed to schedule, however we can request 4 or 5 in a row and be scheduled that way if desired. That is way to many 12 hour shifts to work in a row in my opinion, especially for someone just coming off of orientation. Nursing shifts are quite flexible, and with the number of days off you get working 12 hour shifts it shouldn't be a problem switching a shift or 2 so you aren't working so many in a row. I'd think they'd be open to that, especially if they are at all concerned with nursing retention. Good luck to you, and always know your limits

It used to be awesome to answer the question "What do you do?" with the response "I'm a Nurse!". These days I'm feeling incredibly more jaded, burnt out, and worthless than ever. I hate to admit this because I worked so hard to get here, was so determined, and in love with the profession when I first started. It hasn't taken long to feel that I'm more of a glorified waitress, or expensive nursing assistant (not to undermine AT ALL the work these folks do, in fact I was an NA for several years) than a college educated RN. Its hard for me to go to work everyday and feel that my nursing skills are secondary to the work I routinely do. I recently transfered to the CVICU after almost 4 years on a cardiothoracic step down unit due to increased feelings of burnout. I was convinced that by working in the ICU I would be utilizing more of my critical thinking and nursing skills, and putting that 4 year degree to work. It was quite the awakening when I learned that we, the RN's, give the baths, change the linens, toilet the patients (assuming they aren't sedated and can get up to a commode), and feed those patients that have been cleared following intubation. And as much as I like to say "I'm a nurse, not a butt wiper", I do the majority of the the butt wiping for my paitents. I'm most definitely not of the mind set that I am above any of these said duties and feel that as a nurse you WILL partake in this kind of care, but I really feel that it dominates the bulk of the work that I do. I'm then struggling to do my acutal nursing work in-between these duties. I did less of this while working on the floor believe it or not. Its frustrating to me because lately I wonder if I followed the wrong path in health care. But part of what drew me to nursing was the hands on, continuous contact with patients. I just don't feel that what I do is all that mind blowing these days when I look back at what I thought I would be doing as a nurse. Its hard to feel respected by other members of the health care team as well(Physicians, PT, OT etc) when they walk in and you're elbow deep in an all out code brown. I'm in no way trying to offend anyone. Just feeling a little less that "important" these days. Maybe its just part of the "cycle" and I'll feel differently after some R and R...who knows.