Qka

I recently made a stupid mistake and got caught ,had a meeting with my HR (prescribing medication for myself). They offered me to self report and gave me the deadline. Now, my question is how to self report? Should I just describe the dry facts? Can I be emotional and more descriptive to explain my wrongdoing? Or it does not matter? Should I self report at all or wait for them to report me first? The second question is regarding lawyer representation. I am in FL. Any recommendations? I called a few and facing a choice to pay flat fee for the case (rather high) or to pay hourly towards my retained price after which it will be additional. I don't know how long it will take... Should I start with a lawyer before I self report? I am on a personal leave until further notice Right now I am so shaky....

I am about to start my first NP job (already accepted the offer, tomorrow is my first job). I accepted their offer without counter offer, although I did not like on thing on it: CME $500 per year. It seemed to be low in comparison with what I've seen here on the forum. Job is in primary care M-F, 8-5, no calls, no weekends, no rounds. 25 miles commute. Big corporation. Annual salary is comparable with other offers I received in my area. Patient load is on the low side (see walk ins of the current practice). 3 weks PTO, medical, dental,vision plans (I wont use them, they are very expensive for out of pocket part in comparison with my husband's benefits) Malpractice covered. But I have not seen it yet, they said I will see it on the first day, tomorrow. No non-compete. 5K bonus. 90 days notice if I decide to leave. I took it because it seems ok: Low pressure, they provide good orientation, salary is local average, patient volume is low. I also hope to transfer to another location of this company (closer to me). Plus, I need to start somewhere. What do you think? Can I discuss the offer once I started? I will see malpractice contract, what about I don't like something in it?

Thank you everybody who took time and aswered my question. I do not know how accurate it that website salary estimate, but I do not have much to compare it with. I only know 2 NPs who disclosed this info with me. One makes about 90K (specialty), one classmate just got hired and said offers were from 74-85K (Internal medicine). I do not want to start too low. At the same time I want to be prepared with this financial stuff (which I do not feel comfortable with). I only went to one interview. Specialty that I am HIGHLY interested into. I did not get an official offer and was not offered a job. One of the questions that I was asked was about the salary. It was just the discussion of salary, not an offer. I wanted MD to make me an offer first and describe benefits. Of course, I did reserach prior and found out that mean for my area in this specialty was 98K. MD made me name it and I said 90K, he answered that yes, 98K is an average mean salary, but I am unexperienced and can not receive that much, bla, bla, bla. Did not discuss it further. He offered me to shadow him for a day and I did. After that I was denied a job. I just don't know if I made a resonable offer or asked too much. Was it a deciding factor? Why he offered me to shadow him then? But we just touched this topic and moved on. I dont know if there are other benefits like med insurance, malpractice, etc. This time I want to be more prepared for a question like this. I have an interview in a walk in clinic. All I know, it is M-F, every other Saturday (1/2 day), no hospital, don't know about on call, holidays off, 2 weeks PTO, don't know the rest. From my classmate who just got an offer in my area and told me the range 75-85K. Can I ask closer to a higher end of this range? I have 5 years hospital RN experience, mostly med surge, some peds, females (if it matter). That classmate had only 5 months RN experience. That is the reason why I started this topic.

Quick question. Let's say, I do a research of NP salaries in certain specialty in my are. Mean is 90K, low 80K, high 112K. As a new grad what can I reasonably ask for?

I am planning to buy some review course (unsure which one yet). It consists of a book + CDs. I wonder if CD is the reading of book information or is it additional information? I am not a great audio learner, I might be able to buy just a book, maybe even used book to save money. Thank you!

Contrary to the other responders, I do not see anything wrong that you try to plan you future. I did the same. It seems weird but it worked for me. I was almost in your situation. I got a master degree from abroad before we moved to the USA and I faced a dilemma what to do with myself. I went in to RN school although some people told me I could take advantage of my MS. Although I always wanted to be an MD, I did not consider medical school because of its cost and length of study. I could not afford it. I did not know much about PA back then, there is no such a profession in my country of origin. Anyway, there was no PA school locally and I did not consider relocation. So, I went into nursing. Now I am finished FNP school working as a nurse. But my situation is slightly different than yours. If I were you, I would go to PA school to save time. Going for RN, then BSN, then NP is too long and $$$$ and the end result is equal to PA. Unless you are not sure if you want to continue studying after BSN. Another thing that I did not know about nurses is how much exhausting this job is. Nurses work very short, they are required to perform more and more tasks. I know many nurses are burned out. The pay is an okay in my opinion, but for that kind of pay you can get an easier job somewhere else. The only good thing I can tell is that the schedule is very flexible and job market is great when you are a nurse. You want have a problem to find a job comparing to other specialties. You are able to raise kids and work full time. You can work nights, weekends, whatever.

I am in my final semester and deciding what exam to day.

What are requirements for FNP recertification through AANP and ANCC? Which one is easier? I read their websites, got some idea, but it is not quite clear to me. I am trying to decide with exam to take and reading posts about it. Somebody wrote that AANP recertification is easier. Do I understand it right? I almost decided to take AANP after reading about the exams. Just need to know one more thing. Thanks!

Thanks! I test okay usually. Sometimes very good.

If there is one, I am not aware. But it is a good idea to look for one for me as well as I am in my final semester:) Thanks for the hint:) Overall, if I have to appy again, I would still to apply to USF since 1) it is state college, accredited program 2) I live locally, commute is like 30 min for me 3) cheaper than other schools around. I did not consider those online no name schools at all.

I have Fitz CD review from 2011 from my friend...I think i need something more current. Thanks for your reply!

First year you can take all classes online, there is an option to take some in the form of regular classroom class. But if your goal is to do it online as much as you can, you can take them online up to advanced diagnostics class. I believe it is like a year into the program doing it part time like majority of students. Then, you have to come to campus at least a few times per semester if not every week for lectures. When you start clinical part of the program, in Adult I i took it online, so i did not have to come to campus for lectures. But in Adult II there was no option for online class. Online classes fill in very fast, so might not be able to register for them even if they are offered. I don't know how it is going to be in the future though. It seems like they change from semester to semester. The classes are only at the main campus-Tampa. Clinicals are everywere, on average I have to drive like 40-50 miles from my location and I live in Tampa. Clinicals are about 2 times/week. The program itself is ok. Not perfect, but I can't compare it to others. I don't like USF bureaucracy and parking. The content is okay, teachers are good for the most part. Some are awasome:). I did not have horrible teachers:) P.s. I had (MODERATOR EDIT OF NAME - PLEASE DO NOT POST NAMES OF THOSE IN YOUR PROGRAM PER TOS) for patho, I just looked in my files. I liked that class, it was totally online with recorded lectures over PP.

I am in FNP program at USF. I did this class online. Forgot the teacher's name but I think it is (MODERATOR EDIT OF NAME - PLEASE DO NOT POST NAMES OF THOSE IN YOUR PROGRAM PER TOS). Got an A in the class. She recorded lectures as she was talking over power points. They were like 4h a week. The tests were fair.

I know NPs who work as RN like once a month, but they are experienced RNs and they work that once day because of the pay (double for extra). But as a new grad I don't see it possible because of all education and orientation they will make you go through in the beginning. Plus, you won't be able to make you schedule when you are right after orientation.

Since I did not get replies in the student sub forum, I want to raise this question here. How different is review from 2015 and previous years? Were there any changes in the exam? The question is about different reviews, Fitzgerald or Berkeley for example. I am considering to buy a used cd review , but I only see 2014 and earlier editions.

I am in my final semester and getting info about certification. Trying to save money...:) If I can... So, I am thinking to purchase a used review course with CDs. It is like 50% cheaper than original. But it seems like the only available reviews are from 2014. Is there much difference with 2015? How to find this out? Also, a friend of mine just gave me her CDs but they are dated like 2011 or 2012. Is it too outdated? The second question is if my friends and I are going to study in a group, any suggestions with the plan of study? We plan to buy different reviews and exchange. They are pretty expensive and this way we can use different reviews. Any other ideas how to study? Any info would be very appreciated. Thanks!

And the age does not matter. They get complications in young or old. However, I dont know if they struggled with infertility, we get them already pregnant:) For the most part, they conceived naturally but we have some patients from our fertility clinic with IVFs and so on. What matters is mother's health. She can be very sick in 20-s or super healthy in 40-s. I see miracles every day, but also I see that doctors can't predict or fix a lot of issues.

Well, there is so many cases I see daily. I love females, I love L&D. Unfortunately, I was not able to do CNM because there is no program in my area and I wont be able to relocate. That is why I went for FNP locally. I work in a teaching hospital with huge L&D. We see all complications, all abnormalities that I don't know how you can get pregnant working here:) We got all high risk pregnancies that other local hospitals can't manage. That is why my point of view is somewhat not accurate. . I can tell you, the best thing in the world is healthy baby. In most cases you can not predict anything wrong. Older or younger. It just happens sometimes. No explanation. And there are so many complications around, I had no clue before started to work here. So, hint- dont work is L&D:) However, my own friend (not in medical field) got pregnant at age of 40 after a few years of attempts. (She met her fiancee after age of 35). At 20 weeks she was admitted for preterm labor and cervical incompetence. Her infertility issues were not related to cervix, it was more like tubal factor. Incompetent cervix was found accidentally on a planned US at 20 weeks. By the time she came to the hospital she was already dilated. I really thought there is no way to to make it. But she spent the rest of her pregnancy on complete bed rest, with cervix 3 cm open and delivered at 37 weeks.She was probably afraid to sneeze or cough ( I dont know how she pooped). She went in preterm labor a few times though but they stopped it. That is a miracle. Another couple had a baby after 26 YEARS of attempts. Also, incompetent cervix, miscarrying all the time. That is another miracle. There are millions of such stories. The bottom line-you never know and there is nothing better a healthy baby.

I wonder that too

Well, been there, done that. I got my child before right after I got RN license and before I started FNP, which I planned to go for anyway and did not want to wait too long. I hear you girl. If you are ready to have a child-go for it. It is so worth it. I guess when your maternal instinct hits, nothing can stop you. You do not know if you have any problems to conceive until you try. I would continue to take FNP classes, if you just started, many of them are online. Hopefully, your pregnancy is going to go smooth. By the time you start clinicals, you are going to be over with pregnancy and baby is going to be older. I would go part time as an RN or quit all together and focus on school only, if you can do it. Yes, you will be tired (if do school, work and baby). Hopefully, your husband is supportive, that means a lot. I know people who do it. I had my baby 2 months after i got my RN license. I had fertility issues and I knew about them, that is why I did not want to wait to take a risk not to be able to have any children. I started my first RN job when baby was 4 months old, was in the survival mode for a year because I worked nights and did not have a sitter (long story, but did not work well) and did not want to do daycare. Enrolled baby in the daycare when she was 17 months. SHE did great!!!!! She got sick once in a while but nothing major at all. Many 2-3 URI a year???? Of course, I was scared about all those sick kids stories. Now I am finished FNP, my daughter is 4.5 years old, I am so glad I had her!!!!! She is my best friend. She is my life. She is older and it is easier. I probably will not be able to have another one, my relationships with my husband are not so great, not like it was 5 years ago when we went for a baby. Go for it. The more important thing is your health and the baby's, smooth pregnancy, no complications. I work in L&D and I've seen it all. It is possible. Younger women generally do better. I told generally. And the beginning of FNP program was not hard for me at all. Clinical part is not hard either ( I am not saying it is super easy, but it is not unreal), but it is more time consuming I would say. I am an A student and English is not my native language. I assume if English is your native language it is even easier. I go to a state public school that is very competitive to get in in comparison with other schools around (because it is good and tuition is not as high like private or online). Good luck with any decision!

I am am not an NP yet, just finishing FNP program (3rd clinical semester). I agree with what you are saying. You did not need much for my clinicals. The pace is usually fast, i barely able to take notes as we go for me to record my clinical experience for school. Some preceptors do not allow you to chart because it takes time and they are already behind, or they have their own way of charting (like one did it after seeing the patients). Welcome to reality:) I just use my notepad, pen to take notes. Epocrates for quick reference. Drug guide and 5 minute consults are definitely helpful but for the desk, which students don't have. I do not bring any purse or anything to my clinicals (there is no place to store it usually), just my water bottle as I drink plenty. I keep my stuff my my coat pockets (car keys, phone, notepad, pen, stethoscope of course). That is it. Maybe a pocket book (if you get quizzed by your preceptor). Sometimes there is no place in refrigerator for lunch either. This is how real clinicals are. However, I am not complaining. You learn as you go. Majority of patients/treatments are repetitive and you memorize info fast. Lab references are usually provided by the lab, so no need to carry that stuff. For unusual cases you can always use online.

Thanks for your input.

Well, i think both... Let me give you an example. The other day we had a diabetic patient on oral agents. Her FBS was in low 200s, not well control and we needed to adjust her medicine. She had tried some OA in the past, which did not work for her for one reason or another. E.g. did not lower BS to desirable level, had side effects or cost, not covered by insurance. I felt like we are triying just randomly to pick up OA that works for BS and satisfy her needs. But there should be some algorithm, shouldn't it? The recent medicine were very new, I have not heard about some of them at all. I do not know their cost or insurance coverage. Yes, I have Epocrates. In class we did not cover diabetes at all yet, I am just 5 weeks into my first clinical semester. So my knowledge is basically from my BSN education and experience. And being a hospital nurse, I mostly deal with insulin, not OA. I realize that it becomes easier with experience and the more I get covered in school. But at my current level, what advice is helpful for me? Diabetes is just one of them. HTN, lipidemia are other popular diseases in primary care. Or antibiotics. I hope you see what I mean.

I believe your problem is AS degree. They want BSN for new grads and it does not matter if you have a bachelor in something else.

Hi friends, I am in my first clinical semester. I feel like I finally learn what I have to learn. However, I feel ovewhelmed. I feel like I studied a lot, know a lot, but I am still not comfortable. I would appreciate any advice you have to make this process easier. Maybe some guidlines, protocols, something like that? How to keep track of new changes, new meds? Maybe some journals are helpful? Another thing: what is the best way to organize your notes? Right now I started a notebook where I put my lecture notes in. But I feel it is not the best way to do it. Any advice is appreciated.