saraltx

Crazy me, now I actually started considering going to medical school for an MD instead of the DNP. It's a bigger commitment, but other than the DNP it does lead to a significantly higher salary and should directly improve my clinical practice. Besides, I think I would enjoy it and I'm still just young enough that I could still work as a physician for at least 2 decades if I graduate in my early 40s. Now I just have to decide if it's worth the time and money involved... Apparently it's not unheard of for NPs or PAs to go back to medical school, and the experience should make it much easier to get admitted to the school I'd want. Cutting back my work hours or possibly giving up working completely temporarily would be the hardest thing about it, especially since I genuinely do love my job. On the other hand I could return to the same employer a few years later as an MD.

I still remain undecided about the DNP question - in part because I have yet to fet a clear answer from my employer regarding how supportive they would be of that endeavor. Silly me had assumed they would be glad if I want to learn and improve myself in my role. Instead I'm afraid they may be unfamiliar with the degree and may fear I'm trying to leave for another job after graduating, which is not my intention at all. Then again maybe they've plainly been too busy to give me a proper answer so far. I definitely feel a need and desire to continue to learn and grow in my professional role. But at the same time I've been having second thoughts if the DNP program could even hinder a clinically meaningful growth, because I will have less time to read medical literature with the focus of becoming a better clinician.

Most DNPs that I read from online seem to think the degree was worth it for them in hindsight. It's a hard decision to make, since the benefits are certainly not as clear and forseeable as my previous degrees.

I'm an NP trying to decide whether or not to go back to school for my DNP. I love to learn and enjoy academic work. I know the DNP program focuses on translating research to clinical practice and improving outcomes. I'm quite passionate about my current area of employment and would love being able to help improve outcomes in that area. However, ultimately I think I just want to keep the job I have in direct clinical practice ratjer than any sort of management positition (I don't really know of any NPs or DNPs in management positions anyway). So the only benefit might lie in personal development and improving my own practice by applying more research. Seems kinda hard to justify the time and financial commitment for that, as tempting as I find it...

I'm German, and completed my RN education in the US. I'm assuming from your post that you're already in the US and taking your nursing classes here? In that case it's really not much different than for US citizens, and from my experience it really doesn't matter that I'm German. You have to pass the TOEFL in order to get accepted into a US program, so I'm assuming that English proficiency won't be an issue. My visa status becomes relevant mostly in my limited possibilities for employment, but that's the same no matter which country you're from.

I'm an international student and a new nurse currently working on OPT. I received my visa screen certificate last week and now want to plan the next steps in order to have everything ready once retrogression is over. I'm wondering about the best way of finding an employer and preparing the paperwork so that everything will be ready by that time. I'm currently working with a small employer that has no experience with sponsoring foreign nurses, but said they would be willing to sponsor me. Would I just hand them the I-140 and have them hold it until there is an opening? Or can it be sent off by me as long as it is prepared by the employer? Also, the form seems pretty self-explanatory. Is it usually advised to consult an immigration lawyer for it? I completed all my immigration paperwork myself so far and never ran into any problems doing so. Also, I was looking for a thread that explains the exact documents that go along with the I-140 and the next steps. I know I once saw a thread, but I can't seem to find it anymore. I remember there is something about a job posting that needs to be done by the employer for so and so many days prior? I would appreciate any clarification and assistance with this. Thanks!

I was just about to start a similar thread when I found this one. I recently started my first job as a nurse in LTC and saw quite a few things that make a bit nervous. Nurses routinely give a med hours late because of their own judgment. Or when I document I was told that since I don't know the residents yet and it would be impossible to assess at least 40 people each shift, to pretty much just copy what the last person wrote (and that last person copies from the nurse before etc.). I feel like everyone is making up a lot of things and signing off interventions they didn't do. Today, I saw a CNA straight cath a resident! I don't even want to think how she learnt it, since obviously someone must have taught her. I wonder if such things are common practice in LTC and inofficially accepted, or if it is just a bad example. I do realize that there are a lot of people to take care of for each nurse and it seems almost impossible to actually do every little thing. Also, I wonder what could possibly be done about this situation? I haven't said much so far and I'm hesitating to report such issues, since I'm new and don't want to have the rest of my co-workers against me. I'm just trying to do my best at keeping up my own standards.

I'm a new grad and just recently passed NCLEX. I have a stipulated license. The writing from the BNE says I need to comply with the stipulations within one year (just taking some class) and that once I have done so I will receive an unstipulated license. I already took that class just shortly after I got my license to get it out of the way. Does anyone know how long it should take for them to process everything and give me the unstipulated license? This is in Texas by the way.

I'm a new RN considering to apply for a position in LTC. However, I admit that I'm not very clear about the responsibilities on an RN in LTC, since it seems that most is done by aids and LVNs/LPNs and RNs hold mainly office jobs. I have seen nursing homes advertis positions for RNs without specifying that it would be a management position, so I'm a bit confused. Also, what exactly would a LTC weekend supervisor do, and would a new grad be qualified for this position?

I'm aware of the retrogression issue. That's why I want to try and make enough money during my OPT to be able to go for my BSN afterwards.

I passed NCLEX last week and have 3 more weeks before my 6 months of fulltime OPT. All the way through school I was sure that I already had a future employer, but the way things are going right now, I'm beginning to have some doubts. My college is in a small town and I had a scholarship from a local hospital here during school. I've been working there as a nurse tech part time during my last year of school. In late April I had my interview for an RN position, and it seemed like everything went perfect, except that they don't seem to have any experience with OPT and sponsoring nurses, but I was told they will do whatever they need to do to get me to work for them. Then, for weeks I didn't hear anything. I asked for an update and was told I needed to submit a whole new application and come for a second interview. I sent an email asking why they can't use the application they already have, but didn't hear anything back, so I submitted another application. I also applied at a local nursing home where I was told that they have a lot of positions, but never contacted me, even after I asked for an update of the status of my application. To come to the end of the story, it all seems to go so slow and they seem to know so little about my situation here, that I've started thinking about going to another hospital and move to the Dallas area, where I guess they should have more experience with foreign nurses. Is it generally hard to be hired on OPT as a new grad, since it is only for 6 months? And what hospitals in Dallas might be willing to hire me? Is it reasonable to think that I should get a job there within about 2 weeks? Sorry for making this so long and thanks for any suggestions. I'm just beginning to get a bit discouraged about everything.

I took NCLEX yesterday. I started out feeling like I don't know anything, then after about 50 questions or so I started feeling just slightly more confident, and at 75 it promptly cut me off! I got an insane amount of "Select all that apply". I got so many that I was glad whenever I got a normal question for a change. I believe that easily one third out of the 75 was "select all that apply", if not more. I felt pretty bad at first, but I guess if I would really have done so bad, it wouldn't have kept giving me those questions, but something easier. So I actually convinced myself that I passed But I did wish that we had more parctice with "Select all" in nursing schools, or that at least we wouldn't have been told explicitely not to worry so much about it because only about 2 to 4 will be alternate format questions.

I'm in the process of preparing my application for the visa screen certificate. I took part of my prerequisite classes at a different school, and then attended the full 2-year ADN program at another school. The application differentiates between professional and non-profession-related schools. So I was wondering if I would need to include transcripts from the previous school (with the prerequisites) as well? However, the "Request for Academic Records" form seems to fit more for the actual program only. I hope anyone can help me out with this.

I'm in my last semester of nursing school as an international student in the US in a few days and I'm trying to figure out ways to extend my stay here beyond the 6 months of OTP that I'll have left after graduation. I know about the retrogression thing and I'm not sure if I will be able to afford to continue my studies and go for my BSN. I found out about the J1 visa for internships, but I can't quite figure out if this would be an option for nursing. In my understanding the J1 visa is given for 12 months and then can be extended for another 12 months. In that time I could easily save some money for my BSN then. However, is it possible to adjust from F1 to J1, and then switch back to F1? I'm pretty sure that once I would have to leave the country it would be almost be impossible to get another another nonimmigrant visa, since it would be very hard to proof that I don't intend to stay here after going to nursing school here and doing OPT and all. Any suggestions and info are highly appreciated. Thanks.

I'm planning on doing the OPT at a hospital where I'm having a scholarship. They do have tuition reimbursement, but only after working there for a year I think. Silverdragen, what do you mean with no visa currently to adjust? Would I not still be on an F1 visa while doing OPT? I know my plan may be a bit too crazy, and luckily I still have some time to think about it and hopefully for some good news to happen about the retrogression. I would just hate not to be able to work in the US at least for a while because of this.

right, I was not aware that I won't be able to work overtime during orientation, but it would make sense. I wouldn't try to work 2 jobs, just one with a lot of overtime. Thanks, Suzanne!

Thanks. Yes, Suzanne just recently pointed out the retrogression thing to me, and partly this is why I'm trying to figure out what my options are if there are any delays. However, I do have part time OPT. Does CPT not mean that the work experience is required as part of the eduacation? My program doesn't require this, and even my I-20 says "OPT" and "part time". I'm currently using up one year of part time, so I'll have 6 months of full time left after graduation. If I can work unlimited hours for those 6 months, then I might even be able to save up enough money to right away go on to enroll in a Bachelor program. I had planned this any way, and that way I would be able to stay on my F1 status if the retrogression should still be in place. I was also wondering, if I would do this and then would run out of money if the delay goes on, would there be chances to be apporved for the economical hardship thing so that I could still work part time off campus besides school?

I'm currently working on optional practical training part time besides my studies. After graduation I will have 6 months of fulltime OPT left - hopefully enough for my immigration paperwork to be processed. In any case, I have been wondering if there is a maximum amount of work hours that is allowed with fulltime OPT. Is it possible to work overtime while on OPT? Right now with part time I can work up to 20 hours, and I make sure to work exactly this amount. But it seems to me like the nurses are woking at least a bit of overtime virtually every day, and especially the newer ones that often take longer to complete their charting.

I'm a international student on a F1 visa currently enrolled in an ADN program from which I will graduate in May 2008. I want to be sure that I get all the paperwork and such for my GreenCard done as soon as I can to avoid any delays. So I'm trying to find a clear, thorough and reliable step-by-step summary of all I will need to do, including the timeframes. The recruiter from the hospital I'm now working with as a nurse tech (OPT) says they will do whatever they need to do to keep me here, but I will have to tell them what they have to do, so I need information on this as well. If anyone can point me towards a good resource, I'd appreciate it. Also, after I graduate I will still be able to use 6 months of full-time optional practical training. Should this be long enough for the paperwork to be processed? I'm wondering, because if there is any doubt I would choose to go back to my home country during the processing time and come back once I have my GreenCard. Thanks for any help and info!

I didn't find it necessary to elaborate much when I wrote about the reaction many people show when hearing someone speak with an accent. I did not say that everyond is doing this, or that they are aware of it. We naturally put people into categories and form judgments as soon as we meet them. We can't possibly avoid this, but we can be open to changing our opinions later on and give people a chance to proof our labels wrong.

I don't think I'm very judgmental about individuals not using proper grammar. A nurse gets to see all kind of people and we should not approach them with a judgmental opinion only because of their grammar. BUT, I could go on and on talking about all the things that I think really need lots of improvement in the American education system. I'm from Germany, and our education is by no means perfect, but when I first came to the US and continuously made the best grades of all students (allmost all of them US citizens) in two English Composition classes, I knew that something was very weird about American education. How are students supposed to learn how to write, when all they do is multiple choice tests except if it is specifically a course in writing? Yet, regardless of the fact that I try to write and talk proper English, I still have - and probably always will have - a funny German accent when I talk. I know that a lot of people hear an accent and also automatically interfere that they are dealing with a person of inferior intelligence. So if I don't want to be judged for my accent, I shouldn't judge others for bad grammar.

Thank you to both of you for bothering to reply. You both give some valid point to consider. I found it very interesting to get some first-hand insight in the challenges of correctional nursing. Some more things to take into consideration before I make up my mind.

Okay, I don't mean to be offensive at all, but I have heard a lot of very bad, questionable and neglectful things about health care in prisons in general including correctional nurses. Nontheless, I'm considering going into this field myself. I'm sure there are many very capable correctional nurses out there, but I imagine that often the environment may add obstacles to properly caring for inmate patients. So I'm just wondering, how much do you have to compromise between quality care and safety/prison rules? I really want to be an advocate for my patients, and I wonder if I would not get terribly frustrated and burnt out to regularly see that either I cannot provide the care I would want because or regulations (though I see that safety comes first), or to see nurses or officers who really don't care. Again, not trying to be offensive, but nobody can tell me that the careless, neglectfull or downright abusive type of prison personell doesn/t exist.

Hello, I'm thinking about applying for the RN-BSN online program at Fort Hays State University after I graduate from my current AS program next May. Their homepage says that the program is approved by the Kansas State Board of Nursing. I'm living in Texas and this is where I will take my NCLEX and where I want to work. But does the wording mean that the program may not be approved by the Texas Board of Nursing? Maybe I just don't fully understand how this accreditation thing works, and any clarification will be appreciated.

Hello everyone. I'm halfway through my associate degree nursing program, and have been thinking a bit about my long-term goals in nursing. I want to start a Bachelor program soon after I graduate, and would also like to earn a Master's degree eventually. I have been thinking about getting a couple of years of experience on a med-surg unit and then going into correctional nursing. But I'm wondering if there is any such thing as a Master's degree specifically for correctional nursing, like a correctional nurse specialist? Does anyone know a program where such a degree is offered as I couldn't find any - preferrably online, and if so, do correctional facilities actually look for such employees? Also, if anyone can point me towards a website that has more information like job descriptions or salary for a correctional nurse with a Master's degree, I will appreciate all such information. I find it a bit hard to find much specific information on this. Thank you to anyone who cares to read this and to share some info!