MWJamesLDS

Dr, I think patient may have C-diff.

It may be prudent to get some experience as a med surg nurse for a couple years first, that said, there are lots of psychiatric facilities, many (not are all) are regularly looking for staff. I work at a facility that I really enjoy. Once you have obtained some Nursing experience and an BSN you can apply to a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program. They have many out there. Heres an example of a list of NP programs in California (Most states should have a similar list)http://www.rn.ca.gov/schools/apprograms.shtml#np

Simply, they are synthetic stimulants the create similar feelings and highs as amphetamines. They have, however, had more severe side affects such as hallucinations, delusions and psychotic episodes. Currently they are often able to skirt the law due to their sythetic nature, being changed to avoid current restrictions. They are often sold in Head shops (smoke shops, pipe shops, Pot shops).

So I may be way off, but from what I read it sounds like a Naturopathic assistant can do, after 10 hours of training, what a nurse does after years of education. [h=2]Naturopathic Assistants[/h] [h=4]Senate Bill 1246 established Naturopathic Assistants effective January 1, 2011[/h] Definition: Naturopathic assistants (NA) perform technical and support services for licensed naturopathic doctors. They may perform certain medical procedures and technical support services under the supervision of a licensed naturopathic doctor. NAs are unlicensed. Supervising ND Responsibilities: Naturopathic doctors are solely responsible for training NAs and must be physically present on-site while the NA performs services. Scope of Practice: Naturopathic assistants may perform the following: Administer medication by intradermal, subcutaneous, or intramuscular injections Perform skin tests Perform venipuncture or skin puncture in order to draw blood Administer medications orally, sublingually, topically, lady partslly, rectally, or by inhalation, as well as give medication to patients Apply & remove bandages Collect specimens for testing Collect and record patient data including blood pressure and pulse Perform simple lab and screening tests customarily performed in a medical office NAs must place a written order or standing order prepared by a supervising ND in the patient's medical records. Training: Training is solely the responsibility of naturopathic doctors. NAs must have a minimum number of hours of appropriate training: 10 clock hours of training in administering injections and performing skin tests, and/or 10 clock hours of training in venipuncture and skin puncture for the purpose of withdrawing blood, and Satisfactory performance by the trainee of at least 10 each of intramuscular, subcutaneous, and intradermal injections and 10 skin tests, and/or at least 10 venipuncture and 10 skin punctures. For those administering medicine by inhalation, 10 clock hours of training in administering medical by inhalation. Training must include instruction and demonstration in: pertinent anatomy and physiology appropriate to the procedures choice of equipment proper technique including sterile technique hazards and complications patient care following treatment or tests emergency procedures http://www.naturopathic.ca.gov/licensees/assistants.shtml

Just make sure you truly have your wife's support! I'm half way through a 15 month A-BSN program. My wife was supporting me financially (and I thought emotionally). However, at some point she couldn't handle it anymore. I don't know if it was being the bread winner, the amount of time I was away in school (we only saw each other on the weekends, she stayed with my family) or raising or young daughter. But one weekend, she sent me away with a friend for a weekend trip, when I got home she had taken everything she wanted and told me she was done. Big surprize to say the least. I only have 8 months left! but apperently she couldn't hand on any longer. So, for the sake of your marriage, make sure she truly backs your 100%!!

Yes, they did give us the list of partners. In fact, the hospitals had last say in who was picked for the program. The school approved us first based on min requirments. Then the hospitals scheduled the interviews. If the hospital "hired you" you were offered a spot. Going through the program does require a 2 year commitment that runs along with our sign on bonus. We are not only guranteed the job, but required. The only real benefit to us is that the program is offered. The situation seems a little shakey, as in, what ground do they have to stand on to keep someone there that doesn't want to stay, other than ethics. It all kind of seems like indentured servatude. We are essentially being required to pay them back for providing our instructors with a salary, even though we still had to pay FULL tuition. Its kind of a sore spot with me. But its only 2 years in the long run and its guranteed experience. As I mentioned earlier, the UA of Tuscon has a similiar program, but they also pay the students tuition. Only one hopsital in our CSUB program actually provides its students with a "scholarship" THe county hospital acutally gives them $10,000 a quarter. The rest of us, however, are living on loans. On the plus side, the pay is ok in CA. Even, Bakersfield, one of, if not the lowest, paying parts of the state, still starts you off at $26 an hour or so. There are other hospitals within 100miles starting at $34hr. PS, we were able to pick which hospitals we were interested in being interview by, but you pretty much said any of them if you wanted a spot.

double post

I think it really varies. I've heard of some programs with 300 or more applicants for 40 spots. I kind of got lucky with mine. CSUB did a direct entry MSN that ended up flopping. They dropped that program and decided to do the A-BSN on what seemed like short notice. They didn't really advertise it much, so there were on 80 applicants for 43 spots. If you haven't done your Pre-req's, just make sure to get A's, especially if you have no previous nursing experience. I think i've heard colorado is pretty competative. Anyway, if you haven't seen the following lists check them out, they were helpful to me on my search. http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Publications/Issues/Aug02.htm

Oh, one more thing. Other than an ADN being cheaper (at least at California Community Colleges, don't know about Texas) there's not a lot of reasons for a person who already has a Bachelors to get one. My Accelerated BSN is 15 months long. it takes twice as long to get a ADN. I know the Accelerated BSN programs vary in length, in fact, CSUB's next class with be 18 months instead, but I don't think Ive seen any that are longer than 18 months and Ive heard of some as short at 12 months. One big thing to look at is who is sponsoring the program. My school has sponsors who we have to agree to work for for 2 years, though they paid no tuition for us. University of Arizona Tuscon does the same thing, but i think the hospitals actually pay the students tuition.

Check to see if the programs you are looking into offer a BSN with the MSN or if just skips the BSN award. I was looking into the direct entry a lot too, even applied to several. I ended up getting into an acclerated BSN at CSU Bakersfield (15 months). Something that we have been told is that some direct entry MSN people had difficulty getting a job out of the state they recived thier MSN due to the lack of a BSN or ADN. I don't know how true that is, but it might be something to look into. Also, the Acclerated BSN is not so bad. I will be able to work as a RN by march and apply to any 2 year MSN I want. CSUB has pretty much told us that so long as we dont royally screw up we shouldn't have to hard a time getting into thier MSN FNP program anyway. It helps to already know all the people involved in admitting people to the MSN due to being in thier BSN. Best of luck. I'm really enjoying my experiences in school, its hardcore though!

Cost of Living has always been a hang up of mine, but I'm more or less stuck in California. My wife's family all lives in Orange County, CA and they were rather unhappy when I took her back to the central valley with me. They all assumed we could live just fine in the OC off a teacher and nurses salary. (they all bought 20+ years ago, so most of their home are worth 6 to 10 times what they bought it at, no way they could afford the same homes on the salary they have now.) However, I don't think we are leaving California anytime soon. My family all live in the central valley as well. Thankfully the Valley is a bit cheaper than SoCal. That all being said, there is something like 4 or 5 prisons in Kern county alone, so its not so much a case of the grass is always greener. I'm already on the other side of the hill, its a bit brown, but Im more or less stuck here. Atascadero (state hospital area) is a little more expensive, but not drasticly. So ya, anyway, if anyone has any info on the CA Corrections and state hospitals I'd love to hear it.

So I think this is my first post on the forums, though I have been reading through them here and there for a good year. I am currently a mid 20's male going through an Accelerated BSN program in California. I graduate in March of 09. From the get go I have been interested in working for corrections or State Hospitals. I won't lie, the first thing that caught my eye was the large Salary. (I know many people seem to think that nurses and teachers should simply want to work for the love of helping people, even if means for free, but I guess I'm not that Generous. I do really enjoy the field though, so more money means I can better support the family and my wonderful wife can stay home with the kids!) Anyway, my for my questions: Has anyone worked in both the State hospitals like Atascadero state and the state prisons? If so, how would you compare the two? Work environment etc. Also, I've found out that Atascadero State Hospital as well as the One in Vacaville tend to try on par with the state prisons, but others like Metropolitan in Norwalk, CA at least don't advertise they do the same. Does anyone know much about that, Do the state hospitals all pay the same, or have some avoided the supplemental pay to meet par with state prisons? Next, I keep seeing that there are thousands of people waiting to work in corrections. Is this urban legend? Where is that information coming from? Obviously the pay is good. However, we had a recruiter from Atascadero State Hospital at our school trying to pick up new recruits, I know it's a different department, but the pay appears to be close. Next, what traits would you say one need to succeed in a corrections environment? I'm already a bit cynical with a healthy skepticism of others. So I'm not worried about a go luck nature being crushed by the behavior of inmates. Also, my first Bachelor's degree is in Cognitive Psychology. Would this be any help as an RN in either facility? Or would I have to go on to be NP before that is useful in the practice. I will be committed to work for a local hospital for 2 years after graduation working for a measly $27 an hour (I know that's good for some states, but around here, it's kind of crappy. In Visalia, just 80 miles north, pay starts at $34 and cost of living is lower. Let's not get started on how much you can get paid in Northern California). So during this indentured servitude of 2 years ( the hospital didn't even pay my tut ion, just some instructors salaries, yet apparently they can still demand the commitment.....) I am considering getting my MSN and FNP. (I know people have strong opinions on going to an NP so soon, but seriously, if I was in Med school I'd start working on people with limited experience too. Not looking for the wait 10-20 years before becoming an NP response ) This could this could cost me a good 20-30K or so. I know on the outside, many NP take a cut in pay vs. time as an RN; however in the corrections they seem to make 120K to the RN's approx 87K. Has anyone worked as an RN and NP in corrections, which did you prefer. Did the pay increase pay off? How about practice as an NP. The Atascadero State recruiter told me FNP's tend to get more autonomy than the MHNP's. Anyone with experience there?? Also, how easy is it to get overtime in corrections as either an RN or FNP? Is it readily available? Lastly, Since I will be working for sure as an RN at a local hospital for a min of 2 years after I graduate, what would be the best department to work in and gain experience to move on to being an RN in corrections(what are they looking for?) How early should you apply for jobs in the Corrections or state hospitals? I've read that the process can be long and drawn out. Sorry for the supper long post, especially since I know some of the questions are kind of "me" specific, however, my resources for finding this info has been limited. Thanks so, so much for any replies!