Starphoenix

Thank you, ERNP. I do appreciate your response. I misunderstood with the particular wording.

That's wonderful, and quite draining, I'm sure. I have been a mental-health counselor in an inpatient crisis intervention unit for children. I do understand the complexities! It was always interesting getting report in the morning: "We had two admissions during the night. One swallowed three pencils, a lipstick, and 40 pills....Have a good day." Phew. It can be exhausting!

Thanks, but I hope to hear from ERNP for clarity. It wasn't phrased in such a way that I'd gather what you described. I do know about the challenges of treating a person with both medical and psychiatric issues. (I don't even like that there's this divide. It's all medical!) Be that as it may, if ERNP had just said "psychiatric challenges," it would have been different entirely. I want to say "she" but I don't know if ERNP is a "she," but ERNP gave quite a litany of the kinds of patients seen. I know that psychiatric patients come to the ER for things other than "medical," too, and that's what I thought was meant by "special." You know, manic episodes or psychotic breaks, suicide attempts. I don't see a distinction there. They're all problems to be treated. Someone with multiple medical problems, or systemic illnesses, wouldn't have been pointed out as "special."

Thank you for "biting." I wondered why you called attention to not forgetting the "special patient population with psychiatric challenges." That's kind of insulting, don't you think? I happen to be one with "psychiatric challenges," but I live a full and productive life. It's little wonder there is no coverage parity with this kind of attitude, and I don't care if you were trying to be insulting or not. Nobody likes being called "special." You hear that about those who are developmentally disabled, too. "Oh, Timmy. He's SPECIAL. You know, he rides the little bus...."

Wow! That's some schedule and responsibility! I, too, thrive on chaos, so I was chomping at the bit reading this. :) Thank you for responding. Any other takers?

No formal background, only what I've gleaned from years of illness and research. :wink2: I plan to enter an RN to MSN program. (Please, I want no debate here about the merits of experience, etc. ) I'm looking for the pros and cons commonly experienced by folk. I'm hoping to get a decent number of responses. I edited my subject title (hoping that works, haven't been posting on the board much). I'm looking for a "day in the life" kind of thing, too. I'd love to hear from NPs in any field, whether working at a hospital or office. Adult, Family, Geriatric, Women's Health.... Thanks! :biggringi

Thank you for your reply! I know I either want to be an Adult NP in an office setting (working with a specific population), or a Geriatric NP.

Hello. I am 39 years old. I'm considering going back to school for nursing. I'm interested in becoming an NP. Please offer me the following: What are the pros and cons of being an NP? Really let loose. I want all the nitty gritty about the ups and downs. I mean very, very detailed information regarding anything like supervision, schedule, challenges, rewards, benefits, cranky patients, whatever. I'd greatly appreciate your input. I've "done" plenty of college in my day, and I don't want to commit to another degree until I do some research into fields of interest, nursing (particularly NP) being one.

I appreciate all the "dirt," Kate! I wonder if pay has improved now that they are a magnet hospital. I'd worry about my husband finding suitable work. He's an electronics tech, and he doesn't make much after 14 years as it is. And that's in Northern NJ where pay tends to be high due to the cost of living. (We live in PA, Northeastern section.) This will require more thought. Thanks so much for all of your help! Steph

Thank you, Palmo! My husband and I have considered moving to Otsego or Delaware Counties. When you say the pay is deplorable, could you be more specific? Is that allowed here? I wonder what the pay scale is. I'd be a brand new nurse with a BSN. How are house prices in Otsego? They seem expensive in Delaware. Thanks for any further input you can provide.

Thank you for the recommendation, Harriet. I wish you much success in your relocation, also!

I'm sorry, Empath, that you had such a poor experience! I appreciate your input. This concerns me, of course. I was surprised since it is a magnet hospital. I would expect better patient care. How long ago did you work there? I wonder if conditions have improved. This is a terrific site. You can really get all the dirt from people who've been there, you know?

Thank you, Steve, for responding. I appreciate your input! I wish you the best of luck. And I'm somewhat familiar with Spartanburg, as I lived in Greenville for a time!

Thank you! That does indeed help.