RITA2007

I just started the first clinical semester of the FNP program. I am set to graduate December 2012. One piece of advice: start looking for preceptors early. A FNP is the first one your will need. It greatly helps to know one on a personal level.

I took care of an elderly patient yesterday who required a blood transfusion secondary to blood loss after a knee replacement. During report, her son chased me down demanding to know why he wasn't called and informed that his mom getting a blood tra...

Are you starting the FNP program through USA? I just took health care policy this summer and am taking the same classes this fall. My friend took the policy class later in the program and he said he wishes he wouldve gotten it over with sooner. Go...

Thenise22, I'm also in the FNP program, just started with health policy as well this summer. I enjoy it so far and am excited (and scared) for patho this fall. Katie

You can't please everyone, all the time. I used to KILL myself trying to be at everyone's beckon call. Now I just prioritize and do my best to keep my patients comfortable. If it takes me more than 10 minutes to retrieve pain medication, I apologi...

I share in your anxiety about my decision to become a FNP. I tend to lack self-confidence and I can be a pushover at times. These are things that I know I have to overcome if I can expect to be a well-functioning nurse practitioner. Any advice fro...

I took the LAIV dose, no adverse effects, honestly forgot I recieved it!

This is correct. I work at Healthsouth rehab and work with A LOT of LPNs. I look to them for guidance a lot because they have a lot of experience. But we need RNs too to admit patients: ie, do their physical assessments and push IV meds (some pati...

I graduated nursing (RN) school at 21. I did it by working through my pre-requisites and taking classes towards my AA at the same time. If you have a good GPA and have made A's and B's in your pre-reqs, you're more likelly to get in to RN school. ...

I went through Jacksonville University's online RN to BSN. It was accelerated, one year for me to complete. 8 week courses, 11 courses to get my BSN. But I had already taken the pre-reqs like statistics and developmental psych though. I enjoyed b...

I think at most they should ask you to work EITHER Thanksgiving or Christmas, not both.

I'm at Healthsouth rehab hospital in Florida. Dayshift and evening nurses have 7-8 patients, 12 on nights, every patient has a nurse tech assigned as well. I feel VERY lucky after reading some of the other replies.

I started on a telemetry floor; every patient had a monitor at the bedside. They sent us to a course called ELTA: Emergency Treatment of Lethal Arrhythmias. It was a great class! It breaks down the rhythms, what to watch for, and when to call the ...

I have a friend at work who had nothing but good things to say about this program. He is in his 4th semester, of 7 for the fnp track. I just applied yesterday because I'm ready to take the plunge! I won't start until Summer 2010 if I'm accepted. ...

thanks for the advice! i have applied to usa to start in summer 2010. my husband and i were having a discussion tonight. he is very supportive of me going back to school, and through this program because we know it is great. but he was expressing his...

Online programs require a great deal of discipline and independence, obviously. I completed my BSN online and loved it because I could do my school work anytime, anywhere. I know doing the FNP program is going to be the HARDEST and most trying thin...

I have applied to start a program next summer. From what I've heard, student can continue to work the first few semesters, but starting with the fourth semester (out of 7), students who can afford to cut back to 1-2 days a week since there is so muc...

His name is Eric. He said the same thing, that you read so much you feel like you can't possibly retain it all. I plan on only working 2-3 days a week during the program.

Awesome, thanks for the reply. I know, summer seems like forever! I'm ready to start now!

I just applied to the University of South Alabama online fnp program and they do not require a GRE, woohoo!

Does anybody else get these during or after a shift? I just started in rehab and I wasn't able to hydrate as often as I'm used to; I had a splitting headache all day. It felt like a cluster headache, mainly concentrated on the left side of my head, b...

I'm winding down my from 8 hour shift today and I'm glad to report no headache today! I took a BIG jug of water (it's 2.2L) and kept it in the break room fridge. I slipped in there at least every hour and chugged! It was gone by the end and I'm so...

I just started orientation today at the Healthsouth in Panama City, FL. I start working in patient care tomorrow. Hope I like it!

I work in Oncology research. I handle a variety of trials including melanoma, prostate, head & neck, pancreatic, etc. It's exciting to see what's on the horizon for the treatment of melanoma. It's all about immunotherapy! I absolutely love wh...

Around your hospital? PA's or ARNP's?