MacD

If 2 paramedics can run a code, why cn't you an an acls trained nurse run a code.. The odds for patient survival increase with early defibrillation. Rather than just CPR

OOOOkaayyyyyyy???????

I graduated form nursing school with A BSN in August 2007. Now I am a part time ACNP student an a full time nurse, 36 hours/ 3 12's a week. It will take me 3 years to finish my MSN. I am 55. If you are in good health and reasonably fit you can do it. Don't sweat the age thing. Oh yes, I am married with 2 beautiful grandkids which live with us.

Male ACNP student here with no plans to go beyond the MSN. I'll finish in 2012.

For those who keep hearing the DNP will soon be mandatory here is an excerpt frm the NLN's June 2010 statement concerning the Master's Degress vs DNP in Nursing. I have also included a link if you would like to read the full statement. "http://www.nln.org/aboutnln/reflection_dialogue/refl_dial_6.htm Now is not the time to exercise a restrictive control of education development. Our educational approaches to developing a cadre of advanced practice nurses shouldn't be an "either/or" situation, e.g., a doctorate as the only avenue to advanced practice. Nursing must stay true to its core purpose — meeting the health care needs of the people by providing safe, quality care. Existing master's programs have capably demonstrated the ability meet this high standard. Now is not the time to rapidly lengthen the only route to advanced practice nursing education which may not be in the best interest of our patients. Master's-prepared nurses are poised to assume an important role in a reformed health care system and provide site-specific primary care. APRNs have been providing care in underserved areas and communities, both urban and rural, for decades with quality outcomes.

PAERRN20 gives good advice. Watch your Doctors and PA/NP's. Focused assessments are not only expected they are survival in busy high volume ED's. Which is not to say you ignore everything else. The doorway assessment as you walk in the room, how they talk act, respond, move etc....tells you a great deal before you do a formal assessment.

Look into OR positions they usually start at approx 0530 and in the afternoon

How about gumball machines in the lobby filled with Percocet? Snicker snicker! Just kidding!!!

I am in an ACNP program as well and asked the same questions in my area. yes some of the ACNP's work as you stated but others work in specialty clinics ( heart failure, neurology, etc. ) some also work in Urgent Care clinics. (Urgent care NOT family practice)

If you already have phone service and ipod touch does EVERYTHING an Iphone can do except make phone calls

If you want to be a nurse. I would suggest your first step is to go to the closest community college or university with a nursing program and find out about their program. It would also be helpful to talk with a working nurse in order to gain more insight into what nurses really do. Bear in mind however there is a W I D E variety in job descriptions between the various nursing "specialties".

It depends on your state and the facility. In mine adult ACNPs can see patients down to 13. Also, if you ED is one that has a separate PEDS ED and Adult ED, not most, then seeing kids is not an issue. As for me I am in an ACNP program with plans of adding the additional courses for FNP at the end. This of corse will add time to my program butwill make me more marketable as well. The time added ? Probably a semester and a summer.

While not advertisted as a dual program, Duke also has the option of dual cerification/majoring. I spoke to my advisor and was told adding FNP to my program would be possible but would add approx. a semester and a summer to my 3 year part time program. And yes you have to take both certification exams.

I am 54. and this a new career for me I've been a nurse for 2 years and now I am in an ACNP program. Don't sweat the age thing. Mac

Go to one of their quarterly info. sessions and talk to the instructors. They are very helpful and willing to talk. If you sign up on their more info link they will notify you by email. I am in my first semester of the MSN program and while I am working my hindparts off I am very pleased. I am nursing is a second career to me so when I went back to school to get my BSN I did SIGNIFICANTLY better than my first bachelors. A 3.4 with experience puts you in the running but you still need to take the GRE since Duke requires it. My only complaint so far? The cost. However, my PA colleagues at work, several who will have bigger student loans than I will. Say," Oh well, Its just another mortgage payment and you will be able to afford it."