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I wish I had some advice for you. New NP here, but I just wanted to agree with you. I wish we would have been taught more about documentation and coding. Hope someone has some good advice for you (us).

I can relate a little to your situations. I did tell my boss because I needed her to be flexible with my scheduling, especially when clinical hours started. But I didn't really want everyone in the floor knowing, mostly because I didn't want them to think I was bragging. I work with a lot if nurses who have their diploma degree (no problem there, I was one) and do not want to go any further. These nurses tend to make little comments like, oh your so smart. So I opted to tell my boss and just let everyone think I was still in school without saying for NP. Most of the floor has since found out, buy I still never talk about it at work unless someone asks me a specific question. Just my preference for my situation. Good luck!!

Does anyone have any ideas for thank you gift for the offices where I do clinical? Last semester I made cupcakes and a thank you note but this semester I was way too busy. I want to either have something delivered it drop it off. Any ideas?

I want to practice my assessment skills for NP school, so I was looking into buying an otoscope/ophthalmoscope set. Since I am sure many offices already have them, I am not looking to spend a fortune. What is a decent brand to look for? Thanks!

I believe legally they can terminate you as family medical leave does not start until you have been there a year. I think it is unlikely though if you are gone only 2 weeks. Or would probably take them longer to train your replacement. Hope you feel better! Lisa

I too had a baby in nursing school and I was not able to do clinical for 4 weeks although I only got one day off class (Thanks!). I went to a hospital diploma program and in order to return to clinical I had to be cleared by my OB and also by emloyee health at the hospital. Maybe she could return earlier on some kind of light duty. I was fortunate enough that my time was over Christmas when we were off clinical. Her best bet is to talk to someone in administration and find out what her programs policy is.

For my RN-to-BSN class I have to write a letter to a politician expressing my view on a political issue which impacts nursing and the current healthcare system. Anyone have any good issues or know of a place where I can access some of these issues??? I looked at my state (PA) nurse association website and I have to pay in order to view this area (which I won't do). Thanks for any assistance! Lisa

For my RN-to-BSN class I have to write a letter to a politician expressing my view on a political issue which impacts nursing and the current healthcare system. Anyone have any good issues or know of a place where I can access some of these issues??? I looked at my state (PA) nurse association website and I have to pay in order to view this area (which I won't do). Thanks for any assistance! Lisa

I work full-time, which means 3 12-hour shifts, at a intermediate med-surg unit in a hospital. I am in need of extra money and was wondering if you have any suggestions on where I should look for a job. I was thinking per diem work, but I have no idea where to work. Thanks, Lisa

I am graduating from my RN program in June and I am trying to sell the books I don't think I will need (mostly because I need the cash and because I don't want them lying around). So what books did you keep?? I am thinking Med Surg book, maternal-child book, medical dictionary, med book and labs. Getting rid of psych, pharm, critical care manual, fundamentals, and one infant/child.

Try: http://www.midwives.org/home.html They have an FNP option. I think you have to have your BSN first. But there are a ton of places you can get your BSN online.

What area of PA are you looking at?

I go to a hospital diploma program so we are right across the street from the hospital. I am in critical care too.We also have to preassess and have 3 days per week in ICU/CCU. For day 1 due is the patho, a problem list sorted by systems, a careplan a written patho and meds (Action, dose, S/E, labs and anythin else important to know). Then for the next three days we do everything the nurse does except IV meds are under supervision. We chart at the hospital and then have a 20 page packet of papers we fill out (basically everything we charted but we have to write it again). And lab correlations-why they are high/low and some other random miscellaneous busy work. So it sounds pretty similar.

Ok so I graduate from my RN program in June and it was recommended that we begin applying for jobs. To me it is a little odd because I just started my critical care rotation which I will complete clinical in the ICU and ED, so I haven't been exposed to everything yet. My thoughts are that I just want to start in med surg. I really liked the step-down unit I was on. So I have two questions: 1. When asked on the application areas I would like to work, should I put intermediate medical surgical for the step-down unit or how should I phrase it?? 2. How many areas should I list?? I would like med surg, like I stated, but I would also love to work in pediatrics. Would it be acceptable to list: intermediate med surg, med surg, and pediatrics?? Thanks for any help! Lisa

I think this is a great idea and I never even thought of it. Thanks for pointing it out to all of us. There is no use on holding on to the review books, once you pass the test!

Ok, let's see what I can do here. Before going to nursing school I was a tax accountant at a CPA firm. Let me see: Any money you pay towards your tuition can be used towards a credit on your taxes. The form you would want is 8863. Your school should send you a 1098-T, but if they don't you can use your receipts. If this is your first two years, you can take the Hope Credit which is worth more money. If not, you take the Lifetime Learning Credit. This is only for money on tuition. From the IRS form: Qualified education expenses do not include amounts for: Room and board, insurance, medical expenses (including student health fees), transportaion, or other similar personal, living, or family expenses. Course-related books, supplies, equipment, and non academic activities, except for fees required to be paid to the institution as a condition of enrollemnt or attendence. Any course or other education, involving sports, games, or hobbies, or any noncredit course. Because of the preceding quote from the IRS you cannot claim books, medical appointments or CPR course (if it was non credit). If you itemize, you can claim the medical expenses, but only if they are over 7.5% of income. Hope this helps.

I have a careplan due tomorrow. It has to have a psycosocial nursing diagnosis. I am at a total loss. I can't really do it on fear or anxiety, because the patient is "happily delirious". Any ideas would be appreciated.

OK, I feel like a complete and total idiot for even posting this question, but I am going to ask anyway. I start school on August 27. I am really excited and getting a little nervous, especially because I received my stethoscope the other day. Well I got it out to try to listen to my husband and daughters heart. Well I can't seem to hear anything at all. I bought the Littman Classic II SE. I tried both ear pieces and I still can't really hear the heartbeat. I guess I expected it to be really loud, but it's not. The only problem I can find is...I have my tragus pierced, so there is probably not a tight seal on that ear. I know I should just take the earing out and try to hear then, but I keep put it off until the last minute. Anyway...to my question..Do you think this is the reason I am not hearing anything??? Do you have any tips??? Thanks so much!

I go to bigwords.com or icampus.com. Both websites will do comparisons of all other websites, such as amazon, half.com, barnes&noble, and many others and show you the prices on those websites. That way you can see which website has the best deal. It even shows you the shipping rates for each. You should definately try these websites.

I am starting NS in a couple weeks and it will be a second degree for me. I am hoping to get more stafford loans. I haven't recieved anything from financial aid yet, which is really annoying. I am going to go ahead and apply for a loan to cover the remainder, since as a second degree student I am not eligible for financial aid. I am applying through Wachovia for their zero fee loan.

I am also working on my second degree. The first one was for accounting. I, like you, am looking at about $40k in loans when I am done with. I have been paying on my loans from my first degree, but they will soon be deferred. Here in PA, if you work for certain hospitals, you can get the loan forgiveness up to $15k or 25% of loans (I think), but this will only apply to my loans for my second degree. I guess I am just going to have to suck it up and pay off the loans myself over time.. My loans from my first degree are locked in at a good interest rate (2.7%) so that one isn't too bad.

mercyteapot, I agree about Cambria County and the little career opportunities. There is pretty much only Conemaugh (Memorial Medical Center) to work at and even though I would stand a pretty good chance getting a job there since I will be attending school there . But it is basically the only hospital and I think because of this, they think they can do whatever they want and still find employees. That scares me. I do have a daughter (and another one on the way) and I don't really want to raise my kids here. My husband doesn't understand because he grew up here. I am working on it though. Somedays he says he will move and other days he says no. I guess I have some time to decide. And I think he will go where the money is!

Dorie43RN, I was just curious...if Latrobe is closing their OB unit, there must be a nearby hospital with OB. Which one is that? I am guessing Greensburg. I ask because I think I will be interested in either OB or Peds. I have a 21 month old daughter that we took to Idelwild this past weekend. I love the Ligonier area. It is so pretty out that way.

I am originally from a town very close to Altoona. Where are you going to LPN school?? I am going to be attending Conemaugh School of Nursing in the fall. I am very excited about starting a career in the medical field, yet I am very scared. Probably because this is a second degree for me (Accounting just wasn't my thing) and also because I am pregnant. It should be a wild ride for me. Hope all goes well with you in your education!

I am going to be attending nursing school starting this fall at Conemaugh School of Nursing in Johnstown, PA. I was just wondering if anyone out there works in Westmoreland or Cambria county. My husband and I are thinking about moving when I graduate. I was looking into Latrobe area because it seems very nice out that way. does anyone have any experience working in either of these counties?? Sometimes my husband says he wouldn't mind moving out of state, but he is such a home body. He doesn't really leave Cambria County unless he has to. I would love to move a little further South, but I think we should start out slow. Thanks for any advice.