wizard100

Arizona and WA state are best considering pay and NP culture/independence. I've worked in central California as a NP-summers are just nasty-hot/humid and tax is high. WA starting pay is good but it stalls- hard to get pay raise on merit. Living expenses can be just as high as California and property taxes are high. Arizona has best NP culture, autonomy, independence, and pay is good/ living expense is cheap. With that said, I am a FNP working in Seattle making 145K per yr with PTO, holiday pay, 401K, paid CME, paid license renewals. The only thing I dont like living here is from Mid october to March/April-gloomy, dark showery short days. People can get SAD, depression easy. Twilight movies were shot here-its like vampire living city during those months. Traffic is bad too. Summers and springs are one of the best in the country. 70s-80s overall. Hardly 90s...if it does its only couple of days.

I agree with most of the people here. I am in a traditional program. For some reason our patho prof decided to make it a hybrid class..1st 2 weeks on campus and last week on campus to give finals. I admit I struggled so much with online class. I guess its not for everyone. I was so lost and was always behind reading. I am a kinetic learner (listens, sees, writes notes in the class). Per our suggestion, the university has scrapped all hybrid classes. Our assessment class was the best. After our head to toe and focussed assessment in simulation lab for couple of weeks, we were paired up with a random classmate each week. One acted the NP, the other acted the patient. The student who acted as a patient had a index card with symptoms, complaints, and disease manifestations...the NP had to get a health history, labs/diagnostics (write out what you'd order), differential diagnosis and diagnosis with rationale. We had 20 mins. Then after 20 mins we swithced the role. Everytime we switched the role we got a new index card from the prof so it was not a repeat. The other person did the same for 20 mins. Then we turn the assessment write up at the end of the class in a soap format. It was graded 10 points for each assessment. So every week, we had tons of readings and had to come in lab prepared. At the end of each class, we had a clinical conference where all students would present the scenarios in oral soap format (5 mins each) per student and if the final diagnosis was wrong, we had to explain our rationale for chosing the diagnosis. The assessment class kicked our butt. I would never imagine how I would learn assessment in an online class. For me, I will never ever take online class because I dont learn and I give kudos who do so well with online format.

The 300 new grads internship in 2009 was because they opened a brand new sister hospital in Gig Harbor, WA: St. Anthonys. They were also close to opening another sister hospital in Enumclaw: Enumclaw Hospital. All hospitals are part of Fransciscan Health System: St. Joes (Tacoma), St. Claires (Lakewood), St. Francis (Federal Way), St. Anthonys and Enumclaw (the newest in their additions). I have worked at St. Joes...went through their new grad program Med/Surg/Tele. I can say from my experience the hospital was very nice, the old nurses dont eat their young and very supportive of new grads. Everyone makes sure you're doing ok. The charge nurses are excellent. If the floor was full with heavy care load patients, we had extra float CNA and extra float RNs in addition to scheduled RNs. From managers to charge nurse to staff nurses, everyone comes and asks if you need help and they do if you ask. I would recommend any new grads to apply there through their internship. Also, after getting your foot for one yr, the chances of getting hired to ICU, ER, OR, L&D is very high. They hire their own employees who have 1 yrs of med/surg in speciality areas first then open to public nurses with experience. They make you go through additional internship in those speciality areas. Go for Franciscan Health System anyday !!! I knew few travel nurses who loved it so much, they took permanent RN positions there.

This youtube video is so funny. I am sure public will be misguided what DNP does??? This video makes a nurse look hungry for "doctor" title and make her look very stupid..LOL....DNP does "venous blood draw and talking to patients", which practically LPNs and RNs learn in their first year or first semester of BSN !! I am sure this video was made by a physician !!!! Must watch...its funny though but irritating...arrgh !!

I have read one of those forums !! the student MDs just thrash and trash the NPs. I was laughing out loud at times..some of the comments were so funny..its good humor if you get bored.

Good Luck...I can imagine the nerves !! Read, Read and practice, practice lots of Q & A !!

The problem is you' re from out of state without any experiences and sometimes nurse recruiters think that you moved as a brand new nurse because you could not get job in ohio. When I was a brand new nurse, even applying 2-3hrs from where I lived..nurse recruiters raised brows?? Why wouldnt you apply to so & so hospital. Did you already apply and was not offered a job there?? Why do you wanna move etc. Very doubtful nurse recruiters. You just have to keep applying unless you get one and yes move if you have to.

I dont understand ETOH withdrawal pt taking an ICU bed just because he was on a drip & no req. for vent or dialysis? The drip pt. would have been admitted to step down at our hospital or even med/surg if no beds available at step down. I used to take care of ETOH withdrawal pt all the time in med/surg floors. We get 1:1 sitter for fall risk, restless with other 4 patients ranging from post-op to DKA. Our ICU mostly reserved for pt. with vents/dialysis and multiple drips simultaneously. Our step down for multiple drips. All the rest gets dumped to med/surg floors. That step down nurse probably is lazy and your nurse educator needs to be educated herself that it was MD who transferred the pt. and not you. Why would you want to hold that pt. in ICU for PO ativan just because he is restless??

$ 30/hr for NP is disheartening.... and this in PA unbelievable !!

dont lose hope..practice questions and read rationales. Good Luck.

Thnaks. The fact that this class is online makes it so hard. I understand I just need to buckle up and swallow up that 8lbs godzilla Are ther any online sites that I can practice questions to assess myself??

Wish you best of luck !!! Last Min Tips: Get a good night sleep and well rested. Have a breakfast if u sit for morning test. BREATHE, dont be anxious if you are not sure of answers. Make educated guesses Take some sugars with you, candy bar/juice etc to feed your brain during breaks. Lastly, read all answer option before choosing an answer. YOU CAN DO IT !!!

I am taking advance pathophys class that is online. We met first couple of weeks in class on campus and we'll meet one more class for a presentation/speech by a cardiologist for CV system. After that...one week later we have our 2 hr multiple choice final on campus..paper/pencil format which will cover the entire book. So, far online, we've done case studies, online discussion (post a ques, discuss etc). There is more much more in the book that has not been discussed or covered online. Because, at grad level we are supposed to be independent learners, I am starting to panic because I have read chapters after chapters and feel like I dont know anything. Our text does not have a CD or publishers online resource where we can practice about 10-15 questions after each system. Is there a online site where I can practice questions on pathophysiology to assess myself ??? This is my first online class and I am so lost with the depth of the content material covered. When I mail the teacher to ask about important topics that FNP must know so that I can skim never ending chapters...she replied, "as a practitioner you need to know everything" which might be true but I feel like I have lost it. Please, all the students who are taking, have taken advance patho class online/oncampus give me some pointers and suggestions how you tackled reading that 8-10 lbs book. How did you know what to focus if your teacher just tells you read chap 1-5 for week 1, chap 5-16 week 2 etc...No notes/pointers. How did you skim ?? How did you prepare for exam?? Did you practice multiple choice questions a lot...If so where online/books...please tell me. This class is just killing me

hey peaceful, so good to know someone from hawaii. i am right now in seattle...hawaii would be a total change for me...a good change. have lots of questions...just dont know where to begin..lol..never been to hawaii or know anybody living there. basically i am just hopping on to finish my school. i am sure i'll ask u lots of questions.

good luck guys....my best wishes to you. i got accepted into hawaii pacific university :) is blackberry bold good enough...which software is good for PDA ... keep us posted about ur admissions.

I have been accepted to FNP program starting Jan 2010. I wanna know...which books, electronic gadets (PDAs, which software, which programs), equipments etc....overall that is needed in lecture class as well as clinical rotation that is needed to survive. Beside must haves, i'd also like to know what are the things that are nice to have but not must haves !! Also, is working like 24-36 hrs doable going full time FNP program. All your feedbacks welcome and thank you in advance.

I read all the posts...interesting points from both sides. Here are my thoughts, to all those who ganged up on Simba, RN, BSN If a nurse is a nurse is a nurse then in a typical hospital setting, LPN (is a nurse)--> cannot do assessment, cannot do education teaching, cannot do discharge teaching, cannot do certain IV drips but ADN,BSN can ADN RN (is a nurse)----> cannot be a diabetic educator, cannot be a wound/ostomy specialist, cannot be floor educator, cannot be a research assistant, management areas but BSN RN can BSN RN (is a nurse)---> cannot make diagnosis, cannot prescribe medications, cannot treat or order diagnostic test, refer to specialist but MSN can MSN RN (is a nurse)--> can do all above things. So a nurse is a nurse is a nurse...true....NOT at the same time. If OP wants to display her credential, let her do what she believes for and stands for. This is what democracy is all about. Instead of complaining and contemplating or being a cry baby, she professionally handed out a resignation letter in something she did not believe. That is honesty and integrity even though it sounds arrogant. I dont see what she did wrong / immoral. She stood up for what she believed. If a nurse is a nurse is a nurse then how come there is restriction what one can do and cannot do with the license between LPN, ADN, BSN, MSN. Each come with more educational yrs. If all BSN RN stand united to bullying hospital policy a nurse is a nurse is a nurse then their pay might be more than $2 more or in some cases fifty cents more. On the other hand, sometimes yrs of experienced LPN can be knowledgeable than new grad ADN RN or BSN RN that does not mean experienced LPN can cross over nurses practice act of each state. When you are a new grad...there is so much to learn. Sometimes even an experienced CNA can teach RN but line stops with education and nurses practice act. CNA, LPN, ADN RN, BSN RN, MSN RN are all part of nursing team. A nurse is a nurse is a nurse.....very vague definition of nurse. One suggestion to Simba, RN BSN...if you want to be a leader with MSN/MBA...you need to learn to make friends not foes. You posts suggested that BSN RN are absolutely superior to ADN RN (which you may or may not have meant), you need to cool down and soften a bit. You don't humiliate others to brag about your achievements. You have every right to refuse a job...I applaud you not sticking one day more...you stood for what you believe.

I work .8 and staffing calls me often on my days off....I just dont pick the phone. Honestly, not working extra shifts gives me my time to destress. I dont feel I 've been burnt out. My coworkers who also work .8 and pick extra shifts are the ones most of the time complaining. They always how they are pushed to work extra and when I ask them you had the chance to say "no"....they give me million reasons why they said yes...If it is work number I simply dont pick it up and when i return the call...I politely say..."I am sorry but I cant work, I already have plans made"...

I already have a job as a RN but trying to get a second job to pick up some shifts on my days off at another hospital. I did the first interview already and been called for second one. I will have a second interview with a panel of 8 people (from Directors/Business office personnel to nurse to pharmacist and socialworker and other managers) which to me sounds very excessive. I have interviewed with managers individually for my previous jobs but what is this interview with social worker/business personnel, god sakes i am just a nurse???? Anyone had this kind of experience. Has anyone worked at Kindred Hospital. Please shed some light how it is working there??? Should I reconsider applying some where else.

ok...last year i gave interview with providence and was offered a job in med/surg & onc overflow floor. I declined their offer. Two reasons for that: their residency was only 6 weeks clinical (3 - 12 hr shift /week) and thats it. Unlike other hospitals in seattle/tacoma, providence is not tailored to your needs. Other hospitals are geared towards individual. If you need more time, they extend the residency but not providence. The hiring nurse of the floor was telling me I had to be onc certified within that short period and yes 6 weeks only. Also one of my friend who worked there was telling me they were switching to complete computer charting....which was taking her time figuring out new charting and less time pt. care. She loved working there but was frustrated with little help during the new charting transition period. UW is hiring new grads now for summer. Go to their website and apply. You have to email a lot...they dont call you...you have to call the nurse recruiter and nag them until they arrange interview with hiring managers.Their residency is 13 weeks clinical + some didatic classes with extension if you need it.The nurses are wonderful and charge RN never makes you feel..."you should have been on the floor by now attitude." They let you alone when you say....I'll be able to handle 4-5 pts now. It is very geared towards individual needs and preparedness.

thank you ghillbert and jp837. ghillbert, did you apply in aussie or US..did you have any research under your belt during undergrad at least. i dont even have that??? jp837, i cant leave WA because of the contract with the hospital. they paid for my relocation and everything when i moved here from AZ.

Hello everyone, Can you please help me with my dilemma??? esp. those who are already doing NP at UW seattle or who are on their way of applying to UW. Any other graduate nurses who got recently accepted at NP program...your input are welcome too... Please help!!! I have less than a yr of RN experience. I have a BSN. Cumulative GPA of 3.3 in ADN RN program and 3.7 at BSN. I have no volunteer exp. or any particular extra activities pertaining to health care. I love writing poems, I am a nurse with interest in literature and poetry. Now, when I fill out application I feel very short of volunteer or internship or externship or grant work or local community service etc. I have none. When I think of applying I feel like obviously I will be denied because of other nurses who have great resumes. Should I try??? I live in tacoma and work at a local hospital in a Med-surg unit. What can I do to make myself more appealing to the admission comittee. The deadline is Jan 15th and I am so discouraged to apply yet I really want to be a NP. Should I wait some more years before applying so I'll have more experience ???? Can some of you nurses tell me what your stats were...and extra activities/services you'd when applying. Were you accepted or refused?? Thanks for your help.

although i am not a WA resident....i have been living here for some time. i will vote in WA this time instead of AZ. As the OP described, i and my boyfriend who is not in medical field have arguments too. he will vote against it but i will vote for it. his arguments: poor people or family that abuse pt. for financial motives or pt. who feel they are a burden to family will request I-1000. in his views it is legal suicide. my arguments: as a nurse i have seen many pts. who suffered a lot against their will because the family will fly from other state only to execute their power as DPOA without considering what the pt. is going through. I put myself in pt. shoes and think "is this what i want when i am terminally ill with a lot of pain and suffering. my son and daughter who fly once a yr to meet me for couple of days to make decision on my behalf." One pt. i had a long time ago was ESRD, on hemodialysis, stage 4 wound ulcer on her hip and coccyx, colon CA spread to lung and bone. She had made her daughter DPOA who lives out of state. Her living will made like years ago obviously outdated and her wishes now were contrary to that made a decade ago. The family wanted this old lady to have CA treatment (chemo/radiation) at any cost. They wanted her to have full blown treatment. She was so malnutrition because of loss of appetite from CA treatment + strict renal diet, strict I & O which was obviously not helping her stage 4 ulcer to heal. Whatever she ate even 2 bites, vomits stat.The MD/ social worker all tried to work with the family to have the pt on hospice but family was so adamant to tx the patient. The pt would cry but family thinks "mom" is depressed and "i would not be guilty for rest of my life if treatment is not done." family insisted "mom is depressed now and not mentally sound to make decision". All treatments should continue. She was so drugged up for CA pain. There are multiple other cases i can go on but i truly believe this bill should be passed. It's not like anyone can ask death with dignity. 2 MD has to diagnose pt. will not live 6 months or longer. Psychiatrist has to evaluate if pt. is mentally sound or not. + its patient's decision and their right to end their life with dignity, not a distant son or daughter pretending to advocate for patient but fulfilling their own emotional needs. this bill will be controversial just like pro-choice and pro-life.

May be OP is "patriotic"... Shutting one out saying racist is not the solution to the problem... "The problem is not foreign nurses"...the problem is with people like you who thinks trying to find a solution to the problem is racism... Foreign nurses are here because hospitals want them...Hospital wants them to keep wages low and in turn have millions of dollars in profits....Of course Hospitals care "money" than patient and short staff again to save money...again foreign nurses are trapped in working these unsafe conditions. If you call US nurses who are against the hospitals economics and business tactics to soar profits by mass recruting foreign nurses...then you should not be a nurse. Nursing is not about money or foreign affairs, migration, immigration etc etc...Nursing is caring and these US nurses care enough about their patient to demand to work in safe environment, safe nurse patient ratio. It is not racism, it is patriotism and caring. To those foreign nurses who want to make their life better coming to work in US, I have nothing against you....I hope you do stand with American Nurses demanding the same work place safety. I am against the policy makers who think mass recruiting from foreign countries is a solution. I am against Hospitals who damns patients and looks for more money. And last but not least, I am against those people who think limiting foreign nurses to improve US healthcare system is RACISM....that is plain lack of critical thinking.

RN1989...you hit the nail right!!! For all those people who think raising the standard of US nursing situation by limiting mass recruitment of foreign nurses is RACIST then this is for you. Hope you read it before calling US RACIST!!!! Filipinas desperation to come here...they cheat and are diploma mills indeed http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/21/world/asia/21nurses.html?_r=1&oref=slogin http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070430235927AAPe2BI http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/05/24/news/manila.php https://allnurses.com/forums/f195/philippines-oversupply-nurses-301887-3.html