Emmjay

Seghull, Did you think the all on-line program was a good one? Did you do all three courses? I am trying to decide between the all on-line course that you did, or the distance learning from Emory. It is so much more convenient to not have to take that week off and pay for airfare and hotel........but perhaps Emory is better? Any thoughts appreciated. Thank you. em

Thank you, Margo. I don't know that I'm an expert in anything really. I do have one year experience in the ER and 3 1/2 years in ortho/trauma on the hospital floor. It has given me pretty good skills in terms of doing good assessments, taking into consideration co morbidities, living situations/habits and such. I am only concerned a bit because I have no significant wound care experience. Did some as an LPTA......back when whirlpools and hubbard tanks were standard. I do like wounds, and want to learn how to help patients get rid of them :~) I wonder what setting you are working in, whether it be the hospital or home care or wound care clinic? And in terms of schooling goes, I was thinking it might good to have a preceptor not only in the hospital setting but also in home care or outpatient clinic. emm

Hi, I have recently signed up for the WCC/national alliance course, and plan on doing the preceptor route as I have very little wound care experience. I work as an RN and also previously worked as an LPTA (physical therapist assistant) I keep hearing and reading, however, that the WOCN is much superior and opens more doors and such. To all of you good folks out there doing wound care, is that really the case? I possibly could do the WOCN.......I don't have a BSN but do have a BA. With that course I could do the on line distance learning and then do the preceptorship as well. I realize they are both recognized certifications, but I guess the WOCN is recognized also as a specialty. Any words/thoughts of wisdom? thanks so much, emm :)

Are you a new RN grad now and applying for jobs? You can place them on your Resume under Internships.......I would not consider them work experience since you were still a student at the time. If you do decide to place them under work history, make very clear they were internships for a stipend......cuz the last thing you want to do is have your potential new boss think you are not forthcoming.

hi......at my hospital, 36 hours is full time.

Hi All, I have learned so much from reading posts from many different threads, and was hoping to get some guidance from experienced or new crc's out there. I recently started a position as a clinical research coordinator nurse at a hospital, and am mainly responsible for doing the coordinator duties for an upcoming drug trial. I am verrrry new and have been learning about the regulations and such. Am realizing now (should have before!) that this job is seeming to be tracking, recording/transfering results onto forms , faxing, copying, making sure you keep every corespondence and any detail discussed regarding the trial, making sure the protocol is strictly adheared to with all of the strict timelines involved, being the point of contact for everyone on the study. The protocol is complicated, and I don't quite understand logistically how it will come together. I know I have a lot to learn, but I do feel that I can do the job. At this point I am worried will I really LIKE the job....and feeling that I am reallllly going to miss patient contact and utilizing my knowledge as a nurse. I will get some, at times by drawing labs, but for the most part, not so much. My experience is in floor nursing, which as many of you know is crazy and stressful and I don't want to go back to that. But with the floor nursing despite the long hours, physical demands, horrible nurse to pt ratio etc., there was still the reward of feeling you really had helped someone on a daily basis and used the skills you learned in nursing school(sounds cheezy but true!) I do realize that this drug could really also help patients and all of society in the long run if it gets approved, and that is rewarding. I guess I am basically wondering if any of you have more hands -on patient experiences? or is the CRC job basically like being a project manager? Maybe it's the fact that I am at a hospital and not in a more out patient clinical setting? I don't want to be ungrateful.......I know there are lots of nurses out there trying to get research jobs. I'm just worried I might miss the patients too much! Any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated :~)

I spose this may also be anti nurse.......but you might want to consider becoming a physical therapist. They work one on one with patients and they have so much autonomy. They aren't hitched up and bound to MD's. PT job satisfaction ratings are soooo much higher than nurses. The stress is much less.......just a thought!!!!!

hey J, I thank you so much for your input. Was a wee bit worried I guess to give up the 'security 'of the hospital. But I'm soooooo unhappy there! It's grueling as it sounds like you know all about. Even just workin 3 shifts it's taking the life outta me. But I do love patient care.....so I'm thinking HH is gonna be good :~) emm

Toradol is contraindicated cuz it can increase bleeding...... I've read that research is not clear regarding the effectiveness of the CPM. You'd think it would certainly increase ROM, but research is not indicating that. The pillow under the knee not only isn't good for all of the above posted reasons, but it also decreases extension of the knee or straightening of the knee......which is just as critical as flexion.....ya don't want your patient 'stuck' in a flexed position.

Hi, I'm thinking about going in to HH. Looks like to make the same money that I make now working three 12 hour shifts, I would need to have 21 visits per week. Is that average/doable?? Wondering how many visits you HomeHealthers do out there per week. Do you guys get cancelled much? I also wonder if you feel like, if you wanted or needed to, you could return to a hospital setting without feeling that you have lost any skills. I know you use a bunch of skills in home health, but not sure. Thanks for your time , and sorry if this answer(s) is already in another post :~) emm

B, I wish you well in whatever you choose. There is a PT tech job that you could do while in school to do PTA. They are usually at outpatient orthopedic offices, where you help the PT's and PTAs with the flow of patients, and you get to learn a lot about the field (the orthopedic field, anyway). It pretty much gives you similar experience if you were a tech for nurses in a hospital. If you do go the RN route, you might enjoy being a tech in an ER.....you get lots of experience there in terms of starting IV's.....doing EKG's.......you get to do quite a bit. I don't think, although am not positive since I've been out of the field a while, that PTA's are going away. Cuz they save employers a lot of money!! They do all that a PT does except the initial evaluation, yet they get paid about half as much.....and they are utilized quite a bit. I do see jobs for them where I live for sure. Okie dokie........you have a good one. Emm

Are you trying to decide between becoming an RN vs a PTA? As a former PTA (trying to re-instate my license after being out of the field 5 years) and current RN......I would absolutely go for the PTA. It is much less stressful, and you are not pushing meds on people but pushing them to become more independent. There are also many different settings you can be a PTA......acute hospital, rehab, nursing home, out patient orthopedic......you don't have to do anything school wise in terms of being certified in anything else. You mentioned CNA. Being a CNA pretty much has nothing to do with being a PTA......and you certainly don't have to be a CNA before you go into physical therapy. If you are already a CNA, it is helpful , especially if you want to work in a nursing home or in a hospital, because you already know how to move patients and assist them. It's just my opinion, but I would def go for the PTA!!!!!!

I do not reccommend that you go into nursing. It is a tough tough job. I am just a wee bit younger than you, and have been an RN about 1 year and 1/2 now. I know the first year or 2 are tough......but I'm ready to run screaming from this profession. The stress is overwhelming, for me at least......it's just not worth it!! Sorry to be a downer :~(

I wouldn't waste one more moment doing something you don't want to do!! Life is short. Like another person above on here said, if you don't think you like nursing now......you will be so so unhappy later. TRUST ME!!!! Go into rad if that is what you are pulled towards...... I wish ya all the best

PTA?? I'm not exactly sure.....is that physical therapist assistant? Or....what? Sorry to not quite know!! Thanks