ALCCRN

You might want to check into which will be the last semester of admission for an MSN program. With the switch to DNP by 2015 (I believe), this may effect how long you will be in school if you have to get a DNP rather than an MSN. As a side note- I firmly believe in several years experience as a nurse before pursuing your NP. It will only benefit you. Plus, if you're working in Alabama as an NP, you can almost make more as a night shift charge nurse! (Not in all areas, but some!)

Since the knowledge level on the national exam has not changed, the answer to your question may lie in the pass rates of online programs.:)

Juan- Thanks for your reply. We already have Physician Hospitalists, but I thought I might could introduce the idea of a non-physician Hospitalist.

You may want to check with the hospital's policy on NPs as well. I know at my hospital (will graduate with FNP in May), NPs can: 1) write orders that are countersigned by the physician, 2) write progress notes and dictate discharge summaries and H&Ps, 3) round on patients, but the patient must still be seen by the physician. Another question that you may want the anser to is 'Are there specific protocols you need to go by?'. I think it may be easier on you if you knew that every patient gets weaned from the vent the same way, using the same steps. That way, you'd be writing orders, but it'd be a protocol of sorts...Or that all patients on the vent get Chest xrays every morning...Things like this would be helpful to know. I will agree with previous poster that several NPs round/write orders in the hospital and very few are acute care.

Juan- How small is the hospital you did the Per Diem work in? My hospital is a 180 bed hospital, but I have a feeling they would not go for paying someone to be here around the clock. We are rural and there isn't a residency program around for MILES!

I am interested in any responses...I will graduate in May and would like to propose a position of this type to the hospital I work for. Are you in a state which requires a collaborative practice agreement?

Thanks Everyone for the reassurance!! I think that I just need to focus on the calculation and stop focusing on how long it takes me.

Well, for example... You are prescribing Amoxicillan 90 mg/kg/day in divided doses for AOM in a child weighing 9 kg. I understand that you multiply 9x90 to get 810 mg/day and divide by 2 to get per dose (405 mg). It's provided in 400mg/5mls... So that's one tsp twice a day... I can figure this if I have time...But when I get in the clinical situation, I get stressed by the urgency of things and can't think on my toes...Just curious if anyone had any quick tips to offer...

Recommended dosages is not my problem. I get hung up on the math portion...I was just wondering if anyone had a quick tip to share.

I'm having such issues with dosing Pediatric patients appropriately. Does anyone have any shortcuts/pointers for the math portion?

Does the University have a list of NPs/MDs that have precepted in the past- That may make it easier for you (Although that may be how you obtained the contacts). I know you are frustrated, but it would seem that getting a Master's in another tract, just to have to reapply and go through the process again would be spending a lot of time and money. I do not live in your area, but there are many online schools that are excellent (I attend one). How far along are you in the program?

Totally agree with previous poster...I am a UAB student and there is NO WAY I would tell you that we didn't have a TON to read. Pick the program that suits you and your life best. I have a feeling that every NP program is demanding in addition to it's quirks.

Have to agree- LOVE my iPhone. I have Epocrates on it and take it to all my clinical days. Plus, we have to enter hours spent with our preceptor on a website...And I can easily go from one thing to another.

Just a thought...A University in my area has just started an accelerated BSN program. It is 15 mts long and is open to anyone who has a bachelor's degree. It might be worth looking into programs like this.

My apologies.