LaxNP

So, I have been an NP for almost 4 years. I mostly work in acute care and do some adjust teaching work as well. I think I am having a mid-career crisis. Basically I am not really fulfilled with the NP role as a whole. I have a burning desire to affect change, but I want to more away from the bedside. Years ago I thought about law school. This recently came to light again and there are some schools near me that offer healthcare as a concentration. I take the LSAT soon. Im hoping law could be a stepping stone to affect more global healthcare issues. I've been looking into some online programs as they are cheaper. The law school thought came back into play as I am looking at different doctoral routes. Overall not really impressed by the DNP. Has anyone else been in a slump like this in the NP role? I recently changed jobs hoping it would change my outlook in healthcare, but really just changed the scenery. Just looking for thoughts

With a new job in my future and full time now being 4-10 hour days, I was wondering if anyone had any ideas on how to use the 5th day of the week to increase any income. I'm currently toying with the idea of some adjunct work, or maybe some per diem urgent care work. Just wondering if anyone is doing anything really interesting? Sitting at home just isn't gonna cut it. Thanks

I would check out Excelsior for thier exam or another online school. Many community colleges have this course online and it may not be to late to get into the spring semester. The good thing about the Excelsior exams is that you can take a test pretty quick usually and alot of schools take their credits. Good luck.

I am currently a student in a NP program. I graduated from Excelsior with a ADN in '07 and did my BSN at a state school. I took my my A&P at a brick and mortar school, but did do my micro through EC. I have never had a single issue with EC and even teach in an ADN program. If it is that important to go to a certain school, you could always take the courses, or look to see if there is a lab portion available. My A&p was divided into two courses, 3 credits for the class and 1 for the lab. There were people that only had to do the lab if they already had a class portion for some reason. I wonder if you could do it online with a lab portion. My lab for A&P was computer based in a classroom anyway.

I came about this issue as well. I was told by a couple of schools I looked into that I could have a clinical placement in VT, MA, or CT if I could find a preceptor. In my eyes, that is not worth it. My current school has a wait list for some classes, basically turning my 2 year MSN into a 3 year MSN. Frustrating, but thats how it is. All the schools say they are "currently working with NY" to establish teh needed contracts but that could take forever. Did you scheck Stony Brook? I know some people that have gone through thier online program and I think it is good.

I have been in an IC position over a year after leaving the ICU to come to the department. I agree with the above posting that seeking certification is a good idea. You may have to study harder since you may not see too much extensive stuff with a smaller place. I work in a large hospital where we have a department of IC professionals. We are made up of nurses, med techs from the lab and those with an MPH. All and all, I think we are well rounded. IC is extensive and its hard to explain to someone exactly what we do and to what extent, from educauton to signing off on all building construction. I look at building plans about once a week. I know more about water system loops and legionella prevention than I care for, but it is part of the job. Many people don't care for us since we enforce precuations, hand hygiene, infection rates, and the like, however, I feel as though my opinion is well respected. You do need good clinical knowledge in a position like this, but I hopw you find it rewarding.

I got my BSN thorugh this program and thought it was great. I never had any of the issues that are posted above. I also started when the program first got up and running. I do know that there is a but of a wait to get in due to many people starting, but the wait wasnt that long. A couple of my firends just started and had to wait a semester, but got admitted. I found that the program was very comprehensive. I am well into grad school now and was over prepared honestly.

I am currently enrolled in an ANP program and will be done in a few semesters. I am very interested in a PhD program, although I have not sully decided on what area of study. I am looking into public health majors, as well as nursing. The ultimate goal is to teach, as I am currently employeed as an adjunct. I am looking for an online PhD program that is from a good school with a good reputation, and low cost. I live near a major state university that offers great programs, but you need a GRE for admission (something I loath doing). My current school is an onsite program that offers a DNS degree, but I feel as though a PhD is more my style. Any suggestions will help!

Thanks for the reply. My fear is that I will not be prepared. I'm used to being in the peds ICU and doing focused assessments. I am guessing that this will be general since everyone had a different background. I guess I am over analyzing.

In order for me to start my clinical (advanced assessment course), I need to pass a clinical assessment validation exam. I wondering if all programs have this requirement and what it actually entails. My school has not been very forth coming with an answer. I'm just looking for a general feel of what happens with these. I've done some research and it seems many programs have these at the beginning. Thanks

Full time, yes. In addition, I would work OT to cover the cost of the next exam. This saved me from having to pay out-of pocket for the program. I saved my tuition reimbursement money to cover the CPNE cost. Like Lunah said, it can be done. I studied every night and every chance I got.

I started in January and finished in September, passing my boards by the end of September actually. It can be done. I had all my gen eds done with the exception of micro, which I took the EC exam for. There are several factors that play into the timeline, one of those being the long wait for the CPNE. I was given a 6 month wait time, but got a cacellation date after 3 weeks.The other exam was just starting to come about when I finished so I have no clue about that. I had to study hard! I took an exam every two weeks. I always scheduled the exam for two weeks and forced myself to study. You can message me for details. Good luck with EC.

I was in the same boat as you when I was applying to my ANP program. What I did was write what I thought would be a good statement. When I was finished, I asked the writing tutor for my BSN program to look at it. She gladly did and even sent it to the head of my BSN program for suggestions. Both of them sent it back with comments. Not sure if your school has this type of position, but I feel as though the BSN faculty might be able to help out. I'm sure they want to see their graduates go on to an MSN program, and it makes their program look good. Hope this idea helps.

I've also looked into this a bit. I was also looking at Jefferson's online FNP program down in Philly. The only issue with that was there can be no clinical in NY. So I would have to go to either MA or VT since they were the closest. Is anyone here from NY or know if St. Joseph's clinicals can be done in NY???

I does get old. I work 5 days a week at my FT job, monday through friday. I have a per diem gig and they call me everyday, atleast twice. I was aways in Italy for 2 weeks and they filled up my voice mail box completely (I did let them know I was gonna be outta town). Usually the DON calls atleast once a week and gives me attitude for not picking up time, for a posistion which has no time commitment. Gonna have to give them the "It's not me, it's you" speech soon.

I started teaching ADN's after about 3 years in a level one specialty ICU and some experience in med/surg. I do just fine teaching my specialty. The NLN (which oversees the school) lets me teach with just my BSN. The only requirement is that I must be enrolled in an MSN program, which I am. There is a monetary fine that can be given to the school if this criteria is not met (which has happened), so I have a program plan on file with the director. There are many factors that go into teaching. Personally, I am a horrible person to do a lecture, but I love the bedside and this is where I like to teach. There are many positions within a program and you never know where someone will fit in.

I had to do this once. It was with a state school. They would let anyone with a professional degree proctor. I used a teacher from a local high school I know. Free and all I had to do was submit paperwork to prove their employment.

As a general rule, books will be needed. When I did the EC program, I did not use their books however. I used my own that I purchased. Any up-to-date RN level books will do really. I would'nt continue to use the LPN books due to the level that there are created for. I always get my texts through Textbooks.com. I have found them to be great with used books prices. I know for grad school I spend half of what I do in the campus store. I have also used Amazon and found them to be great.

The CPNE is a very doable portion of the program. Some are prepared and some are not. It has been several years since I have taken it, but I felt that it was very basic and nerve wrecking as well. I never took a work shop and only studied the manual and texts to prepare. I was lucky enough that after hounding the office about a cancellation date, I tested in only 2 months. This short period of time really helped, because EC called me two weeks before and after that I ate, slept, and did everything else in between with that manual. The CPNE is designed to weed out those that are not prepared. I work with a woman that is a clinical evaluator for EC. She has told some horrible stories of how students are not prepared and do some crazy stuff. Just remember it is doable. many people here on the board have passed it and finished the program, and everyone here is always more than willing to help and offer support.

I have held positions as an LPN clinical instructor and now as a clinical instructor in an RN program. I can honsetly say the money is great. The LPN gig was lower 30's, but my RN position pays about 58 an hour. I do want to say that the NLN does require a MSN for all staff (not sure of the specifics, but this is what I am told). Although as an adjunct you can be enrolled and working on your masters. This is where I am currently at and the school I work for is very strict. They keep an educational plan on file for all instructors working on thier MSN. My last rotation was a dream. All adult students that were there to learn and would listen to what ever I could teach and show them. It was great to see that they all would be great nurses one day. When teaching in the LPN program, it was very different. Just trying to get the students motivated drained me physically and mentally. I only stayed a year due to this.

Excelsior could be a good option if you have a strong nursing educational base. You said you finished the first year of clinicals and if you have experience with IV's, IVP, and skills like this it will be of great help. There are a ton of resources on this board to help you along the way. I went through excelsior a while back and found everyone here more than helpful. The program is very doable if you can stay focused on your goal.

I never have even taken a college chem course. When I first entered nursing school, I still had my high school level chem that got me into A&P, so I really never needed it. When I entered graduate school, I prolly could have used a biochem class for adv. patho, but a little extra studying I managed to get an A. I'm sure it would have been good to have it along with way, but I've managed so far.

As stated in the above post, you run the risk of having to work more weeken/holoday time at some places. I have two per diem jobs but they do not require weekend or holiday time, so these jobs are out there. The pro for me of going with a hospital rather than an agency is that in the past the agency was reluctant to pay for PALS/ACLS. Where as the hospital has those classes that I need. I do mostly critical care, so my per diem option in the ED and PICU are a nice escape from my mind-numbing desk job (no weekend or holidays so I suck it up). I personally am a huge fan of per diem work. I also teach clinical for an ADN program. I get $60 an hour and its pretty fun. There are so many different things you can do within nursing.

I worked as a supervisor in a SNF on a per diem basis. I was a CNA there and became a supervisor about two years after becoming an RN and working ICU and med/surg. Let me paint you a picture of what I would deal with. There were 4 units, each unit had 1 LPN and 2 CNAs. Sometimes there was an RN on the floor, other times, not. The LPNs were great and knew their jobs and the facility well. But when it all comes down to it, you are in charge and the buck stops at you. In the middle of the night you will be waking up the MD and sometimes he could careless what he orders, as long as it gets you off the phone. You need to know what your doing period. You say that you need money and I can understand that. But, guess what, you may be put in a situation where you may very well lose your license. I have been in healthcare long enough to see some great nurses get the short end of the stick when the facility covers their butt and leaves you in the wind. I am not trying to knock the job, but just be careful. No job is worth losing your license over...then you really out of a job.

I went through SUNY Delhi. I thought it was great and it is a state school so the cost is cheap. I would check it out. There are clinical hours, bit the rest is online.