Mblue1334

I volunteered at a Free Clinic - the hospital is a good idea for networking reasons, but I have always liked the Clinics, I feel more like I'm really helping the community. I also got MANY job leads, and learned A LOT! It's funny, now that I have my job I am seeing more and more GN (inc. RN's with Many of our hospitals (Tampa) are only hiring GN's whom already work within the hospital as techs, etc. Yikes - what crazy peeks and valleys there are in the HC industry!

Me Too! I'm in a "Chest pain Center", basically Cardiac Obs for ED pts with Chest Pain.... I'm nervous - I start in a week! Do you have any tips for organization - do you use a binder, brain-sheet, etc? How did you study up on drugs etc? Would love to keep in touch!

Hey - I was like you, and I was terrified of ACLS. I wanted to take the Prep course too, but I couldn't find one. I did contact a CNA EKG instructor (Cardiac RN) and for $50 she sat with me and went through all the rhythms - I was so nervous that I was way.... overly prepared! She laughed at how much I had studied! I actually finished a 2-day ACLS course with Criticalconceptsusa.com (a large FL co) and we DIDN'T even do a Mega-code, and we did a GROUP test! This was my class - it's possible they aren't all this way obviously. I COULDN'T believe it! This class was $200 and 2 days, so I thought that I was taking a thorough class - the instructor was a flight RN so she was VERY knowledgeable, but there was just NO hands on experience... I was pretty disappointed. I'm a new nurse and I really wish there had been more personal interaction - not just group. 3/4's of the class were MD's, who had NO idea what the algorithms were, so that in itself was disturbing!! She just asked the class some questions about the algorithms, so that was our Code I guess.... I understand that in a code there is a team effort - but it would have been helpful to have had the Code & get feedback. I'm sure most would think I'm crazy for complaining, but I really need this knowledge for my unit. My advice is - STUDY, STUDY for your own knowledge, but from my experience, and from what I've been told it's NOT that bad. Also, several course providers told me that the Self Assessments on the AHA CD are much more difficult than the real test - so if you can pass those you will be fine. GOOD LUCK! You will be fine!

CONGRATS RN!!! Not to be the barer of bad news, but I got my license in January 09, and I JUST got an offer last week!!!! I moved to Tampa FL from my home in Ohio, and I know that if I had been in Ohio I could have surely gotten a position much sooner since I knew ppl from clinicals, school etc. I had 4 "open" offers in Tampa prior to getting my license (about Nov. 08), and I decided to wait until I actually moved here, and received my license to make a decision to actually accept - by that time..... well the recession had hit -- hard!!!! No-one wants GN's! I was spending at least 3-4 hrs/day filling out apps - and I couldn't even get an interview!!! There were rarely any listing for RN's with less than 1 yr of experience! Most Hospitals were only hiring GN's from within, and even so they were only taking about 45 every 6-8 months!!!! I was among the Top Ten in my graduating class, passed my boards the first time with a perfect score, I already have a degree in computer science, and I have successfully run my own business for the past 6 years ---- I also decided after a few months to start volunteering - in order to help my community, and get some RN experience. I FINALLY received a call for an interview for a FT position at a Cardiac Chest Pain Center (addition to the ED, Cardiac Observation for possible MI's) last week! I was actually in the midst of looking at places back in Ohio, bc I had nearly lost all hope.... but I was so excited about the Interview that I immediately got out my Cardiac books, scheduled an ACLS class, and also signed up for the American Heart Assoc.'s online "Rapid STEMI ID" course (little did I know it was going to be VERY difficult for an RN not experienced in Cardio)! When I went into my interview I knew that there were going to be many experienced RN's coming in for the position as well, so I didn't think I had a real chance, but as soon as I mentioned that I took the STEMI course, the manager said she was hiring me!!! She said "I could hire someone with a year of experience in Med-Surg, or Peds, but they may not have the drive to learn that you do, so I would rather have you take your time getting the basics down, yet have a passion for learning Cardio". So....... after about 6-7 months of seriously looking, and finding nothing -- my BEST advice: - Volunteer: Clinics, Red Cross, Events for Seniors, Schools etc. -- much better than a gap in your resume - Get ALL the certifications you can: Look at Certifications/CE's in the filed you're interested in, take a Medical Spanish Course, get IV/PIC certs, ACLS, PALS, you can actually get a higher pay rate with some certs. Community Colleges generally offer many courses that you may never have thought of. - DO NOT settle ( I almost went into Long-Term care, but I knew that I would NOT be happy there for personal reasons, and now I am so..... glad I waited) - Be open minded about other areas of nursing - Don't loose hope!!! I wanted Critical Care - and after nearly taking a position in long term care, I am now so..... excited about my new job, which I waited for! I never imagined that this is what I would be doing (I didn't even know what a Chest Pain Center was lol), but now I know that it was worth the wait!!! I will eventually get to float to the Cath Lab, ED, etc., and I will be trained in a "specialty", which is always great for experience & pay rates. Best of Luck! It will happen!!!!! -Misty

Awesome, I am so glad tht you responded, thank you! For further clarification GP- General Practiotioner (Medical Doctor - Family Practice) ADNP - Advanced Degree Nurse Practitioner FNP - Family Nurse Practitioner BTW Trauma what exactly is a CNS lol Thanks again, I really hope to get a lot of responses!

Hello! I am always coming here for information and I can usually find it myself but now I need some help ;0) If any of you could take some to answer some of the following questions I would really be greatful! I will be glad to let you know the outcome of my project if you are interested, but as for now I don't want to risk any bias by giving too much detail. If you would like to help, please message me or post your response. I REALLY Appreciate your help! - Misty S.N. Questionnaire for ADNP's, Students and GP's: 1. What field are you currently pursuing? 2. What reasons did you have for continuing your education? (Prior to BSN) 3. Did you ever consider the opposing path (GPs- did you ever consider becoming an ADNP & vice versa)? 4. In your opinion, what are the MAJOR differences between FNP's and GP's? 5. What are the current requirements for licensure in your field? a. Do you have to complete a residency? If so how long and in what area? 6. What is, or will be your total number of years in school? 7. How would you compare the knowledge levels of GP's vs. FNP's? 8. Do you feel that FNP are qualified to work safely as an independent in a family practice setting? 9. Would you ever direct your loved ones to an FNP for issues within the FNP's scope of practice? 10. Do you feel that there are any responsibilities currently held by FNP's that should be expanded or minimized? 11. Do you agree with the current regulations governing FNP prescribing? 12. What is your response to a GP stating that FNP's in private practices are "Scabs", or a GP stating that a FNP is putting their pt. in "danger" by practicing independently? 13. Do you feel that FNP's are a threat to the GP? 14. How would you define the overall perception of FNP's by the medical community? 15. GP's (or students), would you consider employing an FNP in your practice? Why or Why not? 16. What do you believe will change within the scope of practice for FNP's within the next 10 years?